What the Frontier Airlines credit card does
The Frontier Airlines credit card is a co-branded card issued by a bank in partnership with Frontier Airlines. It earns rewards points on purchases, with bonus points for airline spending and everyday categories. The card also comes with perks tied to Frontier travel — things like free checked bags, priority boarding, and seat upgrades — though the exact benefits and earning rates depend on which version of the card you hold.
Like any credit card, you use it to make purchases, pay a monthly bill, and build a credit history. The difference is that your spending translates into Frontier miles you can redeem for flights, seat upgrades, or other travel expenses. Some people use it mainly for the travel perks; others focus on earning miles through everyday purchases and then redeeming them strategically.
Key Takeaways
- Frontier Airlines credit cards earn points on all purchases, with higher earning rates in bonus categories like airfare and dining.
- The card typically waives the first checked bag fee on Frontier flights, which alone can save you $35 to $40 per round trip.
- You pay an annual fee to hold the card, so the rewards and perks need to outweigh that cost for the card to make financial sense for you.
- Points expire if your account is closed or inactive for a long period, so you need to use the card or redeem miles regularly.
- The card's value depends entirely on how often you fly Frontier and how you spend money in your daily life.
How earning and redeeming points works
Every purchase you make on the card earns a certain number of points per dollar spent. The exact rate varies — you might earn 1 point per dollar on most purchases, but 2 or 3 points per dollar on Frontier flights, hotels, rental cars, or dining. Some cards also offer a one-time bonus of thousands of points when you first open the account, usually after you spend a certain amount in the first few months.
You redeem these points by logging into your Frontier account and booking a flight through their website. You can use points to cover the full cost of a ticket or to pay for part of it and cover the rest with cash. Points can also go toward seat upgrades, checked bags, or other Frontier fees. The value you get per point varies depending on the flight and how far in advance you book — booking a cross-country flight months ahead typically gives you better value than booking a short flight last-minute.
One important detail: Frontier points are not the same as airline miles from other carriers. You cannot transfer them to partner airlines or use them outside the Frontier ecosystem. This means the card's value is tied directly to how often you fly Frontier specifically.
Annual fees and when they make sense
Frontier Airlines credit cards charge an annual fee, which you pay once per year to keep the card open. The amount varies depending on the specific card version, but it typically ranges from $75 to $99. This fee is charged whether you use the card or not, so you need to decide upfront whether the rewards and perks justify the cost.
The free checked bag benefit is often the easiest way to calculate whether the card pays for itself. If you fly Frontier round-trip even once per year, you save the checked bag fee on both the outbound and return flight. That alone can cover half or more of the annual fee. Add in the points you earn on everyday purchases or the occasional seat upgrade, and the card can come out ahead — but only if you actually use it.
If you fly Frontier rarely or not at all, the annual fee is a pure cost with no offsetting benefit. In that case, the card does not make financial sense, no matter how attractive the earning rates sound.
Travel perks beyond earning points
Most Frontier credit cards waive the first checked bag fee on Frontier flights. This is a concrete benefit that applies every time you fly, regardless of how many points you earn. Some versions also include priority boarding, which lets you board earlier and choose your seat before general boarding. Others offer seat upgrade certificates or discounts on Frontier fees like seat selection or carry-on bag charges.
These perks are valuable only if you actually use them. If you never check a bag or never fly Frontier, they have no value. If you fly Frontier frequently and check a bag every time, the checked bag waiver alone can save you $70 to $80 per year, which covers most or all of the annual fee.
Read the specific terms of the card you are considering, because the perks vary. Some cards offer more generous benefits than others, and the card issuer can change the terms over time. What matters is whether the perks match your actual travel habits, not whether they sound good in marketing materials.
How the card affects your credit
Opening a new credit card temporarily lowers your credit score because the issuer runs a hard inquiry on your credit report and because a new account lowers the average age of your accounts. Over time, as you use the card responsibly and pay your bills on time, the score typically recovers and then improves. The key is to treat the card like any other credit card: charge only what you can afford to pay off, pay the full balance or at least the minimum by the due date, and do not max out the credit limit.
If you carry a balance and pay interest, the rewards you earn will almost certainly not offset the interest charges. Credit card interest rates are typically 18% to 25% or higher, while the value of points is usually much lower. Carrying a balance to earn rewards is a losing trade.
Points expiration and account closure
Frontier points expire if your account is closed or if you have no account activity for a long period. The exact timeframe depends on Frontier's current policy, but inactivity for 12 months or longer is a common trigger. This means you need to either use the card regularly or redeem your points before closing the account.
If you accumulate points and then stop using the card, you risk losing them. This is different from some other airline programs, where points never expire as long as you have any account activity. Before you close a Frontier credit card account, log into your Frontier account and check your points balance. If you have a significant balance, redeem it for a flight or upgrade before the account closes.
Comparing the Frontier card to other airline cards
Other airlines offer their own co-branded credit cards with similar structures: annual fees, earning rates, and travel perks. The choice between them depends on which airline you fly most often. If you fly Southwest, United, or Delta more frequently than Frontier, their cards will likely give you better value because you can use the points more often.
Some general-purpose credit cards (not tied to any airline) earn cash back or points that you can use for any purchase, including flights. These cards may offer better value if you do not fly a single airline regularly or if you value flexibility over airline-specific perks. The trade-off is that airline cards typically offer higher earning rates on airline purchases and exclusive perks like free checked bags, while general-purpose cards offer lower earning rates but more flexibility in how you use the rewards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Frontier points to book flights on other airlines?
No. Frontier points can only be used for Frontier flights and Frontier-related expenses like seat upgrades and bag fees. You cannot transfer them to other airlines or use them outside the Frontier ecosystem. This is why the card's value depends entirely on how often you fly Frontier.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points do not automatically disappear when you close the card, but they may expire if your Frontier account becomes inactive. Before closing the card, redeem any points you have accumulated for a flight or upgrade. Check Frontier's current policy on point expiration to understand the exact timeline.
Do I have to pay the annual fee every year?
Yes, the annual fee is charged once per year as long as the account is open. You cannot avoid it by not using the card. If the fee no longer makes sense for your travel habits, you can close the account, though closing it may affect your credit score slightly and you will lose access to any remaining points.
Can I earn points on purchases other than flights?
Yes. The card earns points on all purchases, not just Frontier flights. You earn a base rate on everyday spending (often 1 point per dollar) and higher rates in bonus categories like dining, hotels, or rental cars. The exact categories depend on which version of the card you hold.
Is the free checked bag benefit worth the annual fee?
It depends on how often you fly. If you take even one round-trip Frontier flight per year and check a bag both ways, the free bag benefit saves you $70 to $80, which covers most of the annual fee. If you never check bags or rarely fly Frontier, the benefit has no value and the fee is a pure cost.