Keeping costs down on Spirit

Spirit Airlines announced last week that, come May 31, it will start flying out of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. To start, it plans flights three times a day to Chicago's O'Hare and once a day to Las Vegas, but other destinations are under consideration.

From Chicago, travelers can fly the airline to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., which has connecting routes to Cancun, Mexico; several stops in the Caribbean, and cities in Central and South America.

As part of Spirit's rollout at MSP, it will offer $9 base fares in June that will total $28.79 with fees and taxes.

The Florida-based carrier has crowned itself the "ultra" low-cost carrier, but the cost of a trip can climb with fees for incidentals. With some simple strategies, you can easily nab a low-flying fare on Spirit.

A few tips:

• For online reservations, check the fares on third-party sites such as Kayak.com and Expedia.com to be sure that Spirit really has the lowest price. If it does, purchase the flight on the carrier's website (www.spirit airlines.com) and you'll probably save at least $5 each way. To avoid paying the passenger usage and the "unintended consequences" fees, buy your ticket at the airport.

• If you're a frequent traveler, consider joining the $9 Fare Club. The charge of $19.95 for a 60-day trial or $59.95 a year grants members access to exclusive deals and discounts on checked and carry-on bags. At the very least, sign up for e-mail promotions for no extra charge. Also, check the website frequently for coupons and sales.

• If you can pack light, try to cram all your belongings into a personal item that fits under the seat. There's no charge for this category of carry-on, and once you're settled in your seat, you can toss your bag into the overhead bin for free.

• Unless you're picky or traveling as a family, don't preselect a seat; let the airline choose for you. You may also be able to switch an airline- assigned seat at the airport kiosk for no charge.

• Bring all your own food and drinks onboard. Cold beverages, including soda and bottled water, purchased at the airport often cost less than the selection sold in-flight.