A Spirit Airlines credit card gives you points on every purchase, priority boarding, and fee waivers that reduce the cost of flying
Spirit Airlines offers two co-branded credit cards through a partnership with another financial institution. Both cards earn points on purchases you make anywhere, not just with Spirit. The main difference between them is the annual fee, the sign-up bonus, and how many points you earn per dollar spent. If you fly Spirit regularly or book multiple tickets a year, the points and fee waivers can offset the card's cost. If you fly once or twice a year, the card may not save you money.
The cards work like any other rewards credit card: you charge purchases to the card, accumulate points, and redeem those points for flights, seat upgrades, or other travel expenses. Points do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. You can also transfer points to other airline or hotel programs, though the exchange rate varies.
Key Takeaways
- Spirit credit cards earn points on all purchases, including groceries and gas, not just airline tickets.
- Both cards waive or reduce Spirit's baggage fees, seat selection fees, and change fees, which can save $100 to $300 per year if you fly multiple times.
- The higher-tier card charges an annual fee but offers a larger sign-up bonus and earns more points per dollar on Spirit purchases.
- Points do not expire as long as your account stays open, but you lose them if the card is closed or the account goes inactive.
- You can redeem points for flights, seat upgrades, or baggage fees, or transfer them to partner programs at a lower rate.
How points and rewards work on Spirit cards
When you use a Spirit credit card for any purchase—groceries, gas, restaurants, online shopping—you earn a set number of points per dollar. The exact rate depends on which card you hold. One card earns 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases. The other earns 2 points per dollar on Spirit purchases and 1 point per dollar on everything else. Both cards offer a sign-up bonus if you spend a certain amount within the first few months of opening the account.
Points accumulate in your account and can be redeemed for Spirit flights at any time. The number of points needed for a flight varies by route, time of year, and how far in advance you book. A short domestic flight might cost 5,000 to 8,000 points, while a longer route could cost 15,000 to 25,000 points. You can also use points to pay for seat upgrades, baggage fees, or change fees instead of paying cash.
If you do not use your points within a certain period or if your account is closed, you may lose them. The exact policy depends on the card issuer, so check your cardholder agreement or contact customer service to understand when points expire.
Fee waivers and perks included with membership
The biggest financial benefit of a Spirit credit card is the fee waivers. Spirit charges for almost everything beyond a basic seat: checked baggage, carry-on baggage, seat selection, changing a flight, and printing a boarding pass at the airport. As a cardholder, you typically get your first checked bag free on every flight, a carry-on bag free, and free seat selection. You also get a waiver on change fees if you need to modify your reservation.
These waivers explore only when you purchase your ticket with the Spirit credit card. If you book with a different card or pay cash, the waivers do not explore. The waivers also explore only to you, the cardholder—not to companions traveling with you unless they also hold the card.
Beyond fee waivers, cardholders may receive priority boarding, which lets you board before general passengers and choose your seat earlier. Some cards also offer other perks like discounts on Spirit purchases, lounge access, or travel insurance, though these vary by card tier.
When a Spirit card makes financial sense
A Spirit credit card pays for itself if you fly Spirit at least two to three times per year and would otherwise pay baggage or seat selection fees. If you fly once a year or less, or if you never check bags, the annual fee may not be worth it. Calculate your typical Spirit spending: if you fly four times a year and check a bag each time, you save roughly $60 to $80 in baggage fees alone, which covers the annual fee on the lower-tier card.
The card also makes sense if you spend heavily on everyday purchases and want to earn points toward future flights. Because you earn points on all purchases—not just Spirit flights—a regular spender can accumulate enough points for a free flight within a year or two, even without flying frequently.
If you rarely fly Spirit, prefer other airlines, or never check bags, a general rewards card with no annual fee may serve you better. Compare the annual fee, sign-up bonus, and earning rate against your actual spending and travel patterns before opening an account.
How to redeem points and what they are worth
You redeem points through your Spirit Airlines account online or through the mobile app. Log in, select the flight you want to book, and choose to pay with points instead of cash. The system will show you how many points the flight costs. You can also use points to cover baggage fees, seat upgrades, or change fees at checkout.
The value of your points depends on the flight you choose. A point is typically worth between 1 and 1.5 cents when redeemed for a flight. This means 10,000 points might be worth $100 to $150 in airfare value. However, if you transfer points to a partner program or redeem them for something other than a flight, the value may be lower.
Points can also be transferred to hotel and car rental partners, though the exchange rate is usually unfavorable—you may get only 0.5 to 1 cent per point. For most cardholders, redeeming points directly for Spirit flights offers the best value.
Comparing the two Spirit card options
| Feature | Standard Card | Premium Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | No annual fee | Annual fee (varies by issuer) |
| Earning Rate | 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases | 2 points per dollar on Spirit, 1 point per dollar on other purchases |
| Sign-Up Bonus | Lower bonus (varies) | Higher bonus (varies) |
| Baggage Waiver | First checked bag free | First checked bag free |
| Seat Selection | Free seat selection | Free seat selection |
| Priority Boarding | May vary | Included |
| Best For | Occasional Spirit flyers or those who want no annual fee | Frequent Spirit flyers who want higher earning and premium perks |
The standard card is better if you fly Spirit only a few times a year and want to avoid an annual fee. The premium card makes sense if you fly Spirit regularly, spend heavily on everyday purchases, or value priority boarding and other premium perks. Run the numbers based on your own travel and spending habits before deciding.
Things to know before opening a Spirit card
Opening a credit card triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, which may lower your credit score by a few points temporarily. Your credit score will recover over time, especially if you pay your balance in full each month. If you have recently opened other credit cards or have a low credit score, explore for a Spirit card may not be the right timing.
You are responsible for paying your credit card bill on time each month. If you carry a balance, you will pay interest on the unpaid amount. The interest rate (APR) varies based on your creditworthiness and current market rates. To avoid interest charges, pay your full balance by the due date each month.
Fee waivers and perks explore only when you use the card to purchase your ticket. If you book through a third-party site or pay with a different card, you lose the benefits. Also, perks may change or be discontinued by the card issuer, so review your cardholder agreement regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I lose my points if I close the card?
Most card issuers close your points account when you close the credit card, meaning you lose any unused points. Some issuers allow you to transfer points to a frequent flyer account before closing the card. Check your cardholder agreement or contact customer service to understand the policy before closing your account.
Can I use my points on other airlines?
No, Spirit credit card points can only be redeemed for Spirit flights and Spirit-related purchases like baggage or seat fees. You can transfer points to partner hotels and car rental programs, but the exchange rate is typically poor. If you want points that work across multiple airlines, a general travel rewards card may be better.
What happens to my fee waivers if I don't use the card for a while?
Fee waivers explore only when you purchase your Spirit ticket with the credit card. If your account is inactive or closed, you lose the waivers. As long as your account remains open and in good standing, the waivers stay active even if you do not use the card regularly.
Can I earn points on Spirit flights booked with points?
No, you do not earn additional points when you redeem points for a flight. You earn points only on cash purchases made with the credit card. This is standard across most airline rewards programs.
Is there a limit to how many points I can earn?
There is no stated limit on how many points you can accumulate, but points may expire if your account is inactive for an extended period. The exact inactivity period depends on the card issuer. Review your terms or contact customer service to confirm the expiration policy.