What Frontier Membership Is

Frontier Membership is Frontier Airlines' frequent flyer program. Members earn points on flights and other purchases, then redeem those points for free or discounted flights, seat upgrades, and other perks. Unlike some airline cards that bundle membership benefits with a credit card, Frontier Membership itself is free to join — though Frontier also offers a co-branded credit card that adds extra earning rates and annual benefits.

The program is straightforward: you fly Frontier, you earn points. You can also earn points through partner merchants like hotels, car rentals, and shopping portals. The more you fly or spend, the faster you accumulate points toward your next free flight.

Key Takeaways

  • Frontier Membership is free to join and earns one point per dollar spent on Frontier flights.
  • The Frontier World Mastercard credit card costs $69 per year and earns bonus points on Frontier purchases plus an annual free flight certificate.
  • Points do not expire as long as your account remains active, but you must fly or earn points at least once every 24 months to keep your account open.
  • Redemption rates vary widely — a free flight might cost 5,000 points on a sale fare or 25,000 points on a peak-season route.
  • Frontier charges separately for seat selection, checked bags, and carry-on bags, so membership points do not waive those fees.

How You Earn Points

Every dollar you spend on a Frontier flight earns one point in the base program. If you book through Frontier's website or app directly, you earn points automatically once you provide your membership number at booking. You can also earn points retroactively by adding your membership number to a past booking within a certain window.

Beyond flights, you earn points through Frontier's shopping portal, hotel bookings, car rentals, and partner credit cards. The Frontier World Mastercard earns 2 points per dollar on Frontier purchases and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. Partner merchants like Choice Hotels and Hertz also offer bonus point promotions throughout the year.

Points do not expire as long as your account shows activity — a flight, a credit card purchase, or a partner transaction — at least once every 24 months. If your account goes inactive, Frontier may close it and you lose your points.

The Frontier World Mastercard and Annual Benefits

The Frontier World Mastercard costs $69 per year and is issued by Citi. The card earns 2 points per dollar on Frontier purchases and 1 point per dollar on everything else. More importantly, cardholders receive an annual free flight certificate that can be used toward any Frontier flight, though you still pay taxes and fees.

The card also waives the first checked bag fee for the cardholder and up to four companions on the same reservation. This benefit alone can save $35 to $70 per round trip if you normally check a bag. You also get priority boarding and a 10% discount on Frontier purchases like seat upgrades and baggage fees.

Whether the card makes financial sense depends on how often you fly Frontier. If you take at least two round trips per year and check a bag, the checked bag waiver and annual free flight certificate often cover the $69 annual fee. If you fly Frontier less than twice a year or never check bags, the base membership alone may be enough.

How Redemption Works and What Flights Cost

Redemption rates are not fixed — they depend on the flight's base fare and how far in advance you book. A heavily discounted Frontier sale fare might cost 5,000 points, while the same route during peak travel season could cost 25,000 points or more. Frontier publishes no standard chart; instead, you search for a flight, and the point cost appears alongside the dollar price.

You can mix points and cash on a single booking. If a flight costs 10,000 points and you have 6,000, you can pay 6,000 points plus the cash difference. You can also transfer points to a companion's account, though Frontier charges a fee for this service.

Taxes and fees are always paid in cash, never in points. A "free" flight redeemed for 15,000 points still requires you to pay the segment fee (usually $5.60 per segment) plus any applicable taxes. This means a truly free flight is rare — you are paying at least $10 to $20 in taxes and fees on top of your points.

Baggage Fees and Other Charges Not Covered by Membership

Frontier is known for charging separately for most services. Membership points do not waive baggage fees, seat selection fees, or change fees. A checked bag costs $35 on the first bag and $45 on the second, unless you hold the Frontier World Mastercard or purchase a bundle fare that includes bags.

Carry-on bags are free, but personal items (purse, backpack, laptop bag) count as your carry-on. If you bring both a personal item and a carry-on roller bag, you pay $25 to $35 for the second item. Seat selection starts at $5 for a standard seat and goes up to $15 or more for extra-legroom or preferred seats.

These fees are separate from your membership and points balance. They are charged at booking or check-in and must be paid in cash or card, not points. Budget for these costs when comparing Frontier to other airlines.

Status Tiers and Elite Benefits

Frontier Membership has three elite tiers based on annual spending: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. You reach Silver at $1,500 in annual Frontier purchases, Gold at $5,000, and Platinum at $10,000. These thresholds include both flight purchases and credit card spending.

Elite members earn bonus points on flights (5% extra for Silver, 10% for Gold, 15% for Platinum) and receive perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and complimentary seat selection. Platinum members also get a $100 annual Frontier credit and a free companion ticket each year.

Elite status is calendar-year based and resets on January 1. If you spend $5,000 on Frontier in one year, you are Gold for the following calendar year. Status does not roll over — you must re-may have access to each year.

When Frontier Membership Makes Sense

Frontier Membership is worth joining if you live near a Frontier hub or fly the airline more than once or twice per year. The base membership is free, so there is no downside to signing up. You earn points on every flight, and those points accumulate toward future travel.

The Frontier World Mastercard makes sense if you fly Frontier at least twice per year and check a bag, or if you value the annual free flight certificate enough to justify the $69 fee. If you fly Frontier only occasionally or never check bags, the free base membership is sufficient.

Frontier's low base fares mean points redemptions often cost more than buying a ticket outright during a sale. Before redeeming, compare the point cost to Frontier's current lowest cash fare. Sometimes paying $49 cash is smarter than spending 8,000 points.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Frontier Membership points expire?

Points do not expire as long as your account shows activity at least once every 24 months. Activity includes a flight, a credit card purchase, or a partner transaction. If your account goes inactive for 24 months, Frontier may close it and you lose your points. You can reactivate an inactive account by flying or earning points again.

Can I use points to pay for baggage fees or seat selection?

No. Points can only be redeemed for flights or upgrades. Baggage fees, seat selection, and other ancillary charges must be paid in cash or card. The Frontier World Mastercard waives the first checked bag fee, but that is a cardholder benefit, not a points redemption.

What happens to my points if I cancel a flight?

If you cancel a flight booked with points, the points are returned to your account. If you cancel a flight booked with cash, you receive a Frontier credit for the fare amount, not points. The credit is valid for one year from the original booking date.

How do I transfer points to someone else?

You can transfer points to another Frontier Membership account through your online account dashboard. Frontier charges a fee for transfers, which varies based on the number of points. You can also add a companion to your booking and let them use their own points, or you can purchase a ticket for them with your points and have it issued in their name.

Is the annual free flight certificate from the Frontier World Mastercard truly free?

The certificate covers the base fare on any Frontier flight, but you still pay taxes and fees in cash. A domestic flight typically costs $10 to $20 in taxes and fees. The certificate is valid for one year from issuance and cannot be transferred or sold.