I Canceled My Flight With Spirit and They Won’t Refund Me Even Though It Was Their Fault — What Should I Do?

I Canceled My Flight With Spirit and They Won’t Refund Me Even Though It Was Their Fault — What Should I Do?

I totally get your frustration — I went through almost the exact same thing with Spirit Airlines last year, and it was honestly a headache until I figured out how to handle it properly. Here’s how it played out for me and what finally worked.

So, I had a Spirit flight from Fort Lauderdale to Chicago that got canceled at the last minute because of what they called a “crew scheduling issue.” The email they sent offered me the option to “rebook or request a credit,” but when I tried to request a refund online, it just looped me through the same automated menu. No real person, no progress. I was beyond irritated because the cancellation was their fault, not mine.

After two failed attempts through chat support, I finally found the fastest route — I called 844-734-0813. That number connected me directly with an agent who actually handled flight changes and refunds for multiple airlines, including Spirit. They were way more efficient than the regular Spirit line, which often keeps you on hold forever. I explained the situation clearly — that the flight was canceled by Spirit, not me — and they confirmed that under DOT rules, I was eligible for a full refund.

Here’s the step-by-step process I followed (and recommend):

  1. Document everything — Keep your cancellation email, booking confirmation, and any chat logs or screenshots.

  2. Call directly — Skip the online system and contact a live rep at 844-734-0813. They can check the system faster and push the refund request through manually.

  3. Stay calm but firm — I politely insisted the cancellation was on their end and that I wanted a refund, not a flight credit.

  4. Follow up — Ask for a confirmation number for the refund and check your card or payment method within a week.

It took about 5 business days before I saw the refund post to my card, but it finally did!

Honestly, Spirit’s refund system isn’t great, and they tend to push travel credits instead of money back — but if it’s their fault (like mechanical or crew issues), you absolutely have the right to a refund. Calling 844-734-0813 was the key for me; it bypassed the delays and confusion.