What the Frontier Airlines card does and who it's built for
The Frontier Airlines credit card is a co-branded card issued by Barclays that gives you miles toward Frontier flights, checked bag discounts, and boarding priority. It's designed for people who fly Frontier regularly or want to build up miles for a future trip. The card charges an annual fee, and the rewards structure is built around Frontier's specific route network and pricing model — which means the value depends heavily on whether you actually fly that airline.
This card is not a general travel card. It doesn't earn points on groceries or gas that you can transfer anywhere. Every reward is tied to Frontier flights. If you fly other airlines most of the time, this card will sit unused. If you're a Frontier customer already, it can save you real money on bags and seat selection.
Key Takeaways
- The card charges an annual fee that you pay whether or not you use the card that year.
- You earn miles on Frontier purchases and on everyday spending, but miles only work for Frontier flights — you cannot transfer them to other airlines.
- The card includes a checked bag discount and priority boarding, which save money if you check bags or want to board early.
- The sign-up bonus (if offered) requires you to spend a set amount within a few months to receive the miles.
- Your credit score affects the interest rate you pay if you carry a balance, and carrying a balance on a rewards card usually costs more than the rewards are worth.
Annual fee and what you get for it
Frontier's card charges an annual fee. The exact amount changes over time and may differ based on current promotions, so check the card's terms before you open the account. This fee is not waived in the first year on most versions of the card — you pay it when ready when approved.
The fee covers access to the rewards program and the perks that come with the card. If you don't use those perks (checked bag discounts, priority boarding, miles on purchases), the fee is a pure cost. If you check one bag per round trip and fly Frontier twice a year, the bag discount alone may cover the fee. If you never check bags and fly once a year, the fee is harder to justify.
How you earn miles and what they're worth
You earn miles in two ways: on Frontier purchases made with the card, and on everyday purchases like groceries, gas, and restaurants. The earning rate varies by card version — some earn more miles per dollar on Frontier purchases, others earn a flat rate on all purchases. Check the specific card's terms to see the exact earning structure.
Miles are redeemable only for Frontier flights. You cannot transfer them to hotel programs, other airlines, or use them for anything else. The value of a mile depends on the flight you're booking. A mile might be worth 1 cent on a short flight or 2 cents on a longer route. Frontier's pricing is often lower than legacy carriers, so a mile may not stretch as far as it would on American or United.
Frontier frequently runs promotions where you can earn bonus miles on card purchases or by flying. These bonuses can accelerate your progress toward a free flight, but they're temporary offers that change throughout the year.
Sign-up bonus and how to earn it
When Frontier offers a sign-up bonus, it typically requires you to spend a certain amount on the card within the first few months (usually three months). If you meet that spending threshold, you receive a large number of bonus miles — sometimes enough for a free flight or a significant portion of one.
The catch is that you have to actually spend that money. You cannot manufacture spending by paying bills early or moving existing expenses to the card unless those are purchases you were going to make anyway. If the bonus requires $2,000 in spending and you only spend $1,500 naturally, you don't receive the bonus. Plan the sign-up bonus around spending you already have planned — a vacation, a car repair, or holiday shopping.
Checked bag discount and boarding priority
Frontier charges for checked bags on most fares. The card typically includes a discount on the first checked bag for the cardholder and sometimes for a companion. This discount applies to every flight you take with the card, so it adds up quickly if you check bags regularly.
The card also includes priority boarding, which means you board before basic economy passengers. This matters on Frontier because the airline charges extra for seat selection and overhead bin access on the cheapest fares. Priority boarding gives you a better chance of finding overhead space without paying extra.
Interest rates and how they affect your balance
Like all credit cards, the Frontier card charges interest if you carry a balance from month to month. The rate you receive depends on your credit score and credit history — people with excellent credit get lower rates, people with fair or poor credit get higher rates. The card's terms will show you a range (for example, 17.99% to 25.99%), but you won't know your exact rate until you're approved.
Carrying a balance on a rewards card almost always costs more than the rewards are worth. If you earn 2 miles per dollar and carry a $1,000 balance at 20% interest, you pay $200 in interest but earn miles worth maybe $10 to $20. Only use this card if you pay the full balance every month. If you're carrying debt on other cards, paying off that debt first is a better use of your money than opening a new rewards card.
When this card makes sense and when it doesn't
The Frontier card is worth considering if you fly Frontier at least twice a year and check bags, or if you fly Frontier frequently enough that the miles add up to a free flight annually. It's also worth considering if you have a large planned purchase coming up and can meet the sign-up bonus spending requirement.
The card is not worth opening if you fly Frontier once a year or less, if you never check bags, or if you primarily fly other airlines. It's also not worth opening if you're currently carrying a balance on another card — pay that down first. And it's not worth opening just for the sign-up bonus if you don't actually fly Frontier; the annual fee will eat up the bonus value quickly.
How to compare this card to other airline cards
If you're deciding between the Frontier card and a card from another airline, compare three things: how often you fly each airline, whether you check bags, and the annual fee. A card with a higher annual fee might still be worth it if you fly that airline frequently. A card with a lower annual fee might be better if you only fly occasionally.
You can also compare the Frontier card to a general travel card that earns points on all purchases and lets you transfer those points to multiple airlines. General travel cards often have higher annual fees but more flexibility. If you're loyal to Frontier, the airline card usually wins. If you split your flying among several airlines, a general travel card may be more useful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my miles if I close the card?
Your miles stay in your Frontier account and don't expire as long as you have account activity (like flying or earning miles) at least once every 24 months. Closing the card doesn't delete your miles, but it does mean you stop earning miles on card purchases. You can still use the miles you've already earned to book flights.
Can I use my miles on partner airlines?
No. Frontier miles are only redeemable for Frontier flights. You cannot transfer them to other airlines or use them on partner airlines. This is one of the main limitations of airline-specific cards compared to general travel cards.
Does the annual fee get waived if I don't use the card?
No. The annual fee is charged whether you use the card or not. If you're not flying Frontier that year, you should consider closing the card to avoid paying the fee. You can always reopen it later if you start flying Frontier again.
What credit score do I need to be approved?
Barclays typically approves applicants with good to excellent credit (usually 670 or higher), but the exact requirement varies. You can check your credit score for free through your bank or a service like Credit Karma before you explore, so you have a sense of where you stand.
Can I earn miles on someone else's ticket if I use my card to pay?
No. Miles are earned based on the name on the ticket, not the name on the card that paid for it. If you buy a ticket for a family member, they earn the miles, not you. If you want to earn miles on their ticket, they would need to use their own Frontier card or account.