Elite members of competing airlines can now take advantage of a fresh status match offer from Free Spirit, allowing them to elevate their travel perks within Free Spirit's airline program.
**Spirit Airlines Launches Status Match Challenge for Elite Members of Other Airline Programs**
Spirit Airlines has announced a status match challenge through its Free Spirit loyalty program, allowing members with elite status from other airline programs to receive equivalent Free Spirit status for 90 days at no cost.
To participate in the challenge, eligible travelers must meet several requirements. They must currently have valid elite status with another airline (not acquired via promotions, credit card status, expired, or with an ineligible airline). Proof of status, such as membership cards or frequent flyer profiles, is required. Additionally, participants must reside in an eligible country and meet any other airline-specific rules. It's worth noting that individuals who have gained their current status via a previous status match or challenge are not eligible.
The status match challenge grants complimentary Free Spirit status for 90 days, offering benefits such as accelerated points earning, baggage perks, and extended points validity. Spirit’s elite tiers (Silver and Gold) provide tangible perks compared to basic membership, including earning points up to 10x on base fares for Gold status (compared to 6x for basic members).
Silver status earns points up to 8x on base fares, while Gold status earns points up to 10x. Priority on seating and baggage handling, the ability to pool points with family and friends, and a longer points expiration are also benefits of Free Spirit Elite Status.
After the initial 90-day match period, maintaining the matched status likely requires meeting Spirit’s standard qualification criteria, such as earning Status Qualifying Points (SQPs) through spending or flying, but specific challenge requirements after the match period are not detailed in the available information.
To retain Free Spirit Gold status through the end of 2025, participants must meet specific qualifying activity requirements within the 90-day trial period, which can be met via a combination of flights and credit card spending. The Free Spirit Travel More World Elite Mastercard offers credits such as $120 Uber Cash, $84 Dunkin' Credit, $100 Resy Credit, and $120 Dining Credit, making it a popular choice for those looking to meet the spending requirements.
It's important to note that only new bookings made after December 9, 2024, count toward the challenge. Existing reservations and flights booked before the eligibility window do not qualify for the challenge. Spirit Airlines will match elite statuses from Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, and United.
Despite its recent bankruptcy filing, Spirit Airlines is operating as usual and continues to offer its loyalty program benefits to members. The status match challenge is a great opportunity for frequent flyers to experience Spirit Airlines' elite benefits firsthand and potentially extend their status through the end of 2025.
- Spirit Airlines is matching the elite status of members from other airlines through its Free Spirit loyalty program, allowing them a 90-day trial.
- To be eligible, travelers must have valid elite status with a participating airline, excluding those acquired via promotions, credit cards, or expired status.
- Successful participants can enjoy benefits such as accelerated points earning, baggage perks, and extended points validity for 90 days.
- The status match could potentially lead to retaining Free Spirit Gold status through 2025, requiring specific qualifying activity within the trial period.
- The Free Spirit Travel More World Elite Mastercard offers credits towards meeting spending requirements, making it a valuable tool for participants.
- Only new bookings made after December 9, 2024, are eligible for the challenge, excluding existing reservations and flights booked before.
- Spirit Airlines, despite filing for bankruptcy, is operating its loyalty program benefits, including the status match challenge, as usual.
