With a degree in media and journalism, Stella has been in the points and miles game for more than 6 years. She most recently worked as a Corporate Communications Analyst for JetBlue. Find her work in ...
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Do you have elite status with another airline or even a hotel program? You can jump on this limited-time elite status match opportunity to get “Free Spirit” Silver or Gold elite status for just $49 or $99, respectively.
The program will end on Sunday, April 23, at 11:59 p.m. PT, so you’ll want to get in your applications as soon as possible. Once you get approved for the status match, you’ll hold your newly-minted Spirit status for 12 months.
Spirit Airlines is well known for its unbundled fares, meaning you’ll pay for pretty much everything besides your ticket. From seat assignment fees to carry-on bags to checked bags, you can save a great deal by participating in this status match challenge.
Here are the details you should know.
New Spirit Airlines Status Match Challenge
To participate in Spirit’s status match program, you’ll need to hold elite status with one of 32 participating airline or hotel programs (detailed below). Depending on your status level, you can qualify for one of Spirit’s 2 loyalty tiers: Free Spirit Silver or Free Spirit Gold. You’ll need to submit your application by Sunday, April 23, at 11:59 p.m. PT to be considered.
If you match your status to Free Spirit Silver, you’ll pay a $49 fee. The lowest tier of Free Spirit status gets you the following benefits:
- Earn points at a rate of 8x for fares and 16x for À La Smarte Options
- Free Shortcut Security and Boarding
- Free exit row seat assignment
- Overweight baggage waiver
- Same-day standby
- Seat selection at check-in
- Dedicated Guest Care line
- Ability to create a Points Pool
- Redemption fee waiver
If you match your status to Free Spirit Gold, you’ll pay a $99 fee. You’ll get all of Free Spirit Silver benefits, plus:
- Earn points at a rate of 10x for fares and 20x for À La Smarte Options
- First checked and carry-on bag
- Free inflight beverages and snacks
- Zone 1 Boarding
- Free Flight Flex (ability to modify your reservation)
- Pet fee waiver
- Group 2/3/4/5 seat selection at purchase
Once approved, you’ll hold Spirit status immediately for 12 months. Just note that you’ll be ineligible to take part in another Spirit status match opportunity for another 2 years.
How to Status Match to Spirit Airlines
First, you’ll need to provide your name, email address, and Free Spirit membership number. Once you advance to the next page, it’ll ask for the elite status that you hold, the loyalty number, and photo proof to verify your status.
Eligible Airline Elite Status Programs
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Loyalty Program | Free Spirit Silver | Free Spirit Gold | Loyalty Program | Free Spirit Silver | Free Spirit Gold |
Aerolineas Argentinas Aerolíneas Plus | Gold | Platinum | Delta Air Lines SkyMiles | Silver Medallion | Delta 360, Diamond Medallion, Platinum Medallion, Gold Medallion |
Aeromexico Club Premier | Gold | Platinum, Titanium | Frontier Airlines FRONTIER Miles | 20K | 100K, 50K |
Air Canada Aeroplan | Prestige 25K | Super Elite 100K, Elite 75K, Elite 50K, Elite 35K | Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles | Gold | Platinum |
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan | MVP | MVP 100K, MVP 75K, MVP Gold | JetBlue TrueBlue | – | Mosaic+, Mosaic |
American Airlines AAdvantage | Gold | Concierge Key, Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, Platinum | LATAM Pass | Gold, Gold Plus | Black, Black Signature, Platinum |
Avianca LifeMiles | Silver | Diamond, Gold | Southwest Rapid Rewards | A-List | A-List Preferred, Companion Pass |
Caribbean Airlines Caribbean Miles | Silver | Executive Gold, Gold | United Airlines MileagePlus | Premier Silver | Global Services, Premier 1K, Premier Gold, Premier Platinum |
Copa Airlines ConnectMiles | Silver | Presidential Platinum, Platinum, Gold | WestJet Rewards | Silver | Gold, Platinum |
Eligible Hotel Elite Status Programs
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Hotel Program | Free Spirit Silver | Free Spirit Gold | Hotel Program | Free Spirit Silver | Free Spirit Gold |
Accor – ALL | Silver | Diamond, Gold, Platinum | Omni Hotels & Resorts Select Guest | Platinum | Black |
Best Western Rewards | Gold | Diamond, Diamond Select, Platinum | Radisson Rewards | Silver | Platinum, Gold |
Choice Privileges | Gold | Diamond, Platinum | Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts Golden Circle | Gold | Diamond, Jade |
GHA Discovery | Gold | Platinum, Titanium | Sonesta Travel Pass | Preferred | Elite |
Hilton Honors | Silver | Diamond, Gold | Taj Hotels InnerCircle | Silver | Platinum, Gold |
World of Hyatt | Discoverist | Globalist, Explorist | The Leading Hotels of The World Leaders Club | Club | Sterling |
IHG One Rewards | Silver | Diamond, Gold, Platinum, Royal Ambassador | World Hotels Rewards | Gold | Diamond, Diamond Select, Platinum |
Marriott Bonvoy | Silver | Ambassador, Titanium, Platinum, Gold | Wyndham Rewards | Gold | Diamond, Platinum |
Hot Tip: Did you know that many hotel chains offer complimentary elite status just by holding a cobranded card? You can then use that status to match to Free Spirit!
Spirit Status Match Application Turnaround Time
Upgraded Points editor Juan Ruiz applied for the Free Spirit Gold status match with his World of Hyatt Globalist status. He received an approval within a few hours.
You can also track your application status to see where it is in the process.
Final Thoughts
Spirit is offering a limited-time opportunity to match your existing status and test-drive the Free Spirit elite program. But is it worth it? Even if you fly Spirit a few times per year, you can save significantly on seat assignment and baggage fees, which can quickly stack up to hundreds of dollars.
Featured Image Credit: Spirit Airlines
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About Stella Shon
With a degree in media and journalism, Stella has been in the points and miles game for more than 6 years. She most recently worked as a Corporate Communications Analyst for JetBlue. Find her work in The New York Times, USA Today, and more.
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