Frontier Airlines Selling Elite Gold Status For $40

Frontier Airlines has just launched a potentially lucrative promotion that can get just about anyone elite status with the airline. There’s not even a need to have elite status with a competing airline, but instead, you just have to be a member of the Southwest Rapid Rewards program. Frontier is obviously doing everything in its power to find more potential customers!

Pay a fee and receive Frontier Airlines elite status

Frontier Airlines’ status promotion offers Frontier Elite Gold status to those who are members of Southwest Rapid Rewards, and pay a $40 enrollment fee. To be clear, you don’t need to have status with Southwest, but rather, just need to be a member of the carrier’s (free) loyalty program.

As you’d expect, there are some terms to be aware of:

• To be eligible, you must have joined Southwest Rapid Rewards before April 16, 2025
• This offer doesn’t have a published end date, but is limited time, and can be pulled at any time
• Status will be awarded within 24-48 hours of the request being made, and will be valid through December 31, 2025
• Elite status can’t be applied to existing bookings to replace ancillary services that have already been paid for

What are the benefits of Frontier Airlines Gold status?

So, what are the benefits of Frontier Elite Gold status? The status will make travel on Frontier more pleasant and affordable, with perks like a free carry-on bag, free seat assignments at booking, complimentary upgrades to the carrier’s UpFront Plus seating (subject to availability), priority boarding, and more. You can find the full list of Frontier elite perks here.

We’ve of course seen Southwest make huge changes to its business model, so many other airlines are trying to poach Southwest flyers, since the carrier’s business model will no longer be differentiated.

It’s a tough time for primarily domestic carriers like Frontier, so the intent here is pretty straightforward. Frontier is trying to cast a wide net and get anyone to consider flying with the carrier, by offering them perks in exchange for a small payment.

Not only does the $40 provide some direct revenue to Frontier, but people are also more likely to actually fly the airline if they’ve paid in order to earn status. I don’t think this will be some game changer for Frontier’s bottom line, but every little bit helps.

Bottom line

Frontier Airlines has a paid status promotion, whereby any Southwest Rapid Rewards member can earn Frontier Elite Gold status through the end of 2025 by paying a $40 enrollment fee. If you’re going to fly with Frontier, you’ll likely recoup more than $40 in value from this status after one trip alone, given the carrier’s business model. Of course that assumes you’d otherwise fly Frontier, which is probably the limiting factor for most people.

Anyone plan on taking advantage of Frontier’s status promotion?