Spirit Airlines: travel credit or voucher problem

Collect

• voucher or credit number and amount
• Free Spirit account number and balance
• original booking

Steps

1. Save proof of every voucher, credit and points balance (screenshots, emails).

2. Watch the restructuring site for the claims process and deadlines.

   OnlineSpirit wind-down and restructuring information site

Facts you can cite

• Policy

  Spirit said compensation for vouchers, credits and Free Spirit points "will be determined at a later date through the bankruptcy process."

  Source: prnewswire.com, verified 2026-10-12

• Policy

  Spirit Aviation Holdings, Spirit Airlines and affiliates filed voluntary Chapter 11 petitions on August 29, 2025 in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. Spirit Airlines, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Spirit Aviation Holdings, Inc.

  Source: sec.gov, verified 2026-10-12

Rules in force

• DOT automatic refund rule for airline tickets and ancillary fees (2024)
  14 CFR part 260 and 14 CFR part 262 (89 FR 32760, April 26, 2024; amended 89 FR 65534, August 12, 2024)

  Airlines operating to, from or within the U.S. must give a full cash refund (to the original form of payment) when they cancel or significantly change a flight and the passenger does not accept the alternative. Refunds are due within 7 business days (credit card) or 20 calendar days (other payment). Airlines must also refund checked bag fees for significantly delayed bags and fees for paid extras that were not provided. Until July 7, 2027, DOT does not enforce the rule in one narrow case: a flight that is only renumbered, with no significant change or delay.

  Source: ecfr.gov, verified 2026-10-12

  2 citable points

  • Policy

    A carrier may offer a voucher or credit instead of a refund only if the offer states the passenger's right to a full refund, and the voucher stays valid for at least five years from the date it is issued.

    Source: ecfr.gov, verified 2026-10-12

  • Policy

    On request, carriers must give a transferable travel credit or voucher, valid for at least five years from issuance, to a passenger who cannot travel because of a government restriction related to a serious communicable disease, or who is advised by a licensed treating medical professional not to fly because of a serious communicable disease. The carrier may require documentation and may charge a per-passenger processing fee that was disclosed at purchase.

    Source: ecfr.gov, verified 2026-10-12

If that fails, escalate

Go up one step at a time. Keep the reference numbers and dates from each contact.

1. Customer service

   OnlineSpirit wind-down and restructuring information site

   Information only. Spirit no longer operates flights or a customer service center that could be confirmed.

2. Federal regulator

   RegulatorU.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Aviation Consumer Protection +1-800-778-4838

3. Card or bank dispute

   Fair Credit Billing Act billing-error and purchase-dispute rights (Regulation Z)

   Electronic Fund Transfer Act error resolution and unauthorized-transfer liability (Regulation E)

   For a ticket paid by credit or debit card whose automatic refund did not arrive, dispute the charge with the card issuer.

State agencies for this sector: your state’s attorney general. Find yours in the list of state agencies, or as JSON in states/<code>.json (for example states/ny.json).

Watch out

Related

• Travel credit or voucher problem at other companies
• How Spirit Airlines complaints actually go (dossier, checked 2026-10-12)
• Airlines — how complaints work
• Spirit Airlines: flight cancelled or significantly changed