Find cheap Frontier flights

Frontier Airlines is a low-cost carrier flying to more than 100 destinations across the U.S., Mexico, Caribbean and Central America. Here’s the deal: you’ll find exceptionally low base fares, but you’ll pay extra for nearly everything else (seat selection, carry-ons, snacks, drinks). If you’re willing to skip the extras for a cost-effective way to get from A to B, Frontier delivers.

Fare classes

Frontier offers four fare classes (called “bundles”), and picking the right one is key to avoiding surprise fees. Each bundle includes different perks, from free carry-on or checked bags to priority boarding.

Basic Fare

The Basic Fare only includes a personal item. That means no carry-on, no seat selection and no waived change or cancel fees. You can purchase a seat assignment during booking, online after booking or during check-in. If you don’t pay to pick a seat, one will be assigned to you (though Frontier will try to seat families with small children together).

Since this fare is highly restrictive, I’d recommend avoiding it if possible. In my searches for fares, I’ve seen the Economy Bundle cost nearly twice that of the Basic Fare. Still, that price is frequently lower than that of major carriers.

Economy Bundle

The Economy Bundle includes a personal item, a carry-on bag, a Standard seat choice and no change or cancel fees. I find this to be a good budget-friendly option for those travelling with a carry-on only. If you buy this bundle and decide you need to check a bag later on, you can do so online or at the airport. I recommend doing it online, as the price will be cheaper than at the airport.

Premium Bundle

The Premium Bundle includes everything in the Economy Bundle, but it also has the added bonus of priority boarding and a Premium seat selection (that’s a seat with extra legroom). In some instances, I’ve seen this bundle cost just slightly more than the Economy Bundle, which can be a good deal for a seat with extra legroom.

Business Bundle

The Business Bundle is the priciest bundle, but it does come with numerous perks. In addition to all the perks in the Premium Bundle, this fare includes two free checked bags up to 23 kg each and an UpFront Plus seat selection. I would consider choosing this bundle if you plan on checking bags, since it can sometimes save you money while also giving you a premium seat on the plane.

Baggage

Here’s the key to saving money on bags: Frontier uses dynamic pricing, so it’s cheaper to pay for bags as early as possible. Personal items are free, but carry-on and checked bags cost extra (depending on your fare bundle). Paying at the gate is the priciest option.

I find that Frontier is stricter with sizing than other airlines, so pay very close attention to the size of your bags, including your personal item. Airline staff will likely measure these bags either at the check-in desk or at the gate. You should also note that bags must be checked 60 minutes before departure, no exceptions.

Seats & legroom

Compared to most other U.S.-based airlines, Frontier has smaller seats. Seat width ranges from 42 cm (narrow) to 44 cm (still narrow), while Standard economy legroom is among the tightest in the industry compared to the more typical 76 to 79 cm on other airlines.

Standard & Preferred

Standard seats are found throughout the middle and back of the economy cabin. If you have selected a Basic Fare, you will be assigned a seat in this section. And if you have selected an Economy Bundle, you can choose a seat in this section. Preferred seats are the same as Standard seats, but they’re located in the front section of the cabin. They will cost extra to select.

Remember, since Basic Fare passengers can’t select their seats for free, that means they often end up in the middle. In my opinion, it’s worth paying for seat selection to avoid middle seats. Or you can select the Economy Bundle at booking to get free Standard seat selection and a free carry-on bag.

Premium & UpFront Plus

Premium seats have extra legroom, up to seven inches more than Standard seats. These seats are located toward the front of the cabin, as well as in select rows. UpFront Plus seats are the first two rows of the aircraft. They have extra legroom and Frontier blocks off the middle seats to give passengers plenty of elbow room. (This is akin to European-style business class.)

Change & cancellation policies

For Basic Fare tickets, there is no fee for changes made more than 60 days in advance of a flight. Anything after that, and you’ll be charged a fee. As for cancellations, Basic Fare tickets always have a cancellation fee. Economy, Premium and Business Bundles do not have change fees or cancellation fees. That said, if you change your flights, you will be responsible for paying any difference in fare. And if you cancel, you’ll receive flight credit rather than a refund.

Check-in

Frontier charges extra to visit a check-in desk at the airport (this add-on service is called Airport Agent Assistance). The only way to check in for free is online, via the Frontier app or at the automated kiosk at the airport. Not great news, but worth knowing before you arrive.

Boarding

Frontier has seven boarding groups, and they’re decided based on your Bundle, your elite status or your seat on the aircraft. If you’re in Groups 6 and 7, which are the last two groups to board, you may not have room in the overhead bins. I’d recommend purchasing upgraded boarding if you have a carry-on to ensure there’s space for your bag. Remember, some of the Bundles include priority boarding, which is Board First.

Amenities & entertainment

Frontier doesn’t offer in-flight entertainment systems, entertainment apps or Wi-Fi onboard. Flight attendants do serve snacks and beverages on most flights, but they’re not free.

I recommend bringing a book, downloading entertainment onto your phone or tablet and buying food and drink at the airport to take onboard with you.

Loyalty program

Frontier’s loyalty program is called FRONTIER Miles. As a basic member, you receive 10 miles for every dollar spent. Once you earn elite status, you earn between 12 and 20 miles per dollar. These miles can be redeemed for free flights, bag fees, seat selections and bundles, among other perks.

As for elite status, there are four tiers, each of which is earned via points. Frequent flyers earn points for every dollar spent, just as they’d earn miles; the amount ranges from 10 to 20 points per dollar. Perks for elite status range from priority customer care to waived pet fees (at higher tiers).

Credit card

Frontier has one credit card: the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard. This credit card does have an annual fee, but it also has many perks, such as additional points and miles multipliers. There are also no foreign transaction fees for this credit card. I would only sign up for this credit card if you fly Frontier very regularly. In that case, you may be able to earn quite a few free flights through miles earned from your credit card spend.

All-you-can-fly pass

Frontier is known for its GoWild! passes, which are all-you-can-fly passes. These passes are available for different durations, including seasonal and annual options. Before purchasing one of these passes, I would carefully read the fine print to find out about the rules governing the use of this pass. I would also do the math to see how much you would need to fly in order for the cost of this pass to be worth it.