If you’re holding a Spirit Airlines credit card right now, you’re probably staring at a piece of plastic that feels a bit like a gym membership to a gym that just closed. Spirit ceased all operations on May 2, 2026, and canceled every flight on its schedule. So what happens to your card, your points, and your annual fee? The short answer: your card still works, but the situation is messy. Here’s what you actually need to know.
Your Spirit Credit Card Still Works – For Now
Bank of America, which issued both the Free Spirit Travel Mastercard and the Free Spirit Travel More World Elite Mastercard, confirmed that existing accounts remain open and active. You can still swipe your card at the grocery store, pay for gas, or book a hotel. The credit line hasn’t changed, and your account terms haven’t been altered.
But here’s the catch: Bank of America stopped accepting new applications for both cards the same day Spirit shut down. That tells you something about the long-term trajectory. The bank isn’t investing in a product tied to a defunct airline. They’re keeping the lights on for current cardholders while they figure out next steps.
A Bank of America spokesperson has said the company will communicate directly with Free Spirit cardholders about any changes, including details about a potential card transition. No timeline has been given.
What Happened to Your Free Spirit Points?
This is where things get painful. According to Spirit’s own website, Free Spirit points are no longer redeemable. There are no flights to book, no award seats to claim, nothing. Your points balance might still show up in your account, but those numbers are essentially frozen.
Spirit’s statement reads: plans for the loyalty program will be determined through the bankruptcy process. Translation: your points are in legal limbo, and whether they survive depends on what happens in bankruptcy court.
Here’s what that means practically:
- You cannot redeem points for flights – Spirit has no operating flights
- You cannot transfer points – The Free Spirit program has no active transfer partners
- Points may or may not survive – Bankruptcy proceedings could wipe them out entirely or a buyer could acquire the loyalty program
- You’re still earning points on purchases – Which feels a bit absurd, but that’s the current reality
If you had a large points balance, there’s unfortunately no action you can take right now to protect it. The value of those points depends entirely on whether another airline or company acquires the Free Spirit program.
The Annual Fee Question Nobody Has Answered
One of the biggest frustrations for cardholders is the annual fee situation. The Free Spirit Travel More World Elite Mastercard carried an annual fee, and Bank of America hasn’t publicly stated whether current cardholders can receive a refund or prorated credit.
Here’s a quick comparison of what you’re paying for versus what you’re getting:
| Card Feature | What You Were Promised | What You Get Now |
|---|---|---|
| Free Spirit points earning | Points on every purchase | Points that can’t be redeemed |
| Anniversary bonus points | Annual points boost | Points with no clear value |
| Free checked bags | Waived bag fees on Spirit | No airline to fly |
| Priority boarding | Board before general passengers | No flights exist |
| Annual fee | Paid for above perks | Still being charged |
That table should make you uncomfortable. You’re paying an annual fee for benefits that no longer exist. If you’re in this situation, call the number on the back of your card and ask specifically about:
- Whether your annual fee can be refunded or waived
- What alternative card products Bank of America might transition you to
- Whether closing the card will affect your credit score (more on this below)
Should You Close Your Spirit Airlines Credit Card?
This is the question I’ve seen the most confusion around, and the answer depends on your specific credit profile. Closing a credit card can affect your credit score in two ways:
Credit utilization ratio: If your Spirit card has a $10,000 limit and you close it, that’s $10,000 less in available credit. If you carry balances on other cards, your utilization percentage jumps. For example, if you have $30,000 in total credit limits and $6,000 in balances, your utilization is 20%. Remove that $10,000 Spirit card limit, and suddenly you’re at 30% utilization on $20,000 in available credit – same debt, worse ratio.
Average age of accounts: If you’ve had the Spirit card for several years, closing it eventually removes that history from your credit report (though it stays for about 10 years after closure). A newer credit profile could see a bigger impact here.
My honest take: if you’re not paying an annual fee on the no-fee version, there’s very little reason to close the card right now. Keep it open, use it occasionally for small purchases, and let it age. If you’re paying an annual fee and Bank of America won’t waive it, closing might make sense – but do the math on your utilization first.
The 2026 Budget Airline Shakeout and Why This Matters
Spirit’s collapse isn’t happening in isolation. The budget airline model has been under serious pressure throughout 2025 and into 2026, with fuel costs squeezing margins on carriers that compete almost entirely on price. When your whole business model is “we’re the cheapest option,” rising operational costs leave almost no room to absorb losses.
This creates a real question for anyone holding co-branded airline credit cards with smaller carriers: what will happen to my Spirit Airlines credit card is the specific question today, but tomorrow it could be about another airline.
Here’s what the 2026 trend toward airline consolidation means for credit card holders:
- Co-branded cards are only as stable as the airline behind them – If the airline fails, your card benefits evaporate
- Points in small loyalty programs carry more risk – Major programs like Delta SkyMiles or United MileagePlus have more staying power
- General travel cards offer more flexibility – Cards that earn transferable points (Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles) aren’t tied to a single airline’s fate
- Bank of America may convert Spirit cards to a general product – This has happened before with other defunct co-branded cards
What Has Happened With Other Defunct Airline Credit Cards?
History gives us some clues. When airlines have gone under or been acquired in the past, co-branded credit cards typically follow one of three paths:
- Conversion to a general-purpose card – The bank replaces your airline card with a non-branded product, often with different rewards and terms
- Migration to the acquiring airline’s card – If another carrier buys the loyalty program, your card might transition to that airline’s co-branded product
- Account closure with notice – The bank closes accounts after giving cardholders advance notice
Bank of America hasn’t announced which path Spirit cards will take. Given that no airline has publicly announced plans to acquire Spirit’s assets or loyalty program as of mid-2026, option one seems most likely. But bankruptcy proceedings can take months, and surprises happen.
Your 15-Minute Action Plan This Week
Don’t wait for Bank of America to send you a letter. Take these steps now:
- Log into your account and screenshot your points balance – If there’s ever a settlement or acquisition, you’ll want documentation
- Check your last annual fee charge date – Know exactly when you were last charged and how much
- Call Bank of America at the number on your card – Ask about annual fee refunds and timeline for card transitions
- Review your credit report – Check your total available credit and utilization ratio before making any decisions about closing the card
- Set a calendar reminder for 90 days out – If you haven’t heard anything by then, call again
This should take about 15 minutes and puts you in a much stronger position than just waiting around.
Red Flags to Watch For
Situations like this attract scammers. Be aware of these warning signs:
- Emails claiming to be from Spirit or Bank of America asking you to “verify” your account – Bank of America will never ask for your full card number or password via email
- Phone calls offering to “transfer” your points to another program for a fee – This is not a real service
- Third-party websites claiming they can redeem your frozen Spirit points – Nobody can do this right now
- Offers to buy your points for cash – These are scams, full stop
Any legitimate communication about your card will come through your Bank of America online banking portal or via official mail. When in doubt, call the number printed on your physical card.
Alternatives Worth Considering
If you’re looking to replace your Spirit card with something that won’t leave you stranded, here are the types of cards worth researching:
| Card Type | Best For | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| General travel rewards card | Flexible point redemption across airlines | Low – not tied to one airline |
| Major airline co-branded card | Loyalty to a financially stable carrier | Medium – airline-dependent |
| Cash back card | Simple, no-hassle rewards | Very low – cash is always redeemable |
| Hotel co-branded card | Frequent hotel stays | Medium – hotel chain dependent |
A general travel rewards card is probably the smartest move for anyone burned by the Spirit situation. You get travel-related perks without betting everything on one airline’s survival.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still use my Spirit credit card for everyday purchases?
Yes. Bank of America has confirmed that existing Spirit credit card accounts remain open and active. You can use your card for any purchase just as you did before Spirit ceased operations. The Mastercard network processes your transactions – Spirit’s operational status doesn’t affect that. Your credit limit, interest rate, and payment terms remain unchanged for now.
Will I get a refund on my annual fee since Spirit no longer flies?
Bank of America hasn’t made a public statement about annual fee refunds. Your best bet is to call the customer service number on the back of your card and request a refund or waiver directly. Be polite but firm, and reference the fact that the airline-specific benefits you’re paying for (free checked bags, priority boarding, bonus points on Spirit purchases) no longer exist. Document the date and outcome of your call.
Are my Free Spirit points completely worthless now?
They can’t be redeemed right now, but “worthless” might be premature. The bankruptcy process will determine what happens to the loyalty program. If another airline or company acquires Free Spirit, your points could potentially be converted or honored in some form. That said, there are no guarantees, and you should not make financial decisions based on the assumption that your points will retain value. Consider them frozen with uncertain prospects.
Should I close my Spirit credit card to avoid being charged fees?
Not necessarily. Closing a credit card can lower your available credit and hurt your utilization ratio, which may negatively affect your credit score. If you have the no-annual-fee version, keeping it open costs you nothing and helps your credit profile. If you’re paying an annual fee, weigh the fee against the potential credit score impact. A financial advisor or credit counselor can help you make the right call for your specific situation.
