Spirit Airlines is offering a new status match challenge: What you need to know

If you haven’t flown Spirit Airlines in a while (or ever), it might be worth giving the carrier a shot. After all, a lot has changed at the airline recently. With no change and cancellation fees, streaming Wi-Fi and Go Comfy fares that include a blocked middle seat, it may be tempting to try Spirit even if you have elite status with another airline.

To encourage frequent travelers to give Spirit a try, the airline is targeting elite members of other airlines for a new Free Spirit status match challenge. This status match challenge is available from this landing page for travelers who meet all the following criteria:

• Have a Free Spirit account (you can create an account now if needed)
• Not received a status match or complimentary Free Spirit status within the past two years
• Currently have elite status with a qualifying airline that you earned through that airline’s published requirements (complimentary status or status you earned through a promotion isn’t eligible)

You’ll need to provide proof of your status with the other airline program via a membership document that shows your first and last name, airline loyalty account number, elite status and points accumulated for status. Here are the statuses Free Spirit will match during this status match challenge:

Related: What are hotel and airline status matches, and how do you get one?

If you meet the criteria for this status match challenge, it’s worth considering whether Spirit offers better rates or routing for one or more of your upcoming trips. If Spirit does, consider heading to the status match landing page and filling out the status match challenge application.

Once you apply, you’ll receive a response within five business days. However, you’ll want to be ready to begin the challenge when you submit it, as you’ll receive complimentary Free Spirit status for 90 days within 24 hours of approval.

You can enjoy the benefits of Free Spirit status for 90 days through this status match challenge. But you can retain your status through the end of 2025 if you meet the following challenge requirements. These requirements are based on the Free Spirit status you obtain through the status match:

• Free Spirit Silver: Earn 500 status qualifying points on flights operated by Spirit Airlines or spend on the Free Spirit® Travel More World Elite Mastercard®
• Free Spirit Gold: Earn 1,250 status qualifying points on flights operated by Spirit Airlines or spend on the Free Spirit Travel More World Elite Mastercard

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However, only flights booked between December 9, 2024, and February 28, 2025, and completed within 90 days of your status match approval will count. That means existing reservations will not count — nor will flights booked this weekend.

As a result, you’ll want to time this out carefully to ensure any flights you book from Monday fall within your 90-day window.

The information for the Free Spirit Travel More Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Typically, Free Spirit Silver requires 2,000 status qualifying points in a calendar year, and Gold requires 5,000 status qualifying points in a calendar year. You’ll earn 1 status qualifying point per dollar on eligible Spirit fares and optional service purchases, and you’ll earn 1 status qualifying point per $10 when you use your Free Spirit Travel More World Elite Mastercard for purchases.

So, if you match to Free Spirit Gold during this status match challenge, you could retain the status through the end of 2025 by spending $1,250 on flights or $12,500 on your Free Spirit Travel More World Elite Mastercard during the 90-day trial period. However, most travelers with the Free Spirit Travel More World Elite Mastercard would likely strive to satisfy the challenge via a combination of flights and credit card spending.

Related: Why having the Spirit Airlines credit card isn’t a bad idea

The experience of flying Spirit, and the points you’ll earn when flying Spirit, also improve when you have Free Spirit status. Free Spirit Silver members earn 8 points per dollar on fares and 16 points per dollar on options like seats and bags. Silver members enjoy Shortcut Security, priority boarding, standard seat selection at booking, exit row seating if available 180 minutes before departure and the ability to create a points pool.

Meanwhile, Free Spirit Gold elite members enjoy 10 points per dollar on fares and 20 points per dollar on options. In addition to the perks available to Silver members, Gold members also get a first checked bag, a carry-on bag, standard seat selection (including exit rows) at booking, priority check-in, streaming Wi-Fi and an onboard snack and beverage.

Related: Budget airline survival guide: Avoid fees and enjoy your flight

If you want to switch your airline allegiance, this status match challenge may be the perfect opportunity. For example, my father-in-law lives near Birmingham, Alabama, which Spirit started serving in October. So he might want to match his Southwest A-List Preferred status to Free Spirit Gold to give Spirit a try. Then, if he enjoys flying Spirit as a Gold elite member, he might be tempted to earn 1,250 status qualifying points during the 90-day challenge period to secure the status through the end of 2025.

Finally, although Spirit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Nov. 18, the airline is operating as usual as it goes through bankruptcy. Check out our frequently asked questions post about the Spirit Airlines bankruptcy to learn how it might affect your travel and Free Spirit status. But in short, I wouldn’t let this bankruptcy filing stop me from utilizing this status match challenge.