What the Spirit Airlines Credit Card Does
The Spirit Airlines credit card is a co-branded card issued by a bank in partnership with Spirit Airlines. It earns points on purchases that you can redeem for Spirit flights, seat upgrades, and baggage fees. The card also offers a sign-up bonus — usually a certain number of points after you spend a set amount in the first few months — and perks like a free checked bag on Spirit flights when you use the card to buy your ticket.
The card charges an annual fee, which varies depending on the specific version of the card. You pay this fee once a year whether you use the card or not. The interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) applies to any balance you carry month to month, and that rate depends on your credit score and the bank's current terms.
Like any credit card, this one reports your payment history to the three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — so on-time payments help your credit score, and missed payments hurt it.
Key Takeaways
- The Spirit Airlines credit card earns points on all purchases, with bonus points on Spirit bookings and other categories depending on the card version.
- You pay an annual fee to hold the card, and that fee is not waived in the first year on most versions.
- The sign-up bonus requires you to spend a certain amount within a set timeframe, usually three months, to earn the points.
- Using the card responsibly — paying your full balance on time each month — builds your credit score, but carrying a balance costs you interest.
- The value of the card depends on how often you fly Spirit and whether the points you earn outweigh the annual fee and any interest you pay.
How Points and Rewards Work
Every dollar you spend on the card earns a certain number of points. The exact earning rate depends on the card version and the category of purchase. For example, you might earn 3 points per dollar on Spirit bookings and 1 point per dollar on everything else. Some versions offer bonus categories like dining or gas.
You redeem points by logging into your Spirit Airlines account or the card issuer's rewards portal and booking a flight. Points can also cover baggage fees, seat upgrades, and other Spirit charges. The value of each point varies — sometimes a point is worth less than a cent, sometimes more — depending on what you book and when.
Sign-up bonuses typically offer a large number of points if you spend a certain amount (often $500 to $1,000) within a set window (usually three months). This bonus is the main financial advantage of opening the card, so calculate whether you can hit that spending target without overspending just to earn the bonus.
Annual Fees and Other Costs
The Spirit Airlines credit card charges an annual fee, typically between $69 and $99 depending on the specific card. This fee is charged to your account once per year, usually on your card anniversary (the month you opened the account). Most versions do not waive this fee in the first year, so you pay it when ready.
If you carry a balance from month to month instead of paying it off in full, you pay interest at the card's APR. This rate is not fixed — it depends on your credit score and the bank's current pricing. The higher your APR, the more expensive it is to carry a balance. For example, a $1,000 balance at 20% APR costs you about $200 per year in interest if you only make minimum payments.
Late payments trigger a late fee (usually $25 to $35 for the first late payment) and can raise your APR even higher. Missing a payment also damages your credit score.
When the Card Makes Financial Sense
The Spirit Airlines credit card is worth considering if you fly Spirit at least a few times per year and would otherwise pay cash for those flights. The sign-up bonus alone can cover the annual fee and then some if you hit the spending requirement. After that, the card pays for itself only if the points you earn on regular purchases exceed the annual fee.
For example, if the annual fee is $69 and you earn 1 point per dollar on most purchases, you would need to spend roughly $6,900 per year just to break even (assuming each point is worth about 1 cent). If you spend less than that, or if you rarely fly Spirit, the card costs you money.
The card also makes sense if you value the perks beyond points — such as a free checked bag, priority boarding, or discounts on Spirit purchases. These benefits have real value if you use them, even if the points themselves don't add up.
How This Card Affects Your Credit
Opening a new credit card temporarily lowers your credit score because the bank makes a hard inquiry into your credit report and because a new account lowers your average account age. This dip is usually small (5 to 10 points) and recovers within a few months.
After that, the card helps your credit if you use it responsibly. Paying your full balance on time each month shows lenders you manage credit well. Keeping your balance low relative to your credit limit (called your utilization ratio) also helps. Over time, a long history of on-time payments and low balances raises your score.
Missed payments, high balances, or maxing out the card damage your score and can stay on your report for years. If you open the card but cannot commit to paying it off monthly, the interest and damage to your credit will cost far more than any points you earn.
Comparing This Card to Other Travel Cards
Other airline cards and general travel cards may offer higher earning rates, lower annual fees, or better perks. For example, a card that earns 2 points per dollar on all purchases might be more valuable than a Spirit card that earns 1 point per dollar everywhere except Spirit bookings, depending on how much you fly Spirit specifically.
The best card for you depends on which airline you fly most often, how much you travel, and what perks matter to you. If you fly multiple airlines, a general travel card that works with any airline might be better than a Spirit-only card. If you fly Spirit exclusively and take several trips per year, the Spirit card could be the right choice.
Before opening any travel card, compare the annual fee, sign-up bonus, earning rates, and perks side by side. Calculate whether the rewards you would earn in a year exceed the annual fee. If they don't, the card costs you money.
Steps Before You Open the Card
Check your credit score first. Most airline cards require good to excellent credit (usually a score of 670 or higher). If your score is lower, you may be denied, or you may receive a higher interest rate. You can check your score for free through your bank, a credit monitoring service, or websites like Credit Karma or AnnualCreditReport.com.
Read the card's terms and conditions on the bank's website. Look for the annual fee amount, the APR range, the sign-up bonus requirements, and the earning rates for different purchase categories. Make sure you understand what you're agreeing to before you submit an process.
Decide whether you can hit the sign-up bonus spending requirement without overspending. If the bonus requires $1,000 in three months and you normally spend $300 per month, you can hit it. If you normally spend $100 per month, you would have to change your spending habits, which defeats the purpose of the bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this card on flights booked through a travel website like Kayak or Expedia?
Usually not for the bonus points. Most airline cards only earn bonus points when you book directly through the airline's website or app. Booking through a third-party site typically earns you the base earning rate (often 1 point per dollar) instead of the higher bonus rate. Check the card's terms to confirm.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points usually stay in your Spirit Airlines account and do not disappear when you close the card. However, check the card's terms because some programs have different rules. You can redeem the points anytime after closing the card, as long as your Spirit account remains active.
Does the annual fee get charged even if I don't use the card?
Yes. The annual fee is charged once per year regardless of whether you use the card or make any purchases. If you decide the card is not worth it, you can close it to stop future annual fees, but you cannot get a refund for fees already charged.
How do I know if the sign-up bonus is worth it?
Calculate the value of the bonus points based on the lowest redemption rate you can find on Spirit's website, then subtract the annual fee. For example, if the bonus is 50,000 points and each point is worth 1 cent, that's $500 in value. If the annual fee is $69, the net value is $431. If you can hit the spending requirement without overspending, the bonus is usually worth it.
What if I can't pay my balance in full one month?
The remaining balance will be charged interest at your card's APR. If you carry a $500 balance at 18% APR, you'll pay about $7.50 in interest that month alone. Avoid carrying a balance if possible — the interest costs far more than any points you earn. If you do carry a balance, pay it down as quickly as you can.