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From better seats to more practical benefits, having airline status is an easy way to enhance your air travel experience. Status with Frontier Airlines is no different, even though it's a low-cost carrier.
And while many airlines try to woo customers by matching their status from other airlines, Frontier is allowing you to “match” your airline, hotel, or cruise program status to Frontier Miles — and it could save you a lot of money if you see yourself flying the airline with any regularity.
Here's all you need to know about this Frontier status match offer — which is ending soon, so time is of the essence.
Page Contents
Status Match to Frontier From Airline, Hotel & Cruise Programs
Frontier's status match offer looks slightly different than most airline status match offers. Frontier has ditched the typical challenge element (where you need status in another program), instead allowing travelers an opportunity to purchase Frontier status, valid until December 31, 2024.
Frontier has expanded the number of programs eligible for the status match offer. There's now a total of 45 programs that can match to Frontier Miles.
You can view the complete list of status match-eligible programs and the Frontier Miles loyalty tiers they will translate to here.
Frontier Airlines elite status tiers
Frontier Airlines currently employs three levels of status: Elite 20K, Elite 50K, and Elite 100K. Starting with even the lowest level, you'll find that a lot of the nickel-and-diming that comes with flying a low-cost carrier is done away with almost entirely.
Holding status with Frontier allows you to enjoy complimentary carry-on bags, seat assignments, stretch seating, priority boarding, and more.
You can find the benefits of each status level below:
However, Frontier has announced changes to elite status for 2024, including renaming existing tiers and introducing a new, lowest tier. Requirements will be:
- Silver: 10,000 qualifying miles
- Gold: 20,000 qualifying miles
- Platinum: 50,000 qualifying miles
- Diamond: 100,000 qualifying miles
How to status match to Frontier Miles
The process to “match” status to Frontier is simple. Follow the link to the registration page here, and the airline will ask you a few questions about the statuses you currently hold, which you'll verify with a photo or screenshot. Before you submit your payment, Frontier will confirm the status level you'll match to and the associated costs.
Fees associated with “matching” are based on the status level received. You can find them below.
- Elite 20K: $99
- Elite 50K: $99
- Elite 100K: $149
If you've status-matched to Frontier previously since November 1, 2020, you will be on the hook for an extra $50 in application fees.
The last step in the process is submitting payment. A point of caution is that this application fee is non-refundable, even if the match is not approved for some reason. So be careful when speculatively attempting to status match and avoid trying to game the system.
Frontier status sounds great, but what if I can't match?
While this option isn't new, you can also purchase Frontier Elite 20K status outright for $499 — offering you status earn without the matching element. The status is good until the end of next year (December 31, 2024).
You're eligible for this offer if you're a travel credit cardholder and reside in the U.S.
Offer Terms
The Frontier Airlines status match offer has relatively straightforward terms, so there's not much need to dig into the fine print in search of strings attached.
You can find the most notable terms below and the full terms here:
- The offer expires on December 31, 2023.
- Only one status match per person is allowed during this campaign. You can't make changes after approval.
- To retain status beyond the initial 12 months, you must re-qualify as per the Frontier program rules within the qualifying timeframe.
- Anyone who has received a status match/status challenge with Frontier in the past three years may be eligible for another status match and will incur an additional $50 fee on top of the standard status match application fees.
- Local taxes may apply to residents of some regions.
- All status match requests are handled by and are the responsibility of StatusMatch.com and not by Frontier Airlines or any of its affiliates.
Related: Can You Book Low Cost Carriers With Amex, Capital One, Chase, or Citi Points?
Is a Frontier Status Match Worth Doing?
Taking advantage of the Frontier Airlines status match offer makes the most sense if you see yourself flying the airline regularly. In this sense, “regularly” means more than a trip or two throughout the status period. Frontier's business model centers around providing a cheap flight and charging for each and every extra, and having status negates a lot of this.
Prices for bags, seats, and priority extras vary depending on the route you fly but can quickly eclipse the cost of paying for status. Prices in the realm of $50 each way for carry-on and checked bags are incredibly common. In some cases, these can be much higher.
For illustrative purposes, here's a flight between Atlanta and Boston connecting in Orlando. The total for this itinerary without any extras is $44.58.
If you choose to forego Frontier's complimentary random seat assignment, you could pay between $21 and $61 to select a seat on the first leg of your journey and between $27 and $75 for the second leg. At a minimum, this comes out to $48 — already doubling the original cost of the flight.
Carry-on and checked bags are priced per direction. For this itinerary alone, prices are pretty steep. You can see the breakdown below.
If you check a bag and carry one on, this tacks $106 onto the fare. Add even the bare minimum costs of $48 for selecting seats, and your $44.58 one-way flight becomes $198.58.
For this one flight, you would incur a cost of $154 in extras alone. Comparatively, your cost for these same extras would be substantially less or even waived completely had you purchased Frontier status for as little as $99.
TL;DR: If you travel Frontier with any regularity and pay for extras, you might save a lot of money by purchasing status with the status “match” offer. Check the math before you book your next flight!
Related: GoWild! Is the Frontier Airlines All-You-Can-Fly Pass Worth It?
Bottom Line
Frontier's latest promotion to status “match” and pay for Elite 20K, 50K, or 100K Frontier Miles status presents an intriguing and cost-effective option for those who fly the airline with any regularity and pay for seats, bags, or other extras.
The cost to match your status from another airline, cruise, or hotel loyalty program could be well worth the cost to do so! Make sure to match by December 31, 2023 if you're interested in this offer.
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