[MattFlyer]

I was comparing tickets costs between DC and Santo Domingo, DR on American, Jet Blue and Spirit. Spirit has the lowest charge at first, but the nickel and diming before the final bill is outrageous: They charge $35 per checked bag, $20 for carry on unless it fits under the seat and get this: $10 if you chose your seat on any leg of the trip. From DC to Fort Lauderdale, FL to Santo Domingo and back is another $40 ($80 if you're flying with someone else). And here's the real sleazy kicker. American and Jet Blue both charge a whopping $140 in "Taxes and Fees," while Spirit charges $174. Why I ask? No one can say. Three different reservations specialists could not explain why. I looked at the charges break out and saw that there is a $35 domestic flight fee along with a $35 international flight fee. Surely they cant charge both fees just because one connects through Florida? And why doesn't American do that? At the end of the day, Spirit's ticket price was deceptive and their fee structure a rip off. I bought American. A little more on face value, but free checked bag, free seating choice and no monkey business.

[Ombudsman]

At least you did your "homework" when others simply buy the low fare offered by Spirit then discover there's a charge for sitting in the waiting area prior to boarding! That's stretching the truth, of course, but if Spirit could thye most certainly would.

Spirit's business model is what it is. Believe it or not there are some people (albeit a minority) who love Spirit because of this. If you're looking for nothing more than basic "no frills" (and that includes customer service) transportation from point A to B in a cramped cabin with the worst legroom in the industry then Spirit is just what you're looking for. Whenever I see a complaint about Spirit the words "you got what you paid for" come to mind almost every time.