Frontier elite status consists of 4-tiers which are Member, Elite 20k, Elite 50k and Elite 100k. Benefits offered by these tiers include bonus miles, free checked bags, complimentary seat assignments, waived fees, and more. Status with Frontier is based on Status Qualifying Miles earned or Flight Segments Flown with Frontier.
How To Qualify
Once you sign up for a Frontier Rewards account, you will be able to start working your way towards Frontier Elite Status. You can earn elite status with Frontier by reaching a certain amount of either:
- Status Qualifying Miles
- Total Segments Flown
Each tier has a set amount of miles or segments you'll need to reach. Once you meet either of the requirements for a particular tier within the calendar year, you will be given that status for the remainder of the year in which it was earned and the following year.
Frontier Status Qualifying Miles
Status Qualifying Miles are earned by flying Frontier airlines and by using the Frontier Mastercard.
Do note that Status Qualifying Miles are not the same as Frontier Miles. Frontier Miles are redeemable for rewards such as free flights, while Status Qualifying Miles are only used to determine your status in the Frontier Rewards Program and cannot be used to book flights or be redeemed with partners.
You will earn 1 Status Qualifying Mile for every eligible mile flown with Frontier.
Frontier Segments
A segment for a Frontier Airlines flight is counted as a trip between two cities. A one-way flight with no layovers between two destinations would count as one segment.
A one-way flight with a single layover would count as two segments since you have to fly from City A to City B and then from City B to City C. So round-trip flights on Frontier Airlines will count as 2 segments if you have no layovers, 4 segments if you have a single layover on the flight to and from your destination, and so on.
Frontier Member
Once you sign up for a MyFrontier Rewards Account you will gain the ability to start earning miles flying Frontier.
You will also be able to redeem your Frontier Airline Rewards for the redemption options covered in the previous section. Signing up for a MyFrontier account is free.
Frontier members earn the base rate of 1 Frontier Mile and 1 Status Qualifying Mile per mile flown.
Frontier Elite 20k Status
The first tier in the MyFrontier program is Elite 20k Status. This status is obtained by earning 20,000 Status Qualifying Miles or by Flying 25 Segments with Frontier Airlines.
Base Earnings
There are no bonus miles earned for Elite 20k members. Elite members will still earn at the base rate of 1 Frontier Mile and 1 Status Qualifying Mile per mile flown.
Carry On
Frontier Elite 20k Status members will be able to bring their carry on luggage aboard Fronter flights at no charge. This benefit will only apply to the MyFrontier member.
Other passengers traveling with the Elite 20k member will have to pay for their carry-on unless they are also have MyFrontier Elite status.
Family Pooling
Reaching Elite 20k Status will allow you to pool Frontier Miles with up to 8 family members or friends in order to redeem flights faster. Each pool has a 'head member' that has the power to redeem the miles for award flights.
This perk is also eligible for Barclays Frontier Mastercard holders.
Seat Assignment
Elite 20k members will be able to choose their seat in advance for free. This does not include Stretch Seating and it only applies to the MyFrontier member.
Stretch Seating
If Stretch Seating is available at check-in, Elite 20k members will be able to upgrade for free at the ticket counter or gate. This benefit is only available to the MyFrontier member.
Priority Boarding
Elite 20k members will receive priority check-in and boarding. Express TSA is also available at participating airports. This benefit is only for the MyFrontier member.
Waived Award Fees
Any award fees charged will be waived for Frontier Elite 20k members. This benefit will only apply to the MyFrontier member.
Waived Travel Fees
Travel fees obtained from Frontier Airlines will be waived for Frontier Elite 20k members. This includes call center reservation fees, unaccompanied minor fees (if the minor is the Elite 20k or higher member), same-day confirmed fees and same-day standby fees.
Last Seat Award
Elite 20k members can use miles to redeem last seat available reward tickets. This is the only perk that can be used by both the Elite member and any traveler on the Elite member's booking.
Frontier Elite 50k Status
The second tier in Frontier's program is Elite 50k Status. Elite 50k is obtained by Flying 50,000 Status Qualifying Miles or by Flying 50 Flight Segments annually with Frontier Airlines.
This status comes with the benefits of Elite 20k status along with the additional perks listed below. Below are the additional perks of Elite 50k status.
25% Bonus Miles
Elite 50k status holders will earn a 25% bonus on miles when flying Frontier flights.
Family Seating
Frontier Elite 50k members will receive advance seat selection for themselves and up to 8 family or friends flying on the Elite member's booking.
50% Off Discount Den
Elite 50k members will receive 50% off Frontier's Discount Den which is a fare membership club that gives members exclusive access to their lowest fares. This discount is for the MyFrontier member only.
Frontier Elite 100k Status
The third and highest tier in Frontier's frequent flyer program is Elite 100k Status. This is obtained by Flying 100,000 Status Qualifying Miles or by Flying 100 Flight Segments annually with Frontier Airlines.
This status comes with the benefits of Elite 20k and Elite 50k along with a few extra perks. Below are the additional benefits of Elite 100k status.
50% Bonus Miles
Frontier Elite 100k members will receive a 50% bonus on miles when flying Frontier flights.
Free Checked Bag
Elite 100k members will receive their checked bag free (as part of Family Status).
Family Status
Frontier Elite 100k members will be able to receive the WORKS bundle for up to 8 family and friends traveling on the Elite member's booking.
The WORKS bundle includes a carry-on bag, checked bag, seat assignment (including stretch seating if available), and priority boarding.
It also include flight flexibility which allows you to change your flight without any fees and 100% refundability which waives the cancellation fees when you cancel your Frontier booking.
These are very valuable perks that could make reaching Elite 100k with Frontier Airlines worth it.
Summary
Earning elite status with Frontier Airlines can be very beneficial if you frequently fly their airline. If you're having trouble reaching status, consider grabbing up the Frontier Mastercard which allows you to earn Status Qualifying Miles by running spend through the card.
You can use the Frontier Mastercard Points Calculator to calculate how many Frontier Miles you can earn with the card and compare it against other top airline and travel cards.
We've run the calculations and checked them twice — here are the credit cards that consistently provide outstanding value to our users:
- Best flexible travel card: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Best overall value year after year: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Best for high cash back: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Best for lounge access & luxury travel: The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Best for business travel rewards: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
- Best for heavy business spend: Capital One Spark Cash Plus
