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Spirit and Frontier both make major change on fees for the summer
Discount airlines Spirit and Frontier have eliminated an array of fees for passengers who change or cancel their flights.
It is a major change for the carriers, which came close to merging in 2022. They are known to advertise low fares but tack on more fees than the larger carriers.
Consumers pick from a menu of extras that increase the final price they pay - often by a significant amount.
Denver-based Frontier has struggled more than any other US airline to recover from the pandemic. Its executives said eliminating fees on some tickets would boost its appeal to more travelers.
Before the change, passengers on Spirit were charged between $69 and $119 to change or cancel their flight tickets.
Discount airlines Spirit and Frontier have eliminated an array of fees for passengers who change or cancel their flights
Give Spirit's low fares, passengers often paid more for alterations than they did for the ticket.
The airline has now removed the fees.
For Frontier, the charge was around $99 to change a flight within one week of the trip.
Frontier is switching to four fare classes, which it calls basic, economy, premium and business.
Those in 'basic' will still have to pay extra for things like bringing a carry-on bag, selecting a particular seat and changing or canceling a reservation.
But change fees will be eliminated for passengers in the other three groups, who will also be able to buy extras such as seat selection and bringing a carry-on bag in bundles instead of singly.
Spirit and Frontier both made the changes on the same day this month, May 17.
Larger rivals ike Delta, American and United ditched changed fees during the pandemic.
The budget carriers have struggled, however, as big airlines created their own no-frills tickets to lure away the most cost-conscious travelers.
Spirit said in a statement: 'As we have said, to our product and strategy that will help us better compete, elevate the guest experience and return to profitability.
'We are excited to roll out a no change and no cancel fee policy for all Guests effective May 17.
'This new policy is among the best in the industry because it applies to each and every Guest. We have many other enhancements in the works and look forward to sharing more soon.'
Prior to the change, altering a Spirit flight could cost a traveler up to $119 in fees.
But customers booking now are entitled to full flexibility in changing their flight plans - but modifications are subject to fare differences and travel credits.
Frontier also said it is bringing back phone support for customers within 24 hours of their flight.
CEO Barry Biffle called the announcement "the beginning of a new era for Frontier."
Frontier has not earned a full-year profit since 2019, and it has lost about $400 million since then and failed in an attempt to merge with Spirit.
Denver-based Frontier has struggled more than any other US airline to recover from the pandemic
Fees for baggage from the biggest gloabal airlines is on the rise
The carriers, which came close to merging in 2022, made the changes effective as of last Friday
The company's shares fell 2 percent on Friday.
It comes after major airlines announced they would sue transportation officials over a new rule requiring upfront disclosure of added fees.
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines filed suit in the US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals late Friday.
This follows the issuance of US Transportation Department's final rules in April requiring airlines and ticket agents to disclose service fees alongside the airfare, saying it would help consumers avoid unneeded or unexpected fees.