Frontier Airlines Reviews: What to Know Before Flying, According to Passengers

Here's everything you need to know before you book your flight, according to Frontier Airlines reviews.

Frontier Airlines
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Joe Amon / Getty Images

Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Frontier Airlines is a low-cost carrier serving more than 90 destinations across the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. It's "America's greenest airline," and claims to be 43 percent more fuel efficient than other U.S. carriers thanks to its lightweight seats, ultra-efficient A320neo fleet, and environmentally friendly practices. For instance, you won't find any paper in-flight magazines or plastic cups aboard the aircraft — the carrier uses biodegradable cups instead. Every airplane also features an animal on its tail to help bring awareness to these creatures and their habitats.

While budget travelers are likely familiar with the airline's super-low fares, first-time Frontier fliers might be wondering if there's a catch to all those affordable tickets. As with most budget airlines, lower prices often translate to fewer inclusions, plus extra fees for checking baggage, choosing your seat, or making changes to your itinerary, among other charges. Of course, for some travelers, it's worth the hassle of figuring out whether or not the additional fees cancel out those lower fares. That's why we're breaking down the basics and digging deep into Frontier Airlines reviews on Tripadvisor to help you decide if it's the right airline for your next trip.

Frontier Airlines

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Fare Classes

There are two basic fare options to choose from: standard and Discount Den. Since it's a budget airline, the base fare includes only the bare necessities and everything else will cost you extra. For instance, standard fares come with a free personal item but travelers have the option to add a seat assignment and any carry-on or checked bags.

Frontier's Discount Den is a membership program that costs $59.99 per year, gives members access to discounted fares and deals, and lets kids fly free on select flights (it must be a "Kids Fly Free" flight, and just one child under age 15 can travel for free per adult ticket). New members must pay $99.99 for their first year, which includes a $40 enrollment fee.

Travelers can purchase individual optional extras, such as seat selection and checked bags, or opt for a bundle. Frontier offers two types of bundles: the Works and the Perks. The Works is only available during the booking process on flyfrontier.com and includes a carry-on bag, a checked bag, seat selection, priority boarding, flight flexibility, and a nifty 100 percent refundability benefit. The Perks, on the other hand, is available for purchase anytime through the website and throws in a carry-on bag, a checked bag, seat selection (except for Stretch seats), and priority boarding.

Several online reviewers pointed out that while the base fares are usually inexpensive, your actual total might end up being closer to the prices being offered by other U.S. airlines (like Delta, United, and American) by the time you add in all the additional fees.

Another way to save if you plan on traveling frequently in a limited time frame is with Frontier's Go Wild! All-You-Can-Fly Pass — available in seasonal, monthly, and annual increments — providing you with unlimited flights for a set fee, which varies by pass. Check the website to see what's being offered before you book.

Passengers with face masks wait in line at a Frontier Airlines ticket booth inside the main terminal at Long Island MacArthur Airport, in Ronkonkoma, New York on March 25, 2021.

Steve Pfost / Newsday RM / Getty Images

Flight Change and Cancellation Policies

If anything happens and your plans are affected, the flight change fees vary according to how far ahead you're making adjustments. It'll cost you nothing to change your flight 60 or more days prior to your original departure, $49 to do so between 59 and seven days of departure, and $99 to switch it within six days or on the same day you were supposed to depart. You'll also need to pay the difference if your new flight has a more expensive fare, but you won't receive any leftover credit if the new one is cheaper.

Tickets canceled within 24 hours of booking will be refunded as long as it's within seven days of the departure date. If you cancel a flight outside of this window, you'll receive a travel credit for the value of the fare minus the $99 cancellation fee.

Customers who purchase the Works bundle can also get a full refund within seven days of the flight. Another option is to add the Flight Flexibility option while booking, though this cannot be requested later on. This one-time perk only covers the change fee, however, so you're still on the hook for any additional fare increases if your new flight costs more.

If you ever need to reach the customer service department, note that there is no phone number to call, but representatives are available via text through WhatsApp (720-902-3969) or by filling in the contact form on Frontier's website.

Baggage Policies and Fees

Personal items are included in the standard fare and cannot exceed 14 x 18 x 8 inches (including any straps, wheels, or handles). Carry-on bags must be under 24 x 16 x 10 inches and weigh 35 pounds or less. Checked bags must be under 62 linear inches and their weight must be under 40 pounds. While charges for both types of bags vary depending on when you purchase them, you'll generally save the most money by paying ahead of time online.

To find out how much your bags will cost, use the Bag Price Checker tool on the Frontier Airlines website. One example fare showed that prices for a carry-on started at $41 when added during the booking process compared to $79 when added at the airport.

Note that checked bags that go over the specified limits will be charged in the following amounts:

  • $75 for excess size (between 63 and 110 linear inches) in each direction.
  • $75 to $100 for excess weight ($75 for bags weighing 41 to 50 pounds, $100 for bags weighing 51 to 100 pounds) in each direction.
  • Any bags weighing over 100 pounds or exceeding 110 linear inches in size will not be accepted at all.

Members of the U.S. military (active duty, reserves, and those serving in the U.S. National Guard) can receive waivers for one free personal item, one free carry-on bag, and two free checked bags by presenting a Common Access Card showing a uniformed services affiliation when they check in. Note, however, that these baggage privileges are not offered to companions or family members, just the U.S. military passenger.

Seats and Legroom

There are only two seat categories on Frontier Airlines planes. Standard seats have a pitch that ranges from 28 to 31 inches and Stretch seats have a pitch that ranges from 36 to 38 inches, depending on the aircraft and their location on the plane.

Keep in mind that the standard pitch for many U.S. carriers is typically around 30 to 31 inches, so these seats might feel a bit snug compared to what you're used to. Also note that Stretch seats recline, but Standard seats do not. That said, the general consensus among the more than 22,000 Frontier Airlines reviews on Tripadvisor seems to be that the seats are OK for a short flight, but can be uncomfortable for trips over two to three hours.

A Frontier Airlines Airplane Is Being Prepared For Departure At Orlando International Airport. All Frontier Airline's tailplanes are painted with Endangered Animals.

Devasahayam Chandra Dhas / Getty Images

Amenities and Entertainment

Frontier's a la carte business model means there aren't a ton of amenities on board. You won't find any TVs or Wi-Fi, so be sure to bring a book or magazine, or download your favorite shows and movies to your personal device before takeoff. There also won't be any complimentary snacks or beverages, though a selection of nibbles and alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks can be purchased on the plane. Technically, though, you are allowed a free cup of water, but you'll have to ask a flight attendant to get it.

In a Frontier Airlines review, Tripadvisor user Virginia M. said, "The one bad thing was that you're given nothing during the flight, not even water. No drink, no snack. Everything is for purchase and it's not cheap. I paid $3.50 for a can of soda, which is a bit much. The plane has no TVs, so it can get kind of boring, especially if you have nothing on your phone."

Another Frontier Airlines review on Tripadvisor by Patrick R., echoed the sentiment, saying, "There are no entertainment options on board. No screens, no Wi-Fi, no radio. Make sure you download your songs/movies and some games on your phone in advance to keep you occupied because you will be quite bored otherwise."

Frontier Airlines Credit Card

Frontier Airlines has one credit card option: the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard. As of this writing, the welcome offer states that new cardholders can earn 50,000 bonus miles after paying the $89 annual fee and spending $500 within the first 90 days of opening their account. Additional perks include the chance to earn 5x miles on eligible Frontier Airlines purchases, 3x miles at restaurants, and 1x miles for all other transactions.

Cardholders can also unlock special perks such as priority boarding, family miles pooling, a $100 flight voucher for each account anniversary (when you spend at least $2,500 the previous year), and the ability to earn one qualifying mile toward elite status for every dollar spent on purchases or by flying with Frontier Airlines.

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