BEWARE OF SPIRIT AIR!!! FALSE ADVERTISING AND HIDDEN FEES!!! - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.
Thank you to each of you who were a part of this community. You made it possible.
And a very special thank you to our Guides (moderators), past and present, who kept our forums a happy place to be. You are the glue that held everything together, and we are forever grateful to you. Thank you aliceinwdw, Caldercup, MrsM, WillCAD, Fortissimo, GingerJ, HiddenMickey, CRCrazy, Eeyoresmom, disneyknut, disneydani, Cam22, chezp, WDWfan, Luvsun, KMB733, rescuesk, OhToodles!, Colexis Mom, lfredsbo, HiddenMickey, DrDolphin, DopeyGirl, duck addict, Disneybine, PixieMichele, Sandra Bostwick, Eeyore Tattoo, DyanKJ130, Suzy Q'Disney, LilMarcieMouse, AllisonG, Belle*, Chrissi, Brant, DawnDenise, Crystalloubear, Disneymom9092, FanOfMickey, Goofy4Goofy, GoofyMom, Home4us123, iamgrumpy, ilovedisney247, Jennifer2003, Jenny Pooh, KrisLuvsDisney, Ladyt, Laughaholic88, LauraBelle Hime, Lilianna, LizardCop, Loobyoxlip, lukeandbrooksmom, marisag, michnash, MickeyMAC, OffKilter_Lynn, PamelaK, Poor_Eeyore, ripkensnana, RobDVC, SHEANA1226, Shell of the South, snoozin, Statelady01, Tara O'Hara, tigger22, Tink and Co., Tinkerbelz, WDWJAMBA, wdwlovers, Wendyismyname, whoSEZ, WildforWD, and WvuGrrrl. You made the magic.
We want to personally thank Sara Varney, who coordinated our community for many years (among so many other things she did for us), and Cheryl Pendry, our Message Board Manager who helped train our Guides, and Ginger Jabour, who helped us with the PassPorter-specific forums and Live! Guides. Thank you for your time, energy, and enthusiasm. You made it all happen.
There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.
So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
And we are no longer charging for the Live Guides. If you have a subscription, it's yours to keep for the lifetime of the Live Guides at no additional cost. The Live Guides will stay online, barring server issues and technical problems, for all of 2019.
That said, PassPorter is not going away. Most of the resources will remain online for as long as we can support them, and after that we will find ways to make whatever we can available. PassPorter means a great deal to us, and to many of you, and we will do our best to keep it alive in whatever way we can. Our server costs are high, and they'll need to come out of our pockets, so in the future you can expect some changes so we can bring those costs down.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your amazing support over the years. Without you, there's no way us little guys could have made something like this happen and given the "big guys" a run for their money. PassPorter was consistently the #3 guidebook after the Unofficial and Official guides, which was really unheard of for such a small company to do. We ROCKED it thanks to you and your support and love!
If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.
So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
Welcome! We're happy you've found the PassPorter Community -- the friendliest place to plan your vacation to Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and the world in general! You are now viewing the PassPorter Message Board Community as a guest, which gives you limited access. As our guest, feel free to browse our messages by selecting the forum you want to visit from the list below.
To post messages and ask questions, join our FREE community today and you'll get access to tools and resources not available to guests, such as our vacation countown timers, "living" avatars, private messaging system, database searches, downloads, and a special PassPorter discount code. Registration is fast, simple, and completely free. Just click the Join Our Community link.
If you think you've already joined, log in below now. If you don't remember your member name or password, please visit our Member Name and Password Recovery page. You are also welcome to contact us.
BEWARE OF SPIRIT AIR!!! FALSE ADVERTISING AND HIDDEN FEES!!!
Oh I cannot believe this!!
I just confirmed my flights that I have booked for August. I booked them online and so went online to verify that everything was still as planned - Spirit Air is now charging $10 per piece of luggage you check on top of your airfare!!!!!!!!
And to top it all off, this is a new policy, but applies to all bookings as of March 16th! - So, even though this wasn't in effect when I booked the tickets, I now have to pay $30 more just because! I tried to point out to them when I called to complain this morning that their webpage where there is info on baggage allowances says that I can book one bag per person free. The booking agent said that the policy had changed and the website wasn't updated and that was basically just too bad for me. (She didn't use those exact words). This is false advertising in my opinion!!!
I know $30 is not a fortune, but it is the principle of it. Airfare is expensive enough without these hidden charges. I just thought everyone should know about this before they book any Spirit Air flights!
__________________
Can't wait for trip with DD August 2017!!!
Me&Hubby Daughterand Son
I just got back flying Spirit Air and will be flying them again in September. I got a great rate, so adding on the $ for the luggage is fine with me, still cheaper then Airtran or Delta. If you want to look at it this way, other airlines already factor in the price of handling your luggage and can cost more then Spirit with the added luggage fee. They are also now charging $1 for sodas on flight and offer no blankets or pillows. The flight was very nice and I'm not worried about the added fees.
__________________
~Ann
Upcoming Disney Trips
Feb 5-6, 2008-All Star Music
April 20/21-25/27-Somewhere onsite checking Airlines daily
May 10-17-Somewhere offsite moving from March.
18 trips in my life. 8 in 2007 (Now that's a Dream Come True)
Location: Cypress....Deep in Southern Illinois, close enough to see the Kentucky blue grass
Posts: 9,546
Post Thanks / Like
Likes (Given): 0
Likes (Received): 0
Thanks (Given): 0
Thanks (Received): 0
Pixie Dust (Given): 0
Pixie Dust (Received): 0
I was watching Today this morning and they mentioned some air carriers charging up to $567.00 in extra fees. This was from a travel expert that had got nailed with them. Always be on the look out for those hidden costs.
Registered Message Board Members save 30% off PassPorter guidebooks! When you register you'll have access to a discount coupon good for 30% off the list price of PassPorter books in our online store.
Registered Message Board Members Get Our Free Newsletter! When you register you'll have the option to sign up for our weekly PassPorter Newsletter. It's chock-full of feature articles; news; tips; contests; photos; and special offers in our online store.
I'm sorry you got caught unaware. Back in February I had posted of the change here and gave a link to their policy page.
__________________
Laughter is timeless, Age has no meaning and Dreams are forever.
All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them. 2010 - Polynesian ~ We're going back!
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
I'm sorry you got caught unaware. Back in February I had posted of the change here and gave a link to their policy page.
I'm sorry I missed your post too!
Up until 4 days ago Spirit's webpage under the Baggage section still said that any bookings after Dec 15/06 would have one piece of luggage checked for free and any additional bags would be extra. It was only in the Terms of Carriage where the change was reflected and I only read the Baggage section. So, I guess it is party my fault, but they sure didn't advertise it widely or make it readily known.
One thing I know for sure is that it didn't come up in my reservation until earlier this week and I reserved these flights in April when I booked our trip.
BTW have I mentioned how much I love how supportive everyone is on these boards? You guys and gals are all fantastic!!!
__________________
Can't wait for trip with DD August 2017!!!
Me&Hubby Daughterand Son
That is horrible. I'm so sorry. I completely agree with you...if it's not stated then it's not fair to hit the consumer with the charge. I don't care if it's only $10! I would call back and talk to a supervisor and strongly complain. You never know, it can't hurt.
We fly Spirit more often than any other airline, and have been disappointed by the introduction of the baggage fees and some of their recent marketing practices. I don't love the notion of paying $9/month for Spirit's "Fare Club" in order to qualify for some of the discounts they offer, either (if they offered other benefits for the money, as we do in our own PassPorter's Club, I'd feel better about it). While the discounts offered under that program can be great, you do have to remember to add-in the monthly subscription charges to figure out how much (if anything) you're really saving on those cheap fares.
All together, though, the situation isn't all that different at other airlines - the fees may be added in different ways, but the net effect is the same - trying to scrape together every cent they can, to help offset the high price of aviation fuel. While they could build that cost right into the airfare, that would tend to deter people from traveling altogether.
The luggage charges are especially interesting. It's not a bad idea for airlines to encourage folks to carry less baggage, so long as that practice helps keep rates down. Under most circumstances, we'd already been good at sticking to one piece of checked luggage per person for personal items, even for a two-week trip. We often still need to carry an extra bag or two when attending trade shows, MouseFest, etc. for promo items, displays, etc. $10 extra for each of those bags is still a bargain compared to shipping FedEx or UPS. On short business trips, all I ever need is a carry-on. I'm quite happy to get a $10 bonus for traveling light. Sure, there's always one more item you can carry, "Just in case," but on the whole, the less stuff I have to carry (and repack), the easier my travels are. On our recent research trip we stayed at four different hotels in ten days - with only one bag's worth of items per person to pack/unpack/repack, our life was far more sane. This last trip, those bags still flew free. In the future, we will have to pay for all of them. You can be sure I'll be doing some mental arithmetic when I compare fares on our next flight (I never stop comparison shopping).
Overall, I continue to be a satisfied Sprit customer. I'm just not as enthusiastic about them as I used to be.
__________________
Co-Author, PassPorter's Walt Disney World, PassPorter's Disney Cruise Line, and PassPorter's Disneyland and Southern California Attractions
I agree with the original poster in how unfair this sort of practice is when consumers do not receive proper advance notification. Sure, it's not a great deal of money but it is the principle of the matter. I too would call back and ask to speak to a supervisor. It certainly couldn't hurt.
Joy
__________________
1968 - Disneyland
1976 - Offsite
1984 - Offsite
February, 2003 - All Star Music
August, 2003 - Animal Kingdom Lodge & Wilderness Lodge
December,2003 - Wilderness Lodge
December, 2004 - Beach Club Villas
August, 2005 - Port Orleans, French Quarter
November/December, 2005 - Old Key West
July/August, 2006 - Disneyland Hotel
January, 2007 - Boardwalk Villas
That is horrible. I'm so sorry. I completely agree with you...if it's not stated then it's not fair to hit the consumer with the charge. I don't care if it's only $10! I would call back and talk to a supervisor and strongly complain. You never know, it can't hurt.
I did try that and was told that Spirit can change their policies without notice. I have a credit with them and asked if I could use that towards the baggage costs since the policy was new and I was again told "No".
It's not the money, really it isn't - it's the fact that now I have no choice but to pay (or take no luggage). I don't like the fact that this was sprung on me months after I bought the tickets. Had it been an upfront policy when I purchased them, I wouldn't be complaining at all.
__________________
Can't wait for trip with DD August 2017!!!
Me&Hubby Daughterand Son
About This Page: 
Daughter
and Son 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
Oooh, that stinks. I am sorry! 
That is horrible. I'm so sorry. I completely agree with you...if it's not stated then it's not fair to hit the consumer with the charge. 
I don't care if it's only $10! I would call back 
and talk to a supervisor and strongly complain. You never know, it can't hurt.
Had it been an upfront policy when I purchased them, I wouldn't be complaining at all.
Linear Mode
