{"id":243337,"date":"2026-05-15T16:10:03","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T16:10:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=243337\/"},"modified":"2026-05-15T16:10:03","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T16:10:03","slug":"allegiant-sun-country-merger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/news\/airlines\/allegiant-sun-country-merger\/","title":{"rendered":"The Allegiant-Sun Country Merger Has Closed: Here\u2019s What Travelers Need To Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

If there\u2019s one thing most of us didn\u2019t have on our 2026 bingo cards, it was Allegiant acquiring Sun Country. The merger process flew under the radar, but it was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both carriers. The deal closed on May 13, 2026, ahead of schedule.<\/p>\n

While details about what the combined airline will look like are still fairly thin, the deal will have big implications for both carriers\u2019 loyalty programs and, by extension, their co-brand credit cards.<\/p>\n

Here's what we know so far — and what we don't.<\/p>\n

Allegiant and Sun Country Have Merged<\/span><\/h2>\n

The U.S. domestic low-cost airline industry has been the subject of plenty of merger rumors over the past few years. Consolidation has long seemed inevitable, but if we\u2019re being honest, Allegiant and Sun Country didn't come across as the most likely pairing.<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s happening, and the merger officially closed on May 13, 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Allegiant first announced the deal<\/a> on January 11, 2026. And in its initial press release, the airline said it \u201cwill acquire Sun Country in a cash and stock transaction at an implied value of $18.89 per Sun Country share for a total consideration of $1.5 billion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Allegiant
Credit: Allegiant<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

The combination has created a much larger low-cost leisure airline, enabling the combined carrier to serve more destinations \u2014 both domestic and international \u2014 with a larger fleet. Altogether, Allegiant and Sun Country now serve close to 175 cities and operate more than 650 routes with a combined fleet of 195 aircraft. For comparison, JetBlue has a fleet of approximately 294 aircraft and flies to roughly 111 cities.<\/p>\n

Even though the deal has now closed, we don't know much more than we did back in January. The airlines will continue to operate separately for the time being. On the dedicated FAQ pages of both the Allegiant <\/a>and Sun Country websites<\/a>\u00a0and in the press release<\/a> announcing the deal's closing, the carriers have made it clear that, at least for now, absolutely nothing is changing.<\/p>\n

However, Allegiant's original press release announcing the merger teased that it \u201cwill offer an enhanced loyalty rewards program, combining the best of both airlines\u2019 programs.\u201d\u00a0Beyond that, though, details were thin, so we reached out to Allegiant with a list of questions. Here\u2019s the gist of what the airline shared in response.<\/p>\n

Related: Guide to Booking Budget Airlines With Amex, Bilt, Capital One, Chase, or Citi Points<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

How the Merger Will Impact Allegiant\u2019s Allways Rewards Program<\/span><\/h2>\n

According to Allegiant, the combined airline plans to expand the Allways Rewards program by incorporating the best of what Sun Country Rewards has to offer. From the sound of that, that should be good news. Allegiant\u2019s current loyalty program isn't particularly robust, and there are many ways it could be more engaging.<\/p>\n

However, it seems the airline is still working through what the combined offering might look like. When we first asked if there would be any changes to either program, and what would happen to Sun Country Rewards members\u2019 points and whether they would convert to Allegiant points, Allegiant responded with the following:<\/p>\n

“At this time, there are no changes to either program. Allegiant and Sun Country will continue to operate as separate companies until the transaction closes, which is expected in 2H 2026; members can earn and redeem points as usual. Any updates to how points are handled\u2014conversion, pooling, or expiration policies\u2014will be communicated after close and will be designed to deliver expanded loyalty benefits across the combined platform.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The deal has now closed, and the website now says:<\/p>\n

“There are no immediate changes to either loyalty program. Both Allways Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> and Sun Country's loyalty program will continue to operate independently. Any future integration will be communicated in advance.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Allegiant
Credit: Beckett P\/Unsplash<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

We also asked what plans Allegiant has to keep Sun Country\u2019s elite members engaged once the merger closes by offering an elite status program of its own. For those unfamiliar, Sun Country offers a single elite tier called Plus<\/em>\u00a0— which includes bonus points, priority check-in and boarding, complimentary flexible fares, and more.<\/p>\n

This, too, appears to be something Allegiant is still figuring out:<\/p>\n

“This announcement is the first step in a larger integration process. It\u2019s too early to discuss specific tier mapping. Our intent is to deliver expanded frequent\u2011flyer and membership benefits by combining the best of both programs so customers can enjoy more destinations, enhanced rewards, and continued low fares. We\u2019ll share any changes to tier structures or recognition after the transaction closes and with ample notice to members.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Track your Allegiant Allways Rewards<\/a>\u00a0and Sun Country Rewards<\/a> points balances and expiration via AwardWallet. Don't have an AwardWallet account yet? Sign up for free<\/a> and track unlimited rewards programs and travel plans.<\/p>\n

What Will Happen to Sun Country\u2019s Co-Brand Credit Card?<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re a Sun Country Visa Signature\u00ae<\/sup><\/a> cardholder, you might be wondering what will happen to your card once the merger closes. We asked Allegiant whether cardholders should expect their Synchrony-issued cards to convert into Bank of America-issued Allways Rewards Visa\u00ae<\/sup><\/a> cards or if they'd be sunsetted, but for now, that\u2019s still up in the air.<\/p>\n

“There are no immediate changes to Sun Country\u2019s co-brand card. Post\u2011close, we\u2019ll evaluate how best to enhance the value proposition across a larger combined network.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

For now, it\u2019s business as usual. If you wanted to apply for the Sun Country Visa Signature\u00ae<\/sup> card today, you still can. It will remain open to new applicants for the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n

\"Sun
Credit: Tyler Glatt\/AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

It's also possible that Allegiant takes the opportunity to revamp its co-brand credit card. And there are lots of ways it could do so.<\/p>\n

For example, Sun Country's card offers an expedited path to status, and Allegiant could adopt something similar if it builds out an elite status program of its own. Bag benefits would also be nice, though it remains to be seen if Allegiant would consider going that<\/em> far.<\/p>\n

Bottom Line<\/span><\/h2>\n

Allegiant and Sun Country have officially become one joint airline. The merger has created a much larger low-cost leisure airline. And it will also give Allegiant the chance to expand its Allways Rewards loyalty program.<\/p>\n

While there are not many details about what the combined program will look like, there are plenty of ways Allegiant could get creative by incorporating the best parts of Sun Country Rewards. At a minimum, that could mean some form of elite status, a more compelling co-brand credit card, and more ways to earn points on flights.<\/p>\n

The sky is the limit, and we can't wait to see what comes of this.<\/p>\n

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