Frontier Airlines Credit Card Review 2024: Pros and Cons

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The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Frontier Airlines World Mastercard®, Citi Custom Cash℠ Card, Citi Strata Premier℠ Card. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

The Barclays-issued Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® allows Frontier travelers to earn miles on everyday spending and enjoy benefits such as two free checked bags when traveling on Frontier, plus the ability to earn credit towards elite status.

Business Insider considers the Frontier Credit Card subpar compared to the best airline credit cards, because of the airline's relatively small route network and its status as an ultra-low-cost carrier. That being said, theFrontier Credit Card is worth considering if you're a Frontier loyalist, especially if you want to earn FRONTIER Miles.

Frontier Credit Card Overview

Let's get this out of the way: Frontier Airlines isn't for everyone. This low-cost carrier is known for no-frills travel, where everything from seat assignments to carry-on bags come with extra fees.

But if you fly Frontier at all, the Frontier Credit Card can make your travel experience significantly better. 

Frontier Credit Card Rewards

Frontier Credit Card cardholders can earn and redeem rewards that make flying Frontier more fun.  

Welcome Offer

New cardholders earn 50,000 Travel Miles after spending $500 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full within the first 90 days of account opening.

Automatic Elite Status for New Cardholders

New cardholders also earn instant Gold status after your first purchase within 90 days of account opening. Spend $3,000 within those 90 days to keep Gold status for 12 months. 

How to Earn Rewards With the Frontier Credit Card

Like most travel rewards credit cards, the Frontier Credit Card earns miles when you spend money:

• 5 FRONTIER Miles per $1 spent on eligible Frontier Airlines purchases
• 3 FRONTIER Miles per $1 spent at restaurants
• 1 FRONTIER Mile per $1 spent elsewhere

As you can see, you'll earn the best rewards when using your card to pay for purchases with Frontier Airlines. These can include flights themselves, seat upgrades, or incidentals such as on-board drinks and food.

Miles don't expire as long as your FRONTIER Miles loyalty program account remains open and in good standing.

Redeeming Rewards With the Frontier Credit Card

FRONTIER Miles are exceptionally easy to redeem for flights. Award redemptions start at just 10,000 miles for a one-way ticket, and increase based on Frontier's award chart. Both distance and demand affect the price of your ticket in miles.

To search for a flight using your miles, you'll simply need to check the box for booking with miles on Frontier's search page. You can also do so via the Frontier app. 

How to Maximize Rewards with the Frontier Credit Card

There aren't many ways to maximize Frontier rewards you earn with your Frontier Credit Card. But the tips below can help you stretch your money a little farther: 

Cardholders Can Pool Rewards Between Family Members

Family pooling allows you to combine the miles earned between all family members for flight redemptions.

Focus on Value Redemption Flights

Within the U.S. and Puerto Rico, value redemption flights cost just 10,000 miles one-way. Look for routes and travel times that drop to 10,000 miles and fly during off-season dates or consider alternative routes to minimize the number of points you pay. 

Check Bags Instead of Paying for Carry-On

The lowest-price Frontier flights charge extra for carry-on bags larger than a large purse or backpack. Since Frontier Credit Card cardholders get to check two free bags on every flight, consider skipping the extra-cost carry-on in favor of checked luggage. 

Frontier Credit Card Benefits and Key Features

The Frontier Credit Card offers quite a few benefits to cardholders, many of which can be valuable on this low-cost airline. These include:

• Two free checked bags on flights
• Earn a $100 flight voucher after spending $500 and paying the annual fee in full within the first 90 days
• Priority boarding
• Award redemption fee waiver when you use your card to pay the taxes and fees
• No foreign transaction fees
• Earn 1 Elite Status Point for every $1 spent

Frontier Credit Card Annual Fees and Interest Rates

Frontier charges for checked luggage and carry-ons, so it's easy to justify the card's annual fee if you fly the airline even once or twice a year.

Annual Fee 

The Frontier Credit Card has a $99 annual fee. 

APR

As a new cardholder, you'll get an intro APR offer of 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening. After that, you'll get a variable APR of 20.74% - 29.99% variable, based on creditworthiness. 

No Foreign Transaction Fees

The Frontier Credit Card does not charge foreign transaction fees. 

Other Fees

• Balance transfer fee: $5 or 5% of your transfer, whichever is greater
• Cash advance fee: $10 or 5% of your advance, whichever is greater
• Late payment fee: Up to $40
• Return payment fee: Up to $40

Frontier Credit Card Pros and Cons

While the Frontier Credit Card offers some strong benefits to cardholders who can use them, it's not all positive. Here are some pros and cons to consider when applying for the card.

Pros

• Earn miles on all purchases, with bonus miles on Frontier flights
• Valuable perks for Frontier flyers including free checked bags and priority boarding
• Potential to earn a sign-up bonus
• No foreign transaction fees
• Purchases earn credit towards elite status

Cons

• Rewards are limited to Frontier-related redemptions
• Potentially high APR
• Some benefits require meeting spending thresholds
• No carry-on bag benefit
• Only earn 1x per $1 spent on most purchases

Who is the Frontier Credit Card Best For?

Frequent Frontier Flyers

If you fly Frontier at least twice a year, the Frontier Credit Card's benefits will outweigh its annual fee. Plus, you only need to spend $2,500 on the card each year to get a $100 flight voucher. Since Frontier's flights can be as cheap as $39 one way, that $100 credit can take you far.

Families

Families can really make use of the two free checked bags offered by the Frontier Credit Card, especially when traveling in a group. Throw in the ability to pool miles, and this card quickly makes airline travel accessible to many people who might not otherwise be able to fly. 

Budget-Conscious Travelers

Frontier Airlines runs on discounted flights and upcharge amenities. If you're willing to forego free snacks in favor of cheaper airfare, then Frontier can easily become one of your favorite airlines. Add in the benefits you'll get as a cardholder, and you'll be getting higher-end perks than most domestic airlines for just the cost of a $99 annual fee. 

Not Ideal For: Most Travelers

Although Frontier Airlines has expanded its route network, it's still primarily a domestic airline, which inherently restricts the potential of rewards earned from the Frontier Credit Card.

A better option for most travelers would be a general travel rewards credit card, where points can be redeemed with a variety of hotel and airline partners or used to book through the issuer's travel portal. 

Alternatives to the Frontier Credit Card worth considering 

Although the Frontier Credit Card allows you to earn FRONTIER Miles on your purchases and also includes some benefits for those traveling with Frontier Airlines, its benefits are exclusive to Frontier.

If you ever travel on other airlines, or want to earn rewards that can be redeemed in different ways, consider these alternatives. We've recommended a generic travel rewards credit card, another airline co-branded credit card, and a cash-back credit card with no annual fee. 

Frontier Credit Card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

With a slightly lower annual fee of $95, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an excellent option for nearly all travelers, and Business Insider's top choice credit card for travelers. 

The card earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, which can be transferred to more than a dozen airlines and hotel chains through the Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer partners program

Although you won't get free checked bags on Frontier with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you do get a $50 annual hotel credit, which helps offset its annual fee. You'll also get to enjoy some of the best travel insurance benefits offered on a credit card. 

Read more in our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card card review.

Frontier Credit Card vs. United℠ Explorer Card

Those looking for more flexible miles may want to pick up the United Explorer Card, a co-branded airline credit card for travelers who fly United Airlines.

It charges a $0 intro for the first year, then $95 annual fee and grants similar perks to the Frontier Credit Card, including free checked luggage and priority boarding on United flights. The card also comes with two United Club passes per year for cardholders, and offers discounted award rates from time to time. 

The United℠ Explorer Card earns United miles, which are much more valuable than FRONTIER Miles. United Airlines participates in Star Alliance, a network of over two dozen airlines that operates thousands of flights worldwide. United miles can be redeemed for flights with Star Alliance partners as well as online shopping, gift cards, flight upgrades, and more.

Read more in our United Explorer card review. 

Frontier Credit Card vs. Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card can be a good fit if you value cash back or want to avoid paying an annual fee. This card earns 5% cash back on the first $500 you spend each month on your top expense category out of the following options:

• Restaurants
• Gas stations
• Grocery stores
• Select travel
• Select transit
• Select streaming services
• Drugstores
• Home improvement stores
• Fitness clubs
• Live entertainment

If you spend $700 on travel and $300 on restaurants this month, for example, you'll earn $100 back for the $500 you spent on travel, which was your top expense. 

If you pair the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card with one of the best Citi credit cards that earns Citi ThankYou points, such as the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, you can convert your Citi Custom Cash℠ Card rewards into Citi ThankYou Points. These rewards can then be transferred over to a variety of Citi ThankYou Rewards points transfer partners.

Read more in our Citi Custom Cash card review.

Asked Questions

How do I redeem my FRONTIER Miles?

You can redeem your FRONTIER Miles on Frontier's website or via the Frontier app. Flights begin as low as 10,000 FRONTIER Miles one way.  

Can I use my Frontier Airlines credit card anywhere?

The Frontier Airlines Credit Card is a Mastercard, and can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted. 

Is there a minimum credit score requirement?

There is no minimum published credit score for you to qualify for the Frontier Credit Card. In general, however, you should have at least a good credit score before applying for any travel credit card.

Do you get a free checked bag with a Frontier Airlines Credit Card?

Yes, you get two free checked bags if you hold the Frontier Airlines Credit Card.

Do you get priority boarding with a Frontier Airlines Credit Card?

Yes, Frontier Credit Card cardholders get priority boarding benefits.

Does the Frontier Airlines Credit Card have a fee?

The Frontier Credit Card has an annual fee of $99.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed the Frontier Credit Card

The Frontier Credit Card offers some compelling benefits to travelers, but that doesn't mean it's the best airline card out there. To see how it stands up to competitors, we took a few key factors into consideration:

• Annual fee: Does the card charge an annual fee? How does this compare to other cards?
• Usability of rewards: Is it easy to redeem the rewards you earn?
• Airline benefits: Does the card offer benefits when flying? What are they?
• Welcome bonus: Does the card have a welcome offer? Is it more than competitors? 

For more information on how Business Insider determines the best credit cards, read about how we rate credit cards.