Complaint Review: Spirit Airlines - Miramar Florida

I purchased a round trip flight on Spirit Airlines departing on March 30th, 2013 from Detroit Metro International Airport flying to Fort Lauderdale, Florida with a transfer in New York. My return flight is a straight flight from Fort Lauderdale to Detroit Metro Airport Tuesday April 2nd, 2013.

I arrived at the airport between 4:00-4:15 a.m. Passengers had formed chaotically lines in all different directions.  Feeling anxious about the long line, I caught the attention of a Spirit Airlines attendant, and shared my concern of the rapidly passing time, she nonchalantly brushed away my concerns.  Other families around me were conversing about the same issues.  It was now 4:55 a.m. I grew deeply nervous over time and happen to notice on the monitors that my flight time was due to depart at 6:20 a.m.

Finally as I arrived at the front of the counter, I proceeded to use the computer, however, it was too late to check in using this method.  Waiting for an attendant, one walked up behind me and asked if I needed help printing my pass, I showed her that I couldn't through this process, she merely walked away unconcerned of this issue.  In addition, the same attendant that I spoke to while I was in line was now behind the counter in front of me; we made eye contact and I asked for her help, she smiled slightly shrugged and walked away.  I continued to waste more time not being helped. 

Finally an attendant, named was Debrah asked for my identification.  The time is now 5:45 a.m.  I gave her my name and shared concerns of my departure.  She pulls my name up on the computer and plainly stated it was too late, I had missed my flight and there's nothing she can do.  I asked about later flights or standby.  Debrah told me that wasn't an option but I could possibly take a flight departing Wednesday April 3rd.  I told her my returning flight is April 2nd, this doesn't work for me.  Furthermore, she just kept saying there nothing she could do.  I asked about canceling this flight and that I bought the insurance.  She turned me away and said sorry I can't help you and asked for the next person in line. 

In tears I walked away helpless and frustrated that three Spirit Airline attendants wouldn't assist me or offer any consolation.  I went and sat on a bench and immediately called the insurance division of my ticket, the gentlemen on the other line said I could possibly make a claim otherwise there was nothing he could either.

I left feeling distraught.  Later that day I called Spirit Airlines.  Finally reaching a customer service agent, I shared what I had been through and the unhelpful treatment at the airport.  He cut me off while I was talking with him saying there was nothing he could do and disconnected the line him.  I called back, finally reaching another customer service representative, Alex.  Going through the same process of explaining what has happened, she could only give me a phone number and told me there was nothing she could do either. 

I proceeded to call the new number.  I finally reached a customer service representative and began the process from the beginning. She told me that in the computer I was logged in as "no show" at the airport. I pleaded my case again to her and what my experience was at the airport.  She apologized and said there was nothing she could do.  I asked for a corporate phone number or someone else to speak to that could help me.  She then gave me new number to call. I proceeded to call that number and went through all the same prompts as before.  Here I was again starting from the beginning, same process pleading my case to another person. Jonathan, he too shared the same words, "There is nothing I can do for you."  He told me of the policies and procedures and that because in the computer Debrah logged me as a "no show" he couldn't help me.  I grew anxious and emotional and pleaded for someone who could help me.  He then gave me your email and mailing address.  

I travel frequently and have never been tossed around like Spirit Airlines has today.  I have beyond done my part to fulfill this trip.  I had time to achieve my trip only to have it swept from underneath me.  I feel taken advantage of and discriminated against by your customer service.  I have been treated without care as a person.

I contacted my credit card company to dispute the charge of the ticket $441.00.  The representative promptly called Spirit Airlines, surprised to find that they were not going to converse or deal with him in this matter.  He was so shocked that they shut him down.  

Prior to this I would have settled for the option to have my ticket saved for a later date of usage, however, posing the result of this shameful situation I want my ticket refunded.