[Dsears3]

I am furious at Spirit Airlines.
I bought a RT ticket for $317 in January 2008 for a flight in April. This included a return fare with a higher price due to a nice feature: "A Big Front Seat" (we didn't care, but that was all that was left that day.)

The airfare just dropped today to $222 ($95 less)... for the regular sized seat.
I decided that the $60 online change fee was warranted, since I would net approx $35. I wouldn't do it otherwise.

I entered the change online, but when the final total came up- it was $264.

I called their 800 number.
The rep said the low price has gone up already.
I went online again while we were talking; it was still there. I asked him to check and he verified that the $222. fare was still available.

I told him I was in the middle of processing a change, but did not want to complete it till he could tell me why the lower fare wasn't coming up.

He stuck to that higher price being the only one available when changing, and offered to do the change for me for $70- which is their correct change fee when not going online.
I said I will pay $70 change fee but only if I can get that $222 price.He said he couldn't do that.
I asked for a supervisor.
I was put on Hold.
I stayed on hold 45 minutes.(thankfully on an 800 line and with a speaker phone!)

I hung up and tried again; same run-around, no reason.
Offered to put me through to a supervisor.
After another 20 minutes on hold, I hung up again.

The next person I spoke to gave me their direct Customer Service line. I tried that and when I pressed 3 for Customer Relations, it was busy for 5 hours.
I tried every Voice Mail option- no one answers there. I left two messages; none returned.

I finally called their direct line in Miramar Florida- nearby, and same voice mail choices.
I decided to try different extensions and finally got a human being.
I explained my concern. This person said "that's the rules" .
I said "what rules, where?"
She said in the Terms and Conditions; I told her I was looking at the Terms, and there was nothing there to describe why a price that is available is not available when you Change online.
She said "That's the rules, the price is different; I can't help you."
She said she was a manager and I could go no higher.

I flew Spirit a few times when they first started out; they were Ok, and a good value back then.
Two months ago I was warned by a friend who used to fly Spirit 10 times a year for business. He warned us not to use them anymore.

Now I know why.