Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines is my favorite budget airline. Their planes are fairly newer, have friendly customer service, and a mobile app that actually works without any issues. Just like the other two airlines I’ve mentioned, their fares are also very affordable.
Frontier Airlines operate just like any other budget airline. They charge for assigned seating, carry-on luggage, and refreshments during flight. Even their seats and tray tables are similar to the ones in Spirit Airlines planes.
Should I buy Frontier Airlines tickets?
Check total baggage costs
Baggage costs at Frontier Airlines are expensive compared to other airlines. Their prices start at $30 for a checked in bag and their rate for a carry-on luggage is more expensive. The baggage fees alone can definitely multiply the price of a cheap flight.
Bringing one personal item (such as a backpack) is free and my recommendation when flying this airline. For a short trip, it’s definitely possible to bring trip related items to fit in one backpack.
If you bring additional luggage, I suggest checking the final purchase price during checkout without completing the purchase. Sometimes the total costs can cost more than the ticket price from a competing airline. Baggage costs can be different which can depend on whether it’s checked and if the baggage costs are paid at time of ticket purchase.
What’s considered personal item size?
Frontier Airlines consider personal item size to be 14 x 18 x 8 inches
My recommendation is to bring a backpack to pack clothes and trip-related items. I haven’t noticed any gate agent measuring backpacks to find if it meets these dimensions. Most likely the gate agents are looking out for the carry-on types of luggage.
Check total assigned seating costs if purchased
Frontier Airlines charge for each seat that is assigned at time of purchase. Having the airline pick a seat by not picking a seat at time of purchase is free but it will be random and it’ll probably be a seat towards the rear. The seat costs vary depending on location on plane which the total costs may add up quick.
On a route that is less traveled and less popular, it’s possible to move around during the flight if there are more empty seats than people on the plane.
As mentioned with bringing luggage, I suggest checking the final purchase price during checkout to make sure the ticket price is lower than their competitors.
Flights to Denver are cheap (most times)
Frontier Airlines serves many airports across the US but it may be hard to find a Frontier Airlines flight between two major cities. I usually find their flights serve routes that don’t have much competition from other airlines.
Their main hub is in Denver and have focus cities in various cities across the US. Most times I usually find low fares in Denver or anywhere else where there is a layover there. Sometimes the layovers can be long but if done right, there can be substantial savings.
Learn their routes as some airports that Frontier serves may serve cities other than Denver. I’ve taken routes to different cities from McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas and Ontario International Airport.
Some flights are infrequent
Their more popular routes have daily service but their less popular routes have spotty service. Sometimes the route I take may have a flight every other day or every other three days.
How should I buy a ticket?
Take advantage of deals
Frontier Airlines have some of the lowest fares I’ve seen and includes short and long routes across the US. They also have ticket sales which often times offer extremely cheap flights as cheap as $20 one way. They list the deals on their website.
Add smaller airports in Google Flights to find tickets
Google Flights is an excellent first step to find cheap tickets. Keep in mind that Frontier Airlines serves smaller airports and it’s best to add these airports in your overall search. Also, it’s best to be flexible as some of their routes aren’t flown daily but at certain times of the week.
The prices that are shown in Google Flights does not include any baggage fees or assigned seating costs. Keep this in mind when comparing prices to other competitors.
When searching for flights between two major cities, it’s common to find a Frontier Airlines flight have a layover either in Denver or one of their focus cities. The results may include long overnight layovers and such so it may be worth checking those options if prices for those routes get expensive.
For Discount Den members, the search results in Google Flights don’t display tickets Discount Den pricing. I often estimate the total price minus the discount when Frontier Airlines fares are shown.
Check routes that serve smaller airports
In Southern California, Frontier Airlines has service from LAX to Denver but in the region’s much smaller Ontario International Airport, about 55 miles east of LAX, has service to Austin and Orlando. Ontario International airport may be a little too far for Angelinos but the ticket prices can be substantially lower than a similar trip from LAX, enough to make that 55 mile drive to the Inland Empire worth it.
What’s the actual flying experience like?
Budget airline status
Frontier Airlines is a budget airline. They don’t offer seats that recline and there is limited legroom. Complimentary snack and beverages aren’t served. Also they charge for picking seats and bringing luggage.
Their seat selection isn’t as expensive as Spirit Airlines and they sometimes offer cheap seats toward the back of the airplane. Therefore if assigned seating is necessary, the seats aren’t as expensive if sitting in the back.
All Airbus fleet
Like other budget airlines, their fleet consists of Airbus A319, A320, A321. Their planes are kept clean in my experience and are quite newer for this industry.
Lack of entertainment options
The planes are configured to make flying as simple as getting from point A to point B. There are no WiFi or entertainment options offered on the plane. I recommend bringing a book to read or some reading material.
Account management
Join Discount Den if frequent Frontier Airlines traveler
Formerly known as DenDeals (or maybe still called that), they have a discount membership program that costs $49.99 per year to join. When purchasing a ticket there’s often anywhere between $5-10 discount on airfare. I joined their program and unlike Spirit Airlines that have select tickets with $9 fare club prices, they discount each ticket.
If you take at least 5 one-way trips with this airline or travel in groups, the savings may be worth it. The program is cheaper than Spirit Airlines’s $9 fare club program and finding discounted fares with Spirit Airlines can be more challenging.
Their annual renewal starts the year after day 1 and it’s quite specific in their terms and conditions. I recommend joining their discount program the day when purchasing the tickets at a discount.
Purchase restrictions
Discount Den members cannot buy tickets at a reduced price for another person if the member is not traveling with them.
Reaching a human isn’t impossible
Frontier Airlines has a contact number which is 801-401-9000. Unlike Spirit Airlines, there is actually an option to talk to a human representative without going through a crazy and difficult autoattendant menu. Often times they are friendly and I had my questions answered when calling them.
Avoid buying tickets over the phone. They charge $10 to order tickets through this method.
Use their mobile app
Their mobile app actually works smoothly and not as clunky as other airline apps. I often use it to check-in and display boarding pass.
For Amex Platinum cardholders
Amex is building a Centurion Lounge at Denver International Airport. At least for me, spending a layover in Denver wouldn’t be as bad since there aren’t any lounges there that accepts Priority Pass.
As with other budget airlines, choosing this airline to redeem airline fee credit may definitely be worth it. Fees covered includes:
- Assigned seating costs
- Carry-on and checked baggages fees
- Discount Den annual membership