Spirit Airlines World Mastercard Review

Spirit World Mastercard

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Editorial Rating

Spirit World Mastercard

3.98

Editorial Rating

What we like:

People who enjoy flights that are cheaper

Intro Offer	15,000 bonus miles after your first purchase + 15,000 bonus miles after making at least $500 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening 0% intro APR
Rewards Rate	2 miles per $1 spent on everyday purchases
Regular APR	17.24% – 25.24%
Annual Fee	$59 (waived for first year)

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Card Details

Recommended Credit Score

Good

Is the Bank of America Spirit Credit Card a Good Airline Credit Card?

Let’s acknowledge what some of you are thinking: not everyone likes to fly Spirit, and it might not even be possible if you don’t live near a Spirit hub.

But the Bank of America Spirit card is a decent option for those who are trying to pay down debt or build up their credit because you don’t need an excellent credit score to get it. And if you frequently travel with the budget airlines, this travel credit card may be worth considering.

In this review:

• Benefits of the Spirit Credit Card
• Downsides of the Spirit Credit Card
• How it Compares to Similar Cards

Benefits of the Spirit Credit Card

The Spirit Airlines Mastercard has a number of perks that may make it worth adding to your wallet.

Sign-Up Bonus

You’ll get 15,000 bonus miles out of the gate when you make your first purchase with your Spirit card—as long as that purchase is made within the first 90 days after account opening. Then, if you spend at least $500 in that 90-day window, you’ll get an extra 15,000 bonus miles. That’s potentially enough to book 12 one-way, off-peak flights—if you can find the best deals.

Also, if you spend a minimum of $10,000 on your card annually, you’ll earn another 5,000 bonus miles on each card anniversary.

Spirit Airlines Rewards

You’ll earn two Free Spirit miles per $1 spent, which is an average rate compared to other travel credit cards in this price range. You can also earn additional Spirit Miles for shopping with Spirit’s rewards partners, including special offers for Avis and Hertz car rentals and staying at Choice Hotels. You can also earn five miles per $1 spent at certain restaurants.

You can redeem your miles for flights, starting at 5,000 miles for a roundtrip ticket.

Travel Perks

If you carry the Spirit Airlines credit card, you’ll automatically receive Spirit preferred boarding and priority check-in. There aren’t any other travel benefits: It’s a no-frills card, made for basic, affordable travel.

Downsides of the Spirit Credit Card

This card doesn’t offer Spirit travel insurance, waived foreign transaction fees, or free luggage checking, as many other travel cards do—it’s really only good for Spirit loyalists.

Spirit Airlines Fees

Spirit Airlines saddles its customers with numerous charges to offer its seemingly cheap flights.

• You’ll need to book in advance to save money. If you book a flight six days or fewer before leaving, Spirit adds on another $100.
• You’ll pay $75 more if you book an award flight between seven and 20 days before leaving.
• Even if you book 180 days before leaving, you’ll still pay an extra $15.
• Fees and taxes for redeemed flights start at $12 per round trip off-peak flight.

Spirit Miles Expire

You’ll have to use your card regularly to avoid miles expiration. Although you only have to use it every three months, you might want to shoot for monthly. That will ensure you’ll be covered if you forget one month or you return something that you previously purchased.

How it Compares to Similar Cards

While the Spirit credit card is cheaper to carry than some other travel cards, it doesn’t have nearly the same perks or flexibility.

Spirit Airlines World Mastercard vs Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card offers far more flexibility, thanks to the comprehensive Chase Ultimate Rewards program.

This card carries a higher annual fee at $95 and you’ll have to spend more to get the card’s sign-up bonus points, but those bonus points are worth more than the Spirit Airlines rewards. With the Sapphire Preferred, you have to spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months to get 60,000 bonus points. But if you redeem them for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, they’re worth $750 in travel credits.

Plus, you’ll get additional travel perks with the Sapphire Preferred, including no foreign transaction fees, and travel and purchase coverage.

Bottom Line: Is the Spirit Airlines Card Worth It?

While it does have a low introductory annual fee, the Spirit Airlines Mastercard is best only for those who seek out budget airlines or who like to fly with Spirit. It is easy to get the sign-up bonus if you don’t have much money to spend, but the points are generally harder to redeem.