Under the Free Spirit loyalty program in 2026, the number of points required for a "free" flight (award flight) starts as low as 2,500 points for a one-way trip. Spirit uses a dynamic pricing model for its points, meaning the cost in points is directly tied to the cash price of the ticket. If a flight is very cheap (e.g., $30), it might only cost 2,500 points; if the flight is during a peak holiday and costs $300, it could require 25,000 points or more. It is important to remember that "free" is a relative term; even on an award flight, you must still pay the mandatory government taxes and fees, which start at $5.60 each way. Additionally, unless you have Free Spirit Silver or Gold status, you will still have to pay for "the extras" like seat assignments and bags. To keep your points from expiring, you must have account activity at least once every 12 months. For many occasional travelers, the "Points + Cash" option is a popular way to use a small point balance to discount a standard ticket, providing flexibility for those who haven't quite reached the threshold for a fully covered award seat.