Spirit Airlines To Raise $600 Million In New Debt

精神航空公司将筹集6亿美元的新债务

The same Spirit Airlines that is likely to be acquired by JetBlue Airways is seeking another $600 million in new debt. Even more interesting is that Spirit Airlines is using its loyalty programs - Free Spirit and Spirit Saver$ Club - to secure that debt as collateral.

可能被捷蓝航空公司收购的Spirit Airlines正在寻求另外6亿美元的新债务。更有趣的是，Spirit Airlines正在利用其忠诚度计划——免费Spirit和Spirit Saver$Club——作为抵押来担保这些债务。

This comes against a backdrop of Spirit reducing routes but also investing in new seating and pilot training. Nonetheless, for an airline that seeks regulatory approval to be bought by JetBlue, Spirit Airlines is making big moves.

这是在精神航空减少航线，但也投资于新座位和飞行员培训的背景下发生的。尽管如此，对于一家寻求监管部门批准被捷蓝航空收购的航空公司来说，精神航空公司正在采取重大措施。

What is Free Spirit and Spirit Saver$ Club?

什么是自由精神和精神拯救者$俱乐部？

Free Spirit is a program that allows passengers to earn up to 12 points for each dollar spent with Spirit Airlines. One can sign up for free on the Spirit Airlines website. Once one acquires 1,000 or more points, the points can be redeemed for part of the cost of flights. As of November 11, one needs at least 2,500 points to cover the full cost of a flight.

Free Spirit是一项计划，允许乘客在Spirit Airlines每消费1美元，最多可获得12点积分。人们可以在精神航空公司的网站上免费注册。一旦获得1，000或更多积分，这些积分可以兑换部航班费用。截至11月11日，一个人至少需要2500点积分才能支付一次飞行的全部费用。

However, if you earn at least 2,000 points, you can earn silver status. This means you win certain benefits such as free seat selection at check-in, shortcut boarding and security with complimentary same-day standby, overweight checked-baggage fees waived, and a waiver of redemption fees.

但是，如果您至少获得2000点积分，就可以获得银牌身份。这意味着您赢得了某些好处，如在办理登机手续时免费选择座位，快捷登机和当日的待机安检免费，免除超重托运行李费，以及免除赎回费。

Free Spirit members can also, at 5,000 points, get upgraded to Gold. A gold upgrade gets perks such as receiving free "Flight Flex" (which is more flexible travel including a complimentary change, though a fare difference may apply), a free carry-on, a free first checked bag, free seat selection at booking– including exit rows– and a free inflight beverage and snack.

Free Spirit 航空公司的会员也可以在5,000分时升级为金卡。金卡会员可以获得一些优惠，如免费的 "弹性飞行"（这是一种更灵活的旅行，包括免费改签，但可能会有票价差异）、免费的随身行李，免费的第一件托运行李，预订时免费选择座位(包括出口座位)和免费的机上饮料和小吃。

There’s also the Spirit Saver$ Club, which according to Spirit grants,

还有精神拯救者$俱乐部，根据精神资助，

“Exclusive access to some of the lowest fares available, as well as discounted prices on bags, seats, and other options such as shortcuts thru security, shortcut boarding, and flight flex.”

独家享受一些最低票价，以及行李、座位和其他选择的折扣价格，如通过安检的捷径、捷径登机和灵活飞行。

As of November 11, 2022, costs for the subscription service start at $69.95 for a year.

截至2022年11月11日，订阅服务的费用从一年69.95美元起。

Spirit Airlines also offers branded credit cards. Using these branded credit cards means points towards Spirit Airlines rewards. As of November 11, there is an offer of 60,000 Bonus Points + $100 Companion Flight Voucher for taking out a “Free Spirit” MasterCard.

精神航空公司也提供品牌信用卡。使用这些品牌信用卡意味着Spirit Airlines奖励积分。截至11月11日，购买“自由精神”万事达卡可获得60，000奖励积分+100美元的同伴航班代金券。

Finally, there is a points pooling option available. This way, up to eight Spirit Airlines customers can pool together their points to add into and withdraw from as necessary.

最后，还有一个积分池选项。通过这种方式，多达八名Spirit Airlines客户可以将他们的积分集中在一起，在必要时加入和提取。

Using customer loyalty to secure debt

利用客户忠诚度担保债务

Spirit Airlines is literally using customer loyalty programs to secure debt. Originally, the amount was $500 million, but a subsequent airline filing of November 10 says the amount is now $600 million.

精神航空公司实际上是利用客户忠诚度计划来担保债务。最初，金额为5亿美元，但随后11月10日的航空公司文件显示，最初，现在的金额是6亿美元。

According to the original November 9 filing, the debt will be “secured” with the airline’s “Co-branded credit card programs and Spirit Saver$ Club program and intellectual property utilized in connection with the loyalty program." Independently appraised at a value of $2.6 billion-plus and the brand intellectual property appraised at $1.6 billion, it's a valuable commodity that Spirit can leverage. It helps that the airline believes these programs will bring in over $150 million in 2022, almost $200 million in 2023, and approximately $250 million in 2024.

根据11月9日的原始文件，这笔债务将由该航空公司的“联名信用卡计划和Spirit Saver$Club计划以及与忠诚度计划相关的知识产权”进行“担保”独立评估价值超过26亿美元，品牌知识产权评估价值16亿美元，这是Spirit可以利用的宝贵商品。该航空公司认为这些项目将在2022年带来超过1.5亿美元的收入，2023年近2亿美元，2024年约为2.5亿美元。