Spirit Airlines is abandoning its branded credit card program and moving all cardholders to Bank of America's Customized Cash Rewards card.
The shift affects every customer holding a current Free Spirit account. These existing cardholders will see their accounts convert to the Bank of America product, ending Spirit's standalone card partnership.
Here's what changes for Spirit loyalty members. The Free Spirit card previously offered benefits tied directly to airline spending and redemption. The new Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card operates on a standard cash-back structure instead. Cardholders get 3 percent cash back on gas stations and transit, 2 percent on groceries for the first $2,500 per year then 1 percent after, and 1 percent on everything else. No annual fee applies.
The conversion removes airline-specific perks that made the old card valuable to frequent Spirit flyers. Bonus miles on bookings, boarding priority, or checked bag benefits disappear. Cash rewards can apply toward any purchase, not just Spirit flights.
Spirit flyers who valued airline-exclusive advantages now face a choice. They can keep the Bank of America card for general cash back or close the account entirely. Closing it preserves credit history length but eliminates the cash-back opportunity. Keeping the card works best for those who spend regularly on gas, transit, or groceries where the 3 percent rate applies.
The move reflects broader airline industry trends. Airlines increasingly outsource credit card programs to larger financial institutions rather than managing their own. Bank of America gains a customer base of Spirit loyalists; Spirit shifts card costs to BofA while maintaining a co-branded offering.
Current Free Spirit cardholders should review their account terms during the transition period. Card numbers will likely change, so any recurring payments tied to the old card need updates. The cash-back rates on the new product differ significantly from airline