Spirit cardholders can keep using cards, but Free Spirit points can’t be redeemed or transferred for now. Here’s what to know.
A quiet change is affecting many travelers: Spirit Airlines’ card-linked rewards are no longer usable, even if your credit card account is still active.
Misryoum reports that Spirit Airlines has ceased operations, leaving travelers and loyalty members sorting out what happens next.. For customers who held one of the airline’s co-branded cards from Bank of America. the most immediate shift is tied to Free Spirit points.. Misryoum notes that points earned with these cards are currently not redeemable and cannot be transferred to another loyalty program.
Meanwhile, existing cardholders do not lose access to day-to-day card functions. Accounts remain open and active, and the cards can still be used for purchases. The larger question is whether earning points still has value when those points cannot be redeemed or moved elsewhere in the near term.
This matters because rewards often drive how travelers decide which card to use. When redemption is paused, the “value” of continued earning becomes uncertain, even if the card itself still works.
Misryoum also highlights that new sign-ups are no longer available for the two Bank of America Free Spirit cards.. If you already have one. the guidance is more about timing than cancellation: Misryoum indicates there is no clear need to close an account immediately. especially for cardholders who have had it for a long time.
Should cardholders stop using the card?. Misryoum suggests using alternative options for now. since Free Spirit points can’t be cashed in for travel or converted elsewhere at present.. For many people. switching to a cash-back or travel card with rewards that can be used right away may be the more practical approach while the future of the Free Spirit loyalty program remains unclear.
Looking ahead, Misryoum reports that there is currently no announced plan to transfer Free Spirit points to another program, and no stated plan to convert cardholders to a different card. With decisions expected to be shaped through the bankruptcy process, the next updates may take time.
If you have questions about your points or account, Misryoum notes that reaching out to Spirit directly is the most direct path while details evolve.
In this context, the biggest takeaway for travelers is simple: keep your card working if you need it, but treat Free Spirit points as having limited usefulness until redemption and transfer options return or a new plan is confirmed.