Last-Minute Frontier Tickets: Airport Purchase Cheaper?

Frontier Airlines is an ultra low-cost carrier that offers extremely low fares. However, these fares only include the flight, and all other perks and amenities are considered extras that come with additional charges. Depending on the fare class, passengers may have to pay extra for seat assignments, checked bags, carry-on luggage, and in-flight food and drinks. Frontier's rationale is that they want to unbundle the airfare, allowing travellers to pay only for what they need. While this can result in cheap airfares for minimalist travellers, it's important to understand the additional fees before booking. One way to save on Frontier fees is by purchasing a fare bundle beyond basic economy, which includes amenities like checked bags and seat selection. Additionally, Frontier offers baggage waivers for certain groups, such as active-duty military members and Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® primary cardholders.

Frontier Airlines' baggage fees

Frontier Airlines Baggage Fees

Frontier Airlines is considered an "ultra-low-cost carrier". The airline offers low fares that include only the flight — all other perks and amenities are considered "extras" and come with an additional charge. The only thing that comes free with your Frontier basic airfare is a small personal item that needs to fit under the seat in front of you. If you purchase an economy, premium, or business fare, a carry-on bag is included. A checked bag is only included with a business ticket.

Baggage fees

The fees for carry-on and checked bags depend on the route, the date, the weight of your bags, and when you purchase your baggage allowance. You’ll get the cheapest price by paying for your bags online at the time of booking. The price goes up the longer you wait, with the highest prices charged at the airport boarding gate.

• Personal item: 8"D x 18"W x 14"H including handles, wheels, and straps.
• Carry-on bag: 10"D x 16"W x 24"H including handles, wheels, and straps, and less than 35 lbs.
• Checked bag: 62 linear inches (length + width + depth) including handles, wheels, and straps, and less than 40 lbs.

Checked bags weighing 41-50 lbs will incur a fee of $50 per bag, per direction, while checked bags weighing 51-100 lbs will result in a $100 fee per bag, per direction. Bags over 100 lbs are not accepted.

It's important to note that Frontier's ticket counters close for check-in and bag drop 60 minutes prior to your flight's departure.

Getting your baggage fees waived

If you still wish to book a fare that doesn't include baggage, here are a couple of ways to get your Frontier bag fees waived:

• Frontier elite status: At Elite 20K, Frontier’s lowest level of elite status, you’ll get a carry-on bag for free. Top-tier Elite 100K members also get the Works bundle included for up to eight people on their reservation.
• Active-duty military members: Those in uniform also get one free carry-on and two free checked bags.
• Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® primary cardholders: They receive two free checked bags on Frontier-operated flights.
• Paying with a card that covers airline incidental fees: Simply name Frontier as your preferred airline and you will receive a credit for qualifying expenses.

Ticket options and inclusions

Frontier Airlines offers four ticket options: Basic, Economy, Premium, and Business. The only thing that comes free with the Basic ticket is a small personal item that needs to fit under the seat in front of you. The Economy, Premium, and Business tickets include a carry-on bag, and the Business ticket includes two checked bags.

The fees for carry-on luggage and checked bags depend on the route, the date, the weight of your bags, and when you purchase your baggage allowance. You'll get the cheapest price by paying for your bags online at the time of booking. The price goes up the longer you wait, with the highest prices charged at the airport boarding gate.

Frontier also offers bundles that can be purchased alongside your ticket. The Economy, Premium, or Business bundles include a free carry-on bag, seat selection, and priority boarding (Business and Premium bundles). Purchasing a bundle can be a great option if you think you may need to cancel your flight and you're planning to bring baggage anyway.

If you're bringing only a personal item, depending on the flight attendants and how full the overhead bins are, you may be able to store your personal item in the overhead bin.

In addition to bag fees, Frontier also charges you to pick your seat if flying on a basic economy fare. The fees for seat selection depend on the flight and which seat you pick. A premium stretch seat or exit row will cost more than a middle seat in the back of the plane.

• Board First: Be among the first to board the plane and guarantee space for your carry-on bag in the overhead bin.
• Pre-paid Airport Agent Assistance Charge: A charge will apply for passengers who choose to utilize assistance from airport agents.
• Priority Boarding: Be among the first to board the plane with Priority Boarding Zone 2.
• Discount Den Membership: Annual membership that costs $59.99 for one full year of savings.
• Web Check-In: A fee will apply to customers who check in on the website.
• Flight Flexibility: Change or cancel your flight.
• GoWild! Early Booking Charge: Plan ahead and book select flights early.
• Pet Charge: Charge per pet, per direction.
• Carrier Interface Charge: Charge per passenger, per flight segment.
• Onboard Snacks and Drinks: From $3.50.
• GoWild! All-You-Can-Fly Pass: Up to $1,999 per year.
• Seats: From $15 per passenger, per flight segment.

It's important to note that Frontier's fares do not include refundability, a pre-reserved seat assignment, a carry-on bag, a checked bag, or priority boarding. These can be added as optional services or purchased as part of a bundle.

Purchasing tickets at the airport

Frontier Airlines allows you to purchase tickets at the airport. However, it is good to note that some airports do not have agents available daily to sell tickets. Therefore, it is always good to check with the specific airport you are considering before visiting. Fares and schedules are subject to change without notice, and all fares are subject to the restrictions that can be found on the Frontier website.

The airline is considered an "ultra low-cost carrier," offering extremely low fares that include only the flight. All other perks and amenities are considered "extras" and come with an additional charge. Depending on the fare class you purchase, you may have to pay for seat assignments, checked bags, carry-on luggage, and in-flight food and drinks. Frontier's rationale is that they want to "unbundle" the airfare, allowing you to choose what you want to pay for. This means that if you never check a bag, you won't have to pay the same cost as someone who does, and you can get some incredibly cheap airfares.

The airline has four ticket options: basic, economy, premium, and business. The only thing that comes free with the basic airfare is a small personal item that needs to fit under the seat in front of you. If you purchase an economy, premium, or business fare, a carry-on bag is included. A checked bag is only included with a business ticket, and you get two checked bags with this option. The fees for carry-on luggage and checked bags depend on the route, date, weight of your bags, and when you purchase your baggage allowance. You'll always get the cheapest price by paying for your bags online at the time of booking, with the price increasing the longer you wait. The highest prices are charged at the airport boarding gate.

In addition to bag fees, Frontier also charges you to pick your seat if flying on a basic economy fare. If you do not pay for a seat assignment by purchasing a fare bundle that includes this perk, you will be assigned a seat when you check in. The fees for seat selection on basic fares depend on the flight and which seat you pick, with a premium stretch seat or exit row costing more than a middle seat at the back of the plane. These fees are per person and per flight, so a round trip with four people will pay these fees eight times.

Another way to save on your Frontier fees is by purchasing a fare bundle beyond basic economy. These fare classes are new as of May 2024 and include various combinations of checked bags, carry-on bags, seat selection, priority boarding, and more. Purchasing a bundle that includes the amenities you want will likely be cheaper than buying a basic fare and purchasing amenities separately.

If you still wish to book a fare that doesn't include baggage, there are a couple of ways to get your Frontier bag fees waived. The first is with Frontier elite status. At Elite 20K, the lowest level of elite status, you'll get a carry-on bag for free. Top-tier Elite 100K members also get the Works bundle included for up to eight people on their reservation. Active-duty military members in uniform also get one free carry-on and two free checked bags. Additionally, Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® primary cardholders receive two free checked bags on Frontier-operated flights.

Frontier's refund policy

Frontier Airlines allows online cancellations, but refund eligibility depends on when you cancel and the ticket type.

Full refunds are available within 24 hours of booking if the flight is over 7 days away. If you cancel within 24 hours of booking and your flight is at least 7 days away, you can cancel at no cost. If you cancel after this period, you will be charged a cancellation fee.

If you cancel your flight within 6 days of departure, you will incur a $99 cancellation fee. Your ticket will retain its value for 365 days and can be applied toward a future ticket. If you do not cancel your ticket before departure, you will forfeit the remaining value of the ticket.

If you have purchased a bundle, you can cancel your ticket without paying any cancellation fees. When you cancel your flight, you will retain the value of your ticket for use within 1 year of the transaction date on a future Frontier flight. You must fill out an online refund request form to request a refund.

If you cancel an award ticket before departure, your miles will be returned to your account, but you will be charged a $75 redeposit fee.

If your flight is delayed or cancelled, you are eligible for a refund, to rebook, or to cancel and receive a credit shell valid for 5 years from the date of cancellation. This refund will cover your fare, as well as any optional services you have paid for.

Frontier's elite status benefits

Frontier Airlines offers a range of benefits for its elite status members, which can be earned through accumulating Elite Status Points, or by fast-tracking with the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard. The benefits include:

Elite Silver Status (10,000 points)

• Priority Customer Care online chat
• No Change/Cancel Fee for the member and up to eight other members travelling on the same reservation
• Option for Family Pooling
• Standard Seat Assignment (subject to availability) for the member only
• Preferred Seat Assignment upon check-in for the member only (subject to availability)
• Zone 2 Boarding for the member and up to eight other members travelling on the same reservation
• 20% Mile/Point Multiplier for eligible purchases on Flyfrontier.com (does not apply to Miles earned on the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard)

Elite Gold Status (20,000 points)

• Priority Customer Care online chat
• No Change/Cancel Fee for the member and up to eight other members travelling on the same reservation
• Option for Family Pooling
• Standard or Preferred Seat Assignment at the time of booking for the member only (subject to availability)
• Premium or Preferred Seat Assignment upon check-in for the member only (subject to availability)
• Zone 2 Boarding for the member and up to eight other members travelling on the same reservation
• Zone 1 Boarding for the member
• Carry-on bag for the member only
• 40% Mile/Point Multiplier for eligible purchases on Flyfrontier.com (does not apply to Miles earned on the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard)

Elite Platinum Status (50,000 points)

• Priority Customer Care online chat
• No Change/Cancel Fee for the member and up to eight other members travelling on the same reservation
• Option for Family Pooling
• Standard Seat Assignment at booking, for the member and up to eight other members travelling on the same reservation (subject to availability)
• Premium or Preferred Seat Assignment at booking, for the member
• Premium or Preferred Seat Assignment upon check-in for the member and up to eight other members travelling on the same reservation (subject to availability)
• Zone 1 Boarding for the member and up to eight other members travelling on the same reservation
• Carry-on bag for the member and up to eight other members travelling on the same reservation
• One checked baggage item for the member and up to eight other members travelling on the same reservation
• Pet Fee Waiver (subject to availability)
• 50% discount on Discount Den membership
• Free Silver Status Pass to be gifted to another Frontier Airlines member from December 1st to December 31st annually
• 60% Mile/Point Multiplier for eligible purchases on Flyfrontier.com (does not apply to Miles earned on the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard)

Elite Diamond Status (100,000 points)

• Priority Customer Care online chat
• No Change/Cancel Fee for the member and up to eight other members travelling on the same reservation
• Option for Family Pooling
• Refundability of Flights for the member and up to eight other members travelling on the same reservation (refunds must be processed 24 hours before departure)
• Premium or Preferred Seat Assignment at booking, for the member and up to eight other members travelling on the same reservation (subject to availability)
• In 2024, UpFront Plus Seat Assignment upon check-in for the member only (subject to availability)
• Carry-on baggage for the member and up to eight other members travelling on the same reservation
• Two checked baggage items for the member and up to eight other members travelling on the same reservation
• Pet Fee Waiver (subject to availability)
• Free Discount Den membership
• Free Gold Status Pass to be gifted to another Frontier Airlines member on the 1st of every year (valid from January 1st to December 31st of the same year)
• 100% Mileage Multiplier for eligible purchases on Flyfrontier.com (does not apply to Miles earned on the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard)

Frequently asked questions