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, which you can redeem for Spirit flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other travel costs. The card also comes with a sign-up bonus — typically a one-time point award after you spend a certain amount in the first few months — and an annual fee that you pay once per year to keep the card open.
The card is designed for people who fly Spirit regularly or plan to. If you fly Spirit once or twice a year, the annual fee may cost more than the rewards you earn. If you fly Spirit frequently or use the card for everyday spending to accumulate points, the rewards can offset the fee and reduce your out-of-pocket travel costs.
Key Takeaways
- The Spirit Airlines credit card charges an annual fee, which you must pay each year to keep the card active.
- You earn points on every purchase, and points can be redeemed for Spirit flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other travel-related expenses.
- A sign-up bonus gives you a large point award if you spend a set amount within the first few months, but this bonus only comes once per account.
- The card's value depends on how often you fly Spirit and how much you spend on the card each year — frequent fliers benefit more than occasional travelers.
- Spirit Airlines credit cards typically do not earn rewards on non-Spirit purchases at the same rate as on Spirit bookings, so check the earning structure before explore.
Annual fee and what it covers
The Spirit Airlines credit card charges an annual fee, usually between $69 and $99 depending on the specific card version and any current promotions. This fee is charged to your account once per year, typically on your card anniversary or the date you open the account. You pay this fee whether or not you use the card that year.
Some versions of the card offer a benefit that partially offsets the annual fee — for example, a statement credit toward baggage fees or a free checked bag on Spirit flights. Read the card's terms carefully to see what, if anything, is included. If the card offers a $69 annual fee and a $69 baggage credit, the net cost is zero if you use that credit. If it offers only the fee with no offset, you need to earn enough points to justify the cost.
Sign-up bonus and how it works
When you open a Spirit Airlines credit card, the issuing bank typically offers a sign-up bonus — a one-time award of points if you meet a spending requirement. This might be stated as "Earn 30,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in the first three months" or similar language. The spending requirement is real money you must charge to the card; it does not include balance transfers or cash advances.
The sign-up bonus is usually the largest point award you will receive from the card, and it can be worth $200 to $400 in Spirit travel depending on the bonus size and current point values. However, you can only earn this bonus once per account, and most banks have rules preventing you from opening multiple accounts to earn multiple bonuses within a certain time period.
How points are earned and redeemed
Points are earned on every dollar you spend using the card. The earning rate varies by purchase type. Spirit bookings typically earn at a higher rate — often 3 to 5 points per dollar — while other purchases earn at a lower rate, often 1 point per dollar. Some cards earn no points on certain categories like cash advances or balance transfers.
Points are redeemed through the Spirit Airlines website or app. You can use them to pay for flights, seat upgrades (including extra legroom), checked baggage fees, carry-on bag fees, and other Spirit-specific charges. Points do not transfer to other airlines or convert to cash, so their value depends entirely on whether you fly Spirit and what you want to buy.
The redemption value of points fluctuates. A point might be worth 0.5 cents to 2 cents in travel value depending on what you book and when. Booking a flight during a Spirit sale may give you better point value than booking during peak travel times. There is no fixed conversion rate.
Annual spending needed to break even
To determine whether the card makes financial sense for you, calculate how much you need to spend annually to earn back the annual fee in rewards. If the card charges a $69 annual fee and earns 1 point per dollar on non-Spirit purchases, and each point is worth 1 cent, you would need to spend $6,900 per year just to earn $69 in rewards — before accounting for the sign-up bonus.
Most people do not spend that much on a single card. The card becomes worthwhile if you fly Spirit frequently, because Spirit bookings earn at a higher rate. If you book two or three Spirit flights per year and charge other travel expenses (hotels, rental cars, meals) to the card, the points accumulate faster. If you fly Spirit once a year or less, the annual fee likely costs more than the rewards you earn.
The sign-up bonus changes this calculation for the first year. A 30,000-point bonus might be worth $150 to $300 in travel, which can cover the annual fee and leave you with extra points. But in year two and beyond, you rely on ongoing spending to justify the fee.
Comparing this card to other airline cards
Other airline credit cards work similarly but have different earning rates, annual fees, and benefits. A card from a major airline (Delta, United, American) typically charges a higher annual fee ($95 to $450) but offers more generous benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding, and lounge access. These cards also earn points on a wider range of purchases.
A Spirit card has a lower annual fee because Spirit itself is a low-cost carrier with fewer premium benefits to offer. The trade-off is that you earn fewer points per dollar on non-Spirit purchases, and the card's benefits are more limited. If you fly multiple airlines, a general travel rewards card (not airline-specific) might give you more flexibility, though it may not earn as many points on Spirit bookings.
What happens if you close the card
If you close the Spirit Airlines credit card, any points you have accumulated remain in your Spirit Airlines account (not on the card itself). You can still redeem them for flights and other purchases through Spirit's website. However, you will no longer earn points on new purchases, and you will not be charged the annual fee going forward.
Some airline cards have a rule that points expire if you close the card or do not use it for a certain period. Check the card's terms to see if Spirit has such a policy. If you plan to stop flying Spirit, redeeming your remaining points before closing the card ensures you do not lose them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I earn points on Spirit flights booked with cash?
No. You earn points only on purchases made with the credit card itself. If you book a Spirit flight using cash, a debit card, or another payment method, that purchase does not earn points. You must use the Spirit credit card to earn rewards on any purchase.
Do points expire if I do not use them?
Spirit's policy on point expiration varies and can change. Some programs expire points after a period of inactivity, while others do not. Check your card's terms or contact Spirit directly to understand the expiration rules for your account.
What if I want to downgrade to a card with no annual fee?
Many banks allow you to downgrade a co-branded card to a different version with a lower or no annual fee, rather than closing the account entirely. This keeps your account open and preserves your points. Contact the card issuer to ask whether a downgrade option is available.
Can I use points to pay for someone else's Spirit flight?
Yes. Points are tied to your Spirit Airlines account, not to the credit card. You can redeem them to book a flight for anyone, as long as you are the one making the booking through Spirit's website or app.
Does the card offer travel insurance or other protections?
Most airline credit cards include benefits like trip cancellation insurance, baggage delay coverage, or purchase protection. The Spirit card may include some of these, but the coverage is typically more limited than premium travel cards. Review the card's benefits guide to see what protections are included.