You can buy Frontier miles directly through Frontier's website or earn them faster by opening a Frontier credit card

Frontier Airlines sells miles in bundles on its website under "Buy Miles" in your account dashboard. You can purchase them with any credit card, and the price per mile varies — it's usually between 1 and 2 cents per mile, though Frontier runs promotions that lower the cost. A Frontier-branded credit card lets you earn miles on everyday purchases instead of buying them outright, which is typically cheaper over time if you use the card regularly.

The main decision is whether to buy miles once for a specific trip, or open a card to earn miles gradually. Buying miles makes sense if you need them urgently for a booking that's coming up soon. Opening a card makes sense if you fly Frontier multiple times a year or want to build up a balance for future trips.

Key Takeaways

  • Frontier sells miles directly through its website in any quantity, with prices that change based on promotions and demand.
  • A Frontier credit card earns miles on every purchase you make, which usually costs less per mile than buying them outright.
  • New cardholders often receive a sign-up bonus of 50,000 miles or more, which can cover a domestic round trip without buying additional miles.
  • Miles purchased directly expire after 24 months of account inactivity, while miles earned through the card follow the same expiration rule.
  • You can combine purchased miles with earned miles and miles from other sources to book a single flight.

Buying Miles Directly From Frontier

Log into your Frontier account on the Frontier Airlines website and select "Buy Miles" from the menu. You'll see the current price per mile and can choose how many miles to purchase in increments. Frontier accepts all major credit cards. The purchase posts to your account when ready, and you can use those miles to book flights right away.

Frontier frequently runs promotions that reduce the per-mile cost — for example, offering 25% bonus miles on a purchase, or lowering the base price temporarily. Signing up for Frontier's email list is the fastest way to hear about these sales. The price you pay depends on how many miles you buy; larger purchases sometimes have a lower per-mile cost than smaller ones.

Miles you purchase expire 24 months after your last account activity. Account activity includes booking a flight, earning miles through the credit card, or buying miles. If you buy miles and then don't use your Frontier account for two years, those miles disappear.

How a Frontier Credit Card Compares to Buying Miles

The Frontier credit card earns miles on every dollar you spend, typically at a rate of 1 mile per dollar on most purchases and bonus miles on Frontier flights and travel bookings. If you spend $3,000 per year on the card, you'd earn 3,000 miles without buying any. At an average purchase price of 1.5 cents per mile, those 3,000 miles would have cost you $45 to buy outright.

New cardholders receive a sign-up bonus — usually 50,000 miles or more — after meeting a minimum spending requirement in the first few months. That bonus alone covers a domestic round trip on Frontier, so you start with a substantial balance before earning anything through regular purchases.

The card also waives Frontier's baggage fees for the cardholder and sometimes for a companion, which saves money on every trip. If you fly Frontier twice a year, the baggage savings alone can offset the annual fee.

What Happens When You Combine Purchased and Earned Miles

You can use purchased miles, earned miles, and miles from other sources in the same booking. Frontier doesn't separate them in your account — they all sit in one balance. When you book a flight, you straightforward choose how many miles to redeem, and the system pulls from your total balance.

This means you can buy 10,000 miles for an upcoming trip, earn 5,000 miles through your credit card in the meantime, and use all 15,000 toward a single flight. There's no limit to how many sources you can combine.

Understanding Frontier's Current Mile Pricing

Frontier does not publish a fixed price for miles. The cost fluctuates based on demand and current promotions. During peak travel seasons, prices tend to rise. During slower periods, Frontier runs sales that lower the per-mile cost significantly.

The best approach is to check the "Buy Miles" page when you're ready to purchase and compare the current price to recent promotions you've seen in Frontier's emails. If the price is higher than usual, waiting a week or two for a sale might save you money — but if you need miles for an imminent trip, the current price is what you'll pay.

Redeeming Miles for Flights and Other Rewards

Miles can be redeemed for Frontier flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other travel-related purchases through the Frontier website. The number of miles required depends on the route, the time of year, and demand. A short domestic flight might cost 5,000 miles, while a longer route could cost 15,000 or more.

You can also transfer miles to Frontier's partner airlines in some cases, though this is less common than redeeming them directly for Frontier flights. Check your account to see which partners are currently available.

Protecting Your Miles From Expiration

The 24-month inactivity rule applies to all miles in your account, whether you purchased them or earned them. Activity includes any of these: booking a flight, buying miles, earning miles through the credit card, or transferring miles to a partner.

If you have miles you're saving for a future trip, use your Frontier credit card at least once every two years to keep your account active. Even a small purchase counts. This is especially important if you bought miles and don't plan to fly when ready — a single credit card transaction keeps your entire balance alive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy Frontier miles with a different airline's credit card?

Yes. Frontier accepts any major credit card for mile purchases on its website. You don't need a Frontier card to buy miles. However, using a Frontier card earns you additional miles on the purchase itself, so it's more efficient if you already have one.

What's the minimum number of miles I can buy?

Frontier sets a minimum purchase amount, which varies. Check the "Buy Miles" page for the current minimum. It's typically a small number — usually enough to cover part of a short flight — so you're not forced to buy more than you need.

Do purchased miles expire faster than earned miles?

No. All miles in your account follow the same 24-month inactivity expiration rule, regardless of whether you purchased them or earned them through the credit card. One activity keeps your entire balance alive.

Is there a limit to how many miles I can buy?

Frontier does not publish a per-transaction limit. Very large purchases may require you to contact Frontier directly, but for typical trip planning, you can buy as many miles as you need through the website.

Can I get a refund if I buy miles and change my plans?

Frontier's policy on mile refunds is strict. Once purchased, miles are generally non-refundable. Before buying, confirm your travel plans and the cost of your intended flight in miles. If you're unsure, consider opening the credit card instead to earn miles gradually.