Spirit Airlines Credit Card
Q: Is the Spirit Airlines credit card a good deal?
A: Founded in 1980, Spirit claims to be “the ultra low cost airline for the Americas.” They’re mostly known for their flights down to Florida and the Caribbean. Personally, I used to fly them all the time because they offered direct flights to and from Detroit/Los Angeles, however they have since ended that route.
Spirit Airlines Credit Card Review:
About a year and a half ago, I decided to apply for the Spirit Airlines card. At the time, it appeared to be a decent way to rake up some rewards since I was a frequent flyer on this airline. Eventually I discovered that the Free Spirit MasterCard is anything but rewarding. Here’s why:
The Worst Customer Service In My Life…
The phone number on the back of the card to book a flight is big, but the number for customer service is so insanely small you can hardly see it. After dealing with them, I understand why they’re apparently not eager for you to talk to their customer service department!
I’ve dealt with many, many foreign call centers and the Spirit credit card service department is by far the worst… ever! Based in India, they just read from a script. It doesn’t matter what you say or what your question is, these people don’t even know English. All the know how to do is read from their script. It’s impossible to communicate with them, let alone have your issue resolved.
Lack of Fraud Protection…
One of the reasons I called them was for a fraudulent charge of approximately $70. They did their “investigation” (which took forever) and only refunded me for approximately $40 of it and told me I am responsible for the rest! I have NEVER heard of any reputable credit card holding a customer partially responsible for fraudulent activity. This is totally outrageous.
Horrendous Rewards…
For me, the only reason I was interested in the Spirit Airlines MasterCard was the rewards. Unfortunately, this credit card definitely falls short. You only earn 1 mile per $1 spent (and 3 miles per $1 spent on Spirit purchases, but that’s worthless since it only made up a tiny percentage of my total annual spending). To add insult to injury, the promotional signup “bonus” was a total joke – they claim it’s enough for free airfare, but afterwards I saw fine print. They use language like “up to” and “off peak.” After I got my card, I didn’t have anywhere close to enough for my ticket. In fact, a year and a half later – plus after spending over $12,000 on the card – I still don’t have enough!
Why Pay The Annual Fee…
The Free Spirit Onyx World MasterCard has a $69.00 annual fee. If they give sub-par rewards and nightmare customer service… what the heck was I paying for?!
Spirit’s Prices Have Skyrocketed…
I check every airline and travel site when booking a trip. The past two years, Spirit has never been the cheaper option for me. In fact, my three most recent flights were cheaper on Delta. Yes that’s right, the legacy airline Delta was cheaper than a self-proclaimed “ultra low cost” airline. On top of that, their seats are much more roomy and they didn’t charge me for a friggin’ cup of water like Spirit does now!
Is it a scam? I’ll let you make your own conclusion. The bottom line is you should stay away from the Free Spirit credit cards. I’m sure tons of others much have these exact same complaints about them, too.
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On behalf of Spirit Airlines, I regret to hear about your experience. But I’m happy to say that much has changed since your experience with the FREE SPIRIT MasterCard program.
***JANUARY 8, 2010: NOTE BY ADMIN***
I appreciate your response Misty, but about 80% of your post appears to be nothing but an advertisement for Spirit credit cards, so I have to delete most of it (except for the first and last sentences, since those are not promotional). Your commentary is welcomed, but please refrain from advertising.
Regarding your “much has changed” statement, unfortunately that doesn’t appear correct. I just called your customer service less than 2 weeks ago (I believe it was December 26th or 27th) and it was the same terrible Indian call center, people just reading from a script. You may only have to pay them 1/4 the hourly rate you pay an American, but the Indians take 4 times longer and the issues are still not resolved. In addition, all that does is anger customers such as myself, and in turn I will never buy another flight on your airline again. Sure, the Indian CSR that dealt with me probably saved you a couple dollars, but you’re now going to lose out on a couple thousand dollars in annual airfare purchases from me and my family, because I’ll make sure we never fly Spirit again.
Again, I’m sorry about your experience, but would be happy to assist in reviewing your particular situation with our credit card company Barclays. I can be reached at misty.pinson@spiritair.com.
Ms. Pinson,
I decided not to activate the spirit airlines card I received in the mail. Is spite of that, I received an electronic bill for annual fee. I called before the bill was due in order to clarify that I was not interested in the card. The person who helped me told me he had cancelled it and I was not going to receive any more bills. He told me I did not have to worry for the annual fee because the card had been cancelled after my request. Cancelling a card that was not activated in the first place is against credit history, so I discussed the situation with your representative, who assured me the situation was corrected and I had nothing to worry about. Once again I received this month another bill. I spoke this afternoon with Alice followed by Ali, who told me I owe now late fees. I can not believe this is happening. Their supervisor could not talk to me after my request. Please, help me correct this situation. I was told on the phone by Ali, your representative that I owe $81 now for late fees plus annual fee! How come? This situation does not make sense. Where is my right to accept or not a credit card? Where my previous conversation where I was assured everything was clear and clarified ended up? Spirit offered a discount if I applied for the Spirit credit card while I was buying my flight ticket on line, it never happened because very conveniently, credit could not be approved right away, but long after my trip was done, I get the card in the mail, which I decided NOT to activate because it was undesired after experiencing the dishonest hook. Besides receiving a bill WITH NO activation occurring, I am also charge for the annual fee that is advertised on line as free for the first year! Please, help me as soon as possible. Help Keep America Honest! I request this situation to be corrected ASAP. It is attempting against the good name of Spirit who finally is not even the company that deals with this cards. When I called Spirit costumer service today, I was told I should called after June 12 since they are very busy working on flight booking. So, Ms. Pinson, I am asking you to please take care of this situation for me.
Sincerely,
Kattia Chaves Herrera
I have had the same terrible service. I called their “Customer Service Number”; got the same unresponsive, unhelpful “service” in India. I had set up a pay online option, using my Wachovia bank account to make my monthly payment. The Barclays bank said they couldn’t find the account: I use this account to pay for 3 other cards and numerous online purchases. This can only mean to me incompetence on Barclay’s account. The “service” person I talked to in India said the payment was refused and the problem was mine, not theirs. I finally had to use another debit card to make the payment. The Spirit people had the nerve to charge me $39 twice for returned payments. Now I see $890 in unexplained purchases for the month of July, with no explanation given in the monthly activity report. I am going to have to dispute these charges and I don’t look forward to talking with these wankers again.
Also, their so called bonus mileage of 15,000 miles for 3 free trips has never shown up on my account.
I have had the same horrible experience. On May 15th, I applied for the card. I never received a new membership package which means I never received a card. But I did on July 12th, receive a computerized phone call stating that my account was overdue by $80.95. Because I didn’t have the package, I didn’t have phone numbers. It took me almost a half hour to find a phone number on the web. And, yes, the service is foreign and unhelpful. I do feel sorry for the person that answered the phone because my frustrations were vented on him. He tells me that the overdue amount is annual fee and overdue charges. I never received a statement and where were these charges hidden on the initial application? I feel that this card is a scam.
Iapplied for credit card 40 days ago why haven’t I heard from them?
I have had also problems, they being charge me for services like, credit proteccion and insurance (just in case I lost my job, they pay the due amount.)
Since I open my account, I being charge.
the problem is that I never ask for this services, when I call to complain, they tell me That I ask for those 2 services, so I replaid where you have a document sing by me, or any probe. they say in 6 week I will recibe , so far nothing.
Also I have to call those 2 companies to cancel something that I never ask for in first place.
when I dispute this charge whit the credit card. to give me my money back. they don’t want to her me.
Look to me that the credit card insted protect the costumer protect the companies, and give the impression they work toghether to scam there clientele.
can i Please have any number where i can call them right now to cancell my credit card.
thanks
Spirit Airlines credit Card by Barclay’s Bank has the worst customer service I’ve ever encountered in my life. Their customer service reps are rude and definitely don’t care about the customer. I will never get another credit card issued by Barclay’s Bank again. Stay clear – you’ve been warned!!!
I opened a Spirit Airlines credit card account approx 3 years ago to get a reduced rate on a ticket from Orlando to Atlanta with intensions of cancelling it within the free year. I found out shortly after opening the acct that closing credit card accts could negatively impact credit scores, ao I left the acct open. I was charged the $39 fee this year and had forgotten only the first year was free, so I disregarded the bill (didn’t even open it) and so the next month I received another statement with a $40 late fee. I called CS to close the account and he told me to just pay the $39 and he would waive the late fee and close the acct. Well the next month my payment was $80 ish dollars. I called back and explained to the CS rep what had taken place the previous month and she told me she would have everything straightened out within the 10 days before I would be charged another late fee. BIG FAT LIE. I just opened my bill and not only were none of the previous fees waived, I’ve been charged AGAIN!! The CS at this credit card company SUCKS!! I would recommend that you DO NOT open an acct with this company. They tell you one thing and do completely the opposite. I paid the bill in full and if I ever get another bill from them, I will consult a lawyer. It seems the problems I have had with this company are pretty common. Don’t get roped in to the “cheap ticket if you open up a CC acct.” Not worth it at all.
When I signed up for the Spirit Master card, I was under the impression that after I booked a round trip ticket, I was to receive Three Free Round trip tickets. I called customer service and was bounced from pillar to post by a non-english speaking agent. To date, I have not resolved the problem. I will cancel the card after it expires.
Horrible service.
Cannot redeem miles for a free ticket
All avenues set up by Spirit to have issues resolved, go round and round…..
Cancelling ASAP