spirit airline came back with a new matching status. If you hold status with an airline or hotel company, you may be eligible for it right away entry level Silver status or highest Gold level inside Free spirit program. And unlike offers from most other carriers, this status is valid for a full 12 months without any flight requirements.
Here’s how to get Elite Spirit status in a year — and why you might want it.
The main benefit of elite Spirit status
Despite having an extremely low-cost business model, Spirit Airlines Status offers some great, cost-effective perks. The airline offers two status classes — Silver and Gold. Both tiers are available through ads that match this status.
Here are some key perks of Silver status:
- Organize a point group (so you can score combination with others).
- Priority support.
- No redemption fees for rewards (so you don’t have to pay redemption fees when you use your points).
- Free exit row seating.
- Shortcut to the plane.
- Security shortcuts.
- Same day standby.
- Free overweight baggage.
Gold status offers the same perks plus the following benefits:
- Free test bag.
- Free handbag.
- Free drinks and snacks on board.
- Residential area 1.
- Free of charge flexible flight.
- Free pet fees.
- Choose a seat for the group 2/3/4/5 when making a purchase.
In particular, the baggage benefit of the Gold status can be most lucrative because Spirit is known for high baggage prices.
Please note, however, that only certain privileges, such as priority for security and boarding, are available to additional passengers booked with an elite member.
Related: Everything you should know before flying Spirit Airlines
The details match the mental state
You must be a Free Spirit member to register for the status match. To register, if you haven’t already, go to this page.
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spirit has a list is published out of 32 shows (16 airlines and 16 hotel companies) that it will honor status matches.
If you are an entry-level elite employee in major airlines or hospitality companies based in the Americas (e.g. AAdvantage Gold, Delta Silver Medallion, United Premier Silver, Southwest A-List, Hilton Honors Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite, Hyatt Discoverist, etc.), you are eligible for Silver status.
Meanwhile, mid-range and premium airlines and hotels (e.g., AAdvantage Platinum, Delta Gold Medallion, United Premier Gold, Southwest A-List Preferred, JetBlue Mosaic, Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite, Hyatt Explorist, etc) is eligible for Gold status.
You will be charged a one-time fee when submitting your status match request. Once your matching status is approved, you will keep your elite status for 12 months:
- Silver status match request: $49.
- Gold status match request: $99.
One final note — you are not eligible for this status match if you have participated in another Spirit status match or challenge in the past two years.
Related: How to pack only in Spirit Airlines’ free hand baggage
How to request a Spirit status match
it’s easy to request a matching status online. After entering your name, email address, Free Spirit number and country of residence, you can start registering.
You’ll choose between a suitable airline or hotel status — again, consult this page if you’re not sure which one you want to choose. For this test, I chose United Airlines Premier 1K CZK.
You will then be asked to upload documents to prove your elite status. Upload your membership card or account homepage.
You will then pay for your matching status and submit your application.
Once submitted, you can track your app This.
Related: 8 thoughts from my first Spirit Airlines flight in over 3 years
Should you pay for elite status with Spirit Airlines?
Each traveler is unique, but this has the potential to become a very rewarding status match, even if you only plan to fly Spirit a few times over the next year. That’s because the $99 required for the Gold status claim can easily cover the additional costs of flying with Spirit.
Consider this August round-trip flight from Orlando (MCO) to Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ).
The “Pack it” option basically includes all the perks of the Gold status, and it will cost you $130 each way to add all of these items.
Or, if you apply a la carte prices, you will be charged the following ancillary charges in each direction:
- Hand baggage: $65.
- Checked baggage: $55.
- Seat selection: Starting at $20.
With Gold status, you’re effectively turning that ticket-only purchase into an all-inclusive flight.
bottom line
Spirit’s latest status match allows Free Spirit members to enjoy Silver or Gold status for an entire year by taking advantage of existing status in one of 32 qualifying loyalty programs. On top of that, the status will last a full 12 months without any flight requirements. However, if you want to extend your status for another year, you’ll need to meet the standard threshold of your Status Eligibility Score (SQP) — 2,000 SPQ for Silver or 5,000 SQP for Gold.
Although Spirit has not announced an end date for this promotion, it may end at any time without notice. With perks like last-row seats, priority boarding, and free luggage, consider eligibility if you have an upcoming trip on Spirit Airlines.
