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Spirit Airlines may not have the best reputation with all flyers. However, the bright yellow airline has invested heavily in improving its onboard product and has gained a much more favorable rating from recent flyers. Now, Spirit is giving frequent flyers a reason to try them out with a new Spirit Airlines status match.
Now through January 31, 2025, travelers can match their elite status to Spirit from seven U.S.-based airline loyalty programs. Unlike previous Spirit status offers, this is a pure status match; you'll get Spirit Airlines elite status for 90 days without any flying requirements. During those 90 days, you can earn SQPs to extend your Free Spirit status through 2025.
Even better, unlike some other airline status matches — and even past Spirit Airlines status matches — this Spirit Airlines status match is free.
From free bags and free seat selection to priority boarding and ticket flexibility, here's why you might want to status match to Spirit Airlines — and how to do so.
Page Contents
- What Perks Does Spirit Elite Status Provide?
- Who's Eligible for This Spirit Airlines Elite Status Match
- How To Extend Your Spirit Airlines Elite Status
- How To Match Your Elite Status to Spirit Airlines
- Example Cost Savings of Having Spirit Elite Status
- When's the Best Time To Status Match to Spirit?
- Bottom Line
What Perks Does Spirit Elite Status Provide?
The Spirit Airlines Free Spirit program has two tiers of elite status: Free Spirit Silver and Free Spirit Gold. Free Spirit Silver members get:
- Bonus points on Spirit flights (8x on airfare, 16x on extras).
- Ability to create a points pool with other Free Spirit members.
- Free seat selection.
- Exit Row seat assignment (three hours before departure).
- Priority check-in.
- Priority boarding.
- Free Shortcut Security.
- Dedicated support team.
- Same-day standby.
- Waived overweight and oversized baggage fees.
Free Spirit Gold members get all of those perks plus:
- Even more points on Spirit flights (10x on airfare, 20x on extras).
- Free first checked bag.
- Free carry-on bag.
- Exit Row seat assignment (at booking).
- Free Streaming Wi-Fi.
- Pet fee waiver.
- Free drink (including alcohol) and snack onboard.
Really, the only thing that isn't included is free Big Front Seat selection. However, exit-row seats should provide plenty of legroom.
It's important to note that these perks are valid for elite status members only. Unlike many other airlines, Spirit Airlines doesn't offer the same elite status perks to a travel companion. Still, anyone who's flown Spirit before knows how much savings these perks can provide.
Who's Eligible for This Spirit Airlines Elite Status Match
The current Spirit Airlines status match is valid for elite status members of the following seven airline loyalty programs:
| Airline Loyalty Program | Matches to Spirit Silver | Matches to Spirit Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Airlines (Mileage Plan) | MVP | MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K, and MVP Gold 100K |
| American Airlines (AAdvantage) | Gold | Platinum, Platinum Pro, Executive Platinum, ConciergeKey |
| Delta Air Lines (SkyMiles) | Silver | Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Delta 360 |
| Frontier (FRONTIER Miles) | Elite Gold | Elite Platinum and Elite Diamond |
| JetBlue (TrueBlue Rewards) | Mosaic 1 | Mosaic 2, 3, 4 |
| Southwest (Rapid Rewards) | A-List | A-List Preferred |
| United Airlines (MileagePlus) | Premier Silver | Premier Gold, Platinum, 1K, Global Services |
And you'll also need to ensure that you haven't matched to Free Spirit within the past two years, and the elite status you hold with your current airline was earned organically. In other words, it must have been earned through that airline’s published requirements. Complimentary status, gifted status, or status earned through a promotion does not qualify.
How To Extend Your Spirit Airlines Elite Status
If you want to extend your status through 2025, you'll need to check two boxes.
First, you need to book a qualifying flight of at least one segment between December 9, 2024, and February 28, 2025, with travel completed within 90 days of match approval. Per the terms, the cost of the flight does not have to be above a certain dollar amount.
Second, you'll need to earn requisite Spirit Qualification Points (SQPs) during the trial period. The amount varies depending on which tier you match to.
Those matching to Free Spirit Silver need to earn 500 SQPs; those matching to Free Spirit Gold need to earn 1,250. But what are these SQPs, and how do you earn them? Here's a simple breakdown:
- Earn 1 SQP for each $1 you spend on eligible Spirit fares and optional service purchases such as checked bags, priority boarding, seat selection, and more.
- Earn 1 SQP for each $10 in net purchase made on the Free Spirit® Travel More MasterCard® (yes, card spending counts for this promotion).
With the right strategy, you should be able to extend your Spirit status with ease.
How To Match Your Elite Status to Spirit Airlines
Ready to take advantage of this Spirit Airlines status match? Here's where to start. First, you need to enter your:
- Free Spirit Account email address
- First Name
- Last Name
- Free Spirit membership number — which you can find on your AwardWallet account list
- Requested tier — Silver or Gold
Don't have a Free Spirit account? Sign up here — and then add it to your AwardWallet account here.
Then, you'll need to upload proof of your current airline elite status directly to the application page. A screenshot of your membership card should do, provided it confirms your first and last name, airline loyalty account number, elite status tier, and includes the points you've accumulated for status. After that, Spirit Airlines will verify that your elite status is valid and email you with the next steps within five business days.
Example Cost Savings of Having Spirit Elite Status
You might be wondering… should you status match to the Free Spirit program? If you can leverage its route network, the savings speak for themselves. Consider a flight between Atlanta (ATL) and Chicago (ORD). The base fare on Spirit Airlines is low enough to catch anyone's eye: just $84.98 round-trip — or $64.20 if you're a member of Saver$ Club.
However, anyone who's considered flying Spirit knows that's just the starting price. Want to add a checked bag? Tack on $100 if you want to do so both directions.
Can't stand getting stuck in a middle seat? Selecting the cheapest window/aisle seat adds another $28 to this round-trip itinerary.
And without adding any extras, you're looking at $212.98. That's not bad for what you're getting. However, it's a far cry from the original ~$85 round-trip price.
However, if you have Spirit Gold elite status, your total after adding a checked bag, a carry-on bag, premium seat selection, and more is actually just $84.98 round-trip.
Just by flying this one trip, you save $128!
When's the Best Time To Status Match to Spirit?
Generally, the best time to complete any type of status match is right before you're about to utilize the elite status. That way, you can maximize the status match period — and earn credits toward the status challenge, where applicable.
While that's still true, this Spirit status match is only available through January 31, 2025. So, you'll want to apply before then if you plan on trying out Spirit anytime before the end of April 2025.
Planning a family vacation to Florida? Headed to a bachelor's party in Vegas? Or, simply want to jet around the country without having to pay for bags and with the flexibility to change or cancel? You may even want to make a trip happen to maximize this offer.
Bottom Line
Flying Spirit Airlines isn't for everyone. However, there's a reason that tens of millions of passengers fly Spirit Airlines each year: Low prices, new planes, and an increasingly consistent onboard product. And despite entering Chapter 11 bankruptcy, it appears to be nothing short of business as usual over at Spirit.
Even if you might fly Spirit Airlines once in the next few months, it's worth considering doing a Spirit Airlines status match. Just avoiding bag fees (carry-on or checked) and seat selection fees on one round-trip flight can easily make it worth the time to apply for this Free Spirit Gold status match.
Are you planning to request a Spirit Airlines status match?
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