Understanding Spirit Airlines’ Cancellation Policy: What You Need to Know

Planning a trip can be exciting — but sometimes, life throws us curveballs. A change in schedule, an unexpected emergency, or even a simple change of heart may lead you to cancel your flight. If you’ve booked with Spirit Airlines, you may be wondering what your options are. Can you cancel your flight? Will you get a refund? Are there fees involved?

Spirit Airlines, known for its ultra-low-cost fares, has a different approach to cancellations compared to traditional carriers. This guide will help you understand Spirit Airlines' cancellation policy and show you how to minimize fees, secure refunds, or make the best of unavoidable changes.

1. The 24-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation Window

Spirit Airlines cancellation policy adheres to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s regulations, which require all airlines to offer a 24-hour cancellation window. If you book a flight at least seven days before the departure date, you have 24 hours from the time of booking to cancel your reservation and receive a full refund — regardless of the fare type.

This applies only if you book directly through Spirit.com, the Spirit app, or over the phone with Spirit Airlines.

Key Points:

Booking must be made at least 7 days (168 hours) before departure.

Cancellation must happen within 24 hours of booking.

Refund is issued to your original form of payment.

No cancellation fee is charge

If you’re unsure about your travel plans, this 24-hour period is your safest bet to cancel without penalty.

2. Cancelling After 24 Hours — What Are Your Options?

Once the 24-hour window closes, Spirit’s cancellation policy becomes stricter. Spirit's low-cost fares are generally non-refundable, meaning you won’t receive your money back unless you’ve opted into specific add-ons or fare options.

However, you’re not completely out of luck. Spirit allows you to cancel your reservation and receive a Reservation Credit for the remaining balance after applicable fees.

Reservation Credit Details

Valid for 12 months from the date of issuance.

Can be used to book future Spirit flights and certain add-ons.

Non-transferable — must be used by the original traveler.

3. Spirit Airlines Cancellation Fees

As of February 5, 2025, Spirit reinstated cancellation fees for certain fares. The exact fee depends on the fare you booked

"Go" fare: $99 cancellation fee per passenger.

"Go Big," "Go Savvy," and "Go Comfy": These fare bundles offer more flexibility and may include waived or reduced fees

To avoid higher charges, Spirit recommends canceling your flight online rather than at the airport or over the phone.

4. Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) Option

Spirit offers a "Cancel For Any Reason" add-on when you book your flight on their website. This option gives you more control and flexibility in case your plans change.

How CFAR Works:

Must be purchased at the time of booking.

Only available for flight-only reservations (no packages).

Allows cancellation for any reason up to 24 hours before departure.

Offers a 100% refund to your original form of payment.

The CFAR fee is non-refundable, even if unused.

This is a valuable option for travelers who want peace of mind, especially when booking non-refundable fares.

5. What If Spirit Cancels Your Flight?

If Spirit Airlines cancels your flight (due to weather, mechanical issues, staffing problems, etc.), you are entitled to a full refund, even if you purchased a non-refundable fare.

You have three options:

Rebook on another Spirit flight within 7 days at no additional cost.

Receive a full refund to your original payment method.

Accept a Reservation Credit for future travel.

If the cancellation disrupts your trip significantly, it’s best to request the refund — especially if you aren’t sure when you’ll rebook.

6. Medical Emergencies or Bereavement Situations

Spirit does not have a standard refund policy for medical emergencies or bereavement. However, they may consider issuing a credit or waiving fees on a case-by-case basis.

You’ll likely need to provide:

Medical documents (hospital notes, doctor’s letter, etc.)

Death certificate or obituary (in the case of bereavement)

A clear explanation of why you’re requesting an exception

It’s important to contact Spirit’s customer support directly for these situations.

7. How to Cancel a Spirit Airlines Flight

Here’s a step-by-step guide to cancel your flight:

Visit Spirit.com.

Click on “My Trips” in the top menu.

Enter your confirmation number and last name.

Select the flight you want to cancel.

Follow the on-screen instructions.

Review your refund or credit details before confirming.

8. Refund and Credit Timelines

Credit card refunds typically take 7–10 business days to process.

Reservation Credits are usually issued within 24–48 hours after cancellation.

You’ll receive a confirmation email with your updated balance and expiration date.

Final Thoughts

Spirit Airlines offers affordable airfare, but it comes with a trade-off in flexibility. That said, you can still protect your money if you understand their cancellation policy:

✅ Cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund (if flight is 7+ days away)

✅ Purchase “Cancel For Any Reason” at the time of booking for maximum flexibility

✅ Expect a Reservation Credit (not a refund) if you cancel after 24 hours

✅ Receive a full refund if Spirit cancels your flight

Before you book, read the fare terms carefully, consider optional protections, and act quickly if your plans change. A little preparation goes a long way in avoiding unnecessary fees and frustration.