What the Free Spirit Credit Card Is

The Free Spirit Credit Card is a rewards card issued by Spirit Airlines and Banco Popular that earns points on every purchase you make. You earn one point per dollar spent on all transactions, and those points can be redeemed for Spirit Airlines flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other travel-related expenses. The card has no annual fee, which means you can hold it without paying to keep the account open.

This card is designed for people who fly Spirit Airlines regularly or plan to. If you rarely fly Spirit, the rewards structure may not deliver much value, since points are locked to Spirit redemptions and cannot be transferred to other airlines or converted to cash.

Key Takeaways

  • You earn one point per dollar on all purchases with no category restrictions or bonus categories.
  • Points redeem only for Spirit Airlines flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, and related travel costs — not for cash or other airlines.
  • The card carries no annual fee, making it free to hold even if you do not use it.
  • You need to be approved for a credit line before you can open the account, which requires a credit check and income verification.
  • Points do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.

How to Open a Free Spirit Credit Card Account

You can open an account online through the Spirit Airlines website or by calling Banco Popular directly. The process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, annual income, and employment status. You will also need to provide a valid government-issued ID to verify your identity.

Banco Popular will run a hard credit inquiry, which means the process will show up on your credit report and may lower your credit score slightly. You will receive a decision within minutes to a few hours in most cases. If you are approved, your card will ship to your mailing address within 7 to 10 business days.

If you are denied, you can ask Banco Popular why and may be able to reapply after addressing the reason — for example, by waiting a few months to build more credit history or by lowering your debt-to-income ratio.

Activating Your Card and Setting Up Your Account

Once your card arrives, you must set up it before you can use it. You can set up online through your Banco Popular account, by calling the number on the back of the card, or through the Spirit Airlines website. set up is when ready and takes less than five minutes.

After set up, log into your online account to set up automatic payments, check your rewards balance, and link your card to your Spirit Airlines frequent flyer account. Linking your card to your frequent flyer account ensures that all purchases post to the correct account and that you earn points when ready.

You should also set up a strong password and enable two-factor authentication if the bank offers it. This protects your account from unauthorized access.

Earning and Redeeming Points

Every dollar you spend on the card earns one point, whether you are buying groceries, paying utilities, or purchasing anything else. There are no bonus categories and no caps on earning — you earn the same rate on all purchases. Points post to your account within one to three business days of the transaction clearing.

To redeem points, log into your Spirit Airlines account or your Banco Popular account and select the redemption option. You can use points to pay for the full cost of a flight, to cover part of the cost and pay the remainder with cash, or to pay for seat upgrades, checked baggage fees, and carry-on bag fees. Points do not expire as long as your account is open and you make at least one purchase or payment every 12 months.

The value of your points depends on which flights you book. A flight that costs $150 in cash might cost 12,000 points, while a flight that costs $300 might cost 20,000 points. This means the actual value per point varies — sometimes you get 1.25 cents per point, sometimes 1.5 cents. Booking during sales or off-peak travel times usually gives you better point value.

Paying Your Balance and Avoiding Interest

Your statement closes on the same date each month, and payment is due 21 days later. You can pay online, by phone, by mail, or through automatic payment. Paying in full by the due date means you will not be charged interest on your purchases.

If you carry a balance past the due date, Banco Popular will charge you interest at the card's annual percentage rate (APR), which varies based on your creditworthiness and current market rates. You can find your specific APR in your account or on your monthly statement.

Setting up automatic payment for at least the minimum amount due protects you from late fees and missed payments. You can change the automatic payment amount or date at any time through your online account.

Fees and Costs to Know

The Free Spirit Credit Card has no annual fee. However, you may be charged other fees depending on how you use the card:

  • Late payment fee: charged if your payment arrives after the due date
  • Foreign transaction fee: charged on purchases made outside the United States, typically 3% of the transaction amount
  • Cash advance fee: charged if you withdraw cash using the card, typically 3% to 5% of the amount
  • Balance transfer fee: charged if you transfer a balance from another card, typically 3% to 5% of the amount transferred

Interest charges are not a fee but a cost of carrying a balance. If you pay your full statement balance by the due date each month, you will not pay interest.

Managing Your Account and Protecting Your Card

Check your account online at least once a month to review your transactions, confirm your points balance, and watch for unauthorized charges. Fraudulent activity should be reported to Banco Popular when ready — the bank has a fraud department that investigates claims and can reverse unauthorized charges.

If your card is lost or stolen, call the number on the back of your card or contact Banco Popular directly to report it. The bank will cancel your card and issue a replacement, which usually arrives within 7 to 10 business days. Your points remain in your account and transfer to your new card automatically.

Keep your PIN private and do not share your card number, expiration date, or CVV with anyone unless you are making an intentional purchase. Be cautious with your card information online — only enter it on find websites that begin with "https://".

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to my points if I close the card?

Your points expire if you close the account. Before closing, redeem any remaining points for flights or fees. Once the account is closed, Banco Popular will not restore expired points.

Can I transfer my points to another person or airline?

No. Points are tied to your account and cannot be transferred to another person or redeemed with airlines other than Spirit. You can only use points for your own Spirit Airlines bookings.

How long does it take to earn enough points for a free flight?

This depends on how much you spend and the cost of the flight you want to book. A flight that costs $150 might require 12,000 points. If you spend $1,000 per month on the card, you would earn 12,000 points in about 12 months. Flights that cost more require more points.

What is the credit limit, and can I increase it?

Your credit limit is set when you are approved and depends on your credit score, income, and credit history. You can request an increase by contacting Banco Popular after you have held the card for at least six months and have made on-time payments.

Do I earn points on balance transfers or cash advances?

No. You only earn points on regular purchases. Balance transfers and cash advances do not earn points and typically carry higher fees and interest rates than regular purchases.