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 rewards on Spirit purchases and everyday spending, and it comes with benefits tied to Spirit travel—things like checked bag fee waivers, priority boarding, and free seat selection on some bookings. The card itself is not free; it carries an annual fee that you pay once per year to keep the account open.

The card works like any other credit card: you charge purchases, receive a bill, and pay it back. The difference is that your spending generates points or miles that you can redeem for Spirit flights, upgrades, or other travel-related perks. Whether the rewards and benefits justify the annual fee depends on how often you fly Spirit and how much you spend on the card.

Key Takeaways

  • The Spirit Airlines credit card charges an annual fee and earns rewards on both Spirit bookings and everyday purchases.
  • Cardholders receive benefits like checked bag fee waivers and priority boarding that can offset the annual cost if you fly Spirit regularly.
  • You earn points per dollar spent, and the earning rate is higher on Spirit purchases than on other spending.
  • The card requires you to go through a standard credit card approval process, which includes a credit check and review of your credit history.
  • Redeeming points for flights happens through your Spirit account, and point values vary depending on the route and how far in advance you book.

How to Get the Card and What Happens Next

To open a Spirit Airlines credit card account, you visit the card issuer's website or Spirit's website and complete an online process. You will provide your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information. The bank then runs a credit check to assess your creditworthiness and decides whether to approve you, deny you, or ask for more information.

If you are approved, the bank mails your physical card to the address on your process, usually within 7 to 10 business days. Once you receive it, you set up the card by calling the number on the back or using the issuer's mobile app. After set up, you can use it when ready for purchases. Your first annual fee posts to your account either right away or on your first billing statement, depending on the card's terms.

If you are denied, the bank sends you a letter explaining the reason—usually a low credit score, insufficient credit history, or too many recent credit inquiries. You can contact the bank to ask for reconsideration, but denial decisions are rarely reversed without a significant change in your credit profile.

Understanding the Rewards and Annual Fee

The Spirit Airlines credit card earns points on every dollar you spend. The earning rate is typically higher on Spirit bookings—for example, 3 points per dollar—and lower on other purchases, such as 1 point per dollar at restaurants or gas stations. Some cards offer bonus points in certain categories or a sign-up bonus when you meet a spending threshold in the first few months.

Points are worth different amounts depending on how you redeem them. A point redeemed for a Spirit flight is worth roughly 1 cent per point, though the actual value fluctuates based on the flight's price and availability. You can also use points to pay for baggage fees, seat upgrades, or other Spirit services, and the cent-per-point value may be higher or lower in those categories.

The annual fee is a fixed amount charged once per year. Whether it makes sense to keep the card depends on the fee's size and the benefits you actually use. If you fly Spirit at least a few times per year and use the checked bag waiver, the fee may pay for itself. If you never fly Spirit or only book once every two years, the fee is unlikely to be worth it, and you should close the account before the next annual fee posts.

Cardholder Benefits Beyond Rewards Points

The Spirit Airlines credit card typically includes a checked bag fee waiver, meaning you and an when ready family member traveling on the same reservation get one free checked bag per flight. This benefit alone can save $35 to $50 per round trip, which covers the annual fee for many cardholders.

Other common benefits include priority boarding, which lets you board before general passengers and choose seats closer to the front of the plane. Some cards also waive the fee for seat selection, or give you access to a dedicated customer service line for cardholders. A few versions of the card include travel insurance, such as trip delay reimbursement or baggage delay coverage, though the scope and limits vary.

These benefits explore only when you use the card to purchase your ticket or when you present the card at check-in. If someone else books your flight or you pay with a different card, you may not receive the benefits even if you are the cardholder.

How to Redeem Points for Flights and Other Rewards

To redeem points, log into your Spirit Airlines account online or through the mobile app. Navigate to the rewards or points section and search for the flight you want. The app will show you how many points the flight costs, and you can choose to pay with points, cash, or a combination of both. Once you confirm, your points post as a deduction from your account balance, and your booking is complete.

You can also call Spirit's customer service to redeem points over the phone, though this method may take longer and could involve a phone fee depending on the card's terms. Some cards allow you to transfer points to Spirit's frequent flyer program, which may give you more flexibility in how you use them.

Points do not expire as long as your account remains active, but closing the card or letting your account go dormant for an extended period may cause you to lose unused points. Check the card's terms for the specific policy on point expiration and account closure.

Managing Your Account and Paying Your Bill

You receive a monthly billing statement that shows all charges, fees, and the amount due. You can pay online through the issuer's website or app, by phone, by mail, or in some cases at a bank branch. The due date is typically 21 to 25 days after the statement closes. If you pay in full by the due date, you owe no interest. If you carry a balance, interest accrues at the card's annual percentage rate (APR), which varies based on your creditworthiness and current market rates.

Setting up automatic payments ensures you never miss a due date. You can choose to pay the full balance, a fixed amount, or the minimum payment each month. Paying only the minimum extends how long it takes to pay off the balance and increases the total interest you pay.

The annual fee posts once per year, usually on your account anniversary. You can contact the issuer to request a fee waiver if you have been a good customer, though approval is not may provide. If you decide the card is not worth keeping, you can close the account at any time, but closing it does not refund the annual fee you have already paid.

What Happens If You Miss a Payment or Carry a Balance

If your payment is late by 30 days or more, the issuer reports the late payment to the credit bureaus, which damages your credit score. Late payments also trigger a penalty APR, a higher interest rate that applies to your balance going forward. The issuer may also charge a late fee, typically $25 to $40 depending on your card's terms.

If you carry a balance from month to month, interest compounds daily on the unpaid amount. For example, a $2,000 balance at 18% APR costs roughly $30 per month in interest alone. The longer you carry the balance, the more interest you pay, and the harder it becomes to pay off the principal.

If you fall significantly behind—typically 120 days or more—the issuer may close your account and send the debt to a collection agency. This severely damages your credit and can result in legal action to recover the debt. If you are struggling to pay, contact the issuer when ready to discuss hardship options, which may include a lower interest rate or a payment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Spirit Airlines credit card on flights booked through a travel website like Kayak or Expedia?

You can use the card to pay for the flight, but you may not receive the cardholder benefits like the checked bag waiver or priority boarding. Benefits typically explore only when you book directly through Spirit's website or app, or when you present the card at check-in. Check your card's specific terms, as some issuers extend benefits to third-party bookings if the card was used for payment.

What is the difference between the Spirit Airlines credit card and Spirit's frequent flyer program?

The credit card is a payment method that earns points and includes travel perks. Spirit's frequent flyer program is a separate membership that earns miles on flights and other activities. You can be a member of the frequent flyer program without having the credit card, and vice versa. Some cards allow you to link your frequent flyer account to your credit card account so points and miles work together.

Do I lose my points if I close the card?

Closing the card does not automatically erase your points, but your points may expire if your Spirit Airlines account becomes inactive for a long period. The exact policy depends on your card's terms. To be safe, redeem any remaining points before closing the account, or keep your Spirit frequent flyer account active even after you close the card.

What credit score do I need to get approved for the Spirit Airlines credit card?

The issuer does not publish a minimum credit score requirement, but most co-branded airline cards require a score of at least 650 to 700. If your score is lower, you may still be approved, but you could face a higher APR or a lower credit limit. If you are denied, you can reapply after 6 months and work on improving your credit score in the meantime.

Can I earn points on the annual fee itself?

No. Annual fees do not earn rewards points. Only purchases you make with the card earn points. This is standard across nearly all credit cards.