Spirit Airlines Baggage Fees and How To Avoid Paying Them

Charges such as baggage fees can add up on budget airlines like Spirit.

Spirit Airlines does not include any bags in its base allowance (Value fare), not even carry-ons. Additionally, baggage prices increase the closer you get to takeoff. Your best bet is to buy your baggage allowance during your initial booking.

Spirit Airlines Carry-On Allowance

1 Personal Item: Free with Value fare

Standard Carry-On Bag:

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

• Value: Not included, available for purchase
• Premium Economy: Included
• Spirit First: Included

Size Restrictions

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

Lap Infant Carry-On Policy

• Breast pumps and baby formula can be carried onto an aircraft and don’t count toward your carry-on allowance.

Stroller Check Policy

• Spirit Airlines checks strollers, double strollers, and child car seats at the ticket counter or gate. They put them out to wait for you when you exit the aircraft.

Many airlines refer to “maximum linear dimensions” or something similar when talking about baggage allowances. You get this number when you add the length, width, and depth. For example, if you have a suitcase that’s 26 inches long, 20 inches wide, and 16 inches deep, its linear dimensions are 62 inches, or right at the maximum for many airlines.

Spirit Airlines Checked Baggage Allowance

All checked bags must adhere to a maximum weight of 50 pounds (22.6 kilograms) and maximum linear dimensions of 62 inches (158 centimeters).

Spirit Airlines considers several items in its fee calculations, including the route, dates of travel, and Spirit Saver$ Club or standard fare. After running several searches, we found the following fees consistently. For the most personalized and accurate baggage fee calculations, use Spirit’s online baggage calculator tool.

• Value: Not included, available for purchase
• Premium Economy: Not included, available for purchase
• Spirit First: First bag included

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
51 to 100 pounds (23 to 45 kilograms): $125

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

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

Spirit Airlines allows passengers 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. Within 24 hours of 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 and their accompanying spouse and children, Spirit allows for 2 free checked bags and a free carry-on, in addition to the free personal item.

Credit Cards That Cover Spirit Bag Fees

Neither of Spirit Airlines’ 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:,

TOP PICK

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

75,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$395

APR

Purchases: 19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent (740-840)

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Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
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Cons

• $395 annual fee (rates & fees)
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Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
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Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Apply Now(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

75,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$95

APR

Purchases: 19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

Pros & Cons

Pros

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• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• Up to a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• Limited elite benefits

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.

Apply Now(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.

Welcome Offer

Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel.

20,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$360

Annual Fee

$0

APR

Purchases: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; variable 19.24% - 29.24% thereafter

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

Interested in a travel rewards credit card without one of those pesky annual fees? Then say hello to the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.

In addition to no annual fee, the Capital One VentureOne card offers no foreign transaction fees.

But is this card worth its salt, or is it merely a shell of the more popular Capital One Venture card?

Pros & Cons

Pros

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• No foreign transaction fees (rates & fees)
• Ability to use transfer partners

Cons

• Weak earn rate at 1.25x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
• No luxury travel or elite benefits

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
• Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.24% - 29.24% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; variable 19.24% - 29.24% thereafter
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

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

Another option is paying for baggage with a Chase Sapphire Reserve^®, which offers a $300 annual travel credit that can apply to baggage charges.

See more airline baggage fees and policies.