How Much to Check Baggage on Spirit Airlines

Customers need to be careful about how charges like baggage fees add up on budget airlines like Spirit.

Spirit Airlinesdoes not include any bags in its base allowance (Bare Fare), not even carry-ons. Additionally, baggage prices increase the closer you get to takeoff. This means your best bet is to buy your allowance during your initial booking.

Another consideration: Spirit's baggage policy states the maximum checked bag weight allowed is 40 pounds (18 kg). This is 10 pounds (5 kg) less than the standard average and you'd better believe you'll be paying extra for that difference.

Spirit Airlines Carry-On Allowance

1 personal item: FREE with Bare Fare

Standard carry-on bag:

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

During booking:

- Spirit Saver$ Club — $26 to $31
- Standard — $35 to $40

Before and during online check-in:

- Spirit Saver$ Club — $36 to $41
- Standard — $45 to $50

Airport reservation desk: $52 to $70

At gate: $65 to $76

Size Restrictions

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

Lap Infant Carry-On Policy

Breast pumps and baby formula are allowed to be carried onto an aircraft and don't count towards your carry-on allowance

Stroller Check Policy

Spirit Airlines will check a stroller or double stroller and car seat at the ticket counter or gate. The stroller will be waiting for you when you exit the aircraft.

Spirit Airlines Checked Baggage Allowance

All checked bags must adhere to a max weight of 40 pounds (18.1 kg) and must adhere to max linear dimensions of 62 inches (158 cm).

Spirit Airlines considers several items in its fee calculations, including the route, dates of travel, and Spirit Saver$ Club or standard fare. We ran some searches and found consistent fees below.

For the most personal/accurate baggage fee calculations, please use Spirit's online baggage calculator tool here.

Checked Bag (Fees Are Route Dependent)	During Spirit.com Booking		Before Online Check-In		During Online Check-In		Airport, Group Desk, Reservations Center	At Gate
	Spirit Saver$ Club	Standard	Spirit Saver$ Club	Standard	Spirit Saver$ Club	Standard
First bag	$28	$37	$38	$47	$38	$47	$50 to $55	$65
Second bag	$36	$45	$46	$55	$46	$55	$60	N/A
Third through fifth bags	$76	$85	$86	$95	$86	$95	$100	N/A

*Some routes may limit the number of checked bags allowed (please refer to online baggage calculator tool)

Additional/Excess Baggage Fees:

Overweight Fee
41 to 50 pounds (18 to 23 kg): $30
51 to 70 pounds (23 to 32 kg): $55
71 to 100 pounds (32 to 45 kg): $100

Oversized Fee
63 to 80 linear inches (158 to 203 cm): $100
Special items over 80 linear inches (203 cm): $150

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

Can I Prepay for Baggage?

Spirit Airlines does allow passengers the ability 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. For less than 24 hours before departure, use the Check-In tab.
Download and log in to the Spirit Airlines app
Contact the Spirit Airlines call center at 801-401-2222

Avoid Paying Baggage Fees by Using These Credit Cards

Spirit is notorious for fees, but you can use Capital One miles to pay for your checked bag and carry-on fees (instead of cash!) via Purchase Eraser.

Recommended Capital One Personal Cards

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card - This no annual fee card comes with a 20,000 bonus mile offer after spending $500 in the first 3 months. When you use your card for travel purchases (e.g. baggage fees), use your miles to pay off all, or part of, your statement balance! We've highlighted 30+ benefits of the card.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card - The "big brother" card to the VentureOne with 60,000 miles if you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. This card is full of benefits and perks and you can redeem your miles on travel or transfer your miles to over 10+ travel loyalty programs.

Exclusions and Waivers

For active-duty military, Spirit will provide 2 free checked bags and a free carry-on, in addition to the free personal item. This does not extend to family members.

To see more airline baggage fees and policies, click here.

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock and Spirit Airlines

Frequently asked questions

What does Spirit charge for carry-on?

Spirit allows passengers to bring 1 personal item for free but it charges for standard carry-on.

During booking:

Spirit Saver$ Club — $26 to $31
Standard — $35 to $40

Before and during online check-in:

Spirit Saver$ Club — $36 to $41
Standard — $45 to $50

Airport reservation desk: $52 to $70

At gate: $65 to $76

Can I take a backpack on Spirit Airlines for free?

You could take a backpack on Spirit Airlines for free as your personal item, provided the measurements of the backpack do not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches. If it is larger than these measurements you would incur a fee for standard carry-on with a maximum size allowance of 22 x 18 x 10 inches.

What does Spirit charge for bags?

For most routes, Spirit's checked baggage fees vary depending on whether you're a Spirit Saver$ Club member, the route, and when and where you add your baggage. Check the table in this article for more information.

Does Spirit Airlines give military free baggage?

Spirit Airlines will provide active-duty military with 2 checked bags and a carry-on piece for free in addition to the free personal item.

How much is overweight baggage on Spirit?

For overweight baggage, Spirit charges $30 for bags weighing 41 to 50 pounds, $55 for bags weighing 51 to 70 pounds, and $100 for bags weighing 71 to 100 pounds. If your bags are oversized (63 to 80 inches) then you will be charged $100; for special items over 80 inches, the fee is $150.

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Dr. Erin Miller

Erin currently maintains her status as Alex's adventure-seeking partner-in-crime and contributes to Upgraded Points through in-depth content creation & relationship management.

She caught the travel bug just after high school when her grandmother took her on a two-week, whirlwind trip around Europe. That was that - she's been gallivanting around the globe ever since (26 countries & counting)!

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How Much to Check Baggage on Spirit Airlines

Source: https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/airlines/spirit-airlines-baggage-fees/