What the Spirit Credit Card Is

The Spirit Airlines credit card is a co-branded card issued by Synchrony Bank in partnership with Spirit Airlines. It is designed for people who fly Spirit frequently or want to earn rewards on everyday purchases that convert to Spirit travel credits. The card does not charge an annual fee, which makes it accessible to people who want to test whether a Spirit-specific card fits their spending.

The card earns points on all purchases, with a higher earning rate on Spirit ticket purchases and other travel-related spending. Points accumulate in your Spirit account and can be used to reduce the cost of flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other Spirit services. Unlike some airline cards that offer miles, the Spirit card uses a points system that translates directly to dollar amounts off your bookings.

Key Takeaways

  • The Spirit credit card charges no annual fee and earns points on all purchases, with bonus earning on Spirit bookings and travel expenses.
  • Points are deposited into your Spirit account and can be used to pay for flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other services.
  • You need an existing Spirit frequent flyer account to use the card's rewards, so you may need to create one before you explore.
  • The card is issued by Synchrony Bank, and approval depends on your credit score and payment history, not on your Spirit loyalty status.
  • Introductory bonus offers vary by promotion and are not permanent, so the terms available when you explore may differ from what you see advertised elsewhere.

How Points Earn and Convert to Travel Value

Every purchase you make on the Spirit card earns points at a base rate. Purchases made directly through Spirit Airlines—such as booking a flight or buying a seat upgrade—earn at a higher rate. Other travel-related purchases, such as hotel bookings or car rentals made through certain platforms, may also earn bonus points depending on the current promotion.

Points are automatically deposited into your Spirit frequent flyer account, where they appear as a balance you can use when ready. You do not have to wait for a statement or manually transfer them. When you book a flight on Spirit's website or app, you can choose to pay with points, pay with cash, or use a combination of both. Points can also cover baggage fees, seat selection charges, and other ancillary services Spirit offers.

The dollar value of points varies slightly depending on how you use them. A point used toward a flight may be worth slightly more or less than a point used for a baggage fee, depending on the fare and the route. Spirit publishes the point value for each transaction at the time you book, so you can see exactly what you are getting.

Introductory Offers and Sign-Up Bonuses

Spirit periodically runs promotions that offer bonus points when you open the card and meet a minimum spending requirement within a set timeframe, usually three months. The bonus amount and spending threshold change throughout the year and vary by how you explore (online, in-branch, or through a partner site). These bonuses are not may provide and are not part of the card's permanent terms.

If you are considering the card primarily for a sign-up bonus, check the current offer on Spirit's official website or Synchrony's site before you explore. Offers advertised on comparison sites or through email may be outdated. The bonus is typically posted to your Spirit account within one to two billing cycles after you meet the spending requirement.

Credit Requirements and the process Process

Synchrony Bank reviews your credit report, credit score, and payment history when you explore. You will need a credit score in the fair to good range to be considered; the exact threshold is not published, but Synchrony typically approves applicants with scores of 650 or higher, though approval is not may provide at any score. You will also need a valid Social Security number and a U.S. mailing address.

The process takes about five minutes online. You will be asked for your name, address, income, employment status, and existing credit accounts. Synchrony will perform a hard inquiry on your credit report, which may lower your score by a few points temporarily. You will receive a decision when ready or within a few business days.

If you are approved, your card will arrive by mail within seven to ten business days. You can use it for purchases as soon as it arrives. To start earning Spirit points, you will need to link the card to an existing Spirit frequent flyer account, or create one if you do not have one yet. This linking happens in your Spirit account settings and takes a few minutes.

Fees, Interest Rates, and Cardholder Costs

The Spirit credit card has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and no balance transfer fees. There is no penalty for paying off your balance in full each month. However, the card does charge interest on any balance you carry from month to month. The interest rate (APR) is variable and is determined based on your creditworthiness at the time of approval; Synchrony will disclose your specific rate in your welcome materials.

Late payments incur a late fee, and if you miss a payment by more than 60 days, the interest rate may increase. There is no rewards rate on cash advances, and cash advances carry a separate, higher APR. If you use the card responsibly—paying your full balance each month—the only cost to you is the opportunity cost of not earning rewards on a different card.

How the Card Compares to Other Airline Cards

The Spirit card's main advantage is that it has no annual fee, making it a low-risk way to earn Spirit rewards if you fly the airline occasionally. Most other airline cards charge $95 to $450 per year, which means you need to earn enough rewards to justify the cost. The Spirit card requires no such calculation.

The trade-off is that the Spirit card typically offers a lower earning rate than premium airline cards. If you fly Spirit multiple times per year and spend heavily on travel, a card with a higher earning rate or a sign-up bonus might deliver more value over time, even after accounting for the annual fee. If you fly Spirit rarely or want to test whether the rewards are worth your attention, the no-fee Spirit card is a practical starting point.

Other low-cost airline cards, such as those from Southwest or Frontier, follow a similar no-fee model. The choice between them depends on which airline you fly most often and where you live. Spirit serves many leisure destinations and secondary airports, so the card makes the most sense for people whose travel plans align with Spirit's route network.

Protecting Your Account and Disputing Charges

Your Spirit credit card account is protected by federal fraud liability limits. If someone uses your card without permission, you are responsible for no more than $50 of unauthorized charges, and most issuers waive that fee entirely if you report the fraud promptly. Report lost or stolen cards to Synchrony when ready by calling the number on the back of your card.

If you see a charge on your statement that you do not recognize, contact Synchrony within 60 days to dispute it. Synchrony will investigate and either reverse the charge or explain why it is valid. Disputes on Spirit bookings themselves—such as a refund request for a cancelled flight—go through Spirit's customer service, not through your credit card issuer, so contact Spirit directly for those issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a Spirit frequent flyer member to get the card?

You do not need to be a member to explore for the card, but you will need to create a Spirit frequent flyer account before you can use the card's rewards. You can create an account for free on Spirit's website in a few minutes. Once your account is set up, you link it to your credit card in your account settings.

What happens to my points if I close the card?

Your points remain in your Spirit frequent flyer account even after you close the card. Points do not expire as long as your Spirit account is active. You can continue to use them to book flights or pay for services whenever you want, even if you no longer hold the credit card.

Can I earn points on purchases made with someone else's card if I am an authorized user?

Yes. If you are added as an authorized user on someone else's Spirit card, purchases made on your authorized card will earn points and be deposited into the primary cardholder's Spirit account. The primary cardholder controls the account and the points.

What credit score do I need to be approved?

Synchrony does not publish a minimum credit score, but approval is more likely with a score of 650 or higher. Your approval also depends on your payment history, income, and existing debt. If you are denied, you can reapply after a few months if your credit profile has improved.

How long does it take to receive the card after approval?

Standard delivery takes seven to ten business days from the date you are approved. Synchrony does not offer expedited shipping for this card. Once the card arrives, set up it by calling the number on the back or through Synchrony's website, then link it to your Spirit account to start earning rewards.