The best ways to earn and redeem Spirit Airlines points

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  • Spirit Airlines’ frequent flyer program, Free Spirit, just got a big update.
  • You’ll earn points based on the cost of a ticket, and there are two refreshed Spirit credit cards.
  • The cost to redeem Spirit points for an award flight is now revenue-based as well.
  • Read Business Insider’s guide to the best airline credit cards.

Spirit Airlines is well known for its ultra-low-cost flights throughout the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean, but not for having a robust loyalty program. That’s now changed.

On January 21, the airline’s Free Spirit frequent flyer program got a huge overhaul, offering a significant upgrade in value for frequent travelers. The airline has moved to a revenue-based system, which means you’ll earn and redeem points based on the price of a ticket.

There are also changes to elite status levels, points expiration, and the ability to pool points with others. Additionally, the carrier has revamped its co-branded credit cards issued by Bank of America, and the offers are compelling if you fly Spirit Airlines frequently.

Here’s what to know about earning and redeeming points in the new Free Spirit frequent flyer program.

Two types of Spirit points

In the Free Spirit program, there are two types of points: redeemable and Status Qualifying Points (SQPs). 

Redeemable points are earned at a faster rate than SQPs and are used to book award tickets. SQPs can’t be redeemed and are used for earning elite status only. 

Earn points flying with Spirit Airlines 

Points aren’t earned based on how much you fly — instead, they’re earned on the pre-tax cost of airfare and extra “À La Smarte” options like seat selection and baggage fees. 

You’ll earn SQPs at a rate of 1 point per dollar spent on airfare and add-on fees. 

However, redeemable Spirit points are earned based on elite status: 

  • Regular: 6 points per dollar on airfare, 12 points on options
  • Silver: 8 points per dollar on airfare, 16 points on options
  • Gold: 10 points per dollar on airfare, 20 points on options

You also earn points with partners, including hotel stays, car rentals, cruises, and online shopping:

Pool your Spirit points

You can now pool your Spirit points with up to eight people, but a pool can only be started by someone with Silver or Gold elite status or who holds a Free Spirit credit card.

Any Free Spirit member can join a pool, and members in the pool share their points for earning and redeeming. 

Earn points with Spirit credit cards

Spirit Airlines doesn’t partner with any of the major transferable points programs (Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, Capital One Rewards, or Marriott Bonvoy). However, you can earn Spirit points directly from two Free Spirit credit cards issued by Bank of America, which both offer a welcome bonus and various perks.

Each card comes with priority boarding, no foreign transaction fees, and a 25% rebate on inflight food and drink purchases.

Free Spirit Travel Mastercard

The Free Spirit® Travel Mastercard® has no annual fee and a welcome bonus of 10,000 points after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. And if you spend $10,000 in a year, you’ll earn an additional 5,000 bonus points on your annual anniversary date. 

It earns 2 redeemable points for every dollar spent with Spirit Airlines and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. 

Free Spirit Travel More Mastercard

In addition to other World Elite Mastercard benefits, the Free Spirit® Travel More Mastercard® has a $79 annual fee (waived the first year) and a welcome bonus of 40,000 points and a $100 Companion Flight Voucher after you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. 

If you spend $5,000 in a year, you’ll earn a new $100 Companion Flight Voucher on your annual anniversary date. The card earns 3 redeemable points for every dollar spent with Spirit Airlines, 2 points per dollar on dining and groceries, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. 

You’ll also earn 1 SQP towards elite status for every $10 spent with all merchants. This means you can earn Silver status after spending $20,000 and Gold with $50,000 in card spending in a year. 

Spirit Airlines points expiration policy

Spirit Airlines points won’t expire if you earn or redeem once every 12 months. Previously, they’d expire after just three months of inactivity. And if you hold a Free Spirit credit card, your points will not expire while your card is open. 

You can redeem points on all Spirit Airlines flights without capacity restrictions or blackout dates. The number of points required for an award ticket varies based on its regular ticket price. When the ticket cost is low, you’ll need fewer points.

Awards start at 2,500 points, typically corresponding to flights priced under $30 — and the cost increases in 500-point increments as the regular ticket price increases. 

Unfortunately, Spirit Airlines charges redemption fees based on how far in advance a ticket is booked. The fee can be more than the cost of a ticket:

  • 0-28 days prior to departure: $50
  • 29+ days: $0

Fees are waived for Silver or Gold members or if you hold the Free Spirit® Travel More MasterCard®. Considering the revenue-based redemption model, award tickets all offer similar value. If you don’t qualify for a redemption-fee waiver, you should book your trip at least three months before departure to avoid a fee. 

Beginning March 2021, Spirit Airlines will offer Points + Cash award tickets, with redemptions starting at 1,000 points with a cash co-pay. You can also redeem miles with partners, but as of publication, the only partner redemption is for magazine subscriptions.

Spirit elite status is earned based on SQPs and, when earned, is valid until December 31 of the following year. For example, if you earned elite status in March 2021, it would be valid until December 31, 2022. 

Both Silver and Gold members have shared benefits, including fee waivers for:

  • Over the weight luggage for the first checked bag
  • Shortcut security option
  • Shortcut soarding option
  • Same-day standby travel

Elite members can also start a points pool, are exempt from paying award redemption fees, and have access to a dedicated customer service phone number. 

Spirit Silver elite status

Spirit flyers can receive Silver status after earning 2,000 SQPs in a year. In addition to shared elite benefits, Silver members earn 8 redeemable points per dollar spent on airfare and 16 points per dollar on options. 

Silver members receive free regular seat selection at check-in (excluding exit rows and Big Front Seats) and can select exit row seats three hours prior to departure. 

Spirit Gold elite status

You’ll earn Gold status after reaching 5,000 SQPs in a year. Gold members earn 10 redeemable points per dollar on airfare and 20 points per dollar on options. 

In addition to shared elite benefits, Gold members receive:

  • Free seat selection at the time of booking, including exit row seats but not Big Front Seats
  • One free checked bag
  • One free carry-on bag
  • Zone 1 boarding
  • One free inflight non-alcoholic beverage and a snack
  • One free flight change (fare difference applies)
  • Pet fee waiver

Spirit Airlines grabbed a lot of attention with its ultra-cheap $9 Fare Club program, and that’s now been replaced by the Spirit Saver$ Club.

For a flat annual fee, club members can access deeply discounted fares for themselves and up to eight companions, plus save on checked bags and options like shortcut security and priority boarding. Spirit Saver$ Club subscriptions start at $69.95 for a 12-month membership, up to 24 months for $129.90.

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