Spirit Airlines is known for being one of the most notorious ultra-low-cost carriers in the U.S. They are notorious for nickel and diming their passengers at every opportunity. However, what many people may not realize is that Spirit Airlines also offers elite status with some surprisingly powerful features. These perks include free bags, free seat selection, waived overweight checked bag fees, exit-row seat assignment, and much more. It’s important to quantify the value of these perks when considering whether it’s worth pursuing Spirit Airlines elite status in 2024.
To qualify for Spirit Airlines elite status, you must frequently fly with Spirit Airlines, spend significant amounts on their cobranded credit card, or pursue a combination of the two. There are two levels of elite status: Free Spirit Silver and Free Spirit Gold. To qualify for Free Spirit Silver, you must earn 2,000 status qualifying points (SQPs) in a calendar year. To qualify for Free Spirit Gold, you must earn 5,000 SQPs in a calendar year. SQPs can be earned by spending money with Spirit Airlines, earning 1 SQP for every dollar spent on eligible fares and optional service purchases. You can also earn SQPs from eligible credit card spending.
The benefits of Free Spirit Silver status include the ability to pool points with family and friends, dedicated guest care support, redemption-fee waiver, exit-row seat assignment, shortcut boarding, shortcut security, and earning 8 miles per dollar on Spirit fares. Free Spirit Gold status includes all the benefits of Free Spirit Silver status, as well as additional perks such as free checked bags, free carry-on bags, free drink and snack on board, Zone 1 boarding, pet-fee waiver, and earning 10 miles per dollar on Spirit fares.
Spirit Airlines offers one credit card, the Free Spirit Travel More World Elite Mastercard, which allows cardholders to earn status qualifying points. With this card, you can earn 1 SQP for every $10 spent on the card each calendar year. You can achieve Silver status after spending $20,000 on purchases with the card, and Gold status after spending $50,000.
Whether Spirit Airlines elite status is worth it depends on your individual situation. Consider how well Spirit’s route map matches your typical travel patterns, how sensitive you are to price and convenience, and the incremental value of one tier over another. If you plan to fly Spirit regularly and the perks of elite status align with your travel goals, it could be a smart idea to pursue elite status in the Free Spirit program. However, if you find that the benefits of the Free Spirit Travel More Mastercard are enough for your needs, there may be no need to go out of your way to earn Spirit elite status.
In conclusion, Spirit Airlines is known for its ultra-low-cost model, but it also offers elite status with some valuable perks. Quantifying the value of these perks is crucial when considering whether it’s worth pursuing Spirit Airlines elite status in 2024. Evaluate your travel patterns, price sensitivity, and the incremental value of each tier to determine if elite status is worth it for you.