💡 tl;dr – Frontier Airlines recently launched a status match that allows all Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Members, even those who don’t hold elite status with Southwest, to pay $40 and receive Frontier Airlines Gold Status. Gold status is the middle level offer a few helpful benefits that could make Frontier Airlines low fares even more enticing.
Frontier Airlines is offering all Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards members the opportunity to match grab Frontier Gold status at the cost of $40. While this isn’t as zany as Frontier Airline’s past status matches, that allowed you to bundle status matches with Frontier’s famous Go Wild! All-You-Can-Fly passes, it is also dirt cheap at $40 and doesn’t require you hold elite status with any airline.
Rules and Details of the Frontier Airlines Status Match
Frontier has been in the news quite a bit over the last few years, whether it’s been about the airline’s financial struggles or seemingly-never-ending merger talk. Accordingly, there aren’t a whole lot of stipulations to this offer, and I’m sure the lack of red tape is aimed at boosting numbers and Frontier airlines engagement for Q2. And of course, with Southwest Airlines reeling, there’s no time like the present to make an effort to attract some new passengers.
To status match, you’ll need to do:
1) Enroll in Frontier Airline’s loyalty program. You can do so here.
2) Have been a Rapid Rewards member
3) Fill out the status match form and pay your $40 as part of the process.
Upon completion, you’ll be notified of your updated Frontier status within 48 hours, though early reports have suggested folks are receiving confirmation within 30 minutes. Your elite status will be valid until the end of the year, expiring on December 31, 2025.
Why Might You do this? What Does Frontier Gold Status Get You?
Frontier Elite Gold is the second lowest status in Frontier’s program though with it you do receive some tangible benefits, specifically:
As a low-cost carrier that derives a solid chunk of revenue by selling many of these items listed above as add-ons, you often find that the cheap low fare that caught you eye is anything but that after adding in all the necessities. Seat selection can cost anywhere from $17-$55 one way. A carry-on will run you between $30-$55. These fees stuff adds up. One can see how paying $40 to skip out on these fees on any Frontier flight you take through the end of the year,
In case you’re curious, here’s a look at the full table of Frontier’s elite benefits across all status tiers:
Ok, But Is it Worth It?
For the right person it could be. For travelers who 1) love low fares 2) pack lightly, and 3) are based in the Eastern timezone, this status match is tailored made for enjoying a few ‘sun and fun’ weekend trips. Skipping out on carry on baggage feels allows you to hop on a cheap direct flight to the Caribbean or Central America for a few nights and enjoy some time at the beach, pool, or in the rainforest. Since those low Frontier fares are no longer at risk of ballooning due to additional add-ons, you can pocket that extra money, or even better – splurge at a fun new hotel. You’re there to enjoy the destination anyway right?
Frontier Airlines has a low-key hub hanging out in the Caribbean at San Juan Puerto Rico’s Luis Munoz Marin International Airport. For travelers who don’t have direct service to some of Frontier’s premier international destinations such as the Dominican Republic, Cancun, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Aruba, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Sint Maarten, you can transit through San Juan Puerto Rico to get to some of these places. Additionally, San Juan connects to islands like Antigua and Barbados, possibly providing you with a much cheaper build-you-own itinerary than you might find on a bundled fare with say, American Airlines.
Of course, Puerto Rico is a destination in of itself and Frontier offers low cost fares (as low as $49 one way) to the following cities – Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Boston, Hartford, Newark, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Raleigh-Durham, and Charlotte.
Travelers based in Miami, Orlando, and Atlanta have a particularly strong selection of direct routes to places like San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Guatemala City, Guatemala, San Salvador, El Salvador, Cancun, Mexico, San Jose, Costa Rica, Phillipsburg, Sint Maarten, and a few of the airports in the Dominican Republic.
Let’s say you’re based in Atlanta and wanted to check out the all new St. Regis Hotel in Aruba or the upcoming Secrets Baby Beach, for a few nights. You could drop $400 for economy on Delta, or fly economy on Frontier – with the shot at an upgrade for $159.
Did I mention this could be a cheat card for families? If the benefits of Gold Elite work in the same way that they do for Platinum Elite then the cost savings could be multiplied. Platinum Elites at Frontier receive a free checked back, in addition to the free cabin bag (which Gold Elite receive). But, Platinum Elites can also book a reservation with up to 8 other passengers, all of whom also receive a complimentary checked back. Frontier revamped its loyalty program earlier this year, but I believe that Gold Elites enjoy this same ‘benefits extension’. So, if you’re traveling with your crew, and you book on the same reservation, everyone can get a free cabin bag. That’s pretty cool.
Obvious, everyone has their desires and motivations (airline loyalty, chasing status, earning miles, preference) but the point is zapping the whole ‘extra fees for everything’ shtick makes the idea of flying a ‘no-frills’ carrier a lot more compelling.
Hit the comment section to let me know if you’re moving on this deal.
