01 — Your situation — what you paid with matters most
Best position
Paid with a credit card
Spirit will auto-refund to your card. If that doesn't happen, call your issuer and request a "chargeback" under the Fair Credit Billing Act — non-delivery of service is a strong claim. Act within 120 days of your transaction date.
Some protection
Paid with a debit card
Protections are weaker but still worth trying. Call the number on the back of your card and ask about disputing the charge for non-delivery of service. Still better than waiting for bankruptcy court.
Third-party booking
Booked via Expedia, Kayak, etc.
Spirit won't refund you directly — contact your travel agency or booking platform to request a refund from them. Keep your Spirit confirmation number and proof of payment ready.
Uncertain — may not recover
Free Spirit points, vouchers, credits
Compensation "will be determined at a later date through bankruptcy court." Analysts say odds of recovering loyalty points are slim. You are an unsecured creditor — last in line. Still file a proof of claim to preserve any rights you have.
Not covered
Incidental costs — hotel, meals, car
Spirit will not reimburse any incidental travel costs. If you have travel insurance, ask if your policy covers "insolvency" or "service cessation." Policies bought after Spirit's Aug 2025 bankruptcy filing may be excluded as a known event.
02 — Critical rules to follow right now
03 — Rescue fares — every airline offering help
Most airlines require your Spirit confirmation number and proof of payment. Windows are closing — act today.
JetBlue
$99 fares expire May 6
$99 one-way rescue fares on matching Spirit routes, travel through May 6. Blue Basic fares capped at $299 from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and San Juan, PR (SJU) through May 8.
JetBlue is also adding 11 new destinations from Fort Lauderdale to help backfill Spirit's network long term.
Must call to book rescue fares: 1-800-538-2583
JetBlue is also adding 11 new destinations from Fort Lauderdale to help backfill Spirit's network long term.
Must call to book rescue fares: 1-800-538-2583
Southwest
Expires May 6 · Airport only
Walk-up fares at airport ticket counters only — not bookable online. Discounted international fares also available. Bonus: Spirit Silver and Gold status matched to Southwest A-List.
| Flight distance | One-way fare |
|---|---|
| 500 miles or fewer | $200 |
| 501 – 1,000 miles | $300 |
| Over 1,000 miles | $400 |
United Airlines
Through May 16
MileagePlus members with Spirit flights booked May 2–16 access a dedicated portal to rebook. Fares capped at $199 for most routes, $299 for longer flights with connections. Book online.
United rebooked 14,000 Spirit passengers within the first 12 hours of the shutdown.
→ united.com/specialfares
United rebooked 14,000 Spirit passengers within the first 12 hours of the shutdown.
American Airlines
Limited time
Rescue fares on nonstop routes overlapping Spirit — American covers 70 of Spirit's 72 airports and 67 of its specific routes. Also adding larger aircraft and additional flights on key routes. Book via the AA app or aa.com.
→ aa.com
Delta Air Lines
5-day window
Reduced nonrefundable rescue fares across all domestic Spirit markets — nonstop and one-stop connections via Delta hubs — plus all U.S.–Latin America routes where Spirit operated. Check delta.com for your specific route.
→ delta.com
Frontier Airlines
Code expires May 10
Use promo code SAVENOW on 100+ former Spirit routes plus 9 new routes being added this summer. Travel through Nov 19, 2026.
Also offering a GoWild All-You-Can-Fly Summer Pass for $199 (book by May 8 for unlimited summer flights).
Also offering a GoWild All-You-Can-Fly Summer Pass for $199 (book by May 8 for unlimited summer flights).
| Travel window | Fare |
|---|---|
| May 2 – Jun 10 (non-peak) | ~$0 + taxes |
| May 2 – Jun 10 (peak dates) | $99 one-way |
| Jun 11 – Sep 8 (Tue/Wed) | ~$0 + taxes |
| Jun 11 – Sep 8 (other days) | $49 one-way |
| SAVENOW — 50% off (Tue/Wed/Sat) | 21-day advance |
| SAVENOW — 10% off | Any day, no advance |
Allegiant Air
Book by May 12
Use promo code ALLWAYSTHERE to receive 50% back in Allways Rewards points on 20+ eligible routes where the carriers overlapped. Effectively offsets cost of future bookings. Travel window: May 2 – July 20, 2026.
Allegiant is also holding fares steady on all routes where it directly competed with Spirit.
→ allegiantair.com
Allegiant is also holding fares steady on all routes where it directly competed with Spirit.
Avelo Airlines
Buy by May 31
Use promo code TRYAVELO for up to 75% off base fares on select former Spirit markets. Travel through Nov 17, 2026. Blackout dates apply.
Bonus: Free status match to Avelo PLUS for affected Spirit flyers. SpiritSaver$ Club members can match to Avelo PLUS for a 12-month membership — submit request by May 31, 2026.
Avelo is also actively hiring former Spirit crew members.
→ avelo.com
Bonus: Free status match to Avelo PLUS for affected Spirit flyers. SpiritSaver$ Club members can match to Avelo PLUS for a 12-month membership — submit request by May 31, 2026.
Avelo is also actively hiring former Spirit crew members.
Avianca
Already flew outbound? Free return
Free return flights (airfare waived) for passengers who already completed the outbound leg of their Spirit trip and hold a return Spirit ticket home. Taxes, fees, and mandatory charges still apply.
Go to an Avianca airport counter on your scheduled flight day (or one day early) — rebooking handled in order of arrival, space available. Applies to Spirit tickets for travel May 2–16, 2026.
→ avianca.com
Go to an Avianca airport counter on your scheduled flight day (or one day early) — rebooking handled in order of arrival, space available. Applies to Spirit tickets for travel May 2–16, 2026.
Breeze Airways
Details pending
Included in the DOT's list of participating carriers but has not yet published specific fares or promo codes. Check breeze.com and their social channels for updates.
→ breeze.com
Hertz (Ground Transport)
Limited time
If flying isn't an option, Hertz is offering one-way vehicle rentals with up to 25% off for Spirit passengers. May be the fastest option for shorter distances where driving is realistic.
→ hertz.com
04 — Action checklist — in order of priority
1
Save all Spirit documentation immediately
Screenshot or download your confirmation email, booking receipt, any cancellation notice, and all correspondence with Spirit. You'll need proof of booking to access rescue fares and file claims. The National Consumers League warns that deadlines are strict.
2
Do not cancel your Spirit booking yourself
Let Spirit's cancellation stand. Voluntarily canceling eliminates your ability to file a chargeback — you must wait for Spirit's cancellation to be on record before disputing the charge.
3
Check Spirit's refund status page (MyTrips)
Confirm whether an automatic refund has been initiated for your credit or debit card booking. This should happen automatically for direct bookings — but don't assume it has gone through.
4
If no refund appears, call your card issuer today
Tell them you want to dispute a charge for non-delivery of service. This is your right under the Fair Credit Billing Act. Chargeback windows typically run 120 days — but the clock may start from the cancellation notice date. Act promptly.
5
Book a new flight if you still need to travel
Use the rescue fares above — they're the best-priced options right now. Also check Google Flights across all airlines. Be flexible on dates, connections, and nearby airports. Summer fares are rising fast as Spirit's seats vanish from the market.
6
If you paid with points, vouchers, or credits — file a bankruptcy claim
Contact Epiq (Spirit's claims agent) to file a formal "proof of claim." This preserves whatever recovery rights you may have. Call 855-952-6606 or email SpiritAirlinesInfo@epiqglobal.com. Recovery is not guaranteed and may take years.
7
Call your travel insurance provider
Ask whether your policy covers "airline insolvency" or "service cessation." Policies purchased after Spirit's August 2025 bankruptcy filing may be denied as a known pre-existing event. Still worth calling — some policies do cover it.
8
File a DOT complaint if your rights aren't honored
If refund rights under federal law are not being honored, file a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation at transportation.gov/airconsumer. The DOT is actively monitoring the situation.
05 — What you are not entitled to
No compensation beyond your ticket price
Under current U.S. law, airlines are not required to compensate passengers for inconvenience or disruption caused by a shutdown — only the cost of the ticket itself if the flight was canceled. Spirit has explicitly stated it cannot reimburse incidental travel costs such as hotels, meals, or alternative transportation. No additional compensation scheme is in place beyond refunds.
06 — Key contacts
Epiq — bankruptcy claims agent (US/Canada toll-free)
855-952-6606
Epiq — international callers
971-715-2831
Epiq — email
SpiritAirlinesInfo@epiqglobal.com
JetBlue — call to book $99 rescue fares
1-800-538-2583 (1-800-JETBLUE)
United — dedicated Spirit rebooking portal
united.com/specialfares
U.S. DOT — air consumer complaints
transportation.gov/airconsumer
Spirit Airlines — refund status (MyTrips)
spirit.com