What Discount Den Membership Is

Frontier Airlines' Discount Den is a membership program that gives you access to discounted fares on Frontier flights for a yearly fee. It is not a credit card — it is a separate membership you can buy whether or not you hold a Frontier card. The program works by letting you book certain flights at lower prices than the standard public fare, though the flights available and the discount amount vary by route and travel date.

The membership costs money upfront, so the math matters: you need to fly Frontier enough times in a year for the savings to outweigh that cost. If you fly Frontier rarely or only on routes where Discount Den fares are not much cheaper than regular sales, the membership may not pay for itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Discount Den membership charges an annual fee and gives you access to a separate set of fares that are usually cheaper than Frontier's standard published prices.
  • Not every Frontier flight has a Discount Den fare available — the program works best if you fly frequently on routes where Discount Den pricing is offered.
  • You can stack Discount Den membership with a Frontier credit card, but they are separate products with separate costs and benefits.
  • Discount Den fares often come with the same baggage and change policies as Frontier's basic economy fares, so read the terms before booking.

How the Discount Works in Practice

When you search for a flight on Frontier's website as a Discount Den member, you see a separate section showing Discount Den fares alongside regular fares. The discount is typically a percentage off the standard price, though the exact amount depends on the route, how far in advance you book, and how full the flight is. Some routes may have no Discount Den fares available on a given date.

The fares are not automatically applied — you have to log into your Discount Den account to see them. If you book without logging in, you will see only the regular prices. Frontier sends members email alerts about sales and new Discount Den routes, which can help you spot good deals, but you are responsible for checking the site or your email to find them.

Annual Cost and Break-Even Math

Frontier charges an annual membership fee for Discount Den. The exact amount varies and may change, so check Frontier's website for the current price before you commit. To know whether the membership makes sense for you, estimate how many round-trip flights you take on Frontier in a year and how much you typically save per flight with Discount Den pricing.

For example, if the membership costs $100 per year and you fly Frontier four times annually, you need to save an average of $25 per round trip for the membership to break even. If Discount Den fares on your usual routes are typically $30 to $50 cheaper than the regular price, the membership likely pays for itself. If the savings are smaller or you fly less often, it may not.

Discount Den and Frontier Credit Cards

A Frontier credit card and Discount Den membership are separate products. You can have one, both, or neither. The credit card gives you benefits like bonus miles on sign-up, miles on purchases, and sometimes statement credits or priority boarding. Discount Den gives you access to cheaper fares. They do not overlap — having a credit card does not include Discount Den membership, and vice versa.

If you hold both, you can combine the benefits: earn miles on a Discount Den purchase, then use those miles on a Discount Den flight. Some cardholders find this combination worthwhile if they fly Frontier regularly and want both the fare discounts and the rewards. Others find that one or the other is enough, depending on their travel patterns.

Baggage, Changes, and Other Restrictions

Discount Den fares are usually bundled with Frontier's basic economy rules, which means you may not get a free checked bag or the ability to change your flight without a fee. Read the fare rules before you book — Frontier displays them clearly at checkout, and they vary by fare type. Some Discount Den fares may allow one free carry-on but charge for checked bags, while others include different perks.

If you frequently check bags or need the flexibility to change flights, factor those costs into your break-even calculation. A Discount Den fare that is $40 cheaper but charges you $35 for a checked bag saves you only $5 compared to a regular fare that includes a bag. Frontier's website shows all restrictions before you complete your purchase, so you can compare the true out-of-pocket cost.

How to Check if Discount Den Is Worth It for You

Start by looking at your Frontier travel history. How many flights did you take in the past year? What routes do you fly most often? Then visit Frontier's website, search for those routes on dates you typically travel, and compare the Discount Den price to the regular price. Do this for several flights to get an average savings per trip.

Multiply your average savings by the number of flights you expect to take next year. If that number is higher than the annual membership fee, the membership likely makes financial sense. If it is close or lower, consider whether the convenience of seeing deals in your email is worth the cost, or whether you would rather skip the membership and watch for sales the way you do now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Discount Den fares if I book through a travel agent or third-party site?

No. Discount Den fares are only available when you book directly on Frontier's website while logged into your Discount Den account. Travel agents and third-party booking sites do not have access to Discount Den pricing, so you must go to Frontier directly to see and book these fares.

What happens to my Discount Den membership if I do not use it?

Your membership renews automatically each year on the anniversary of your purchase unless you cancel it. If you do not fly Frontier during a membership year, you will still be charged the renewal fee. Log into your Discount Den account and cancel before the renewal date if you know you will not fly.

Do Discount Den fares earn miles in Frontier's rewards program?

Yes. Discount Den fares earn miles just like regular fares do. The number of miles you earn is based on the fare price and the distance flown, so a cheaper Discount Den fare may earn fewer miles than a full-price ticket on the same route, but you still earn miles on every flight.

Can I buy Discount Den membership as a gift?

Frontier offers gift memberships, though the process and options vary. Contact Frontier directly or check their website for current gift membership offerings and how to purchase one for someone else.