Ruth Haines
Frontier Airlines is an ultra-low-cost carrier with over 100 destinations across the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Guatemala, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, and Canada. While most people buy their tickets online, you can also purchase Frontier tickets at the airport. Buying tickets at the airport can save you money as you can bypass the Carrier Interface Charge (CIC), which is typically around $23 per flight segment. However, there are some drawbacks and complications to be aware of, such as limited ticket counter hours and outsourced staff who may not be very knowledgeable. Additionally, certain benefits and discounts are only available when booking online.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Buying Frontier tickets at the airport | Possible |
| Advantages | Bypass the Carrier Interface Charge (CIC) which is typically $23 per flight segment. This fee can vary, ranging from $3 with direct cheap fares to $50+ with expensive connecting flights. |
| No agent fee, as some customers have reported | |
| Free seat assignment | |
| Disadvantages | Discount Den prices are only available online. At the counter, only the normal/non-DD fare price is available. |
| If you have elite status, especially 100K status, you may not get the full benefits of buying at the counter | |
| You don't get the WORKS bundle | |
| Limited hours for ticket counters at outstations | |
| The employees at Frontier Airlines ticket counters are almost entirely outsourced staff, and often aren’t very knowledgeable |
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What You'll Learn
- Buying tickets at the airport saves you $23 per person per segment
- Avoid the Carrier Interface Charge (CIC) by buying at the airport
- Buying at the airport ticket counter may not be worth it for solo travellers
- Discount Den prices are only available online
- Frontier Airlines staff at ticket counters are often outsourced and not very knowledgeable
Buying tickets at the airport saves you $23 per person per segment
Buying Frontier Airlines tickets at the airport can save you money, but it may also come with some inconveniences and additional costs.
Firstly, by purchasing your ticket at the airport, you can bypass the Carrier Interface Charge (CIC), which is typically $23 per flight segment, per person. This fee can vary, from as low as $3 with cheap direct fares, to over $50 with expensive connecting flights. The CIC is included in the base fare for each ticket purchased through the Frontier Airlines website or call center. Thus, by buying your ticket at the airport, you can save $23 per person, per segment.
However, there are some considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, Frontier Airlines does not provide clear information about the ticket counter hours and procedures, and some customers have reported being told at the counters that they cannot ticket reservations. Additionally, the staff at Frontier Airlines ticket counters may not be very knowledgeable, and they may only be available for limited hours, especially at smaller outstations.
Another factor to consider is that if you are a Discount Den member, the value of buying at the counter is reduced. Discount Den prices are only available online, and at the counter, you can only purchase the normal/non-DD fare price, which is typically at least $10 more per segment. Furthermore, if you have elite status, especially 100K status, you may not receive the full benefits when buying at the counter.
Moreover, Frontier Airlines charges for many extras, such as seat assignments, carry-on bags, and checked bags. These extras are generally cheaper when purchased during the initial booking process, and some bundles are only available online. Therefore, if you plan on purchasing many add-ons, the savings from avoiding the CIC may be offset by the higher costs of these extras.
In conclusion, while buying Frontier Airlines tickets at the airport can save you $23 per person, per segment, there are also potential drawbacks and additional costs to consider. The decision to buy tickets at the airport depends on your specific needs and preferences.
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Avoid the Carrier Interface Charge (CIC) by buying at the airport
Frontier Airlines is one of the largest ultra-low-cost carriers in the United States. The airline follows an ultra-low-cost business model, which means incredibly low base fares and additional charges for almost everything else. One such charge is the Carrier Interface Charge (CIC) of \$23 per person per flight segment, which is included in each fare. However, you can avoid paying this charge by buying your tickets directly at the airport counter.
When you book your ticket through the Frontier Airlines website or call center, you are required to pay the CIC. However, if you book your ticket at the airport, this charge is waived. This is because the CIC is technically a fee rather than airfare, and airlines do not have to pay taxes on fees. Therefore, by allowing customers to avoid the CIC by purchasing at the airport, Frontier Airlines saves money on taxes.
While buying tickets at the airport can help you avoid the CIC, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, Frontier Airlines does not provide clear information about ticket counter hours and procedures, and some customers have reported being told at the counters that they cannot ticket reservations. Additionally, the employees at Frontier Airlines ticket counters are often outsourced staff who may not be very knowledgeable. Furthermore, Discount Den prices are only available online, so if you are a Discount Den member, the value of buying at the counter is reduced.
If you plan on purchasing add-ons or bundles, such as seat assignments, carry-on bags, or checked bags, it may be more convenient and cost-effective to book online. These bundles are exclusive to online purchases and can provide significant savings. Additionally, if you have elite status, especially 100K status, you may not receive the full benefits when buying at the airport counter.
In conclusion, while buying Frontier Airlines tickets at the airport can help you avoid the Carrier Interface Charge (CIC), there are other factors to consider, such as limited counter hours, staff knowledge, and the availability of online discounts and bundles.
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Buying at the airport ticket counter may not be worth it for solo travellers
Buying Frontier Airlines tickets at the airport can help you save money by bypassing the Carrier Interface Charge (CIC), which is typically $23 per flight segment. However, this fee can vary, ranging from as low as $3 with direct cheap fares to as high as $50+ with expensive connecting flights. While buying tickets at the airport can help solo travellers save on the CIC, there are several reasons why it may not be worth it.
Firstly, the savings from bypassing the CIC may be offset by other factors. Discount Den prices, for example, are only available online and are usually at least $10 cheaper per segment, reducing the overall savings from buying at the airport. Additionally, if you have elite status, especially 100K status, you may not receive the full benefits when purchasing at the airport.
Secondly, Frontier Airlines charges for various extras, such as seat assignments, carry-on bags, and checked bags. These extras are generally cheaper when purchased during the initial booking process, and certain bundles are only available online. Therefore, if you plan to purchase add-ons, buying at the airport may not result in significant savings.
Thirdly, the ticket counters at smaller airports may have limited hours and be staffed only a few hours before flight departure. This could result in longer wait times and inconvenience for solo travellers.
Lastly, the employees at Frontier Airlines ticket counters are often outsourced staff who may not be as knowledgeable about the booking process and available options. This could make the experience of buying tickets at the airport less efficient and straightforward for solo travellers.
In conclusion, while buying Frontier Airlines tickets at the airport can help solo travellers save on the Carrier Interface Charge, the potential drawbacks, including limited hours, longer wait times, and less knowledgeable staff, may outweigh the benefits. Therefore, it is essential to consider your specific needs and preferences when deciding whether to purchase tickets at the airport or online.
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Discount Den prices are only available online
While it is possible to purchase Frontier Airlines tickets at the airport, Discount Den prices are only available online.
Discount Den is a membership program offered by Frontier Airlines that provides exclusive deals and discounted fares for its members. The membership costs $99 in the first year, which includes a $40 enrolment fee and a $59.99 annual fee. In subsequent years, the membership costs $59.99 annually and is automatically renewed unless cancelled.
The Discount Den fares are available for up to eight additional people on the same reservation, with potential savings of $10 to $30 per one-way flight. For example, a one-way flight for a group of six from Denver to Orlando would cost $594 before taxes and fees, but with Discount Den, it would be $444, resulting in a $150 saving. Additionally, flights booked for travel on Tuesdays and Wednesdays include a free ticket for children 14 and under.
While purchasing tickets at the airport can help avoid the Carrier Interface Charge (CIC) of around $23 per flight segment, the exclusive discounts and deals offered by Discount Den are only accessible through online booking. Therefore, to take advantage of the discounted prices, members must book their flights on the Frontier Airlines website or mobile app.
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Frontier Airlines staff at ticket counters are often outsourced and not very knowledgeable
While it is possible to purchase Frontier Airlines tickets at the airport, there are some considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, Frontier Airlines staff at ticket counters are often outsourced and may not be very knowledgeable about the booking process or specific fare options. This lack of knowledge could impact the assistance they can provide, especially if you have a complex booking or require additional services.
Additionally, Frontier Airlines, as an ultra-low-cost carrier, charges for various extras such as seat assignments, carry-on bags, and checked baggage. These add-ons are typically cheaper when purchased during the initial booking process, and some bundles are only available online. Therefore, if you require multiple add-ons, the savings made by avoiding the Carrier Interface Charge (CIC) when booking at the airport may be negated by the higher costs of these extras.
The CIC, which can be avoided by booking at the airport, typically amounts to \$23 per flight segment. However, this fee can vary, ranging from as low as \$3 with direct cheap fares to over \$50 with expensive connecting flights. It is worth noting that Discount Den prices, which can offer significant savings, are only available online. Therefore, if you are a Discount Den member, the benefit of avoiding the CIC by booking at the airport is diminished.
Furthermore, if you have elite status, especially 100K status, you may not receive the full benefits when booking at the ticket counter. Some customers have reported success in retaining their benefits by contacting customer service after purchasing tickets at the airport. However, this is not guaranteed, and the limited hours of ticket counter staff at outstations can be a potential drawback.
In summary, while purchasing Frontier Airlines tickets at the airport can save you the Carrier Interface Charge, there are other factors to consider, including the knowledge level of outsourced staff, the potential for higher costs of add-ons, the variability of the CIC fee, and the limitations of purchasing certain fare types at the ticket counter. Therefore, it is essential to weigh these factors before deciding whether to book your tickets at the airport or online.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can buy tickets at the airport. However, some airports do not have airport agents available daily for purchasing tickets.
You can save \$23 per person per segment by avoiding the Carrier Interface Charge (CIC). However, if you are a Discount Den member, the value of buying at the counter is greatly reduced.
The employees at Frontier Airlines ticket counters are almost entirely outsourced staff and often aren't very knowledgeable. Additionally, the hours that the ticket counters are open may be limited, and you may not get the full benefits of your elite status when buying at the counter.
Generally, it makes the most sense to buy tickets at the airport if you don't plan on purchasing many add-ons. Frontier sells different "bundles" at the time of booking, and these aren't available for the same price at a later point. These bundles are available exclusively online, creating an incentive to book online.
Some customers have reported being charged a \$25 agent fee when purchasing tickets at the airport. However, this fee is not supposed to be charged, and you can chat with Frontier to get it refunded or push back against the agent when purchasing.
