Anyone flown Spirit lately?

[bill_bly_ca]

We are humming and hawing on end January.


With 1/2 the cost of all the other options ..

Searches so far are (for 2) $1600 out of Pearson, $1200 out of Buffalo, $1085 from Detroit..

Spirit is showing $661 (for 2) for the same flight (before bag fees et al)

How bad are they... really??

[Jonh]

How much does it cost to get to Detroit or Buffalo? Gotta factor that in.

[Little Corn Tom]

We are humming and hawing on end January.


With 1/2 the cost of all the other options ..

Searches so far are (for 2) $1600 out of Pearson, $1200 out of Buffalo, $1085 from Detroit..

Spirit is showing $661 (for 2) for the same flight (before bag fees et al)

How bad are they... really??

Spirit really sucks but it is hard to ignore their pricing.

My biggest complaint against them is their FLL/MGA schedule. Their arrival/departure times almost always mean an extra day or two hotel stay, wiping out their cost advantage.

If you have someone in MGA to pick you up and provide shelter, it may make sense.

Also note that above and beyond bag fees are seat (yes) fees.

[bill_bly_ca]

How much does it cost to get to Detroit or Buffalo? Gotta factor that in.

I did that thumbnail in the Delta story about a year ago..

My costs to Murdah citty, inc an overnight that had 10 days parking, was $512 ish.. But that was an additional 20 days of parking and an overnight stay.

Because the hotel stay covers the parking it would chop off $200 or make it $300ish extra.. Still well less than a full trip through YYZ.

Interesting twist I priced later though was a Flight for Fort L from Pearson (YYZ) and then a flight on Spirit to MGA.. That only came to $706 for the 2 of us.. Which might be the better option, just two sets of tickets to buy..

[kwah2249]

Just bought from AA for a February trip. They are now charging for "preferred seats", the ones closer to the front.

Both Delta and Continentals schedules made it difficult for a one day trip.

I am still having trouble booking La Costena flights, wish they would fix their website.

[Richit]

We are humming and hawing on end January.


With 1/2 the cost of all the other options ..

Searches so far are (for 2) $1600 out of Pearson, $1200 out of Buffalo, $1085 from Detroit..

Spirit is showing $661 (for 2) for the same flight (before bag fees et al)

How bad are they... really??

I looked up flights for early Febuary and was suprised to get a quote with Spirit for $1,000 for 3 people round trip, Flight would land at 2:30am mga, which is not a problem since the MIL lives in MGA and could arrange for a safe ride to her house.This might be a family Xmas gift this year. Does spirit allow a bag (free)for international flights? or do I have to wear all my clothes in layers on the plane and bring a small back pack. I was reading the fine print and was a little confused

[bill_bly_ca]

I looked up flights for early Febuary and was suprised to get a quote with Spirit for $1,000 for 3 people round trip, Flight would land at 2:30am mga, which is not a problem since the MIL lives in MGA and could arrange for a safe ride to her house.This might be a family Xmas gift this year. Does spirit allow a bag (free)for international flights? or do I have to wear all my clothes in layers on the plane and bring a small back pack. I was reading the fine print and was a little confused

$35 / checked bag
$25 / Carried bag

Dealers choice for seat = no charge

Choice of seat = $10 and up

They have a $9 club.. You pay $59 and you get some of it back in reduced fees and sometimes cheaper flights.. The $59 is good for one year of membership.

e.g. There are some $109 per leg flights summer 2013 if you pay the $59 where the regular is $179.. A member can buy as many flights at the reduced rate (and checked bags at reduced rate as well I think)

[Mikeh]

We are humming and hawing on end January.


With 1/2 the cost of all the other options ..

Searches so far are (for 2) $1600 out of Pearson, $1200 out of Buffalo, $1085 from Detroit..

Spirit is showing $661 (for 2) for the same flight (before bag fees et al)

How bad are they... really??

Billy, I just did a fast search on expedia.ca, leaving YYZ to MGA roundtrip on AA, leaving 8/1/2013 returning 29/1/2013, one-stop, $710 CDN pp all taxes and fees included, $1410 for two. How does that compare to Spirit when you consider fees which Spirit charges for stuff such as carry-on luggage and the costs you would incur by having to leave and arrive at really strange hours? Not to mention how dragged out you would feel by 12- to 24-hour layovers in Florida?

[bill_bly_ca]

Billy, I just did a fast search on expedia.ca, leaving YYZ to MGA roundtrip on AA, leaving 8/1/2013 returning 29/1/2013, one-stop, $710 CDN pp all taxes and fees included, $1410 for two. How does that compare to Spirit when you consider fees which Spirit charges for stuff such as carry-on luggage and the costs you would incur by having to leave and arrive at really strange hours? Not to mention how dragged out you would feel by 12- to 24-hour layovers in Florida?

Compared to Detroit Almost $800 difference - The Spirit number is $661 for two people..

I figure another $100 for luggage and $250-300 for the drive..

I think I will look into the fly to FLL first and then Spirit to Managua. There are 4 options, 2 ppl, from YYZ to FLL for $360-$380 and then spirit offers the same (about $350 for 2 ppl) to and fro from MGA.. Just have to pad the layover..

[robertharvey]

Bill, I flew Spirit round trip from Dallas to Ft Lauderville and to Cartagena without problem and on schedule, give or take 20 minutes.

I had trouble one time that caused me to spend the night in Ft Lauderville, but other than that, the price makes it worthwhile.

I will be flying to Nica on 12-01-12 on Spirit.

[cookshow]

The biggest problem with Spirit is the arrival/departure times, especially if coming/going to the Coast, you are looking at a 6-8 hour layover just in MGA.

For ordinary tourists the baggage may not be a problem but for anyone with family and friends in Nicaragua you know you are going to be hauling plenty of cargo.

Figure in the extra baggage charges and the potential for a night or 2 in a hotel to make the trip more bearable, as well as the layovers, and it is probably a wash unless you are going from Ft Lauderdale.

[thom]

look at westjet to FLL

[bill_bly_ca]

look at westjet to FLL

Awwww Crap.. Just realised I forgot to select 2 ppl.. Flying via any carrier to FLL and then Spirit to MGA is on par with any other carrier except spirit from Detroit.. (ii.e. about $1100)

I still have points too.. Was just hoping to hold on to them longer.. May have to go that route..

Mikeh.. For the dates we have chosen (last 2 weeks of Jan) what you state is pretty consistent.