There may be a happy ending after all.
In the wake of Spirit Airlines ceasing operations after more than three decades, many loyal customers are scrambling to find a new airline. But what many may not know is that you can put your now-unusable Spirit membership status to good use.
A number of airlines — and even, to a lesser extent, popular pizza peddler Papa Johns — are coming to the rescue of stranded Spirit travelers by offering status matches for elite members of the now-defunct airline, according to the experts at The Points Guy.
Ultra-low-cost airline Avelo — a comparable alternative for shuttered Spirit, flying 29 of its previously flown routes — is offering a no-cost status match for Spirit Saver$ Club members.
An Avelo Plus membership, which usually costs $59 for the first year and $99 every year after, offers travelers exclusive low fares, free priority boarding, and special deals for the member and nine guests on the same booking.
To be eligible for the no-cost status match, Spirit Saver$ Club members must have joined the program before May 1 and not be a current or former Avelo Plus member, The Points Guy reported.
Spirit Saver$ Club members can submit either a screenshot demonstrating their status or a payment, enrollment or renewal confirmation email from the last 12 months by May 31.
The approval process can take between seven and 10 business days, and, if approved, members will be able to reap the benefits of Avelo Plus for a year.
Low-cost airline JetBlue is also joining the status-match party, offering Free Spirit Silver and Gold Members a status match for a limited time.
Free Spirit Silver travelers can match to Mosaic 1 within JetBlue’s TrueBlue loyalty program, which entitles members to free first and second checked bags, no-cost same-day flight changes, priority boarding and security, as well as free booze on board.
Gold members of the shuttered airline can match JetBlue’s Mosaic 2 status, which gives passengers all the same perks as Mosaic 1, plus free access to its Even More Space seats at the time of booking and 3x bonus points on flights.
Spirit customers looking for a JetBlue match status need to submit a screenshot providing evidence of their membership, including full name and proof of status.
Gold members wanting to match with Mosaic 2 also need to present a photo or copy of a recent boarding pass or flight confirmation email demonstrating status.
If you’re unable to screenshot now that Spirit has shut down, a recent email may suffice, according to The Points Guy.
JetBlue can take up to four weeks to consider matching your previous status to their TrueBlue program, and once approved, the match will be valid for three months with the option to extend through to the next calendar year.
Free Spirit Silver and Gold members can gain A-List status on Southwest Airlines through its match program.
A-List status offers priority boarding in group 1, one free checked bag, the ability to select a Preferred or Standard seat at booking for no extra cost, free same-day standby, and dedicated check-in and security lanes.
Spirit members matching to Southwest will only have access to A-List for 120 days; however, that can be extended if you qualify.
To be eligible to extend for an additional 12 months, you must either fly three qualifying round-trips, six qualifying one-way flights, or earn 11,500 tier-qualifying points within the 120-day promotional match period.
To apply for a membership match, Spirit customers need to submit a form on Southwest’s website.
They will need to attach proof through an elite card or statement that shows their name and status tier.
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