You’re staring at an email from Spirit Airlines. It says you have a "Reservation Credit." Maybe your flight to Vegas got canceled last minute, or perhaps you had to bail on that bachelorette party in Fort Lauderdale because life happened. Either way, you’ve basically got digital "Spirit bucks" sitting in an account.
It feels like free money. But honestly? It’s more like a ticking time bomb.
If you don’t know the specific quirks of a Spirit Airlines reservation credit, you are going to lose that money. Spirit isn't exactly famous for being flexible. They are a "bare fare" airline, which is a polite way of saying they charge you for everything from water to the air you breathe (okay, maybe not the air, but definitely the carry-on bag). Their credit system is just as rigid.
The Absolute Basics of Your Credit
Let's clear the air. A reservation credit is not a cash refund. You can't pay your rent with it. It’s a specific voucher issued when you cancel a flight or when the airline changes your schedule significantly.
Usually, you get a 6-digit alphanumeric code sent to the email address used for the original booking. If you can’t find it, check your "Promotions" folder or search for "Reservation Credit Notification." Most people lose their credits simply because they forget which email account they used.
The 90-Day Trap Everyone Falls Into
Here is the kicker. Most Spirit Airlines reservation credits issued for voluntary cancellations (meaning you chose to cancel) are only valid for 90 days from the date of issuance.
Wait. Don't panic.
That doesn't mean you have to fly within 90 days. It means you have to book your next trip within 90 days. You could book a flight for six months from now, as long as you use the code before that 90-day window slams shut. However, if that clock runs out and you haven't entered that code into a checkout page? Poof. It’s gone. Spirit is notoriously strict about this. I’ve seen people try to beg customer service for an extension, and unless there was a massive system error on Spirit’s end, the answer is almost always a hard "no."
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There is a slight exception. Sometimes, if the airline cancels the flight on you, they might issue a credit with a longer lifespan, occasionally up to a year. But you have to check the fine print in the specific email they sent you. Never assume you have a year. Assume you have three months and work backward from there.
How to Actually Redeem the Thing Without Pulling Your Hair Out
Redeeming a Spirit Airlines reservation credit is actually pretty straightforward, provided you don't try to do it through their app, which can be... glitchy.
Go to the desktop site. Pick your flights. When you get to the "Payment" page—after you’ve navigated through the sixteen different screens asking if you want a "Big Front Seat" or to join the "Spirit Saver$ Club"—look for the tab that says "Voucher/Credit."
You'll need that 6-digit code.
- Enter the code exactly as it appears.
- The credit only applies to the "fare" portion of the ticket.
- It does not cover "Government Taxes and Fees" or those pesky "Carrier Interface Charges."
This is where people get mad. You might have a $100 credit, but your new flight only costs $90. You think, "Cool, I'm covered." Then the screen says you still owe $22. That’s because the credit doesn't touch the taxes. You will almost always have to pull out a credit card to cover the remaining balance, even if your credit amount is technically higher than the flight cost.
What You Can’t Buy (The Frustrating Part)
Spirit is a modular airline. They want to sell you "The Bundle." They want to sell you bags. They want to sell you a specific seat.
But your reservation credit is picky.
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In most cases, you cannot use a Spirit Airlines reservation credit to pay for bags or seat assignments after the initial booking. If you are booking a fresh flight and apply the credit at checkout, it sometimes covers the total "bundle" price, but if you're adding a bag to an existing reservation later? Forget it. You’re paying cash.
Also, these credits are non-transferable. If the credit is in the name of "John Doe," John Doe has to be one of the passengers on the new itinerary. You can’t just give your credit to your cousin as a birthday gift unless your name is also on that ticket.
The "Non-Refundable" Myth
We’ve all heard that Spirit flights are non-refundable. That’s mostly true. If you cancel a "Standard" fare, you aren't getting your money back to your Visa card. You’re getting that reservation credit.
However, under U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rules—specifically the updated 2024 mandates—if the airline cancels your flight or changes your departure time by more than three hours (for domestic) or six hours (for international), you are entitled to a cash refund, not just a credit.
Spirit will often try to automatically send you a reservation credit because it’s better for their bottom line. If they cancel on you, don't just accept the credit code. Call them. Use the word "refund." If you accept the credit and use it, you've waived your right to that cash.
The Strategy: Maximizing a Small Credit
If you have a credit that’s only, say, $40, it might feel like it’s not worth the hassle. But remember, Spirit fares can sometimes be as low as $20 before taxes.
One smart way to use a small Spirit Airlines reservation credit is to look for "Tuesdays and Wednesdays" travel. These are typically the lowest-demand days. If you find a base fare that is incredibly low, your credit might actually cover the entire base fare, leaving you with only the $15-$25 in government taxes to pay out of pocket.
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It’s basically a way to get a "free" flight for the price of a lunch at the airport.
Common Pitfalls to Dodge
- The Name Match: If your name was misspelled on the original ticket, the credit will be misspelled too. This causes a nightmare during rebooking because it won't match your ID. Fix this before you try to use the credit.
- Partial Use: If you use a $200 credit on a $150 fare, what happens to the extra $50? Usually, it stays on that same code. But the expiration date doesn't reset. You still have to use that remaining $50 before the original 90-day deadline.
- The "Saver$ Club" Conflict: Sometimes, you can't combine certain promotional codes with a reservation credit. If you're trying to use a "90% OFF" promo code and a credit at the same time, the system might error out. You usually have to pick one or the other.
Is It Even Worth It?
Honestly, Spirit’s credit system is designed to be slightly difficult. They bank on "breakage"—the industry term for people letting their credits expire. According to various travel industry analysts, billions of dollars in airline credits go unused every year.
Don't let yours be part of that statistic.
The moment you get that email, set a calendar alert for 75 days out. This gives you a two-week buffer to find a flight before the 90-day expiration hits. Even if you don't have a specific trip planned, look for a cheap weekend getaway.
Actionable Steps to Take Right Now
If you are holding a Spirit Airlines reservation credit or think you might be getting one soon, here is exactly what you need to do:
- Locate the Code: Find that 6-digit alphanumeric string in your email. Copy-paste it into a Note app on your phone.
- Verify the Expiration: Do not guess. Look at the "Issued Date" in the email and add 90 days. That is your "Book By" date.
- Check the Name: Ensure the name on the credit matches your passport or driver's license exactly.
- Shop on Desktop: Use a laptop or desktop computer to book your new flight. The mobile site and app frequently fail when applying voucher codes.
- Calculate Taxes: Remember that you’ll need at least $20-$40 in actual cash/credit card limit to cover the taxes that the voucher won't touch.
- Know Your Rights: If Spirit canceled your flight, don't settle for the credit unless you actually want it. Demand the refund to your original form of payment if the delay was over three hours.
Spirit is a tool. It gets you from Point A to Point B for cheap. The reservation credit is just another part of that low-cost ecosystem. Use it quickly, use it on a Tuesday flight, and don't expect it to pay for your carry-on bag. Do that, and you've effectively beaten the system.