Frontier Airlines is a popular low-cost carrier that operates flights within the United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. While the airline offers affordable fares, it is known for charging extra fees for various services, such as carry-on bags. However, with Frontier Miles elite status, some of these charges can be waived, providing regular flyers with significant savings. In this article, we will explore Frontier elite status for the year 2024 and help you determine if it is worth pursuing based on your travel style.
Frontier Miles elite status is a loyalty program offered by Frontier Airlines. In the past, elite status was only awarded to the most loyal customers. However, in 2024, the program has been revamped, making it easier for travelers to achieve low-level status. There are four elite status levels: Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. To qualify for elite status, you must earn a certain number of points, and you need to spend at least $1,000 per year with Frontier. If you’re looking for additional perks like free bags and seat upgrades, you will need to spend more.
Joining Frontier Miles is free, and you can do so online. Upon joining, you will receive an instant bonus of 1,000 miles. Once you earn enough points to qualify for elite status, your account will be upgraded immediately. Your status will remain valid for the rest of the current year and the following calendar year. For example, if you achieve Frontier Elite Gold status in May 2024, your status will be valid until December 31, 2025, giving you more than 18 months of elite benefits.
To qualify for each elite status tier in 2024, you will need to earn a specific number of points. Elite Silver requires 10,000 points, Elite Gold requires 20,000 points, Elite Platinum requires 50,000 points, and Elite Diamond requires 100,000 points. These points can be earned by spending with Frontier, including base fare prices and any additional purchases like checked bags or seat assignments. The number of points earned per dollar spent varies depending on your status level, ranging from 10 to 20 points per dollar.
Frontier also offers a cobranded credit card that can help you earn elite status. With the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard, you can earn 1 mile and 1 elite status point per dollar spent, up to $20,000 each calendar year. After reaching this spending limit, you will earn 2 miles and 2 elite status points per dollar spent for the remainder of the year. This means that you can potentially earn elite status without even flying on a Frontier aircraft. However, it’s important to note that this may not be the quickest way to earn status, and it may not be worth pursuing if you’re not a frequent Frontier flyer.
Each elite status tier comes with its own set of benefits. Elite Silver, the easiest level to achieve, offers benefits such as no change or cancellation fees (seven days or more from departure), standard seat selection at booking, priority boarding, and priority customer care. Elite Gold includes all the benefits of Elite Silver, plus upgrades like priority boarding for everyone on your reservation, a free carry-on bag, and premium seat selection at check-in. Elite Platinum and Elite Diamond offer additional perks such as free first checked bags, pet-in-cabin fee waivers, and the ability to gift elite status to other members.
Whether Frontier elite status is worth pursuing depends on your travel habits and preferences. If you frequently fly with Frontier, achieving elite status can help you save money by eliminating ancillary fees. However, it’s essential to consider if you will actually use the benefits offered. For example, if you typically travel with only a backpack, a free checked bag perk may not be valuable to you. Additionally, Frontier’s route network may not cover all the destinations you wish to visit, so it’s important to check if the airline serves your preferred locations. Finally, consider how price and convenience factor into your decision-making process. If you prioritize nonstop flights or prefer other airlines, pursuing elite status with Frontier may not be worthwhile.
In conclusion, Frontier Miles elite status can provide significant benefits and savings for regular Frontier Airlines flyers. With four elite status tiers and various perks, achieving elite status can help neutralize the airline’s extra fees and make it a more attractive option. However, it’s crucial to assess your travel habits, Frontier’s route network, and your sensitivity to price and convenience before deciding if the pursuit of elite status is worthwhile for you.