Traveler's Edition
liligo.com shares all the baggage information you need to fly on the low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines without being sucker punched with a nasty pre-vacation luggage fine. From carry-on allowance to checked baggage policies, we’ve got you covered.
Spirit Airlines is the leading Ultra Low Cost Carrier in the US. With fare tickets named “Bare Fare” and “$9 Fare Club”, it’s known for its no-fuss and cheap flight tickets. In order to keep fares so low, Spirit Airlines charges for carry-ons and checked bags.
Of course, airlines known for their super cheap flight tickets are also notorious for hitting you with a whopping fine if you fail to adhere to the weight or measurements policy. Read our luggage rules for Spirit Airlines and make sure you won’t have an unpleasant surprise ahead of your next vacation.
Carry-On Baggage
Spirit Airlines’ Bare Fare includes one personal item for free; your personal item must not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches including handles and wheels.
You can take an additional larger carry-on bag on board for a fee. The cheapest option is to purchase your carry-on bag when you purchase your ticket online. You can also purchase your carry-on bag online before or during online check in, or in person at the gate – but this will cost more. The price for carry-on baggage varies depending on route, time of the year and ticket type. The bag must not exceed 22 x 18 x 10 inches (including handles and wheels).
Checked Baggage
Spirit always charges for checked bags, but the exact price per bag depends on the route, time of the year and ticket type. You can use the airline’s Bag-O-Tron to determine the price of your bags. Every passenger is allowed up to five bags, which must not exceed 40 lbs in weight and 62 linear inches in overall dimensions.
The airline accepts overweight and oversized bags up to a maximum of 100 lbs and 80 linear inches, but hefty excess baggage charges apply. If your bag weighs between 41 and 50 lbs, the fine is $30, between 51 and 70 lbs it’s $55 and between 71 and 100 lbs you’ll have to pay $100. You’ll also have to pay $100 if your bag is oversized, i.e. between 63 and 80 linear inches.
As with carry-on baggage, the cheapest option is to book your bags along with your flight tickets. You can always add bags at any time before the flight, both online or even in person at the gate for a higher price.
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Ashleygeorge
Thanks for sharing these tips. I am myself a budget traveller. Last year in November, 2017 I went to Australia for my honeymoon. I was on low budget airline tigerair. They check your hand luggage two or three times before passing it as a hand baggage. I have seen travellers pay hefty amount for bringing over-weight luggage. There was this woman whose husband was asking other travellers to take some of the bags of his wife and kids. So that they won’t need to pay the extra. All I can say Is that although the flight attendant saw all this happening, but the couple actually succeeded in doing this.
Your diagram for baggage dimensions is entirely wrong. See the website I provided of Spirit Airlines for the correct way to label. Basically, you are saying the longest part of our luggage can only be 10 inches, when it is in fact 22 inches.
i purchased my ticket and paid for carry on luggage. My question is: Can I cancel the carry on and get refunded that money. Think I can do an under seat bag instead.
Hi,
I have a checked baggage less than 41 lbs & under 63 linear inches, (not consider as an over weight or over sized bag) do I need to pay for this baggage ?
If yes how much shall I pay ?
Hi there I am disappointed with Spirit airline I wasn’t charged for my carry on going to LAX but was charged on my way back home $65. Was told policy is different from state to state, but how if it’s the same airline? Was kicked off for turning around and telling my flying buddy it was a dumbass policy . Ticket agent said I insulted her called her supervisor and told him that she was not putting me on my flight . I repeatedly asked to see and speak to a supervisor/manager . Ticket agent ignored me continued to take care of other flyers . Finally told me to go down stairs to ticketing and talk to supervisor . All he did was put me on a flight 9 hours later .
Do the baggage fee apply each way on your trip or is it one price for round trip?
If I shop at the airports in my items do not fit in my personal item, will spirit make me check my personal item before boarding?
Hi, Is a purse that would fit under your seat be considered a pesonal item?
Hello, This Is My first time ever flying spirit Air.. I have flown delta my entire life.. my checked bag is 63.5 cubic inches..but under 40 lbs .. Are they really going to charge me 100$ For the extra 1.5 inches of cubic dimension.. I would be very disappointed and could have just flown delta for the price bumb with first bag checked free ..
Dear Alfonse,
Many thanks for your interest in our blog. Unfortunately, according to Spirit’s policy, bags over 62 linear inches will be subject to an oversized baggage charge of $100. Given that your bag is only 1.5 inches over, they might be lenient – but that really depends on the gate agent! So if you want to make 100% sure you won’t be charged, you should probably take a different bag.
Have a good flight!
Best,
Felix from the liligo.com team
Can a garment bag be considered as a carry on, my husband and I are leaving for Jamaica in 9 days, and need to know. Thank you
Dear Vanessa,
Many thanks for your interest in our blog. In theory, a garment bag can naturally be taken as a carry-on, however it must not exceed the maximum measurements of 22 x 18 x 10 inches (including handles and wheels). If it does, you will have to check it in.
Have a good flight!
Best,
Felix from the liligo.com team
Can I buy upgrades (baggage, seat selections, etc.) during my initial ticket purchase and get refunded later if I change my mind or don’t need as many bags for instance?
Flying Spirit and prepaid for checked bags. Do I print the tags for the bags at home or at a Spirit Kiosk? Or does a Spirit Airlines Agent print the tag? Thanks!
Are backpacks ok, they are free on Frontier
Hi,
It all depends on the dimensions of your backpack. If (fully packed) it doesn’t exceed the maximum dimensions stated, you’re good to go.
Have a good flight!
Felix from the liligo.com team
I see that Spirit has a weight limit of 40lbs on their carry on bags. Do you know if there is a weight restriction on the personal item bag? We are going to bring back packs that meet the size requirement, but want to make sure we don’t go over any weight requirement if there is one.
Thank you
Hi,
Spirit does not have a weight restriction for the personal item. However, cabin crew might require you to be able to stow the bag in the overhead locker by yourself.
Have a good flight!
Felix from the liligo.com team
When booking luggage for roundtrip flight, can i pay for the first flight of luggage and then before i print boarding passes to return home pay for the returning flight luggage or do i have to pay it all at one time?
Hi Tiffany,
Thanks for your question. You can add bags after the initial booking, just follow the instructions here: https://customersupport.spirit.com/hc/en-us/articles/202097986-How-do-I-add-bags-to-my-reservation-.
Have a good flight!
Felix from the liligo.com team
I have 2 19 inch tv can i carry them to the plane with me as personal item or carryon
Hi Kristelle,
Thanks for your question. You certainly can’t take them as a personal item, since the dimensions are too large. Whether you can take them as a carry-on will depend on how they are packed and how heavy they are. I recommend you get in touch with Spirit directly before you travel to make sure.
Have a good flight!
Felix from the liligo.com team
If you have prepaid for a carry on can you also bring a personal item for free? In other words can you have both a carry on and personal item and only pay for the carry on?
Hi Jim,
Thanks for your comment. The personal item is always free, regardless of your other purchases.
Have a good flight!
Felix from the liligo.com team
My large check-in bag is a little larger than 62 linear inches. I will make sure it does not weigh more than 40 lbs, but will they really check the measurement?
Hi Maria,
Many thanks for your comment. The gate staff probably won’t check every single carry-on bag, but they will make some random checks (especially if they think a bag looks big, of course). So unfortunately we can’t really help you with that one, since it’s down to the gate staff if they’ll let you take the bag on the plane. If you want to make 100% sure to avoid a fine, you’ll have to take a different one.
Have a great flight!
Felix from the liligo.com team
I am planning on bringing a carry on backpack that is 17x9x14. Do you think they will allow this as my personal item?
Dear Ashley,
Many thanks for your comment. Spirit can be strict when it comes to bag measurements, but since your backpack is only 1 inch larger than the allowed measurements, they might let you take it on board. However, in the end it’s down to the gate staff, so if you want to be sure to avoid a fine, just take a different bag.
Sorry we can’t be more specific. Have a good flight!
The liligo.com team
How to determine how much my luggage weigh
Is a 20 or 25 or 28 inch luggage on wheels considered a over weight bag on sprint
Do sprit charge how many pounds your luggage is or how big and what kind of carry on bag can be free
In regards to poster, Jessie on 8/13/17…I am in the same situation that my bag and be squished to meet Spirits guideline for a personal item. Did you have any trouble or get charged?
Do I have to pay check in luggage going and coming or is it a one time fee for both ways I paid for my ticket two months ago and is it too late for me to pay for my luggage
Hi I was looking at your site on Spirit airlines and noticed an error. You show a bag “personal item” and you have the measurements wrong. Their website shows the 18″ being tall, 14 across, and 8 deep. I think it is important to note this as I fly Spirit a lot. When the old measurements were being used we found the perfect cooler the perfect measurements to take w us to SXM every year. Then they changed the measurements and so I went to a luggage store and found a rolling bag that measured 18″ hi, 14 across, and 8 deep. I filled it and was on my way to HOU from FLL and asked a Spirit employee something as she was standing right there, and she looked at my boarding pass and said I HAD to pay for my bag. I said, no the bag is perfect . She asked me to get in in the box. I couldn’t. I tried doing it the way the picture on their site shows with 18 ” being the height, and it wouldn’t fit. I had to get a tape measure and their box at FLL airport measured 13″ high and 17″ across. I was shocked. I showed it to the manager that I had to wait for 15 minutes to arrive. She stoicly kept saying you have to pay for that bag. She would not come over and measure the box nor my bag. Ended up another agent did, and showed me to turn it and not be in such a panic. I was panicking. It was freaking me out. I made it on and put my personal item in the above head compartment just where it’s supposed to go. Lol
Anyway….I really think their “boxes” should BE in the position they show it to be on their website
I am a diabetic and I need to take my insulin cold what would be a good idea for that
Hi.
I’m trying to get away with one bag only. My dimensions are 11 high x 15 long x 10 wide. Do you think I can get away with the extra 2 inches wide?
I recently booked a round trip flight and found that a checked bag was cheaper than a carry on bag. Is this normal for Spirit? How is Spirit’s checked bag service? Is it worth the few extra bucks to go with carry on?
Spirit’s customer service is also non existent. The phone number goes through automated information that can be found online. There is no speaking to a live person about anything and I never got a response from filling out an inquiry on the Contact Us page.
Do we have any more info on Spirit allowing you to squish your personal item bag? Mine is 17x10x9. So smaller on 2 fronts but 1in more in one dimension. Probably not a cubic inches thing like the checked bags.
Hello!
First time flying with spirit. My bag is 19x11x8 but will not be completely filled and and squish it to make it “18” in length. Could I get away with that?
Thanks!
Hello,
Thank you for your comment.
While Spirit can be quite strict when it comes to bag measurements, we can’t see the extra inch making a difference. If it were us, we’d go for it – however we can’t say for sure whether Spirit will allow it, and ultimately it’s down to your own judgement.
We hope this helps somewhat – happy travels! 🙂
They are very picky!
What if I prepay for a bag but do not end up taking one?
Hello,
Thank you for your comment.
If you prepay for a bag, it is totally up to you whether you choose to take one or not. However it’s worth noting that the fee paid will not be refunded if you choose to travel without a bag.
We hope this helps – happy travels 🙂
I have a small purse that I was planning to bring as my personal item. However, it is a cross-body purse and has very long straps. Will they use the length of those straps as part of the dimensions? Thanks.
Hello,
Thank you for your comment. We doubt the straps will count as part of the dimensions of your personal item, so you should be fine. However, we would recommend double checking with Spirit to be sure 🙂
We hope this helps – happy travels!
I have paid to check three bags each way flying Spirit. I was planning on taking two bags that are in the 45″ range and then I have one that is 62.6 linear inches. Do you think we will be okay or do you think they will charge us extra? I was hoping they would allow it, especially considering the other two bags aren’t even close.
Hello,
Thank you for your comment.
Technically, Spirit only allows a linear size of 62 inches and could charge extra for the bag if they decided to measure it and found it in excess of this. However, if it were us, we’d go for it as the extra .6″ is unlikely to be noticed. Ultimately, it’s a judgement call only you can make 🙂
We hope this helps – happy travels!
When flying with Spirit, if you choose to carry on a bag. Is it a one time cost or is it at layovers and returns? First time flyer! Thanks
Hello,
Thank you for your comment.
If you choose to pay for a carry on bag, you will need to pay per trip – so, there will be one fee for the outward journey, and one for the return. Booking your carry on baggage online in advance is usually the cheapest option, and in doing so you’ll be able to see the exact fees for each journey.
You can double check your baggage allowance by taking a look at your booking confirmation as this should tell you whether you’ve booked a carry on bag, and for which flights.
To be sure, we would recommend checking with Spirit as they will be able to let you know for sure 🙂
We hope this helps – have a great first flight!
Will taking my purse cost me is that considered a bag that needs to be checked.
Hello,
Thank you for your comment. As mentioned, Spirit allows travelers to bring one personal item on board for free (check out the article for the maximum dimensions this item can be). A purse is usually considered a personal item, as long as it fits within these dimensions – so, you should be able to take your purse on board at no extra charge 🙂
We always recommend double checking with the airline themselves to be sure. We hope this helps – have a great day!
Does the height requirement for checked bags (62 inches) include the height of the extended pull handle. It feels like a silly question, but I would rather know now than later and be charged for it! Thank you in advance.
Hello,
Thank you for your comment – there’s no such thing as a silly question, and we’re always here to help 🙂
The height restrictions usually take into account the height of your bag when the handle is not extended. However to be sure, we’d double check with the airline with which you plan to fly.
We hope this helps – happy travels!
Spirit airlines sucks. I’ll never fly them again. Your better off paying a few extra dollars for an airline that treats it’s customers with some respect. Spirit takes advantage of customers. They change there policy without notification and then charge you a ridiculous amount to take your belongings with you. Not to mention there running late nearly every flight I’ve had to deal with. Usually picking someone up at the airport an hour late is not unusual for spirit. Also if they cancel your flight your on your own they offer no motel vouchers no alternative flight as they have no sister airline to accommodate. Can’t imagine why i wouldn’t associate with them if i were another airline that was worth anything. Anyway fly someone else spend 20$ more you’ll be thankful you did.
If I don’t check my bag online prior, or at the gate, do we have the option to check carry-on upon arrival to the airport as you would a checked bag?
Hello,
You are able to check luggage at the airport with Spirit and this does include your carry on bag. However, if you wish to check in your luggage then it will be subject to the charges associated with checked baggage, which are significantly higher at the airport than online before traveling.
Head to the “optional services and extras” page on the Spirit website, and enter your flight route, to check the additional costs for checked baggage: http://bit.ly/1gqVwz0
We hope this helps – happy travels!
Hi can i carry a 55 inch tv as a luggage to Jamaica? Also do you know what it would cost me
Hello,
The maximum dimensions for checked luggage are 62 linear inches, so your 55 inch TV should be OK as long as the total dimensions don’t exceed this number (any larger and you’ll be subject to extra fees). If your TV adheres to the size and weight restrictions, we can see no reason why you can’t take it with you – but it will need to go as checked luggage. We’d recommend packing it carefuly, as TVs can be fragile! Be sure to double check with Spirit, as they will be able to give you a definite answer to your query.
We hope this helps – happy travels!
Do I have to pay to carry my purse on the plane? Is that considered a person item in which I have to pay for?
Hello,
Thank you for your comment. As mentioned, Spirit allows one personal item on board free of charge – this must not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches. Your purse, if it fits within these guidelines, can travel for free – but you’ll need to pay for any additional items of baggage.
We hope this helps – happy travels!
How do I get my baggage tag?
Hello,
Once you’ve booked any bags you’d like to travel with, and checked these in at the airport, you will be provided with the necessary documenation. We’d recommend getting in touch with Spirit as they will be able to provide you with further information 🙂
Best,
The liligo.com team
SPIRIT IS VERY STRICT AND THERE NASTY THEY CHARGE FOR EVERY LITTLE THING, THIS WILL BE MY FIRST AND LAST TIME FLYING WITH THEM. NEVER EVER IN Y LIFE AGAIN. THERE FEES ARE WAY TO HIGH . THEY DISGUST ME
Can 23x14x7 be taken onboard as carry on? The height is 1″ over but other dimensions are less…
Hello,
Spirit can be pretty strict with their carry on allowance, and the maximum height is stated as a maximum – so technically, we would say no. However, to be sure, we’d recommend checking with Spirit.
We hope this helps – happy travels!
The liligo.com team
I’m curious. Were you able to bring your bag aboard? I’m in a similar situation.
What if a bag is overweight and oversized. Do I get charged both fees? Does it have to be a bag, can it be a box?
Hello,
Thank you for your comment. Spirit lists individual fees for overweight and oversized baggage, therefore it is possible that you would be charged both fees – however, we would recommend checking with Spirit to be sure. You can find their baggage info here: http://bit.ly/2pBRkBn.
Many travelers have checked a box when flying instead of a bag, however again, we would recommend checking with Spirit to confirm this will be possible.
Have a great day!
The liligo.com team
Hi I know the personal luggage is a certain size but can I take that and also a small purse to keep on the seat with me ?
Hello,
Spirit Airlines allows just one personal item on board for free, with maximum dimensions of 16”x14”x12” (18”14”x8” after April 4, 2017). The airline website lists a purse as a personal item, therefore taking a small purse on board may well count as your total allocated free allowance. However, we would recommend double checking with Spirit to be sure. We hope this helps!
Can I bring a fishing rod as carry on, if I checked a bag already?
Hello,
Thank you for your comment. We’ve had a quick look and found the following on the Spirit Airlines website:
“Fishing rods/poles must be secured in a case or container. Customers may pack reels or fragile tackle that do not pose a security threat in their carry-on baggage.” (http://bit.ly/2kZFkXl)
However, there are limitations and exceptions, while some fishing equipment cannot be carried on board – we’d recommend checking with Spirit Airlines before you travel to be sure.
We hope this helps – happy travels!
Can I carry a 39 inch TV as my hand luggage
Hello,
As mentioned, the maximum dimensions for a personal item are 16 x 14 x 12 inches, while carry on luggage cannot exceed 10 x 18 x 22 inches. Therefore, a 39 inch TV would exceed these and will not be permitted on board.
Was charged $55- 1 way but not way back. Waiting 3 weeks for an answer! I want a refund.
Hello,
Thank you for your comment.
liligo.com is a search engine that allows you to find the best offers for your travels. liligo.com is neither a travel agency, nor an airline company, and as such, does not sell anything directly. We search the best offers and then redirect you to our partner’s website, where the booking process takes place.
Therefore we would recommend getting in touch with Spirit directly, as they will be able to assist you further with this.
We hope this helps and please do not hesitate to get in touch if we can be of further assistance!
Best wishes,
The liligo.com team