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Frontier Airlines is a low cost carrier that offers consumers opportunities to travel to multiple destinations across the county at a very low cost. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Frontier Airlines does not partner with other airlines, however they have a couple hotel partners and rental car companies that will allow you to earn additional miles through your purchases. This article will provide an overview of FRONTIER Miles rewards program, tiers , offers, as well as rewards through hotel and car rental partners.
FRONTIER Miles
FRONTIER Miles frequent flyer program is basic and straight forward. Upon enrolling you will be eligible for:
- 1 mile for every mile you fly with Frontier, no matter the ticket price.
- Ability to redeem and earn miles for flights, gifts, rental cars and hotel stays.
Miles don’t expire as long as there is activity in your Frontier Miles or Frontier Airlines World Mastercard account every 12 months.
Tiers
Frontier Airlines offers three distinct tiers of elite status: Elite 20k, Elite 50k, and Elite 100k. Each tier is based on the amount of qualifying miles accumulated in each calendar year. Qualifying miles are miles earned by flying Frontier and through use of a Frontier Airlines World Mastercard.
Elite 20k
In order to reach this tier status level you need to have accumulated 20,000 miles in a calendar year. Benefits/perks included in the 20k tier status are:
- Eligible for last seat availability — can be used for any member using the elite member’s miles.
- Waived redemption fees.
- Priority boarding.
- Family pooling.
- Priority seat assignment and a free carry on.
- Stretch seating at check in.
What Frontier Says About Sustainability
Frontier claims to be America’s greenest airline. This is due to their fuel burn per seat mile which is currently the best among American carriers.
Their new fleet of A320neo aircraft (they have over 60, representing the majority of their equipment) are some of the most fuel efficient commercial aircraft — second only to the larger A321neo.
Frontier says: “Frontier operates the largest A320neo fleet with an average fleet age of four years. By having the youngest fleet in the industry, we burn less fuel – saving our customers cash AND reducing our carbon footprint.” Source: flyfrontier.com/green
Additionally, Frontier recently changed out their seats to lighten their load — “The greater the weight of an aircraft, the larger the amount of fuel an engine consumes. In 2021, Frontier introduced comfier, lightweight Recaro seats allowing for a 30% reduction in weight to create less of an environmental impact.” Source: flyfrontier.com/green
All this adds up to the fact that, yes, Frontier is currently burning much less fuel than other airlines per seat/mile, but what we have not found in their materials are references to any long term plans to further reduce their impact in the coming decades.
Get more info about Frontier’s green initiatives.
Elite 50k
When you have banked 50,000 Frontier miles in a single calendar year, you are granted Elite 50k. All the benefits Elite 20k are included with the Elite 50k tier plus:
- Priority boarding and Family Seating.
- Free carry on bag — for the member only.
- Upgrade to stretch seating options at booking, for the member only.
- 50% off Discount Den Membership.
- 25% milage bonus on flights — note the bonus miles are not counted towards elite qualification.
Elite 100k
When you have reached 100,000 Frontier qualification miles in a single calendar year you are eligible for the 100k tier. Elite 100k offers all the benefits 20k and 50k tiers, plus:
- 50% mileage bonus on flights — again, bonus miles are not elite qualification miles.
- Free DISCOUNT DEN Membership.
- Free carry on baggage, and one free checked bag for the member and up to 8 other members on the same reservation.
- Free Family Status / The Works bundle option. This means all your flights will be fully refundable and waived of change fees.
Frontier’s US-Based Focus Cities
Atlanta (ATL), Chicago (MDW), Cleveland (CLE), Dallas / Fort Worth (DFW), Denver (DEN), Las Vegas (LAS), Miami (MIA), Orlando (MCO), Philadelphia (PHL), Phoenix (PHX), Tampa (TPA), and Trenton (TTN).
Choosing an airline that has its hub near you can save you time and money. Flying out of a hub or focus city can drastically reduce the need for layovers, saving you time due to the increased availability of direct flights. Due to the higher concentration of routes served, it’s often important to consider hubs or focus cities in your airline choice.
DISCOUNT DEN
Frontier Airlines DISCOUNT DEN program gives members exclusive access to the best deals and promotions that Frontier has to offer. With this membership, you’ll have the chance to earn miles on every flight and take advantage of discounted fares for up to 6 people. Plus, one child under 15 can fly for free when accompanied by an adult member on select dates and flights. The annual fee is $59.99, but in your first year there is a $40 enrollment fee that brings that year to $99.99.
Car Rental Partners
Frontier has partnered with a nice variety of car rental companies that will let you accumulate additional miles when renting through these car rental establishments. Below are the partnered car rental companies and the miles you will earn.
Avis
You will earn quadruple miles when you rent 3+ days in Avis airports in US and Canada. Plus, save up to 35% off base rates when you use AWD number K850100. You must also use Avis coupon number MUAA011 to receive the quadruple Frontier Miles offer.
Budget
Rent 3-4 days and you will earn 500 bonus Frontier Miles. Rent a vehicle 5+ days and you will earn 1,000 bonus Frontier Miles. Use Budget coupon MUAZ006 and provide your Frontier miles number at time of reservation or at rental counter.
Hertz
When renting a vehicle through Hertz, you will earn 500 Frontier Miles per rental and save on base rates. Be sure to include CDP #1241216 and you Frontier Miles number at the time of reservation.
Thrifty
You will earn 50 Frontier Miles on qualifying rentals of 1-4 days or 500 miles per rental on 5+ days. Be sure to enter your Frontier number when making your reservation.
Dollar
When renting through Dollar you will earn 50 miles per day on rentals 1-4 days and 500 miles per rental on 5+ days.
National
Frontier Miles members are eligible for a 20% off every rental with National, earn 50 Frontier miles per rental day and 500 miles on rentals 5+ days.
Alamo
Frontier Miles members that rent through Alamo are eligible for 50 miles per day or 500 miles on rentals 5 days or more.
Hotel Partners
Hotel partners associated with Frontier Miles rewards program are:
Marriott Bonvoy
You will earn 2 Frontier Miles for every dollar spent on all Marriott qualifying charges.
Radisson Hotel Group Americas
You will need to enroll in Madison Rewards in order to earn points per stay that can be converted into Frontier Miles at a 10-1 conversion. It’s an option, but not a particularly attractive one.
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts
Frontier Miles members will need to be enrolled in Wyndham Rewards in order to earn 2 Frontier Miles for every dollar spent on qualified stays.
Final Thoughts
Frontier Airlines loyalty program can be an attractive option for frequent travelers of Frontier Airlines. Frontier Miles can be easily earned by booking Frontier tickets and through credit card spend, allowing customers to quickly move up the tiers and unlock additional discounts and benefits. Unfortunately, Frontier’s rewards program does not offer any airline partners, meaning that Frontier Miles cannot be used in conjunction with other airlines. This could be a major drawback for frequent flyers who would like to take advantage of the benefits provided by partnering with international airlines. Nevertheless, Frontier’s loyalty program remains a nice option for those whose plans fit well with Frontier’s point-to-point routes. And if you have children under 15 – a DISCOUNT DEN plan could pay for itself quickly.
Editorial Note: Information and opinions articulated in this article are solely those of the author’s, not those of a credit card company, bank, airline or hotel chain. This article has not been reviewed or approved by or otherwise endorsed by any of these companies or organizations.
