Yet another competitor is targeting potentially erstwhile Southwest customers. Frontier Airlines has launched a promotion that allows any Southwest Rapid Rewards customer to upgrade to Frontier Gold status through the remainder of 2025 for only $40.
Compared to what other major carriers are doing to target Southwest, this is unique in that it applies to ALL Rapid Rewards members regardless of their elite status. That’s a wide net.
Frontier Gold is a non-trivial status that provides free seat selection, carry-on bags, and seat upgrades. That alone might be worth more than $40 for anyone flying Frontier in 2025.
The Deal
- For a limited time, Southwest Rapid Rewards members can try Frontier Elite Gold Status.
- $40 application fee applies:
- Status will be awarded within 24-48 hours of request.
- Matched status will be valid through December 31, 2025
- No expiry listed, but offer can end at any time
- There is no fast track to renewing Frontier Gold status provided through the promotion.
Terms and Conditions
- Eligible members must hold a valid Southwest Rapid Rewards membership (joined Rapid Rewards before April 16th, 2025) and provide details.
- The FRONTIER Miles Elite Gold Status offer is valid for purchase for a limited time. The offer may change or be withdrawn at any time, including but not limited to the fees and validity period.
- The Instant FRONTIER Miles Elite Gold Status offer provides eligible and approved members Frontier Elite Gold Status through December 31, 2025.
- Once your FRONTIER Miles account has been upgraded to Elite Gold Status, no refunds are permitted under this offer.
- The upgrade to the member account will be processed within 24-48 hours.
- Members must use the same email address associated within their FRONTIER Miles account to apply for on the Elite Gold Sstatus offer.
- Purchasing this offer will not extend any existing Frontier Elite Status.
- Members who have previously done a Status Match are eligible for this offer if they meet the criteria.
Quick Thoughts
Frontier Gold is actually a significant status with several useful benefits, including:
- A free carry-on bag
- Zone 1 Priority Boarding
- Free preferred seat selection
- Eligibility for complimentary upgrades to premium seating at time of check-in and UpFront seating four hours prior to departure
Even if you were just taking one Frontier flight between now and the end of the year, getting a free carry-on and seat selection might be worth the $40 by itself. If you’re flying Frontier more than once, this promo is almost a no-brainer.
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Just did it and status was upgraded within minutes! I fly a few flights a year on Frontier so as you said the carry on and seat selection make it worth it!
How does the charge show up in your credit card statement? I am curious because I want to use my Ritz Carlton card and claim the travel credit on it.
I did it and the charge was by matchstatus and did not code as travel. It code as other services.
So no you will not be able to claim it for your annual travel credit on your Ritz Carlton Card.
I charged it to the Capital One Venture X and it shows up as “Internet”. Do not own the Ritz Card, but have Amex Platinum, Sapphire Preferred and wonder what it would show up on there. My husband will charge to one of those and will see how it codes.