Information, not legal advice. RefundRules summarizes US DOT rules from 14 CFR Part 260. It does not know your ticket, the airline's records, or facts you leave out. Confirm with the airline and the DOT before relying on it.

Spirit Airlines delayed or changed your flight? When you are owed a refund

If Spirit Airlines delays or changes your flight by 3 hours (domestic) or 6 hours (international), you may be owed a refund instead of a credit.

Check your Spirit case in 30 seconds

Significantly delayed or changed flight

Domestic: departure 3+ hours earlier or arrival 3+ hours later. International: 6+ hours. Also: different origin or destination airport, more connection points, downgrade to a lower class of service, and for an individual with a disability, different connecting airports or a substitute aircraft lacking a needed accessibility feature.

14 CFR 260.2 (Significantly delayed or changed flight)

When the refund is automatic

Refund is due when (i) the flight is cancelled and no alternative is offered, (ii) the consumer rejects the changed flight, rebooking, or compensation, or (iii) the consumer does not respond and the flight departs without them, or does not respond to a voucher offer by the original departure date.

14 CFR 260.6(a)(2)

Accepting an alternative ends the refund right

If the consumer flies the changed flight, accepts rebooking, or affirmatively accepts a voucher, credit or other compensation, no fare refund is owed under 260.6.

14 CFR 260.6(a)(1); 14 CFR 260.7

Refund deadline

7 business days for credit card purchases; 20 calendar days for cash, check, debit card and other forms of payment. Note: the DOT consumer page says 20 business days; the regulation text says 20 calendar days.

14 CFR 260.2 (Prompt refund); 14 CFR 374.3

What to do now with Spirit

1. Check the numbers. Domestic flights: departure 3 or more hours earlier or arrival 3 or more hours later. International: 6 hours. Also a different airport, an extra connection or a downgrade counts.
2. If your Spirit flight changed that much and you reject the new itinerary, ask in writing for a refund to your original form of payment and cite 14 CFR 260.6.
3. Do not fly the changed flight or accept rebooking if you want your money back, since that ends the refund right.
4. If it is not paid in time, file a DOT complaint.

Common questions

How long a delay does Spirit have to cause before I get a refund?

For a significant change, domestic flights are 3 hours and international flights are 6 hours, measured on departure or arrival. A different airport, more connections or a downgrade also count.

Do I get a cash refund if Spirit delays my flight?

Only if the change is significant, you reject the changed flight or alternative, and you do not accept compensation or rebooking. Then the full fare, taxes and ancillary fees are due.

How fast must Spirit pay?

7 business days for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment types (14 CFR 260.2 and 374.3).

What if I already flew the delayed Spirit flight?

Flying the changed flight ends the refund right under this rule. Delayed bags and unused paid extras are separate, so check those too.

Official sources: DOT refunds, DOT automatic refund rule, file a DOT complaint. This page is not affiliated with Spirit Airlines.