ICYMI: Spirit and Frontier Airlines Answer the President's Call to End Hidden Junk Fees

Ahead of Memorial Day weekend, Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines have both taken action to stop charging change and cancellation fees, after President Biden called on airlines to end hidden junk fees. Recently, the Department of Transportation mandated that airlines show the price of flight changes or cancellations upfront, which will save consumers half a billion in fees. The Department also required airlines provide automatic refunds when flights are cancelled or significantly delayed, which was made law in the FAA Reauthorization Act that President Biden signed last week.

President Biden is fighting against price gouging to lower costs and keep more money in Americans' pockets. Congressional Republicans have sided with special interests to try to block these actions and allow big corporations to continue to rip off families.

Read more below:

CNBC News: Spirit Airlines gets rid of change and cancellation fees, joining Frontier
[Ece Yildirim, 5/20/24]

Spirit Airlines is doing away with both change and cancellation fees, effective immediately, days after Frontier's similar announcement, part of an overhaul of the country's biggest discount carriers' longtime strategy.

Prior to the new rule, Spirit used to charge anywhere between $69 and $119 for ticket changes and cancellations, depending on how close to departure the customer made the change. […]

President Joe Biden and the Department of Transportation have been cracking down on what they deem "junk fees." As part of that push, the DOT issued a new rule requiring airlines to be upfront about add-on fees such as those for checked or carry-on baggage, which was subsequently challenged by a slew of airlines.

Forbes: Frontier And Spirit Airlines Ditch Key Fees In Time For Summer
[Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, 5/23/24]

This month, Frontier and Spirit eliminated nearly all change and cancellation fees, which lets travelers modify flights without penalty. These moves bring these ultra-low-cost carriers (ULCCs) in line with the larger airlines, which got rid of most change fees during the pandemic (except for the cheapest, most restrictive tickets). […]

The Biden administration also recently announced a new rule requiring airlines to offer automatic cash refunds for cancellations instead of waiting for customers to request them. But while Congress's FAA Reauthorization Bill codifies the threshold for when a refund would be required (after a three-hour delay for a domestic flight or six hours for an international flight) and requires airlines to establish reimbursement policies for cancellations or significant delays caused by the airline, it doesn't mandate automatic refunds.

USA Today: Spirit Airlines gets rid of change and cancellation fees for all tickets
[Kathleen Wong, 5/21/24]

Spirit Airlines is the latest carrier to eliminate change and cancellation fees.

The new policy went into effect on Friday, with Spirit's website saying, "cancel fees are canceled for everyone" and "change fees are gone for all."

The budget airline previously charged between $69 and $119 for ticket changes, depending on the number of days remaining before the flight, according to Simple Flying. […]

The Department of Transportation has been cracking down on hidden and junk fees that airlines pose onto customers. What often seems like a low price can quickly add up when adding carry-on baggage or seat selection. Last month, the DOT banned bait-and-switch tactics – in which a discounted fare is advertised but doesn't include mandatory fees – and to make it more transparent that seats are guaranteed and it's unnecessary to purchase one.

Scripps News: Frontier, Spirit Airlines change fee policies as potentially record-breaking summer travel season begins
[Chloe Nordquist, 5/21/24]

Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines both made changes you should know about. […]

In April, the Department of Transportation ruled that U.S. airlines must disclose "junk fees". Under the rule, airlines must tell customers about bag fees, cancellation fees, and change fees upfront.

"DOT's new rule will save passengers over half a billion dollars a year in unnecessary or unexpected fees by holding airlines accountable for being transparent with their customers," U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a press release.

Washington Post: Budget airlines are dropping notorious fees. What changed?
[Hannah Simpson, 5/23/24]

Budget airlines have become infamous for setting low fares and charging passengers for everything from picking a seat to ordering a soft drink.

But two leaders of that model, Frontier and Spirit, have launched a different tactic: eliminating flight-change and cancellation fees for some or all customers. The change of heart is all rooted in business, industry experts say. […]

The changes come as the Biden administration has cracked down on what it calls "junk fees" charged by businesses, including airlines. A new Department of Transportation rule that was recently announced will force carriers to disclose certain fees up front, including those for changes and cancellations. Airlines are challenging that rule in court.

NerdWallet: Frontier and Spirit Airlines Drop Change and Cancellation Fees
[Erin Oppenheim, 5/22/24]

Budget travelers rejoice. Just in time for summer travel to really kick off, major U.S. low-cost carriers Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines made big pricing updates and dropping change and cancellation fees.

Frontier and Spirit offer low base fares, but any add-ons for basic amenities like seat selection or carry-on luggage come at a price. The total cost sometimes rivals other full-service airlines. And until now, changes and cancellations have also come at a steep cost.

The Points Guy: Spirit Airlines becomes latest budget airline to drop change, cancellation fees
[Sean Cudahy, 5/20/24]

Spirit Airlines is making a key change to a budget airline barrier long bemoaned by customers. Going forward, the airline will no longer charge travelers change or cancellation fees.

The news comes just days after Frontier Airlines announced a slew of changes to how it presents and sells tickets and add-on elements — and likewise did away with change and cancellation fees for most travelers.