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The sun has unfortunately set on Spirit Airlines, as it ceased operations on May 2, 2026. Although Spirit's future seemed inevitable for quite some time, it is still shocking to see a carrier with 34 years of history close the doors so matter-of-factly.
The question is, what's next? There may still be some pieces to pick up for those with canceled reservations, points, or funds with Spirit still outstanding. Let's try to get a clearer picture of what flyers should expect going forward.
Relief for Stranded Flyers
Several airlines stepped up to help flyers stranded when Spirit ceased operations. Although the window for flight discounts has passed with most airlines, some are still offering help. Among them are:
Refunds for Canceled Spirit Flights
Spirit has announced that refunds for all canceled flights will be issued back to the credit or debit card used for purchase. Flights booked with points and flight vouchers likely will not see any sort of compensation, as we will discuss below. You can check the status of your refund here.
Should your refund not be proceed, you could also request a chargeback from your credit card issuer.
Fate of Free Spirit Points
Unfortunately, this is not good news. Any points currently held in the Free Spirit program are essentially worthless. Bilt Rewards has also pulled Spirit as a transfer partner. The status of points is at the mercy of bankruptcy proceedings, but the end result looks bleak.
The same fate looms for outstanding flight credits. Unfortunately for flyers, there is always the (slim) risk of an airline ceasing operations and its assets losing all value.
Credit Card Protections
If you are striking out on refunds of flights or expenses, don't forget to check the protections associated with the credit card you used for payment. Although this may vary from card to card, you may be able to receive compensation for your losses.
An airline going out of business typically isn't a covered loss, but again, check with your credit card issuer or stand-alone insurance policy to confirm the terms and conditions.
Related: Top Cards for Trip Cancellation Insurance
Outstanding Credit Cards
Bank of America is no longer accepting applications for its Spirit Airlines credit card. If you currently have that card, it can still be used for purchases (but please don't), and balances must be paid off.
As of now, data points suggest that cards are not being canceled. However, you may be able to contact Bank of America to cancel your card and potentially get an annual fee refund.
The same goes for the Free Spirit debit card. This card still works but you should reevaluate its value.
You can see our detailed post on next steps for Spirit cards here.
Bottom Line
Losing a low-cost U.S. carrier hurts. Spirit was not without its flaws, but it remained a viable way for travelers to traverse the country. Its loss will certainly have an impact on flight supply and airfares. Not only that, but for those with a balance of Free Spirit points or flight credits, likely losing those stings too.
Spirit has a dedicated FAQ page for customers looking for answers to their specific situations.
