When you think of airline elite status, you typically don’t think of ultra-low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines.
But Frontier Airlines has an elite program with three elite status levels: Elite 20K, Elite 50K, and Elite 100K.
This post will cover everything you need to know about Frontier Airlines’ elite status, including the benefits and how to earn each level.
How to Earn Elite Status
To earn elite status, you need to earn qualifying miles.
Qualifying miles are not redeemable for flights but are miles earned to gain elite status.
You earn qualifying miles towards elite status in two ways:
- 1 Qualifying Mile for every mile flown on Frontier Airlines.
- 1 Qualifying Mile for every $1 spent on the Barclays Frontier Airlines World Mastercard.
Frontier Elite 20K Status
Frontier Airlines’ lowest status level is Elite 20K, which gets members a free carry-on bag, seat assignment, priority boarding, access to Stretch seating at check-in, and waived points redemption fees.
How to Earn 20K Status
You can earn Frontier Airlines 20K status by either:
- Earning 20,000 Qualifying Miles through flying or spending on the Frontier Airlines credit card.
- Flying 25 Segments.
Elite 20K Status Benefits
Free Carry-On Bag
Elite members receive a free carry-on bag on Frontier flights, which can save you up to $60.
However, this benefit does not apply to anyone traveling with the member.
Carry-on bags can be no larger than 24″H, 16″W, 10″D (including handles, wheels, and straps), and should be no heavier than 35 pounds.
Free Seat Assignment
20K elite members receive a free seat assignment, not including Stretch (extended legroom) seats, which saves you $17 to $55 per flight.
However, this benefit does not apply to anyone traveling with the member.
Family Pooling
Elite members or Frontier credit cardholders get access to Family Pooling, which allows you to pool your points for flights with up to eight family or friends.
Priority Boarding
Elite members enjoy priority boarding and Express TSA (at participating airports), which helps you be one of the first people to board the aircraft.
However, this benefit does not apply to anyone traveling with the member.
Waived Points Redemption Fees
Frontier Airlines typically charges fees to redeem your points for flights:
- 180+ days before travel: Free
- 21-179 days before travel: $15
- 7-20 days before travel: $50
- <6 days before travel: $75
However, these fees are waived for elite members.
Some Travel Fees Waived
Elite members get some travel fees waived, including:
- Call center reservation fee
- Same-day confirmed fee
- Same-day standby fee
However, change fees, cancellation fees, or redeposit fees are not waived, so this benefit doesn’t have much value.
Stretch Seating at Check-In
20K elite members get access to Stretch seating upon check-in if seats are available, which offers 5 to 7 extra inches of legroom.
Last Seat Avaliability
Elite members get access to more award space, which allows you to use your points for any available seat.
However, Frontier Airlines charges elite members more points than the standard redemption level when booking the “Last Seat,” so this benefit is not as good as it sounds.
Frontier Elite 50K Status
Frontier Airlines’ mid-tier status is Elite 50K, which gets members Stretch seating during booking, extra points, and 50% off a Discount Den membership.
How to Earn 50K Status
You can earn Frontier Airlines 50K status by either:
- Earning 50,000 Qualifying Miles through flying or spending on the Frontier Airlines credit card.
- Flying 25 Segments.
Elite 50K Status Benefits
Elite 50K members get all the benefits below, plus the 20K benefits above, including:
- Free carry-on bag.
- Family pooling.
- Priority boarding.
- Waived points redemption fees.
- Some travel fees are waived.
- Last seat availability.
Family Seating Including Stretch Seats
50K and 100K elite members get free seat assignments for up to 8 travelers on the same reservation, including Stretch (extra-legroom) seating.
This is the best benefit of Frontier elite status because Stretch seating can be $35 to $70 per flight.
50% Off Discount Den Membership
50K members can buy Discount Den at a 50% discount ($29.99 a year instead of $59.99), which gets you:
- Access to the lowest fares for up to six people on the same reservation.
- Access to Kids Fly Free flights (select flights) where one kid under 15 years old can fly for free with every adult Discount Den fare purchased.
25% Points Bonus from Flights
50K elite members earn a 25% mileage bonus on all eligible Frontier flights, allowing 50K members to earn 1.25 Frontier miles for each mile flown on Frontier.
For example, a flight from Chicago to Denver would net non-elite members 888 miles or 50K elite members 1,110 miles.
Frontier Elite 100K Status
Frontier’s top-tier status is Elite 100K, which gets members a free “The WORKS” bundle for up to eight travelers, extra points, and a free Discount Den membership.
How to Earn 100K Status
You can earn Frontier Airlines 100K status by either:
- Earning 100,000 Qualifying Miles through flying or spending on the Barclays Frontier Airlines credit card.
- Flying 100 Segments.
Elite 100K Status Benefits
Elite 100K members get all the benefits below, plus the 50K benefits above, including:
- Free carry-on bag.
- Free seat assignment.
- Family pooling.
- Priority boarding.
- Waived points redemption fees.
- Last seat availability.
- Family Seating
- Stretch Seating
Free Discount Den Membership
Elite 100K members get a free Discount Den Membership, which saves you $59.99 per year and gets you access to the best deals on flights.
50% Bonus Points on Flights
100K elite members earn a 50% mileage bonus on all eligible Frontier flights, allowing 100K members to earn 1.5 Frontier miles for each mile flown on Frontier.
For example, a flight from Chicago to Denver would net non-elite members 888 miles or 100K elite members 1,332 miles.
The WORKS Bundle for Up to 8 Passengers
One unique aspect of Elite 100K status is that members can share their elite status with friends and family members traveling on the same ticket as the Elite 100K member.
This gets up to 8 travelers access to “The WORKS” bundle, including a carry-on bag, checked bag, any seat on the aircraft, priority boarding, free changes, and refundability.
Frontier Elite Status Match
Frontier runs a limited time promotion typically in December where you can match your status from and airline or hotel to Frontier Airlines for a $49 fee.
The Verdict
Frontier Airlines’ elite status is not a program I would prioritize as a business traveler because Alaska, American, Delta, and United’s elite status programs offer better benefits, including upgrades to business class.
But Frontier’s elite program could be a good option if a status match or similar promotion returns, where you can get Elite 50K or Elite 100K status.
