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Spirit Airlines stopped flying on May 2, 2026, and that left thousands of cardholders with a co-branded card tied to an airline that no longer exists. Bank of America has now confirmed what happens next. If you carry a Spirit credit card, your account moves to a cash back product rather than closing.
In this article, we explain which card replaces yours, what the new rewards structure looks like, and which details Bank of America has not confirmed yet. We also cover the Free Spirit points and debit card questions readers keep asking. If you would rather start fresh, compare your options in our guide to the best credit cards.
Bank of America stopped accepting new applications for the Free Spirit cards when the airline shut down, but it kept existing accounts open and usable. The bank then began notifying cardholders of the conversion plan. Here is how the accounts map across.
The third row matters if you already hold the Customized Cash card. Because Bank of America does not want you holding the same product twice, it moves your existing account to the Unlimited Cash Rewards card instead. Consequently, some households end up with one of each.
Neither replacement earns airline miles, so the value calculation changes completely. Both cards return cash back with no annual fee, which at least removes the $79 charge that came with the Travel More card.
For a Spirit flyer who valued the companion voucher and the free checked bag, this is clearly a downgrade in perks. Nevertheless, a no-fee cash back card that keeps your account history is better than a closure, since a closed account can affect the average age of your credit file.
Several claims circulate in forums and comment sections, yet Bank of America has not put them in writing. Treat the following as open questions rather than facts.
The debit card sits with a different issuer, Cross River Bank, so it is not part of the Bank of America conversion. Your money remains safe and the card keeps working for everyday purchases. However, it no longer earns Free Spirit rewards, which removes the only reason most people carried it.
If that account was your main spending card, this is a good moment to move on. A no-fee cash back card or a flexible travel card will serve you better than a rewards account with nowhere to spend. Our roundups of the best cash back credit cards and best travel credit cards are the place to start.
Bank of America is converting Free Spirit cards to the Customized Cash Rewards card, and moving anyone who already held that card to Unlimited Cash Rewards. Both replacements carry no annual fee, so the conversion costs you nothing and keeps your credit history intact.
Still, cash back at 1.5% to 3% is a different product from an airline card with a companion voucher. Watch your mail for the new card, confirm your rewards balance once it arrives, and decide whether a stronger travel card deserves that slot in your wallet. For updates on card changes like this one, subscribe to our newsletter.
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