Program Score Card: Spirit FreeSpirit
Fort Lauderdale based Spirit Airlines has prided itself on becoming the first "ultra-low cost" airline. Spirit led the pack with fees: starting with baggage and also evolving into beverages and even middle seats. Spirit was in the news this year mostly for beginning a fee on carry-on baggage- a first of any US airline.
Fees aside, Spirit operates 31 Airbus A319/320/321 aircraft to destinations in the US, Caribbean and Latin America and has plans to double its operations in the next couple years.
Spirit's frequent flyer program, FreeSpirit is mileage based and has three tier levels: Somebody, Elite and VIP. Spirit does have a first class called BIG FRONT SEAT, which is just a bigger seat- no different service.
Currency= FreeSpirit Miles (Sign up link here)
Earning:
Flights: Earning varies by elite level.
Somebody: 50% for non-refundable fares, 100% for refundable
Elite: 100% non-refundable fares, 150% for refundable
VIP: 100% non-refunable fares, 200% for refundable
Redeeming:
Spirit has a region based award chart that factors in VIP status and whether you have their credit card. One way off peak region 1 awards for credit card holders start at 2,500 miles. For Stardard region 4 roundtrip tickets, you are looking at 40,000 miles for coach and 65,000 for first.
Credit Cards: Official FreeSpirit Onyx Mastercard (apply here). 15,000 with first purchase, up to 10,000 with balance transfers. Priority boarding. 3 miles/ dollar on Spirit purchases, 1 mile/ dollar for everything else. Free access to the $9 fare club
Unique feature: The $9 fare club is a unique add-on program where you pay $40/year for access to low fares and travel deals. The results are mixed, but apparently some people are saving a lot of money having access to these fares. Tip- you can see the fares every week even if you aren't a member, so make sure there's a fare you want to buy before shelling out the membership fee.
Positives-
+ Ability to redeem for one-way awards
+ Lots of Caribbean/ leisure destinations
+ Lots of partners, including robust credit card partnership
+ Off-peak awards (for Mastercard holders)
Negatives-
- Confusing award chart that varies by: region (1,2,3,4), time (peak, off-peak), seat (BIG FRONT or Deluxe Leather), level (standard, premium) and whether or not you have a Spirit Mastercard.
- No awards to Asia/Europe/ Australia/ Africa
- Expiration policy of miles is a bit chaotic: "As long as you earn at least 2,000 miles within the previous six months, your miles won't expire. If you don't meet that requirement, any miles older than six months will expire. Because the FREE SPIRIT program calculates your status on a monthly basis, any miles that will expire do so at the start of every month."
- To no ones surprise, there are a lot of fees associated with award travel
- Limited partners (for ex. only hotel partners are Choice and Wyndham)
Elite Status- Two levels- Elite and VIP. Elite status is earned several ways:
Elite Member-
Qualification: 1) Get a FREE SPIRIT MasterCard1 and make at least one purchase per month and you'll automatically be upgraded to Elite member status the month after your first billing OR 2) Earn 12,000 miles over the preceding 6 months from any of the FREE SPIRIT program earning opportunities OR 3) Spend $1,200 on base fares (not including taxes and fees) over the preceding 6 months
Benefits: Earn up to 150% flown mileage credit
VIP Member- 1) Earn more than 24,000 miles over the preceding 6 months from any of the FREE SPIRIT program earning opportunities OR 2) Spend $2,400 on base fares (not including taxes and fees) over the preceding 6 months
Benefits: Earn up to 200% flown mileage credit
Positives-
+ Multiple ways to get status, including spend
Negatives-
- No real benefits besides increased mileage earning
Overall Summary:
To be honest, I'm kind of surprised Spirit even has a frequent flyer program. They are so focused on fees and an "ultra-low cost model", that it doesn't seem like giving away points would be a part of their plan, since they are striving to be like Ryan Air. However, the program isn't bad, but it is confusing and figuring everything out is a bit stressful. However, if you fly Spirit a lot and use their Mastercard, you can really rack up free flights. And with destinations like Aruba and Costa Rica- that's not such a bad thing!
Overall scores:
Points: B-
Elite Program: D
Overall Grade: C
First steps for Spirit to get the overall score moving towards an A:
1) Add international partners for award redemptions
2) Simply point earning/ redeeming
3) Add more to the elite program, including BIG FRONT SEAT upgrades and FEE WAIVERS
4) Have a more sane point expiration policy
5) Develop more point-earning partners
| - Earn more than 24,000 miles over the preceding 6 months from any of the FREE SPIRIT program earning opportunities OR - Spend $2,400 on base fares (not including taxes and fees) over the preceding 6 months |
|---|
[card card-name='The Platinum Card® from American Express' card-id='22504813' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.