What to do if you were traveling on Spirit Airlines

Key Points:

• Several major U.S. airlines, including American, United, Delta, JetBlue, Frontier, and Southwest, are offering "rescue fares" with reduced prices to help stranded Spirit Airlines passengers find new flights, with limited-time offers varying by carrier.
• Spirit Airlines is processing automatic refunds for flights booked with credit or debit cards, while travelers who booked through third parties should seek refunds from their agents; others using vouchers or points may face delays during the bankruptcy process.
• The U.S. Department of Transportation advises affected travelers to keep all booking documentation and consider chargebacks through credit card companies or insurance claims for insolvency coverage to recover funds, as refunds are not guaranteed.
• Airlines like American and United are adjusting their fleets and adding capacity on overlapping routes to accommodate displaced Spirit passengers, while Southwest is offering status matches for Spirit elite members.
• Spirit employees stranded due to the shutdown are being offered travel benefits and assistance, with airlines providing transportation and preferential hiring opportunities to support displaced workers.