In October 2023, ultra low cost carrier Frontier Airlines announced plans to completely overhaul its frequent flyer program, including switching to a revenue based model, rebranding elite tiers, and more. These changes have been implemented as of January 11, 2024, meaning the new program is now live. The new program is a mixed bag, so let’s recap what exactly has changed.
In this post:
Frontier Miles program changes as of 2024
Frontier Airlines has made updates to its frequent flyer program as of early 2024. Here’s how Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle describes these changes:
“We are thrilled to announce some exciting new ways for our customers to ‘Get it All for Less’ when they fly with us. We are making the new FRONTIER Miles program like no other loyalty program in the airline industry when it comes to earning free flights and getting valuable status quickly and for less. If you are someone who travels three or four times a year, you can easily earn a free flight and status with great new benefits in no time.”
“Our enhanced program enables you to get free bags, seat assignments, and priority benefits rapidly. Plus, we are now rewarding customers for their add-on purchases, including bags, seats and other extras.”
Below is a chart giving you an idea of the new Frontier Miles program status perks, though I’ll go over all the details below.
Frontier Airlines introduces four elite tiers
Frontier Airlines now has four elite tiers, compared to the previous three (and all of them have been rebranded):
- Frontier Silver status requires 10,000 qualifying miles per year
- Frontier Gold status requires 20,000 qualifying miles per year
- Frontier Platinum status requires 50,000 qualifying miles per year
- Frontier Diamond status requires 100,000 qualifying miles per year
Previously, Frontier had the Elite 20K, Elite 50K, and Elite 100K tiers. So we’ve seen the introduction of a new tier at 10K miles, and have also seen the other tiers rebranded.
Frontier Airlines moves to a revenue based program
Historically, Frontier Airlines awarded miles and elite status based on how far you flew, rather than based on how much you spent. That has now changed, as Frontier has started awarding miles based on dollars spent on Frontier products, including flights, bags, seat assignments, and bundles.
The number of elite qualifying miles you earn varies based on your status:
- Non-elite members earn 10x miles per dollar spent
- Silver members earn 12x miles per dollar spent
- Gold members earn 14x miles per dollar spent
- Platinum members earn 16x miles per dollar spent
- Diamond members earn 20x miles per dollar spent
As you can see, this means that requalifying for elite status is easier than earning it the first time around, given the higher elite multiplier. This is similar to the American AAdvantage Loyalty Points system. As you can tell, you can earn Silver status by spending just $1,000 with Frontier, while you can requalify for Diamond status by spending $5,000 with Frontier.
Frontier Airlines adds new elite perks
Frontier Airlines has overhauled its elite perks. Ultra low cost carriers of course make a lot of money on fees, and elite status can help you avoid many of those. With the new program, all elite members — ranging from Silver to Diamond — receive the following perks:
- A free standard seat assignment
- No change or cancelation fees, as long as changes are made at least seven days in advance of flight departure
- Priority customer care
- Family mileage pooling
- Priority boarding
In addition to that, we’ve seen several new benefits added at a variety of tiers:
- Gold members and above receive free upgrades to Premium Stretch Seating, subject to availability
- Gold members and above receive free carry-on bags, and Platinum members and above receive free carry-on bags for everyone in their booking
- Platinum members and above receive a free checked bag, including golf, ski, or scuba gear, and Diamond members receive two checked bags for each individual in their booking
- Platinum members and above receive a free pet-in-cabin, subject to availability
- Diamond members can gift Gold status to someone, while Platinum members can gift Silver status to someone
My take on Frontier Miles program changes
We know that ultra low cost carriers in the United States are struggling at the moment, and Frontier Airlines’ CEO has even suggested that these airlines are “kind of the canary in the coal mine.” We know that in some ways, ultra low cost carriers are trying to align more closely with legacy airlines, and I think these changes are a reflection of that.
Of course on the surface, I’m not a fan of frequent flyer programs going from being distance based to being revenue based. However, I also understand why Frontier would go that direction, given the huge variance in ticket prices.
There are several things that I appreciate about these changes, which I think will make flying Frontier more compelling. I think the most most significant change is that all elite members are able to change tickets at no cost up until seven days before departure. While still not as much flexibility as you get at the legacies on many fares, it’s a big improvement over the old “use it or lose it” system.
If you can qualify for a higher elite tier, it’s quite compelling to go for status with Frontier. When you combine the low base fares with just about all the major fees being waived for everyone in your party (carry-on fees, seat assignment fees, etc.), that’s pretty awesome.
The challenge for ultra low cost carriers remains that it’s hard to actually want to be loyal to them. Some people refuse to fly them, while others fly them when they offer the best value or most convenient schedule. However, can an airline like Frontier really be a carrier that people specifically seek out over competitors? That’s something I have a hard time imagining…
Bottom line
Frontier Airlines’ frequent flyer program has undergone many changes as of early 2024. The program has moved revenue based, we’ve seen the introduction of a fourth elite tier (plus the rebranding of all elite tiers), and some benefits have been changed up, including the introduction of no change fees for elites, when making changes at least seven days in advance.
Status with an ultra low cost carrier can be lucrative, and can score you an amazing deal. The challenge is just that most people don’t actually want to fly an ultra low cost carrier more than they have to, and typically not enough to earn status…
What do you make of these Frontier Miles changes?
There are only the front 3 rows that are stretch seating and exit rows. There isnt a not of extra legroom inventory to give away to elites. Even at 50k miles, you cant cancel with 7 days and get a credit, this is major drawback within the program. This is especially problematic for business travelers who need flexibility.
Frontier Gold and Spirit Silver both have the same threshold, but Frontier's program appears to be more generous, simply based on the free carry-on bag on Frontier. Spirit's program doesn't get generous until you get to Gold. It would be interesting to see a full comparison.
As long as Frontier doesn’t have WiFi I won’t be boarding them.