Spirit Airlines Baggage Fees & How To Avoid Paying Them!

Customers need to be careful about how charges like baggage fees add up on budget airlines like Spirit.

Spirit Airlines does not include any bags in its base allowance (Bare Fare), not even carry-ons. Additionally, baggage prices increase the closer you get to take off. This means your best bet is to buy your allowance during your initial booking.

Another consideration: Spirit’s baggage policy states the maximum checked bag weight allowed is 40 pounds (18 kg). This is 10 pounds (5 kg) less than the standard average, and you’d better believe you’ll be paying extra for that difference.

Spirit Airlines Carry-on Allowance

1 Personal Item: FREE with Bare Fare

Standard Carry-on Bag:

Fees depend on the route and when you purchase your bags, and Spirit advises passengers to use its baggage calculator. After running a few searches, we found the consistent fees below, but be sure to check your specific route.

During Booking:

• Spirit Saver$ Club — $59 to $68
• Standard — $60 to $69

Before Online Check-in:

• Spirit Saver$ Club — $61 to $70
• Standard — $62 to $71

During Online Check-in:

• Spirit Saver$ Club — $63 to $72
• Standard — $64 to $73

Airport Reservation Desk: $79
At Gate: $99

Size Restrictions

• Personal: 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm)
• Standard: 22 x 18 x 10 inches (56 x 46 x 25 cm)

Lap Infant Carry-on Policy

• Breast pumps and baby formula are allowed to be carried onto an aircraft and don’t count towards your carry-on allowance.

Stroller Check Policy

• Spirit Airlines will check a stroller or double stroller and car seat at the ticket counter or gate. The stroller will be waiting for you when you exit the aircraft.

Spirit Airlines Checked Baggage Allowance

All checked bags must adhere to a max weight of 40 pounds (18.1 kg) and must adhere to max linear dimensions of 62 inches (158 cm).

Spirit Airlines considers several items in its fee calculations, including the route, dates of travel, and Spirit Saver$ Club or standard fare. We ran some searches and found consistent fees below.

For the most personal/accurate baggage fee calculations, please use Spirit’s online baggage calculator tool.

Some routes may limit the number of checked bags allowed (please refer to the online baggage calculator tool).

Hot Tip: Those with Spirit Airlines Gold status receive a free carry-on and checked bag on all Spirit flights.

Additional and Excess Baggage Fees:

Overweight Fee
41 to 50 pounds (18 to 23 kg): $59
51 to 100 pounds (23 to 45 kg): $99

Oversized Fee
63 to 80 linear inches (158 to 203 cm): $100
Special items over 80 linear inches (203 cm): $150

For baggage fees related to special luggage (sporting equipment, musical instruments, etc.) please refer to Spirit Airlines’ policy.

Spirit Airlines does allow passengers the ability to prepay for luggage online, via the mobile app, or by contacting its call center.

Here are the ways you can prepay:

• Log in to your reservation via the My Trips tab on the Spirit website and click Add bags. This can be done more than 24 hours before departure. For less than 24 hours before departure, use the Check-In tab.
• Download and log in to the Spirit Airlines app
• Contact the Spirit Airlines call center at 855-SAVE-555 (855-728-3555)

Exclusions and Waivers

For active-duty military, Spirit will provide 2 free checked bags and a free carry-on, in addition to the free personal item. This does not extend to family members.

Credit Cards That Reimburse You for Checked Bag Fees

Neither of Spirit Airlines’ 2 co-branded credit cards offers any baggage benefits, so if you need to pay for checked luggage, consider using one of the cards below to offset the cost:

Each card allows you to redeem Capital One miles for 1 cent each as a statement credit for previous travel purchases (within 90 days).

To see more airline baggage fees and policies, click here.