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Frontier Airlines has implemented sweeping changes to its loyalty program, Frontier Miles. Along with moving to a revenue-based system, travelers can expect a new tier of status and different benefits within the program. But does this make sense on an airline where people are trying to spend as little as possible?
Here's everything you need to know about the Frontier Miles overhaul, which is now live.
Frontier Moves to Revenue-Based Earnings
Frontier previously awarded bonus miles and elite status based on the distance you've flown with the airline. This earning method had become increasingly rare, as nearly all U.S. airlines have shifted to revenue-based rewards instead. This approach grants you bonuses based on how much you spend. Not to be left out, Frontier just switched to revenue-based earnings as of January 9, 2024.
What's odd about this is that Frontier is a low-cost airline, so spending less money is inherent to flying with the airline. Unlike full-service airlines, which can offer you benefits like international business-class upgrades and lounge access, Frontier's elite status mostly just waives the additional fees it tends to levy. But it's hard to complain about fewer fees if you're a Frontier loyalist.
So, what does it look like now that Frontier made the jump to revenue-based earnings? Rather than earning miles for how far you fly, you'll earn miles for almost every dollar you spend with Frontier and its partners. At present, you'll earn miles on the following Frontier purchases:
| Airfare (Base fare) | Checked bags | Bicycle fee | Electronic commerce charges |
| GoWild! passes and fees | Early boarding | Flight flexibility | Pet fees |
| Discount Den fees | Web check-in | Priority boarding | Reward redemption fees |
| Customer interface charge | Seats | External reservation handling charges | Airport agent assistance charges |
| Carry-on bags | Antlers fee | Chat agent booking charges | Overweight checked baggage |
And to note, the miles you'll earn when subscribing to GoWild! and Discount Den are awarded at a fixed rate dependent on your elite status tier.
Exactly how many miles you'll earn on each eligible charge depends on your level of elite status:
- General member: 10x miles/qualifying points per $1 spent.
- Silver: 12x miles/qualifying points per $1 spent.
- Gold (formerly Elite 20K): 14x miles/qualifying points per $1 spent.
- Platinum (formerly Elite 50K): 16x miles/qualifying points per $1 spent.
- Diamond (formerly Elite 100K): 20x miles/qualifying points per $1 spent.
Note the distinction between “miles” and “qualifying points:” Miles are redeemable for flights, while qualifying points refer to the status-earning metric Frontier uses for elite qualification.
Related: Can You Book Low-Cost Carriers With Amex, Capital One, Chase, or Citi Points?
Frontier's Now-New Elite Status Tiers
There are now four different levels of elite status for members to achieve, rather than the three Frontier offered in the past (Elite 20K, Elite 50K, and Elite 100K). Earning requirements are nearly the same:
- Silver: 10,000 qualifying points
- Gold: 20,000 qualifying points
- Platinum: 50,000 qualifying points
- Diamond: 100,000 qualifying points
However, Frontier is also introducing new benefits to go along with these status tiers.
Silver
There was no equivalent to Silver elite status with Frontier previously. Here's what you can expect:
- No change or cancellation fees at least seven days before departure (member and companions on the same reservation)
- Waived award redemption fees
- Waived call center fees
- Zone 2 boarding (member and companions)
- Complimentary standard seat at booking (member only)
Gold
Gold elite status is replacing Elite 20K. Here's what you can expect as a Gold member (in addition to the benefits you get as a Silver member):
- Free premium seat at check-in if available (member only)
- Zone 1 boarding (member only)
- Free carry-on bag
- Waived same-day confirmed and standby fees
Platinum
Platinum elite status is replacing Elite 50K. Here are the benefits above the Gold offerings:
- Free premium seats at booking (member)
- Free premium seats at check-in (member and companions)
- Free standard seat at booking (member and companions)
- 50% off Discount Den membership
- Free carry-on bag (member and companions)
- Pet in cabin fee waiver (member)
- Free checked bag (member and companions)
- Zone 1 boarding (member and companions)
- Gift Silver status
Diamond
Diamond elite status is replacing Elite 100K. These are the benefits exclusive to this tier:
- Refundability at least 1 day before departure
- Free carry-on bag (member and companions)
- Two free checked bags (member and companions)
- Gift Gold status
- Board first (member and companions)
- Free premium seats at booking (member and companions)
- Complimentary Discount Den membership
Is It Worth Chasing Status?
Those who fly Frontier are generally those looking to save money. It seems silly, then, that earning elite status with the airline necessitates spending as much money as possible on your flights. Sure, you'll be able to earn status if you're a heavy packer who needs to check a few bags and wants the best seat possible on every flight.
But what happens when you've earned the status and all those fees are suddenly waived? Frontier's airfare tends to be very low — after all, most of the airline's money is made in ancillary fees.
So, let's say that you've spent thousands of dollars to earn Diamond status. You're entitled to free checked bags, premium seats, a complimentary Discount Den membership, and waived pet fees. At this point, you're spending almost nothing on your Frontier flights. How are you going to earn elite status for the next year? You'd need to fly double the number of flights to make up for it — maybe triple, depending on the price of the flights you're buying.
That being said, if you're a frequent Frontier flyer, there are quite a few benefits on the table. This is especially true if you have a pet to bring along. Just be prepared to earn status every other year unless you're willing to overspend (drastically) on airfare when you have elite status.
Related: GoWild! Is the Frontier Airlines All-You-Can-Fly Pass Worth It?
Bottom Line
We knew this day was coming, and it finally arrived. Sure, Frontier added new benefits (and an even easier-to-achieve tier of elite status) to its program. In exchange, however, it shifted from a distance-based award program to a revenue-based one. For an airline that caters to budget-minded travelers, this means a significant devaluation for most travelers and plenty of difficulties when chasing elite status.
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