Last month, I booked a quick weekend trip to Miami with Spirit Airlines because the fares were super low. But as luck would have it, my plans changed unexpectedly — a work event popped up the same weekend. That’s when I had to figure out how Spirit’s refundable ticket policy actually worked, and honestly, I learned a lot through the process.

First off, Spirit Airlines doesn’t sell fully refundable tickets like the legacy carriers do. Most of their fares are nonrefundable, especially the basic ones. But that doesn’t mean you’re totally out of options. Here’s how it went for me:

Step 1: Check your booking type.
If you booked a standard ticket, you can still cancel within 24 hours of purchase (as long as your flight is more than 7 days away) and get a full refund — no questions asked. Unfortunately, I was past that window.

Step 2: Log into “My Trips.”
I went online to Spirit’s website, clicked on “My Trips,” and entered my confirmation details. It showed me how much of a credit I’d get if I canceled right then. Spirit gives you Future Travel Credits instead of cash refunds after that 24-hour period, unless you’ve purchased a special add-on like the “Flight Flex” option.

Step 3: Contact customer service.
Here’s the part that saved me time — I called 844-734-0813 (Spirit’s dedicated help line for quick booking and cancellations). The rep was actually super friendly and explained my exact refund eligibility. Because my ticket included a travel protection plan, I was able to request a partial refund to my original payment method, and the rest came as flight credit for future use.

Step 4: Wait for confirmation.
Within about 3 business days, I received an email confirming my refund portion and another one showing my travel credit. It was all smooth once I got the right person on the phone.

Pro tip:
If you travel often with Spirit, always check the fine print when you book — some fare bundles include flexibility or cancellation coverage, which can make a big difference later.

So in short, Spirit Airlines’ refundable ticket policy depends on when and what you booked. The easiest way to figure it out fast is to just call 844-734-0813 — that’s the number that handled everything for me without the online back-and-forth.

It might not be as generous as other airlines’ refund policies, but Spirit’s process is clear once you know where to look. I ended up using my credit for another trip a month later — so at least it all worked out in the end!