For years, Frontier has made a name for itself as the airline where you have to pay extra for things like seats, bags, snacks, drinks, and air. More recently, however, the most unpopular airline in the US has been trying to reform its untoward ways. Over the last year, the airline has added free checked bags for Frontier cardholders, removed change fees, and added “economy,” “premium” and “business” fare bundles.
Towards the end of 2024, Frontier announced a rejiggering of its elite program, saying that it would be implementing complimentary “first-ish” class upgrades for Gold members and above. But, they didn’t stop there. In a direct shot across Southwest’s bow, Frontier would also be adding complimentary companion passes for Platinum and Diamond members, whereby they can bring a companion along for taxes and fees AND they would be able to use it for any travel companion, without having to designate one with a limited amount of changes like you do on Southwest.
Those companion travel “passes” are now live and can be used by all Frontier Platinum and Diamond elite members.
The Deal
- Frontier now allows Platinum and Diamond elite members to bring one companion on any flight for only government taxes and fees.
- There is no limit to how many times it can be used.
- There are no blackout dates.
- There is no need to designate a companion, you bring whomever you want.
- Valid on all bookings EXCEPT for GoWild passes.
- Platinum Status requires 50,000 elite status points within a calendar year.
- Diamond Status requires 100,000 elite status points within a calendar year.
Terms and Conditions
- Companion travel is a FRONTIER Miles benefit exclusively available to members holding Elite Platinum Status or Elite Diamond Status.
- Eligible members can bring a companion on an unlimited number of bookings for the cost of government taxes and fees (starting at $5.60), provided the companion:
- Has a FRONTIER Miles account number.
- Is added at the time of initial booking within the same ticket.
- The companion travel benefit is valid for as long as the holder maintains Elite Platinum or Elite Diamond Status.
- There is no limit on the number of times the companion travel benefit can be used.
- This benefit will automatically apply to a secondary qualifying person added to the PNR at the time of booking. If there are multiple people on the PNR, the Companion Travel benefit will apply to the person with the lowest level of status.
- Members must be logged into their FRONTIER Miles℠ account at the start of booking to ensure the Companion Travel benefit applies.
- The name of the companion must differ from that of the companion travel holder. Companion travel benefits cannot be used to book multiple seats under the same name for personal use or additional space.
- The companion will not earn any Travel Miles or Elite Status Points for the value of the flight.
- Companion travel is not permitted on GoWild! bookings.
Quick Thoughts
This is an incredible benefit – and another example of Frontier taking direct aim at Southwest.
In fact, Frontier’s companion benefit is a distinct level above Southwest’s famous companion pass in two ways. First, you don’t have to designate a companion, anyone with a Frontier Miles number on the same reservation as a Platinum or Diamond member is included. Second, not only do you get free companion travel, you also have meaningful elite status at the same time.
Platinum members now get a free carry-on and checked bag for them and everyone on their reservation, along with a preferred seat at booking and premium seat at check-in, again including companions. In addition, they’re eligible for complimentary Upfront Plus seats starting at 12 hours pre-departure. Diamond members get premium seats at booking and two free checked bags (including companions) and Upfront Plus upgrades 24 hours before departure. Both can gift elite status (Silver / Gold respectively) and get fee waivers for pets.
Platinum status requires 50,000 elite status points, which is a big haul. Frontier Mastercard holders get 1 point per $1 spend, and Frontier Miles members earn 10 points per $1 spent on Frontier flights. Elite members earn more points on flights: 12/$1 for Silver, 14/$1 for Gold, 16/$1 and 20/$1 for Diamond members. While using that framework to reach 50,000 points might seem like a lot, I know folks who spend $50K per year on their Southwest cards in order to keep their companion pass. This could be easier, by comparison.
The one area that Frontier does not match up well with Southwest is reach. While both airlines serve approximately the same amount of destinations, Southwest does it with almost 4,000 daily flights. Frontier has between 500-600. Because of that, Frontier tends to be much less convenient for the vast majority of the US. However, if that begins to improve, or if your airport is well-served by Frontier, the airline could present itself as a real alternative to the lack of LUV that Southwest customers have been feeling of late.
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I doubt there are more than a handful of Frontier Diamond members, and not very many Platinums. I’ve held Diamond status a couple of times as a status match, but I don’t believe they’re currently offering that. Other than put massive spending on a Frontier credit card (who would do that?), it would be very difficult to earn that status by flying. Frontier tickets are cheap, and elites don’t need to buy the extras that would juice their spend. Even a Gold member would have to spend $3500 on tickets (excluding the taxes, I think) and since my average Frontier fare was about $50, that’s not very probable.
I suspect you’re wrong about only a handful of Diamonds, but only because of the promotions they’ve been running for the past few months. You only needed 20k miles to get Platinum. I did it, in addition to buying the GoWild! pass.
Ah, can you game status with the Go Wild tickets? If so, it would be more than a handful. But not that many handfuls. I try to board at the beginning with the other elites, and if there’s more than 1 other person with any status boarding, it’s kind of shocking. Frontier isn’t a very elite-y airline.