Spirit Airlines Shut Down: What to do to get home and get refunds

SEATTLE (AP) - The collapse of the U.S.-based Spirit Airlines may mark the end of an era for travelers with a certain financial sensibility.

But if you've been snagged in their now-defunct flight schedule, here are some things to know on how to get home, and get whole.

Many airlines that used to compete with Spirit are now parachuting in with deals to save their travelers. Airlines including American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, Frontier Airlines and Southwest Airlines are capping or reducing ticket prices for people to book new flights.

There is a limited window for this deal, which prioritizes now-stranded travelers who need to find a new way to their next destination.

For example, Southwest's offer is only available in person at an airport ticket counter through Wednesday, May 6, according to industry trade group, Airlines for America and the U.S. Department of Transportation. United, meanwhile, is allowing such bookings for up to two weeks, which can be accessed online.

For those who were planning to fly Spirit and now need to find an alternative to the ultra low cost carrier, American, Allegiant, Frontier and Delta advertised reduced fares on the same routes Spirit once flew.

Many company announcements include maps showing where its routes overlapped with Spirits, which can help narrow the search to find a comparable flight.

"Spirit Airlines played an important role in expanding access to affordable travel and bringing more low fares to more people," said Bobby Schroeter, Frontier's chief commercial officer. "We recognize this is a difficult time for their customers and team members.

Spirit Airlines said they were prepared for an "orderly wind-down" of its operations, and that it will automatically process refunds for any flights booked on a credit or debit card.

Travelers who booked through third-party travel agencies should direct refund requests to those agents.

Anyone else who got their reservation through vouchers, credit or points will have to wait and see though Spirit's bankruptcy process.

If there are questions about whether your money will make a safe landing back to your wallet, there are other ways to try to claw back your cash for the Spirit flight not taken.

The DOT suggests contacting your credit card company and exercising your rights under the Fair Credit Billing Act, by requesting a "chargeback" for services not rendered.

If you purchased travel insurance or it is included in your credit card's policy and perks, call them to see if they cover "insolvency" or "service cessation."

The last resort would be filing a bankruptcy claim but officials warn this route eats up time and money, and ultimately may only result in a partial refund.

The National Consumers League warned travelers to keep all documentation to prove they were booked for Spirit flights, including receipts, booking confirmations, cancellation notices, and any correspondence with the airline. The nonprofit watchdog organization also urged those affected to act immediately as credit card and insurance companies may have strict deadlines that can be time-sensitive.

"Not all Spirit customers should assume a refund will automatically appear," said John Breyault, the league's vice president of public policy, telecommunications, and fraud. "When an airline shuts down this suddenly, it's up to travelers to take proactive steps to have the best chance of getting their money back."

American and United both said it is trying to adjust its fleet so it can help more stranded passengers. American said it is looking into tapping larger planes and United said it is potentially adding additional flights on routes where they overlapped with Spirit.

"We are reviewing opportunities to add additional capacity, including utilizing larger aircraft on critical routes - to support as many affected passengers as possible," American said via an Airlines for America statement.

Southwest also said it will offer a status-match, by honoring Spirit's Silver and Gold status members with its own A-List program.

Spirit crew members who are stuck at their destination should be granted airline travel benefits, including spare jump seats where available on most major carriers.

American said: "We will provide transportation for Spirit team members who have been displaced on a work trip," according to an Airlines for America statement.

The DOT also said the other companies are offering preferential interviews to help expedite the job search for former Spirit pilots, flight attendants and other employees. American said it will be setting up recruiting events for those former employees.