Usually, earning top-tier loyalty program status for an airline requires putting in the miles. You might get more miles for higher-priced fares, but usually, there's no way to cheat the system like you can with many hotel programs.
That's largely because airline loyalty programs actually have a high value and finite inventory. A hotel can offer free breakfast, complimentary WiFi, or other perks that don't take away from other guests while airlines only have so many seats on each plane, and me getting an exit row seat means that you didn't.
DON'T MISS: JetBlue And Spirit Airlines Have a Dangerous Problem
Hotels often offer top-tier loyalty program status to people with elite credit cards like the American Express Platinum (AXP) card. Airlines almost never do that because most airline loyalty programs offer meaningful perks that are in finite supply.
On Southwest Airlines (LUV), for example, A-List Rapid Rewards members -- a status earned after 25 one-way flights in a year -- get priority boarding. If the airline offered a status match with other airlines or credit card programs, too many people would have A-List status and everyone would get priority boarding, rendering it useless.
Spirit Airlines (SAVE), however, sits in a unique space in the air travel industry. Since its basic fares come with nothing other than the right to be on the plane, the company has a lot of extra fees and charges it can make part of a loyalty program. And, if you have top-tier status in the company's "Free Spirit" rewards program, the perks are good enough that it turns the no-frills airline into something that's a lot more like what its rivals offer.
That may be why Spirit has a very limited-time deal where it's allowing people with status at a huge variety of airline and hotel programs to buy their way to Silver ($49) and Gold ($99) status with the "Free Spirits" program.
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How Spirit's Loyalty Program Works
Like every airline rewards program, Spirit customers earn status by spending money with the airline in order to earn points.
"New members earn 6 points for every dollar spent on fares and 12 points for every dollar spent on Á La Smarte options like seats and bags," the airline shared on its website. "Every dollar spent with Spirit, as well as purchases made with an eligible Free Spirit Credit Card, will earn you Free Spirit Status Qualifying Points (SQPs)."
Once you earn 2,000 points you hit the Silver level, which earns you the following:
- Silver members earn 8 points for every dollar spent on fares and 16 points for dollars spent on options. You get free Shortcut Security and Boarding, same-day standby, and seat selection at check-in. Benefits also include a dedicated Guest Care line, the ability to create a Points Pool, and never paying redemption fees.
It takes 5,000 points to reach the Gold level which gets you all the Silver perks as well as some more benefits:
- Gold members earn even faster with 10 points for every dollar spent on fares and 20 points for every dollar spent on options. In addition to all Silver benefits, Gold members receive free Flight Flex, first checked and carry-on bag, seat selection at booking (including exit rows), as well as a free inflight beverage and snacks, and more.
Basically, Spirit Gold members get all the benefits of flying on a full-fare airline while still getting to pay Spirit's low fares. That's a really valuable offer but to claim it you need to act fast.
Here's How to Buy (Cheap) Top-Tier Spirit Airlines Loyalty Status
If you have loyalty status with the 16 major airlines and 16 hotel chains Spirit has decided to match you can buy Gold or Silver Free Spirit status for $99 (Gold) or $49 (Silver). You can do that on the web page the airline has set up for the promotion, but you only have until the end of the day on April 23 to get your application in.
To apply, you will need a Free Spirit number (you can register on the airline's website) as well as an applicable loyalty program number where you have top status (along with a picture of a membership card or web page). Once you fill out the form, Spirit will tell you if you qualify for a Gold or Silver match. Then, after your application is submitted it can take up to 5 days for your application to be approved and your new status to be accessible.
"Generally, if you have the lowest tier of status in an airline or hotel program, you can match to Spirit Silver (e.g. Marriott or IHG silver, United or Delta silver). If you have anything about the first status tier, you can match to Spirit Gold," View From the Wing shared.
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