What You Get With the Frontier Airlines Credit Card
The Frontier Airlines credit card gives you points on every purchase, with bonus points for Frontier flights and spending in the first few months. You earn one point per dollar spent on most purchases, and the card waives your first year's annual fee. The card is issued by Barclay's and works like a standard rewards card — you accumulate points and redeem them for flights, seat upgrades, or other travel expenses.
The main draw is that points transfer directly to Frontier's loyalty program, so you are not stuck converting rewards through a middleman. If you fly Frontier regularly or plan to, the card's earning rate on Frontier purchases makes sense. If you fly other airlines most of the time, the flat earning rate on other purchases is lower than what competing airline cards offer.
The card does not come with travel insurance, lounge access, or other premium perks. It is built for people who want a straightforward way to earn Frontier miles without paying for benefits they will not use.
Key Takeaways
- You earn one point per dollar on all purchases, with higher earning rates on Frontier flights and during the introductory bonus period.
- The first year has no annual fee; after that, you pay a yearly fee that varies depending on the card version.
- Points go straight into your Frontier frequent flyer account and can be used for flights, seat upgrades, or baggage fees.
- The card does not include travel insurance, trip cancellation protection, or airport lounge access.
- You need to set up the card and link it to your Frontier frequent flyer account to start earning miles automatically.
How to set up Your Card and Start Earning
Once your card arrives, you will need to set up it before you can use it. Call the number on the back of the card or go to Barclay's website and follow the set up steps. You will be asked to verify your identity and confirm the card is in your possession.
After set up, log into your Frontier frequent flyer account and link the credit card to it. This step is critical — without linking, your purchases will not earn points. Go to your account settings, find the credit card section, and enter your card number. Frontier will confirm the link within a few minutes, and points will start posting to your account within one to three business days of each purchase.
If you do not have a Frontier frequent flyer account yet, create one before linking the card. You will need your name, email, and date of birth. The account is free and takes about five minutes to set up.
Earning Rates and Bonus Categories
The card earns one point per dollar on everyday purchases — groceries, gas, restaurants, and online shopping. When you book a Frontier flight directly on Frontier's website using the card, you earn additional points beyond the standard rate. The exact bonus varies by card version and current promotions, so check your welcome materials or Barclay's website for the current offer.
Most cards also include a sign-up bonus that gives you a large number of points after you spend a certain amount in the first three months. This bonus is often worth more than several months of regular spending, so it is worth timing your process if you have planned purchases coming up.
Points do not expire as long as your account remains open and active. If you close the card, you keep the points in your Frontier account, but you stop earning new ones. Frontier's frequent flyer program does not have a set expiration date for miles, though the company reserves the right to devalue them or change redemption rates.
Annual Fees and When They explore
The first year is free. After that, you pay an annual fee that depends on which version of the card you hold. The standard version typically costs between $75 and $99 per year, charged on your card's anniversary date. Some versions may have different fees or waive the fee under certain conditions — check your cardholder agreement or contact Barclay's to confirm your specific card's terms.
You can cancel the card anytime to avoid paying the annual fee in future years. If you cancel after the first year, you keep any points you have already earned. Some cardholders cancel after the first year, reapply later for the sign-up bonus again, and repeat the cycle — this is a common strategy if you do not fly Frontier frequently enough to justify the annual fee.
How to Redeem Your Points
Log into your Frontier frequent flyer account and go to the "Redeem" or "Book with Miles" section. You can search for flights the same way you would search for paid flights — enter your departure city, destination, and travel dates. Frontier will show you available flights and the point cost for each one.
Points can cover the full cost of a flight or be used toward part of the cost. You can also use points to pay for seat upgrades, baggage fees, or other add-ons. The value you get per point varies depending on what you are redeeming for — a flight during peak travel times may cost more points than the same flight during off-peak times.
You do not have to use points for flights. Some frequent flyer programs let you transfer points to hotel partners or other travel companies, but Frontier's program is primarily flight-focused. Check your account to see what redemption options are currently available.
Comparing This Card to Other Airline Cards
If you fly multiple airlines, a general travel rewards card may earn you more value than a Frontier-specific card. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or American Express Gold earn higher points per dollar on travel and dining, and points can be transferred to many airline partners, not just one.
If you fly Frontier most of the time, this card's earning rate on Frontier bookings and the lack of annual fees in year one make it worth considering. The trade-off is that you get no travel insurance, no lounge access, and no other premium benefits — you are paying for earning power, not perks.
If you rarely fly Frontier, the annual fee after the first year will likely outweigh the value of points you earn. In that case, a no-annual-fee cash-back card or a different airline card may serve you better.
Common Issues and How to Fix Them
If points are not showing up in your Frontier account after a purchase, check that the card is linked correctly. Log into your Frontier account and confirm the credit card is listed under your payment methods. If it is not linked, add it again and wait one to three business days for points to post.
If you used a different card or payment method by mistake, those purchases will not earn points. You cannot retroactively add points to your account for past purchases, so make sure to use the Frontier credit card at checkout every time.
If you have questions about your points balance, redemption rates, or account status, contact Frontier's frequent flyer customer service directly. Barclay's handles credit card issues like billing and account access, but Frontier handles points and redemption questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I earn points if I buy a Frontier ticket through a travel website instead of Frontier's website?
No. Points are only earned when you book directly through Frontier.com or through Frontier's phone line. Tickets purchased through third-party travel sites, even if you use the Frontier credit card, will not earn bonus points. You will earn the standard one point per dollar on the credit card purchase itself, but not the flight bonus.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points stay in your Frontier frequent flyer account. Closing the card does not delete your miles. However, you will stop earning new points on future purchases, and you will no longer have the card to use for Frontier bookings or other spending.
Can I transfer my Frontier points to another airline?
Frontier's frequent flyer program does not allow point transfers to other airlines. Points can only be used for Frontier flights, upgrades, and add-ons, or in limited cases for partner redemptions. Check your Frontier account for current transfer options.
Is there a sign-up bonus, and how much is it worth?
Yes, the card typically includes a sign-up bonus for new cardholders who meet a spending requirement in the first three months. The bonus amount and spending threshold change periodically, so check Barclay's website or the card's terms for the current offer. Sign-up bonuses are often the fastest way to accumulate enough points for a free flight.
Do I need to pay the annual fee if I do not use the card?
Yes. The annual fee is charged automatically on your card's anniversary date each year after the first year, regardless of whether you use the card. If you do not plan to use it, cancel before the fee is charged to avoid the cost.