Last Updated on July 24, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Frontier Airlines can offer a low base fare, but the amount you finally pay depends on your bags, seat, fare type, and other extras. The airline works best when you compare the complete trip price, pack within its strict limits, use the Frontier app, and understand the check-in and boarding deadlines. Families, pet owners, Discount Den members, and frequent travelers can receive useful benefits, but each program has conditions you should review before paying.
Quick Answer
Frontier is usually best for flexible travelers who can pack in one personal item or choose a bundle that includes the extras they need. Compare the full checkout price, measure every bag, check in through the app, and reach the gate early. Basic fares can carry change and cancellation fees.
Key Takeaways
- Every fare includes one personal item measuring no more than 18 inches wide, 14 inches high, and 8 inches deep.
- Carry-ons, checked bags, advance seat assignments, priority boarding, and onboard food normally cost extra with a Basic fare.
- Economy, Premium, and Business bundles include a carry-on and waive standard change and cancellation fees, though fare differences can still apply.
- Check-in and checked-bag acceptance close 60 minutes before departure, while boarding ends 20 minutes before departure.
- Frontier fees and promotions change frequently, so the amount shown during checkout or in Manage Trip controls your booking.
Who Frontier Airlines Is Best For
Frontier is best suited to travelers who care more about a low total price than included extras. It can work particularly well for short trips when everything fits in the included personal item, for flexible travelers who can compare several dates, and for passengers who select a bundle instead of buying bags and seats separately.
A Basic fare may look inexpensive at first, but it does not normally include a carry-on bag, checked bag, advance seat assignment, priority boarding, or refundability. It may also carry change and cancellation fees. Frontier can therefore become less competitive when you need several extras or cannot travel on the original date.
Families may receive adjacent seating for younger children, and strollers and car seats can be checked at no additional charge. Frequent travelers may also benefit from Discount Den, FRONTIER Miles, elite status, the GoWild Pass, or the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard. These products are valuable only when their conditions match how you actually travel.
Frontier Fares and Bundles Explained
Before choosing the lowest fare, compare it with Frontier’s Economy, Premium, and Business bundles. A bundle may cost less than purchasing a carry-on, seat, boarding benefit, and flexibility separately. Frontier says bundles are generally cheapest when added during the original booking.
| Option | Main Inclusions | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Fare | One personal item; bags and advance seat selection normally cost extra; change and cancellation fees may apply | Travelers who need almost no extras |
| Economy Bundle | Personal item, carry-on, standard seat selection, and no standard change or cancellation fee | Travelers who need a carry-on and selected seat |
| Premium Bundle | Economy benefits, Premium seat, and Board First with overhead-bin space | Travelers who value extra legroom and early boarding |
| Business Bundle | Carry-on, two checked bags up to 50 pounds each, Board First, and an UpFront Plus or eligible 2-by-2 seat | Travelers with checked luggage who want the most included extras |
Bundle availability and exact inclusions can vary by itinerary and aircraft. Review the comparison displayed during booking and confirm that the bundle applies to every passenger and direction you intend to cover. You can review Frontier’s current bundle descriptions on its Bundle & Save page.
How to Book Frontier Flights for Less
The best way to save is to calculate the complete trip cost before paying. Compare the fare, bags, seats, boarding options, pet fee, and any membership cost against another airline’s final price. A low base fare is useful only when the added services do not erase the difference.
Book Early and Compare Flexible Dates
Frontier uses variable pricing, so fares can rise or fall as the departure date approaches. Search several nearby dates when your schedule allows, and compare both one-way and round-trip combinations. Do not assume that a displayed promotional fare will be available on every flight or for every passenger.
Add the services you know you need during the initial booking. Frontier states that bags and bundles are normally cheapest at that stage. Waiting until check-in, the airport counter, or the boarding gate can produce a higher price.
Pro Tip: Take a screenshot of the final comparison page showing the fare, bundle, bags, seats, and total. This makes it easier to confirm what you purchased if your itinerary later displays differently.
Decide Whether Discount Den Is Worth It
Discount Den is Frontier’s paid fare club. It provides access to lower member fares for the member and up to eight other people traveling on the same reservation. It also unlocks Kids Fly Free fares on eligible flights and dates.
Frontier currently lists the regular annual membership at $59.99, with a $50 enrollment fee for new members and returning members who previously cancelled. That makes the regular first-year total $109.99 before any temporary promotion. Membership renews automatically unless it is cancelled through the member’s FRONTIER Miles profile before renewal.
Calculate the savings across all flights you realistically expect to book during the membership year. Discount Den may be worthwhile for a family or frequent Frontier customer, but a one-time traveler may spend more on the membership than the fare discount saves. Review current pricing and terms on Frontier’s Discount Den page.
Understand Kids Fly Free Restrictions
Kids Fly Free is not available on every Frontier flight. One child age 14 or younger can receive a free base fare for each qualifying adult Discount Den fare on eligible domestic nonstop flights and dates. The Discount Den member must be on the reservation, and advance-purchase, route, round-trip, and blackout-date restrictions may apply.
The free child fare does not necessarily remove taxes, bags, seats, or other optional charges. Look for the Kids Fly Free label during the original booking and read the terms attached to that itinerary.
Frontier Bags: Fees, Sizes, and Savings
Every Frontier ticket includes one personal item. Carry-on and checked-bag prices vary according to the itinerary and when and where you add the bag. Frontier does not publish one universal base price, so use the amount shown during booking or its Bag Price Checker.
Frontier Bag Size and Weight Limits
| Bag Type | Maximum Limit | Where It Goes |
|---|---|---|
| Personal item | 18 W × 14 H × 8 D inches, including handles, wheels, and straps; up to 35 pounds | Under the seat in front of you |
| Carry-on bag | 24 H × 16 W × 10 D inches, including handles, wheels, and straps; up to 35 pounds | Overhead bin |
| Standard checked bag | 62 linear inches and up to 40 pounds | Aircraft cargo compartment |
| Business Bundle checked bag | Two checked bags of up to 50 pounds each; size rules still apply | Aircraft cargo compartment |
Warning: Frontier may check personal-item and carry-on dimensions during boarding. Measure the filled bag, including bulging pockets, wheels, handles, and straps. A bag that does not fit the sizer can be charged at the higher gate rate.
Overweight and Oversize Bags
For standard checked baggage, a bag weighing 41–50 pounds currently carries a $75 overweight charge per direction. For reservations made on or after April 4, 2026, a bag weighing 51–99.99 pounds carries a $129 overweight charge. Bags weighing 100 pounds or more are not accepted.
A checked bag measuring 63–110 linear inches carries a $75 oversize charge. Bags larger than 110 linear inches are not accepted. Oversize and overweight charges can apply to the same bag, and special equipment may follow separate rules.
Save by Adding Bags Early
Add required bags during the initial booking whenever possible. If you decide later, use Manage Trip before check-in. Do not wait until the airport simply because the article or another traveler quoted an old bag price; Frontier calculates the current charge for the individual itinerary.
Keep medication, identification, keys, cash, electronics, travel documents, lithium power banks, and other valuables in your cabin bag rather than a checked suitcase. Review TSA and FAA restrictions before packing hazardous or battery-powered items.
How Frontier Seats Work and How to Pick Them
A Basic fare does not require you to purchase a seat assignment. When you skip paid selection, Frontier assigns a seat at no charge, but adults traveling together may be separated. Economy, Premium, and Business bundles include different seat choices.
- UpFront Plus: An aisle or window position near the front with an empty middle seat, or an eligible 2-by-2 First seat as Frontier updates aircraft.
- Premium: A seat offering extra legroom.
- Preferred: A seat closer to the front of the aircraft.
- Standard: A seat that is not classified as UpFront Plus, Premium, or Preferred.
You can select or change an available seat during booking, in Manage Trip, or during app check-in. Seat prices vary by flight and location. Paying early provides more choice, but it does not improve the aircraft’s onboard entertainment or power facilities.
Frontier Family Seating
When a reservation includes a child age 13 or younger, Frontier guarantees an adjacent seat for the child and one accompanying adult over age 13 at no additional charge when its conditions are met. The child and adult must be on the same reservation, adjacent seats must be available in the selected cabin, and the adult should either select seats for the whole reservation or skip selection for the whole reservation.
Do not change the assigned seats after Frontier places the family together. Changing only one passenger’s seat can break the arrangement. Larger families may need to pay for selected seats when they want every member together rather than one adult beside each young child.
Frontier Airport Check-In, Bag Drop, and Boarding
Frontier currently directs passengers to check in through its mobile app. Check-in normally opens 24 hours before the scheduled departure. Download the app, sign in, confirm passenger details, add any final services, and save the mobile boarding pass before traveling to the airport.
| Deadline or Target | Time Before Departure | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended airport arrival | At least 2 hours | Allows time for security, bag drop, and airport lines |
| Check-in and bag-drop cutoff | 60 minutes | Applies to domestic and international departures |
| Be at the gate | 45 minutes | Boarding normally begins around this time |
| Boarding ends | 20 minutes | Late passengers can lose the seat and itinerary |
Traditional counter check-in is available, but an agent-assistance fee may apply unless an exception covers the passenger. Travelers who already have a mobile boarding pass and are not checking a bag can proceed to security and the gate.
Warning: Missing the check-in or boarding cutoff can create a no-show cancellation. Frontier may cancel the missed flight and all later flights on the same itinerary, including the return.
What to Expect Onboard Frontier
Frontier is a no-frills airline. As of July 2026, its flights do not offer passenger Wi-Fi, television, movies, or electrical outlets. Frontier has announced plans to begin installing Starlink Wi-Fi in early 2027, but travelers should not assume their aircraft will have it.
Download entertainment before leaving home and carry a fully charged phone or tablet. A small power bank can be useful, provided it follows TSA and FAA battery rules and remains in your cabin baggage.
Food and drinks are available for purchase but are not complimentary. Frontier accepts major credit cards and supported mobile payments onboard; cash is not accepted. Bring an empty water bottle through security and fill it afterward when you want to avoid buying a drink onboard.
Frontier Change and Cancellation Rules
Frontier’s change and cancellation rules depend on the fare type, when the reservation was purchased, and how close the flight is. A fare advertised as having no change or cancellation fee can still require payment of a higher fare or options price.
Change Fees for Basic and Standard Tickets
| Booking Type | 60+ Days Before | 59–7 Days Before | 6 Days or Less |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic/Standard booked on or before June 4, 2026 | $0 | $49 per passenger, per direction | $99 per passenger, per direction |
| Basic/Standard booked on or after June 5, 2026 | $0 | $79 per passenger, per direction | $129 per passenger, per direction |
| Economy, Premium, or Business bundle | $0 | $0 | $0 |
All changes remain subject to the new fare and option prices. If the replacement itinerary costs more, you pay the difference. If it costs less, Frontier normally does not return the residual value after a voluntary change.
Cancellation Fees and Travel Credits
For a Basic or Standard reservation made on or after June 5, 2026, Frontier currently lists a $129 cancellation fee per passenger, per direction. The fee is $99 for reservations made on or before June 4, 2026. If the fee is greater than the ticket’s value, no credit remains.
Economy, Premium, and Business bundles do not carry Frontier’s standard cancellation fee when cancelled before departure. However, “no cancellation fee” does not mean an automatic cash refund. The remaining value is normally issued as a nontransferable travel credit for the original passenger.
Flight credits are generally valid for 12 months, but the exact expiration and use restrictions shown with the issued credit control. Credits and vouchers are not always the same product and can have different validity periods.
When You May Receive a Refund
Frontier tickets are generally nonrefundable, but a refund to the original payment method may be available in these situations:
- You cancel within 24 hours of booking and the flight was scheduled at least seven days away.
- Frontier cancels the flight and you decline rebooking, travel credit, or alternative transportation.
- Frontier significantly changes or delays the itinerary and you choose not to travel. Federal standards generally treat a delay of at least three hours for a domestic itinerary or six hours for an international itinerary as significant.
- You paid for an optional service that Frontier did not provide.
- The ticketed passenger dies and the required documentation is submitted.
- An eligible Diamond Elite member cancels at least 24 hours before departure.
Review Frontier’s current change and cancellation policy and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s airline refund guidance before accepting a credit in place of a refund.
Flying Frontier With Kids or Pets
Flying With Children
Infants from seven days old until their second birthday can generally travel as lap infants without a separate fare. Frontier may request age documentation. Only one lap infant is allowed per accompanying adult, and seating restrictions apply because of oxygen-mask and airbag-seat-belt locations.
The FAA says the safest place for a young child is in an approved child-restraint system in a purchased seat, not on an adult’s lap. Check the car seat for wording confirming that it is approved for motor vehicles and aircraft. Frontier generally places an approved car seat by a window and does not allow it in exit rows, rows beside exit rows, or the first row.
Strollers and car seats can be checked free and do not count against the normal bag allowance. You can use a stroller through the airport and gate-check it. Every traveler should still be included correctly in the reservation and have the required boarding documentation.
Frontier does not accept an unaccompanied child under age 15. A child younger than 15 must travel on the same reservation as an accompanying adult.
Flying With Pets
Frontier accepts domesticated dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and small household birds in the cabin on flights within the United States. It does not transport checked pets or pets in the cargo hold. Only qualifying service dogs are accepted on international routes.
Pets must be at least eight weeks old and remain inside the carrier throughout the trip. Frontier currently lists the pet charge at $149 per pet, per direction. Add the pet during booking or through Manage Trip because cabin space is limited.
- Hard-sided carrier: Up to 18 L × 14 W × 8 H inches.
- Soft-sided carrier: Up to 18 L × 14 W × 11 H inches.
- Fit requirement: The carrier must fit under the seat, and the animal must be able to stand, turn, and lie down naturally.
- Additional baggage: You may bring one personal item or a paid carry-on in addition to the pet carrier.
Confirm the rules for the destination, health documents, and service-animal paperwork before travel. Frontier’s complete requirements are available on its Family & Pets page.
Frontier Miles, Passes, and Card Perks
FRONTIER Miles
FRONTIER Miles is free to join. Members earn Travel Miles and Elite Status Points on qualifying Frontier purchases. Standard members generally earn 10 Travel Miles and 10 Elite Status Points for each qualifying dollar spent through Frontier, while higher elite tiers can earn larger multipliers.
Travel Miles can expire when an account has no qualifying accrual activity for 12 months. Purchasing an eligible Frontier product, using an eligible partner, or making a qualifying purchase with the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard can extend the expiration date. Redeeming miles by itself may not count as accrual activity.
Family Pooling
Family Pooling allows a group head and up to eight additional people to combine Travel Miles for award redemptions. The members do not have to be legally related. The head controls redemptions and must qualify through Frontier elite status or an eligible Frontier Airlines World Mastercard.
Each contributor’s expiration activity still matters. Joining a pool does not automatically stop an inactive member’s miles from expiring.
GoWild Pass
The GoWild Pass is designed for flexible, often last-minute travel. It allows the passholder to reserve eligible Frontier flights for $0.01 airfare per segment plus government and airport taxes and fees. The subscription price is separate and changes by pass type and promotion.
Standard GoWild booking opens the day before departure for domestic flights and 10 days before departure for international flights. A return flight outside the booking window may need to be reserved separately later. Seats are limited, not every flight participates, and blackout dates apply.
A GoWild ticket does not automatically include a carry-on, checked bag, advance seat, or other optional product. Eligible GoWild purchases can earn Travel Miles and Elite Status Points under the current program. The pass is nontransferable and normally renews automatically unless cancelled according to its terms.
Note: GoWild works best when your destination, dates, and return plans are flexible. It is a poor choice when you need a guaranteed seat on one exact flight.
Frontier Airlines World Mastercard
The eligible primary Frontier Airlines World Mastercard cardholder currently receives two free checked bags of up to 40 pounds each on Frontier-operated flights. The reservation must meet Frontier’s booking, account-linking, and eligibility requirements. Authorized users do not automatically receive the benefit.
The card can also unlock Family Pooling and may provide companion, elite-status, boarding, mileage, or annual-voucher benefits under its current cardholder terms. Companion Certificates have eligibility rules, blackout dates, expiration dates, and booking restrictions, so review the certificate in your Frontier profile before planning a trip around it.
Frontier Preflight Checklist
- Compare the Basic fare with Economy, Premium, and Business bundles.
- Confirm the final cost for every traveler and direction.
- Measure personal items and carry-ons after packing them.
- Keep each standard checked bag at 40 pounds or less unless your bundle allows 50 pounds.
- Add bags, seats, children, lap infants, and pets before arriving at the airport.
- Download the Frontier app and check in when the 24-hour window opens.
- Save the boarding pass to your phone and take a screenshot as a backup.
- Arrive at least two hours before departure.
- Complete check-in and bag drop at least 60 minutes before departure.
- Reach the gate by 45 minutes before departure and board before the 20-minute cutoff.
- Download entertainment and charge devices because Wi-Fi and outlets are not currently available.
- Recheck the itinerary in the app on the day of travel for schedule or gate changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 3-1-1 rule on Frontier?
The 3-1-1 rule is a TSA security rule rather than a Frontier baggage rule. Most carry-on liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes must be in containers of 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters or less. The containers must fit inside one quart-size transparent bag, with one liquids bag allowed per passenger. Medication, infant feeding items, and other exceptions may follow separate screening procedures.
How do you get a Frontier flight itinerary?
Open My Trips on Frontier’s website or mobile app and enter the passenger’s last name and six-character confirmation code. You can also check the booking email and spam folder. Contact Frontier or the travel agency that issued the ticket when the confirmation code is missing or the reservation does not appear.
What is Frontier’s 24-hour cancellation rule?
A booking made directly with Frontier can generally be cancelled for a full refund within 24 hours of purchase when the flight is scheduled at least seven days later. This rule concerns cancellation and refund eligibility; it does not require an airline to make a free date change. Third-party bookings may follow the seller’s process.
What is the main disadvantage of Frontier?
The main disadvantage is that a low Basic fare excludes many services other airlines may include. Carry-ons, checked bags, selected seats, food, and agent assistance can increase the total. Frontier also currently lacks onboard Wi-Fi, entertainment, and power outlets, while Basic fare changes and cancellations can be expensive close to departure.
Does Frontier include a free carry-on?
A Basic fare includes one personal item, not a standard carry-on. A carry-on can be purchased separately or included through an Economy, Premium, or Business bundle, qualifying elite benefit, or another eligible offer.
How early should you arrive for a Frontier flight?
Frontier recommends arriving at least two hours before departure. Check-in and checked-bag acceptance close 60 minutes before departure. Be at the gate around 45 minutes before departure, because boarding ends 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
Does Frontier have Wi-Fi or charging outlets?
Frontier does not currently provide passenger Wi-Fi, seatback entertainment, or electrical outlets. The airline has said it plans to begin installing Starlink Wi-Fi in early 2027, but availability will depend on the aircraft and installation schedule.
Conclusion
Frontier can save you money when its fare structure matches the way you travel. The strongest value usually comes from packing within the free personal-item limit or selecting a bundle that includes the carry-on, seat, bags, and flexibility you would otherwise purchase separately.
Measure your luggage, use the Frontier app, and treat the airport deadlines as firm. Basic fare changes and cancellations can be expensive, while a fee-free bundle still does not guarantee a refund to your original payment method. Families, pet owners, Discount Den members, GoWild passholders, and cardholders should review the conditions attached to their specific booking before paying.
Sources
- Frontier Airlines Bag Options — personal-item, carry-on, checked-bag, overweight, and oversize limits.
- Frontier Airlines Check-In — app check-in, bag-drop deadlines, and boarding requirements.
- Frontier Airlines Change and Cancel Policy — current fare-specific change and cancellation fees.
- Frontier Airlines Family and Pets — lap infants, child restraints, strollers, car seats, and pet travel.
- U.S. Department of Transportation Airline Refunds — federal 24-hour cancellation and significant-change refund rights.
- Transportation Security Administration Travel Tips — 3-1-1 liquids and security-screening guidance.