U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations under 14 CFR Part 250 require certificated air carriers like Spirit Airlines to provide compensation for passengers involuntarily denied boarding due to oversales. Compensation equals 100% or 200% of the one-way fare to the next stopover or destination, depending on the delay to alternate transportation arrival: 100% for delays of 1-2 hours domestic (1-4 hours international) and 200% for longer delays. Amounts are subject to a liability cap adjusted annually by the CPI-U from an August 2011 baseline and rounded to the nearest $25 (14 CFR § 250.5). This applies only to involuntary cases, not voluntary bumps, delays, or cancellations. Carriers must solicit volunteers first and use priority rules to minimize involuntary denied boarding.

These federal rules control compensation for Spirit Airlines flights in U.S. domestic or foreign air transportation. Spirit, as a certificated carrier, must comply. At the airport, request written confirmation of your involuntary status and the reason. Airlines must arrange alternate transportation and provide notice.

U.S. DOT Rules Controlling Involuntary Denied Boarding Compensation

14 CFR Part 250 applies to direct air carriers holding a DOT certificate, excluding helicopter operators. For Spirit Airlines, this covers oversold flights where passengers arrive on time and meet check-in requirements but are denied boarding involuntarily.

Compensation uses the refundable one-way fare to the next stopover or destination, excluding taxes and fees ineligible for refund. The formula ties to delay length:

Carriers must maintain understandable boarding priority rules and request volunteers before involuntary denial (14 CFR §§ 250.2a, 250.2b). The cap adjusts via CPI-U: current § 250.5(a)(2) amount multiplied by (July CPI-U / August 2011 CPI-U), rounded to nearest $25.

Eligibility, Exceptions, and Limits

You qualify if denied boarding involuntarily after meeting the carrier's check-in deadline and holding a confirmed reservation. Spirit Airlines must provide alternate transportation.

Exceptions in 14 CFR § 250.6 exclude compensation for safety issues, government orders, or if you were offered acceptable alternate transport within stated timeframes. Stopovers over 4 hours may affect fare calculations. No compensation if you accept a voluntary offer.

What Does Not Control Involuntary Bump Compensation

DOT rules under 14 CFR Part 250 govern, not credit card chargebacks, general merchant refunds, state consumer laws, or non-U.S. regimes like EU 261. Voluntary denied boarding incentives are separate from involuntary compensation. Delays or cancellations unrelated to oversales follow different DOT guidelines.

Next Steps After Involuntary Denied Boarding

• Request written notice from Spirit Airlines staff at the gate confirming involuntary denied boarding, delay details, and compensation owed.
• Gather evidence: ticket receipt, attempted boarding pass, gate agent communications, alternate flight itinerary, and arrival times.
• Contact Spirit Airlines customer service promptly to claim compensation, referencing DOT rules and your evidence.
• If denied, file a complaint with the DOT Aviation Consumer Protection Division via their website or mail; act quickly though no strict deadline appears in the regulations.
• Verify current CPI-adjusted cap on the eCFR site.

FAQ

Does Spirit Airlines offer more than DOT minimums?
DOT sets the minimum; check Spirit's Contract of Carriage for any carrier-specific additions, but official evidence confirms only DOT compliance.

What if bumped on an international Spirit flight?
Same rules apply: 1-4 hour delay threshold for 100% compensation, over 4 hours for 200%, using one-way fare basis.

Does DOT require hotels or meals for bumps?
Carriers must cover certain ground transport, meals, and hotels for long delays to alternate flights, separate from cash compensation.