Spirit's New Debit Card: A $6.99 Monthly Fee for Perks and Points

Alright, let's talk about this new player in the travel debit card space. Spirit Airlines is throwing its hat into the ring with the 'Free Spirit' debit card. It's an interesting move, following similar cards from other airlines, but with its own unique spin—and a monthly fee that you'll definitely want to think about. The card isn't open for applications just yet, but the details are out, so let's see what you'd be signing up for.

The Math on That Monthly Fee

The most immediate thing you'll notice is the $6.99 charge every single month. That's $83.88 a year, right off the bat. For the first year, you get 200 points monthly as a sort of welcome bonus. Spirit points' value can vary, but they're often worth around 1 cent each. So, those 2,400 annual points might cover about $24 of that fee, leaving you on the hook for roughly $60.

Who Might Actually Benefit From This?

This isn't a card for everyone. In fact, it's for a pretty specific niche. If you fly Spirit several times a year and don't already have their co-branded credit card, the perks could start to make sense. Group 2 boarding is a genuine time-saver, and priority check-in can smooth out the airport experience. The points pooling feature is a nice touch if you travel with family and want to combine rewards.

• Frequent Spirit flyers (several round-trips per year).
• Travelers who value saving time over saving every last dollar.
• Families or groups who want to combine points for award flights.
• People who prefer debit over credit and want some travel benefits.

Important Caveats and What We Still Don't Know

A few key details are still up in the air, which makes a final calculation tricky. The 'up to 4,000 points' monthly bonus for keeping a balance is a big question mark. What balance tier gets you what? Without that info, it's hard to judge the card's full potential. Also, which everyday purchases will earn the boosted 1 point per dollar rate? Groceries? Gas? That could change the earning math significantly.

• The exact requirements for the monthly balance bonus are unclear.
• The categories for 1x earning haven't been defined.
• After Year 1, the 200-point monthly bonus disappears, raising the effective cost.

Practical Advice Before You Consider Applying

If this card piques your interest, here's how to approach it. First, wait for the full terms and conditions to be published. Don't sign up based on partial information. Second, do the math for your specific situation. How much would you pay in fees versus how much value would you get from the boarding priority and any points you earn? For many, a no-annual-fee travel credit card will offer better long-term value. This card feels most justifiable if you're a dedicated Spirit customer who will use the perks on almost every flight.

• Wait for all program details to be finalized before deciding.
• Calculate your break-even point: How many Spirit flights make the $6.99/month worthwhile?
• Compare it to the Free Spirit credit card, which has an annual fee but likely offers a better earnings rate and sign-up bonus.
• Remember, it's a debit card—it won't help you build credit history.

Bottom Line

• The $6.99 monthly fee is the card's biggest hurdle; you need to use the perks to justify it.
• Best suited for frequent Spirit Airlines flyers who don't have the airline's credit card.
• Key details about point bonuses are still pending, so hold off on a final judgment.

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