As Spirit Airlines has officially shut down operations, travelers have been left navigating a range of questions, from refunds and consumer protections to reimbursements for canceled flights.
If you were a frequent flyer with the budget airline, you may also have held one of its cobranded cards.
Bank of America issued two Spirit credit cards: the Free Spirit® Travel Mastercard® and the Free Spirit® Travel More World Elite Mastercard®. These cards are no longer open to new applications.
The information for the Free Spirit Travel Mastercard and Free Spirit Travel More World Elite Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
For existing cardholders, accounts remain open and active, and cards can still be used for everyday purchases. However, Free Spirit points earned with these cards are no longer redeemable and cannot be transferred to another loyalty program at this time.
Here’s what current cardholders need to know.
Is your Spirit credit card account still open?
Even though Spirit Airlines has ceased operations, cobranded credit card accounts issued by Bank of America remain open and active.
According to a Bank of America spokesperson, Free Spirit Travel Mastercard and Free Spirit Travel More World Elite Mastercard cardholders can continue using their cards to make purchases.
However, the cards earn Free Spirit points, and those rewards are currently not redeemable and cannot be transferred to another loyalty program. With the future of the loyalty program still uncertain, the value of continuing to earn points is unclear.
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We’d recommend discontinuing use of your Spirit card and instead using alternative cards that offer rewards you can actively use, at least until more details are announced about the program’s future and any potential changes for cardholders.
: An ode to Spirit Airlines: Yeah, they were all yellow
Should you use your Spirit credit card?
Even though your Spirit credit card account remains open, you’re likely better off not using the card right now.
Free Spirit points are no longer redeemable and cannot be transferred to another program. That makes their short-term value effectively zero.
So, you could be missing out on rewards you can actually use right now by using your Spirit credit card.
We suggest using a cash-back card, another cobranded airline card or a travel card with flexible points to earn rewards that can be tangibly used right now. Leave the Spirit card in your wallet or sock drawer.
Can you apply for a Spirit credit card right now?
Bank of America stopped accepting new applications for the two Free Spirit cards on May 2. So, you can’t get a new Spirit card right now.
Should you close your Spirit credit card?
While we don’t recommend using your Spirit credit card for purchases, there is no immediate reason to cancel it.
This is especially true if you’ve held your Spirit card for a long time, since closing it could lower your credit score.
: Discontinued credit cards: Why (and why not) to stick with them
Will you be able to convert your Free Spirit points to another currency?
Currently, Spirit Airlines cardholders who have earned Free Spirit points cannot transfer them to another loyalty program.
Plans for the Free Spirit loyalty program are expected to be determined through the bankruptcy process, and additional details have not yet been announced. Cardholders with questions about their points can contact Spirit Airlines directly at SpiritAirlinesInfo@epiqglobal.com
: How (and why) you should earn transferable credit card points
Will Spirit cardholders be converted to another card?
There aren’t currently plans for Bank of America to transition Spirit cardholders to another card.
However, a Bank of America spokesperson told TPG that the issuer will continue to inform current cardholders about account updates — including “details about a product transition, if applicable.”
: Better together: The ultimate guide to the best credit card combinations
Bottom line
If you have a Spirit credit card, now is not the time to use it.
We don’t know what will happen to Free Spirit points, but we do know that they are no longer redeemable, and there is no current plan to transfer or convert them (though that may change).
If you’re a cardholder with additional questions for Spirit, email SpiritAirlinesInfo@epiqglobal.com.
: Spirit’s bright yellow planes are grounded for good — a sad ending for the storied budget carrier