Free Spirit Dining program: Earn easy points and keep your account active
Editor's Note
Points earned through the Free Spirit loyalty program expire if you don't have any qualifying earning or redeeming activity within 12 months. But, even if you don't fly with Spirit frequently, you can keep your Spirit points from expiring by earning through the Free Spirit Dining program at least once a year.
Free Spirit Dining is a dining rewards program that lets you earn Spirit points when you dine at participating restaurants, bars and clubs. These points are in addition to the rewards you'd normally earn with your rewards card and the restaurant's rewards program. Now, let's take a closer look at the Free Spirit Dining program so you can decide whether it's a good fit for you.
How to join Free Spirit Dining
Free Spirit Dining is available to all Free Spirit members. You must enroll in Free Spirit Dining, but it's free to join; your membership will stay active as long as you have at least one qualifying dining activity with the program every 36 months.
To join, go to the Free Spirit Dining website, enter your email address and click the "Get Started" button. You'll need to provide your Free Spirit number, name and ZIP code, plus set up a password for your Free Spirit Dining account.
You'll also be asked if you would like to receive email communications. Although no one likes unnecessary marketing emails, you should do so as it will boost your earning rate with the Free Spirit Dining program significantly.
You can often earn a new member bonus when you sign up for the Free Spirit Dining program and spend $30 or more at a participating restaurant within the first 30 days of joining. So, check whether there is an offer when you sign up. However, you must write an online review within 30 days of your visit and remain opted in to receive emails to earn the bonus.
Finally, before heading out to a participating restaurant, bar or club, you must link at least one credit or debit card to your Free Spirit Dining account. We recommend linking one of the best cards for dining, although you can link almost any card. However, you can only link each card to one dining program. So, for example, if your Chase Sapphire Reserve card is already linked to AAdvantage Dining, linking it to Free Spirit Dining will unlink it from AAdvantage Dining.
Related: Spirit baggage fees and how to avoid paying them
How to earn points with Free Spirit Dining
Free Spirit Dining requires you to link at least one card to your account; this is how it determines when you visit a participating restaurant, bar or club and how much you spend. Since your account is linked to your payment method, you'll automatically earn points when you visit a participating establishment and pay with a linked card. You don't need to give the restaurant your frequent flyer number or submit photos of receipts.
Your standard earning rate with the Free Spirit Dining program depends on your membership tier within the program:
- Basic members: Earn 1 point per $2 if you don't opt in to email communications from Free Spirit Dining
- Select members: Earn 3 points per dollar if you opt in to email communications from Free Spirit Dining
- VIP members: Earn 5 points per dollar if you opt in to email communications from Free Spirit Dining and have already completed 11 qualified transactions in the current or previous calendar year
You can find participating restaurants by searching on the Free Spirit website. Enter your city or ZIP code to see participating restaurants, bars and clubs near you.
However, note that some restaurants do not participate in the rewards program every day of the week. Some may even limit the points you can earn by dining at their establishment within a month. You can find this information on each venue's Free Spirit Dining page.
Points will appear in your Free Spirit Dining account within three to five days of your visit and will be transferred to your Free Spirit account within one to two weeks.
Related: How to change or cancel a Spirit Airlines flight
Best cards for Free Spirit Dining
Since the points you earn with the Free Spirit Dining program are in addition to the rewards you earn from the card you use to purchase, you'll want to use one of the best cards for dining.
Fortunately, there are lots of cards that offer bonus points at restaurants. A popular option is the American Express® Gold Card, which earns 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar). The Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card are also good options that earn 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent at restaurants, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out.
Related: How to upgrade your seat on Spirit Airlines
Bottom line
Joining a dining rewards program like Free Spirit Dining is an easy way to earn rewards without traveling. You can set up your account, forget about it and reap the rewards whenever you dine at a participating restaurant. Or, you can actively seek out restaurants, bars and clubs that participate in your favorite dining rewards program.
Other dining rewards programs may provide more valuable rewards. For example, AAdvantage Dining is popular since the rewards are more valuable, and you can earn Loyalty Points to help you qualify for American Airlines elite status. Also, the Marriott Bonvoy Eat Around Town program provides elevated earning rates for Marriott Bonvoy elite members. But if Spirit is your go-to airline or you need account activity to keep your Free Spirit points from expiring, then the Free Spirit Dining program may be best for you.
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.