Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we may receive financial compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology.

Spirit Airlines Gold Members Get New Upgrade Opportunities

Chris Hassan's image
Chris Hassan
Edited by: Katie Corrigan Seemann
Jump to Section

We may be compensated when you click on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Spirit Airlines is a no-frills low-cost airline with little legroom in the back of the plane.

Up front, it’s a different story. Spirit’s Big Front Seats are as large and comfortable as almost any other domestic seat you’ll find on a U.S. airline. Now, Free Spirit Gold members can upgrade to the Big Front Seat using cash or points.

Let’s take a look at the details.

Advertisement

Go Big Upgrade

Spirit is currently rolling out a new way for Spirit Airlines Free Spirit Gold members to upgrade to Big Front Seats, as first reported by the Bulkhead Seat.

Hot Tip:

Editor’s note: In July 2025, Spirit Airlines changed all its fare classes. According to a Spirit spokesperson, the Big Front Seat is now only available when you guy a Spirit First travel fare and is no longer available a la carte. Now, Free Spirit status members and Free Spirit credit cardholders, along with 1 guest on their reservation, get free upgrades to available Big Front Seats or Premium Seats at boarding. All Free Spirit members can redeem points to book the Big Front Seat via a Spirit First fare, excluding taxes and fees.

Spirit Big Front Seat
The Big Front Seat is one of the most spacious domestic airplane seats in the sky. Image Credit: Brett Holzhauer

Passengers can now upgrade using cash or points within 24 hours of their flight at the following rates:

  • Flights less than 1 hour: $50 or 5,000 Free Spirit points
  • Flights 1 to 2 hours: $75 or 7,500 Free Spirit points
  • Flights 2+ hours: $100 or 10,000 Free Spirit points

Some Gold members are even receiving emails with a complimentary Go Big upgrade so be sure to check your email if you have Spirit Airlines elite status.

Big Front Seats come with extra space, premium drinks, and snacks. Depending on your budget, these upgrades could be quite tempting.

Free Spirit Gold Status

It may not be as flashy as some other airline elite statuses, but those who have Spirit Airlines Free Spirit Gold Status tend to love it.

Spirit is known for having low fares but nickel and diming customers for things like carry-on bags and snacks. Well, if you have elite status, you don’t have to worry about that — and you can still get the cheap fare.

Free Spirit Gold Status Includes:

  • Free carry-on bag
  • Free checked bag
  • Free drink and snack
  • Overweight fee waiver for the first checked bag up to 70 pounds
  • Pet fee waiver
  • Priority boarding (Group 1)
  • Priority check-in (when available)
  • Standard seat or exit row selection at the time of booking
  • Wi-Fi

So, if Spirit flies to your home airport and you have elite status, the benefits can add up quickly.

Bottom Line:

Spirit Airlines Free Spirit Gold members can now upgrade to the Big Front Seat for $50 to $100 or 5,000 to 10,000 points.

Advertisement

Final Thoughts

Spirit Airlines is rolling out a new way for Free Spirit Gold members to upgrade to the popular Big Front Seat by using cash or Free Spirit points.

This new feature is only available within 24 hours of the flight, and prices range from $50 to $100, depending on the flight duration.

While it is nice to confirm an upgrade in advance, some still may find it cheaper to wait and try to score an upgrade at check-in or even at the boarding gate.

Chris Hassan's image

About Chris Hassan

Chris holds a B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism Management and managed social media for all Marriott properties in South America, making him a perfect fit for UP and its social media channels. He has a passion for making content catered toward family travelers.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy  and terms of service  apply.

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

We Recommend

Platinum Card® from American Express

  • You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 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.
  • Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
Show more
  • More Value! With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
  • More Value! $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
  • More Value! $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at participating partners. Enrollment required.
  • More Value! $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • New! $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: When you use the Platinum Card® to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter with the $400 Resy Credit benefit. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
  • More Value! $209 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
  • Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in upon arrival, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
  • New! $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®.*Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
  • $100 Saks Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
  • Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
  • $895 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.
DMCA.com Protection Status