If you have been hunting for the Spirit Airlines credit card, you may have noticed something strange: you can no longer apply for it. A lot changed for Spirit in 2026, and that affects anyone who was hoping to earn points on budget flights. The good news is that you still have plenty of ways to build credit and earn rewards, even without a Spirit card in your wallet.
Let's walk through what the Spirit Airlines credit card was, what happened to it, and what makes sense if you are starting out or rebuilding your credit. We will keep it plain and simple.
What Happened to the Spirit Airlines Credit Card
As of June 2026, Spirit Airlines has stopped flying. The airline wound down operations in spring 2026, which means the co-branded Free Spirit credit cards are no longer open to new applicants. If you held one of these cards, you may have received notice about changes to your account from the card issuer.
This is a good reminder that airline cards are tied to the health of the airline. When the carrier struggles, the card and its perks can disappear. That risk matters when you pick any co-branded travel card.
What the Spirit Card Used to Offer
Before the shutdown, the Free Spirit credit card lineup worked like most airline cards. You earned points on everyday spending and extra points on Spirit purchases.
Rewards and fees
The rewards generally looked like this:
- 3 points per dollar on Spirit Airlines purchases
- 2 points per dollar on dining and groceries
- 1 point per dollar on everything else
There was a no annual fee version and paid versions that charged around a 79 dollar annual fee. Some cards offered a companion flight voucher after you spent a certain amount each year. APRs varied by creditworthiness, and terms and conditions applied. Since the program has ended, none of these offers are available today.
Why an Airline Card May Not Be Your Best First Card
Airline credit cards sound exciting, but they are not always the smartest choice when you are building credit. Many of them want a fair or good credit score before they approve you. If your credit is new, low, or bruised, you may get denied.
They also tie your rewards to one airline. If that airline raises prices, cuts routes, or shuts down like Spirit did, your points lose value fast.
What to look for instead
When you are building credit, focus on cards that:
- Report to all three major credit bureaus
- Have clear, low fees
- Approve people with limited or rebuilding credit
- Offer simple rewards you can actually use
Building a solid score first puts you in a better spot to qualify for travel cards later, if you still want one.
Smarter Alternatives to Build Credit and Earn Rewards
If the appeal of the Spirit card was rewards plus travel, you have options that do not depend on a single airline. A few worth knowing:
The Robinhood Gold Card offers 3% cash back on purchases, charges no foreign transaction fee, and opens through a Robinhood brokerage account, so you do need a Robinhood account to apply. Cash back is flexible, which means you can put it toward any airline, not just one.
Robinhood
Robinhood
Robinhood is a trading platform that brings stocks, ETFs, options, futures, prediction markets, crypto, and retirement accounts together in one app.
Standout feature
One platform for stocks, ETFs, options, futures, prediction markets, and crypto
Fees
$0 commission on stocks, ETFs, and options.
Pros
Zero-commission trading on stocks, ETFs, and options
Cons
Best perks (high APY, lower margin rates) require Gold subscription ($5/month)
If you want to focus on credit health first, the Aspire Mastercard is built as a graduation path for people working their way up. It can be a steady way to show on-time payments and keep your credit utilization low as you grow your limit over time.
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard. Prequalify* For Up To $1000 Credit Limit. No security deposit. Packed with great benefits, it’s designed to give you more flexibility—and purchasing power—along with up to 3% cash back rewards!** Good anywhere Mastercard is accepted, it’s the go-to card for any lifestyle.
Standout feature
Up to 3% cashback rewards
Fees
$49 to $175; after that $0 to $49 annually; - $60 to $159 annually billed at $5 to $12.50 per month after the first year.
Pros
No Deposit Required. Prequalify for up to $1000 credit limit
Cons
High APR. 25.74% to 36%, based on your creditworthiness.
To keep an eye on your progress, Creditship.ai helps you track your score and spot changes as you build. Watching your score move through the different credit score ranges makes the whole process feel less mysterious.
Terms and conditions apply to all of these, and APRs vary by creditworthiness.
Creditship
Creditship
Get free credit monitoring and concrete advice how to improve your credit from Creditship AI.
Standout feature
AI Credit Coach. AI analyzes your credit report in depth and gives you tailored, actionable steps to raise your score.
Fees
Free
Pros
Free credit report access plus monitoring and alerts
Cons
No credit repair feature
How to Move Forward Without the Spirit Card
The Spirit card is gone, but your plan does not have to stall. Start by checking your current credit score so you know where you stand. Then pick one card that fits your situation, whether that is a cash back card like the Robinhood Gold Card or a credit-building card like the Aspire Mastercard.
Use it for small, regular purchases, pay the balance on time, and keep your balance low compared to your limit. Over a few months, those habits do more for your travel goals than any single airline card. Once your score is solid, you can revisit travel cards with stronger, more stable airlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still apply for the Spirit Airlines credit card in 2026?
No. Spirit Airlines wound down operations in 2026, and the co-branded Free Spirit credit cards are no longer open to new applicants. If you want rewards, a flexible cash back card is a more reliable choice today.
What happens to my Spirit points if I had the card?
This depends on the card issuer and the final terms of the program. You should have received communication from the issuer about your account and any remaining points. Check your statements and reach out to the issuer for the latest details.
What credit score did the Spirit card require?
The paid Spirit cards generally looked for fair to good credit, while approval always depended on your full profile. Since the program has ended, this no longer applies, but most airline cards expect a fair score or better.
What card should I get instead of the Spirit card?
If you want rewards without airline risk, a cash back card like the Robinhood Gold Card can be a good fit. If you are building credit, the Aspire Mastercard or Perpay Credit Card can help you grow your score first. Terms and conditions apply.
