You are right lostplnetairman, I should really get my 17 year old a credit card so she can buy a $2 bottle of water on a flight....what was I thinking.
Did Spirit misrepresent their policy when you purchased the ticket? It appears that they do so, maybe a class action suit needs to be filed. Are you willing to pick up the ball and run with it. I'm sure that a large number of other passengers would join in.