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Spirit Airlines Carry-On Policy: How to Avoid Paying Extra Fees!

If you want to avoid paying extra fees on Spirit, you need to read this!

Spirit Carry-On Size (Dimensions)

Spirit airlines bag sizer, spirit airlines carry-on weight limit, spirit personal item, spirit airlines carry-on pet policy, tsa-approved pet carrier for spirit, prohibited and restricted items, more related articles…, frequently asked questions:.

Every airline’s carry on rules are slightly different, so don’t just assume that what works for one, will work for all airlines.  This is especially true if you’re flying a low-cost airline, like Spirit, Frontier , or Allegiant .

Low-cost airlines may have lower base fares, but if you’re not careful, you’ll actually pay more because of all their “a la carte” fees.   These include costs for both checked and carry-on luggage, among other things.

In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about Spirit’s carry-on policy and what you should know to avoid getting hit with a barrage of Spirit Airlines Fees!

Spirit Airlines Carry-On Policy

Spirit allows one personal item onboard at no charge, but they will charge you for both you carry-on bags and any checked bags you have.

If there is one airline where you need to be aware of the size limits for your carry-on bag and your personal item size, it’s Spirit.  They are notorious for being extremely strict about size restrictions and will charge you a fee if your bags don’t fit within their guidelines. 

Because of this, you should always check the size and weight of all bags, both checked and carry-on, before leaving to board a Spirit flight!

Spirit’s carry-on bag size limits are 22 x 18 x 10 inches ( 56 x 46 x 25 cm) and it must fit in the overhead bin or it will have to be checked. Your personal item must fit under the seat in front of you and the dimensions cannot exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm) including handles and wheels.

If you aren’t sure if your bag meets Spirit’s size limits, use their bag sizer which will be located at both the check-in counter and your departure gate. Spirit loves to use these sizers to extract extra fees from their customers, so it is very important that your bag fits within Spirit’s size requirements!

The fees for your carry-on will vary depending upon a variety of factors including when you pay for it, where you are flying to, and if you are a member of their Savers club .  In order to know the actual cost of your carry-on and checked bags, you will have to use Spirit’s Bag-O-Tron tool.

Spirit actually charges about $10 more for a carry-on bag than your first checked bag.

Here are the fees you will pay at different points in the process:

Double-check Spirit’s current bag prices for carry-on, checked bags, and sporting equipment.   With Spirit, fees are always subject to change.

Spirit does not impose weight restrictions on your carry-on bag. However, when checking a bag, the weight limit is 40 pounds per bag. If your bag is over 40 pounds or larger than 62 linear inches, the following additional fees apply to checked luggage:

According to Spirit, personal items include a purse, briefcase, laptop, backpack, shopping bag, or a similar-sized item. 

They must fit under the seat in front of you and the dimensions cannot exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm) including handles and wheels.

Spirit does not charge a fee for a personal item, it’s included in the price of your ticket. This is about the only thing they won’t charge extra for.

Spirit Airlines allows small domesticated pets to travel on all domestic flights including Puerto Rico and St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.  Spirit will only allow the following pets on the aircraft:

• Domestic dogs
• Domestic cats
• Small household birds (except to/from Puerto Rico and the U.S.V.I.)
• Small domestic rabbits (except to/from Puerto Rico and U.S.V.I)

If you are going to bring a pet on board with you, it must be able to fit in a small, ventilated pet carrier that fits under the seat in front of you.  Your pet carrier cannot exceed 18″ x 14″ x 9″, and the combined weight of your pet and the carrier must not exceed 40 pounds.

Here are a couple of other guidelines when traveling with a pet:

• A health certificate is not required for pets traveling with guests in the aircraft cabin, except for Guests traveling to U.S.V.I.
• Spirit Airlines does require a rabies vaccination certificate for pets traveling with guests in the aircraft cabin to Puerto Rico.
• Spirit only allows small domestic dogs, domestic cats, small household birds, and small domestic rabbits on the aircraft.
• Birds are not allowed to and from cities in Puerto Rico or the U.S.V.I.
• Exotic pets such as snakes, spiders, rodents, etc. will not be accepted.
• A maximum of 2 pets per container is permitted, but only one container per guest is allowed.
• Animals must be able to stand upright and move about comfortably in the container.
• The pet should be at least eight (8) weeks old and fully weaned.
• The animal must be harmless, inoffensive, odorless, and require no attention during the flight.
• If the animal becomes offensive or causes a disturbance prior to leaving the gate; it will be removed.
• The pet cannot be ill, violent, or in physical distress.
• Advance notice is recommended but not required.
• You may choose to sit anywhere you wish with the exception of the first row and emergency exit rows.

Spirit Carry-On Pet Fees

Here is a chart showing the pet fees Spirit charges each way.   Double them for a round-trip flight.

If you do plan on bringing your pet with you, make sure you follow TSA’s pet policy and have an approved Pet Carrier that conforms to Spirit’s pet policy .

I have traveled with 2 dogs over the last 10 years, one was a 20 lb. Shih Tzu-Bichon (in the picture above) and another is a 12lb. Chihuahua mix. We used the Sherpa pet carrier when bringing them on a flight, and it worked great!

Features mesh panels so your pet can breathe easily, a non-slip shoulder strap, locking zippers, and a rear storage pocket for treats and other goodies.

Approved for use on most major airlines and the small and medium sizes are included in Sherpa's exclusive Guaranteed on Board program.

There are certain items that are considered dangerous and classified as hazardous materials. Dangerous goods are prohibited from both your carry-on and checked bag on all flights. These rules are not specific to any airline and are mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration.

• IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations
• TSA Permitted and Prohibited Items
• FAA Packsafe List

Summary: Spirit Carry-On Policy

In summary, Spirit’s carry-on fees can be a big, unexpected expense for travelers who are not aware of their strict and painful policies. With Spirit, in particular, it’s very important to review their carry-on and checked baggage guidelines before booking a flight.

It’s always a good idea to research the baggage fees and policies of any airline before booking a flight, but it’s especially important with low-cost carriers, like Spirit Airlines. Here’s a link to Spirit’s Carry-On page to make sure you have the most up-to-date information.

• The Best Carry-On Bags for Regional and Small Jets
• Spirit Airlines Liquid Policy
• Spirit Airlines Delay and Cancellation Policy

Yes. You can bring snacks on board a Spirit flight. They offer snacks and drinks for sale, but you will pay for them at a rate of $3-$15 each. Bringing a snack with you will ensure you get what you want and will save you some money as well.

Yes, as long as you adhere to the TSA Liquids requirements . Mini bottles of alcohol are allowed in carry-on bags but they must be able to comfortably fit into a single quart-sized bag.

Yes. But be careful. Spirit charges for carry-on bags, so make sure to tell them it is part of your clothing (i.e. a “wrap”) or you might get charged.

Tim is a business road warrior and avid leisure traveler who has flown over two million miles in the air and spent well over a thousand nights in hotels. He enjoys sharing tips, tricks, and hacks to help readers get the most out of their travel experience and learn how to “travel like a pro”!

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Spirit Airlines Baggage Fees & How To Avoid Paying Them!

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Spirit Airlines Carry-On Allowance

Spirit airlines checked baggage allowance, additional and excess baggage fees:, exclusions and waivers, credit cards that reimburse you for checked bag fees.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

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

Spirit Airlines   does not include any bags in its base allowance (Bare Fare), not even carry-ons. Additionally, baggage prices increase the closer you get to take off. 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.

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.

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.

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 .

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

Hot Tip: Those with Spirit Airlines Gold status receive a free carry-on and checked bag on all Spirit flights.

Overweight Fee 41 to 50 pounds (18 to 23 kg): $79 51 to 100 pounds (23 to 45 kg): $125

Oversized Fee 63 to 80 linear inches (158 to 203 cm) : $150 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 .

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 855-SAVE-555 (855-728-3555)

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.

Neither of Spirit Airlines’ 2 co-branded credit cards offers any baggage benefits, so if you need to pay for checked luggage, consider using one of the cards below to offset the cost:

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Each card allows you to redeem Capital One miles for 1 cent each as a statement credit for previous travel purchases (within 90 days).

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

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 — $28 to $75
• Standard — $29 to $75

Before Online Check-in:

• Spirit Saver$ Club — $32 to $77
• Standard — $33 to $77

During Online Check-in:

• Spirit Saver$ Club — $37 to $83
• Standard — $38 to $83

Airport Reservation Desk: $89 At Gate: $99

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 $79 for bags weighing 41 to 50 pounds and $125 for bags weighing 51 to 100 pounds. If your bags are oversized (63 to 80 inches) then you will be charged $150; for special items over 80 inches, the fee is $150.

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About Erin Miller

An experienced points hacker, Erin is Alex’s partner-in-crime and contributes to Upgraded Points with in-depth guides and relationship management. Erin’s work has been cited in multiple major publications.

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