Who says budget airlines do not allow their passengers to choose a seat of their preference? The Spirit Airlines seat selection policy is the best example to prove that you can select a seat and enhance your travel comfort. The airline is known for its low fares. However, for every service, be it seat selection, ordering drinks, or anything else, passengers have to pay a fee. In simple words, only the seat is a part of your ticket. Any additional service beyond that is chargeable.
But there is no rule against selecting a seat of your choice. You can always pay for your preferred seat either when booking or as part of a bundle, which you will find later. To understand more about Spirit Airlines and its seat selection process, you have to read this blog. Here, we have discussed the seat types, selection process, membership plans, and their benefits. So keep reading to find out how to select a seat with Spirit Airlines. Let’s begin!
What Does Spirit Airlines Seat Selection Mean?
Spirit Airlines is an ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC), so the thumb rule is that seat selection cannot be free. The airlines require customers to pay for seats and for extra legroom. This rule does not apply to Free Spirit Emitre status members. Since they are an elite member of the airlines, seat selection is a complimentary perk.
When booking a trip, airlines allow passengers to pay for seat selection and baggage fees, as luggage is part of the bundle. On the other hand, passengers can select seats after booking or during check-in as an add-on for their trip. However, your preferred seats may be limited. So, if you want to secure a good seat, it is better to select and pay for one as early as possible.
Why Is It Important to Select a Seat with Spirit Airlines?
Seat selection on Spirit Airlines is not mandatory. If someone wishes to get the cheapest flight seat, then they should not opt for seat selection, as it is not important in this case. As a result, the airlines will randomly assign you a seat at check-in. As a matter of fact, if you don’t have seat selection privileges, you have no say in the seat you will be assigned to.
So, for people traveling with a companion, there is no guarantee you will sit together, as the airlines will decide who sits where. Even if you have booked tickets on one reservation, the airlines do not commit that you and your travel companion will be sitting next to each other on the flight.
But you can try to convince the airline representatives at the check-in counter, who will try to settle you in adjacent seats if available. Usually, when someone travels with a minor, the airlines arrange their seats together. However, according to the new recommendations from the U.S. Department of Transportation, there is no guarantee that airlines will offer guaranteed adjacent seats to family members on a single booking at no additional cost.
Spirit Airlines Seat Selection Types
The seat types at Spirit Airlines are simpler than those of some other airlines that offer a range of cabin classes and seat types. According to the Spirit Airlines seat selection option, there are only 3 options for passengers to choose from.
Standard Seating
The majority of seats on Spirit Airlines’ aircraft are standard seats. Passengers can select a standard seat either as a bundle when booking or à la carte. While standard seating is a good option on other airlines, it is nothing more than a place for passengers to sit on Spirit Airlines. Since it is a budget airline, passengers are required to pay for any services they need, such as drinks, snacks, carrying snacks in cabin bags, and other additional services.
Premium Seating
The premium seats are the exit-row seats on Spirit Airlines. These seats offer a little extra legroom. But passengers in premium seats are required to assist in an emergency. Therefore, as per federal guidelines, passengers under 15 are not allowed to select premium seating options.
Big Front Seating
Since Spirit Airlines seat selection does not offer any First Class seats, the best option for those passengers is the big front seating type. The big front seats offer additional legroom and are located at the aircraft’s front. This is why the airlines have categorized these seats as the ‘Big Front Seats’. Each Spirit Airlines flight has 8 or 10 big front seats, depending on the aircraft. Compared to standard seating, these seats offer up to 32% more legroom. Most importantly, all big front seats are aisle or window seats, as there are no middle-row seats.
How to Select a Seat on Spirit Airlines?
The Spirit Airlines seat selection service offers three options. Here is how you can select a seat on Spirit Airlines:
- You can select a seat and pay for it à la carte when booking, or at any time before check-in.
- You can select a seat and pay for a bundle that combines seat selection, baggage, and additional services like priority boarding in the total Alaska Airlines seat selection cost.
- You can skip seat selection if you don’t want to pay for a seat. The airlines will then assign you a seat randomly at check-in.
What is the Spirit Airlines Seat Selection Fee?
How much does the Spirit Airlines seat selection cost? To know the answer to this question, first you must understand the Spirit Airlines seat selection fee structure. Seat selection prices may vary depending on your flight and the seat you choose. The prices for Standard Seats on Spirit Airlines start at $5 per flight and can reach up to $200, if the demand is high.
Furthermore, the fee for Big Front Seats can cost between $12 and $750 per flight, depending on the flight and the route demand. Prices are usually higher for Big Front Sets because these seats are more spacious than standard ones. But if you pay for an upgrade to Big Front seating on the departure date, you can save money. This option is subject to seat availability because a Spirit Airlines aircraft has only 8 to 10 such seats.
Why Join the Spirit Airlines Saver$ Club?
Saver$ Club is a member’s subscription plan of Spirit Airlines. According to this program, if a passenger has subscribed, they will receive a discount on Spirit Airlines' seat selection fee. In addition, subscription members can also avail a discount for their travel companions. Each Saver$’s Club member can benefit up to 8 companions with this discount and other benefit facilities. Faster security check-in, early boarding, and flexible tickets are among the benefits airlines offer. So if you join the Spirit Airlines Saver$ Club, you can enjoy these benefits and ensure that your companions benefit from the program as well. The cost for this membership program is $69. The subscription lasts for 1 year (12 months). Plus, if someone travels frequently, they can even opt for an extended membership option of 1.5 years (18 months) or 2 years (24 months).
How is the Spirit Airlines Seat Selection for Elite Members Best?
The Spirit Airlines Elite status is one of the best and most useful benefits available for passengers. According to this, a Spirit Airlines passenger can choose any seat at no cost. Below are some of the benefits offered to the elite status members of Spirit Airlines:
- Spirit Airlines Silver members can receive a complimentary seat selection benefit at check-in. Plus, the airlines may move them to exit-row seats at no cost before departure.
- The Spirit Gold members can enjoy complimentary seat selection benefits when booking their flight. This also means that they can choose seats in the exit rows.
If you are a frequent flyer at Spirit Airlines, you can get a Free Spirit elite status by flying with the airline and using the Free SpiritⓇ or Travel More World Elite MastercardⓇ for everyday spending. These cardholders can earn 1 SQP (Status Qualifying Point) on every eligible purchase of $10. Moreover, to reach Free Spirit Silver status and the complimentary seat-selection benefit at check-in, a cardholder must collect 2,000 SQP. Whereas, to earn Gold status, you must collect 5,000 SQPs.
Credit Cards that Help you Maximize your Rewards
A Travel Credit Card can help you maximize your rewards and benefits. Different cards offer different benefits. Depending on your priority, you can select any card and acquire points to avail the benefits later. Here are some of the best travel credit cards and the benefits they offer:
- With the Wells Fargo AutographⓇ Card, you don’t need to pay any annual fee.
- Chase Sapphire ReserveⓇ is great for earning high-end perks and bonus travel rewards.
- The Chase Sapphire PreferredⓇ Card is best for earning large bonuses, transferring your points, and enhancing flexibility.
- The Ink Business PreferredⓇ Credit Card is great for business travelers.
- Using the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, one can earn travel rewards and discounts at a flat rate.
- The American Express Platinum CardⓇ is one of the most popular cards that offer luxury perks.
A Quick Recap
To cut a long story short, the Spirit Airlines seat selection allows passengers to find their desired seat in their budget airline. Only the seat you are assigned to and the space under the seat where you can keep your personal bag are free. Other than that, every service is chargeable. So if you want to select a seat or ask for a drink, you have to pay the airline.
There are 3 types of seats available on the aircraft, namely, Standard Seats, Premium Seats, and Big Front Seats. Depending on your comfort preference and budget, you can select the seat type. But if you become a part of the airline’s Saver$ Club, you will get a discount on seat selection. Similarly, Spirit Airlines Elite members receive complimentary seat selection, exit-row seats, priority boarding, and other benefits.
So it is best to opt for a membership plan and avoid adjusting throughout your journey. Moreover, if you opt for an airline-branded credit card, you can earn rewards on every eligible purchase, which you can then redeem to buy an elite membership.
