What the Spirit Airlines Credit Card Is
The Spirit Airlines credit card is a co-branded card issued by a bank in partnership with Spirit Airlines. It is designed for people who fly Spirit regularly or want to earn rewards on everyday purchases that convert to Spirit travel benefits. The card itself is not a Spirit product — it is a standard credit card that happens to offer Spirit-specific perks.
When you open the card, you receive a sign-up bonus in the form of free Spirit dollars or miles (the exact amount changes based on current promotions). You then earn points or miles on purchases you make with the card, and those points can be redeemed for Spirit flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, or other travel-related costs with Spirit.
Like any credit card, you will have an annual fee, an interest rate if you carry a balance, and standard credit card terms. The card issuer — not Spirit — handles billing, payments, and customer service for the card account itself.
Key Takeaways
- The Spirit Airlines credit card earns points or miles on purchases that you can use toward Spirit flights and fees, with a sign-up bonus when you first open the account.
- You pay an annual fee to hold the card, and that fee is charged by the bank, not Spirit, regardless of whether you use the card that year.
- The card's value depends on how often you fly Spirit and how much you spend on the card — frequent Spirit travelers typically see more benefit than occasional flyers.
- Points earned on the card do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing, but closing the card may cause you to lose unused points.
- The interest rate and other credit terms are set by the card issuer and are the same as any other credit card — the Spirit partnership does not change how credit works.
How to Open a Spirit Airlines Credit Card Account
You start by visiting the card issuer's website or the Spirit Airlines website, where you will find a link to the credit card process. The process asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information — the same details any credit card company requests.
The issuer will check your credit report and make a decision within minutes or hours. If you are approved, you can set up online access to your account right away. The physical card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, you set up it through the issuer's website or mobile app before you can use it.
If you are denied, the issuer will send you a letter explaining why. You can contact their customer service line to ask about the reason, but you cannot appeal the decision — you would need to reapply later if your credit situation improves.
Sign-Up Bonuses and How They Work
When you open the card, you receive a sign-up bonus — usually a set number of Spirit dollars or bonus miles. This bonus is not automatic; you typically have to meet a spending requirement within a set timeframe (often 3 months) to receive it. For example, you might need to spend $1,000 on the card within 90 days to earn 50,000 bonus miles.
The bonus posts to your account once you meet the spending requirement, and you can use it when ready to book flights or pay for Spirit fees. The bonus does not count toward your annual fee — you still owe that fee separately, usually charged to the card on your account anniversary.
Sign-up bonuses change frequently. If you are considering the card, check the current offer on the issuer's website before you explore, because the bonus you see today may be different next month.
Annual Fees and When They Are Charged
The Spirit Airlines credit card has an annual fee that the card issuer charges once per year, typically on your account anniversary (the date you opened the card). This fee is charged whether you use the card or not. Some cards offer a waived first-year fee, meaning you do not pay it in year one, but you will owe it starting in year two.
The annual fee is usually between $69 and $99, though this varies depending on the current card offer. You can see the exact fee in the card's terms and conditions before you explore. The fee is charged directly to your card account, so if you have a balance, it gets added to what you owe.
If you decide the card is not worth the fee, you can close the account before your anniversary date to avoid being charged. However, closing the card also means you lose any unused points or miles you have accumulated.
Earning and Redeeming Points
Every time you use the Spirit Airlines credit card to make a purchase, you earn points or miles. The earning rate varies by card and purchase type — you might earn 2 miles per dollar on Spirit purchases and 1 mile per dollar on everything else, for example. Check your card's terms to see the exact earning structure.
Points accumulate in your Spirit account (or a linked rewards account managed by the card issuer). You can redeem them for Spirit flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, or other Spirit-related charges. You can also sometimes transfer points to other airline partners, though Spirit's partnerships vary.
Points do not expire as long as your credit card account remains active and in good standing. However, if you close the card, you may lose your points — some issuers allow you to keep them if you have another Spirit account, but this depends on the specific card terms. Check your card agreement to understand what happens to your points if you close the account.
Interest Rates and How Carrying a Balance Works
The Spirit Airlines credit card has a standard purchase interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) that applies if you carry a balance from month to month. This rate is set by the card issuer and is not related to Spirit — it works exactly like any other credit card.
When you receive your monthly statement, you can pay the full balance, pay a minimum amount, or pay anything in between. If you pay the full balance by the due date, no interest is charged. If you pay less than the full balance, interest accrues on the remaining amount at the card's APR.
The APR varies based on your credit score and the card issuer's current rates. You will see your specific rate in the card's terms and conditions before you explore. Carrying a balance is expensive — if you have a $1,000 balance at 18% APR, you will owe roughly $15 in interest that month alone.
Comparing the Spirit Card to Other Airline Cards
If you fly Spirit frequently, the card may be worth the annual fee because you earn points on every purchase and can use them to offset Spirit's high baggage and seat selection fees. However, if you fly Spirit only once or twice a year, the annual fee may cost more than the points you earn.
Other airline cards (for United, Southwest, or American Airlines, for example) may offer higher earning rates, lower annual fees, or better sign-up bonuses depending on your travel patterns. The best card for you depends on which airline you fly most often and how much you spend on the card each year.
A straightforward way to decide: calculate how many points you would earn in a year based on your typical spending, then see what those points are worth in Spirit flights or fees. If that value exceeds the annual fee, the card makes financial sense. If not, you may be better off without it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my points if I close the Spirit Airlines credit card?
This depends on the card issuer's terms. Some issuers let you keep your points in a separate Spirit account even after you close the card. Others delete unused points when you close the account. Check your card agreement or contact the issuer's customer service before closing the account to understand what will happen to your balance.
Can I use the card to pay for someone else's Spirit flight?
Yes. You can use the card to purchase a ticket for anyone, and you will earn points on that purchase. The points go into your rewards account, not the passenger's account. You can then use those points for your own future flights or fees.
Do I have to use the card to keep my account open?
No. Your credit card account stays open as long as you pay your bills on time and do not close it yourself. However, some card issuers may close inactive accounts after a long period of no use (typically 12 months or more). If you want to keep the account open, use it occasionally or set up a small recurring charge.
What is the difference between Spirit dollars and Spirit miles?
Spirit dollars are a fixed currency — one Spirit dollar equals one dollar toward a Spirit purchase. Spirit miles are a variable currency — the value of each mile depends on what you are redeeming it for. The card issuer will tell you which currency the card earns when you explore.
Can I transfer my points to another airline?
This depends on Spirit's current partnerships and the card issuer's terms. Some cards allow point transfers to partner airlines, while others do not. Check the card's terms or contact customer service to see whether transfers are available and which airlines accept them.