Stop Overlooking Frontier’s Status Match Opportunity & Why I Just Did It For the 3rd Time!

Frontier Airlines Status Match Guide – Why I Did It 3 Times

Frontier is an airline that people seemingly love to hate. It falls in the “Ultra Low Cost Carrier” segment with airlines like Spirit & Allegiant, with all three having reputations that are less than stellar. I have found most of the anger towards these airlines comes from unprepared flyers, however people do have legitimate gripes with them as well.

If you listen to the MtM Podcast, you know I have flown Frontier Airlines a lot these past few years. The main reason for this has been their generous status match opportunities. One of the biggest problems flying Frontier is the various fees. They will sell you a ticket for a cheap price, but once you add bags, extra legroom seats (I can’t really take 28″ pitch for very long) and other stuff the price often ends up comparable with other airlines. But not with the status match.

Frontier Status Match Returns for 2023

Frontier just brought back their status match opportunity, giving elites from other airlines up to their 100K status. And that is the status you want! The reason I have flown them so much and the reason you should consider this match is that status. When you are 100K you and up to 8 people on your PNR get “The Works Bundle”. Let’s dive into that a bit more.

The Works Bundle

As you can see, The Works Bundle eliminates all of the pesky fees including those coveted Stretch seats which are an essential part of flying Frontier for me. Combined with the free Discount Den membership that comes with 100K status as well, you have a great deal. And sometimes an amazing one!

For example, I just booked a flight to Chicago for the Seminars at the Holiday Inn next month with my new Frontier status for $40. Unfortunately Frontier flies to Midway on this timing, but it is a Friday morning flight that was about 1/5 the price of comparable flights from full service carriers. For example, my cheapest option for United is a $179 flight that leaves at 6am. I am okay going to the other airport to pay 20% and fly at a more reasonable hour. And this is probably the first time I’ve run into Frontier not going to the best airport for my journey.

Frontier Status Match – Dive into the Details

So you are probably wondering how this Frontier status match works. Well, to start you need elite status with another airline. I know many Hyatt elites were just gifted Platinum Pro status and good news that can be used to get Elite 100K Frontier status. The Southwest Companion Pass will work too. You can find a full list of eligible statuses here.

Other than elite status, you will also need to pay a fee of $149 for the match. If you have matched during a previous promotion during the past 3 years they may tack on an additional $50, although some people have reported not being charged this extra amount. Now let’s look at the terms so you know what you are getting yourself into.

Frontier Airlines Status Match Terms

Here are some of the key things you need to know about the Frontier Airlines Status Match for 2023:

• The Frontier Status Match application fee is $99 to verify and validate applications at 20k and 50k. There is a $149 application fee to verify and validate applications for 100k status. An additional $50 fee will be applied if your Frontier account has received a status match since November 1, 2020.
• Your new elite status status will reflect on your Frontier account within 72hrs of approval.
• Your newly approved elite status with Frontier will be valid until December 31, 2024
• Applicants that are not successful will be notified by email with 3 days of the application. You must hold real, valid elite status with an eligible loyalty program to have your application approved. Application fees are non-refundable.
• All GoWild! Passes can be used in conjunction with elite status you hold with Frontier.
• The Status Match offer is available until December 31, 2023 11:59pm CST, however, Frontier reserves the right to modify or end the offer at any time with no notice.

Find all of the details and learn more about the match here. 

Go Wild! Pass & Frontier Elite Status

One other thing to keep in mind is the elite status you receive as part of the match will work if you combine it will Frontier’s GoWild! “all you can fly” pass. In fact, you can buy a pass good through the end of the year for $299, but you should also be able to take advantage of future passes and deals with this status. All of the benefits you receive would work on those flights.

Lower Status Tiers?

Depending on your current elite status, you may only be eligible for 20K or 50K status which isn’t quite as rich for discounts as the 100K. The good news is that Frontier matches both hotel and cruise status for their lower tiers (Airline status only for 100K) so there is a good chance that you have a status that will get you a Frontier match. For example Hilton Gold and above, IHG Gold and above, Marriott Gold and above and Hyatt Explorist and above all get matched to 50K. Since the 50K status doesn’t come with the bundle for everyone, make sure to do the calculations to see if that makes sense.

Frontier Status Match 100K – Is It Worth the $149 Fee?

Now that we have addressed the lower tiers, let’s talk about the real deal here. The big question is whether paying $149 for a status match is worth it. I live in Las Vegas and have a ton of cheap Frontier flights across the country so the answer is an easy yes for me. So what if you only have limited Frontier flights? In most cases you should recover your $149 in one flight, especially if you have multiple people traveling.

The key to looking at the value here is determining the likelihood of you traveling Frontier one or more times before the status runs out at the end of 2024. Look at where they fly from your airport, look at your travel plans and determine if you think it is something worth doing. Doing a mock booking on their site can be a great way to see how much you would be saving. Lastly, this match can also inspire other trips. For example, we are now planning to go to San Antonio soon for a quick weekend trip. Who can argue with $40 roundtrip flights with “The Works” included? Riverwalk, Seaworld and Six Flags Fiesta Texas here we come!

Frontier Status Match – Other Considerations

One of the biggest drawbacks with low cost carriers are issues with cancellations and getting stranded. I have flown the airline nearly two dozen times and have not had any such issues (outside of an ice storm cancellation in Dallas that wasn’t their fault), but it is a worry, especially if you are in a market without a ton of Frontier flights.

Over the past few years just about every airline has had a complete meltdown, so the best way to protect yourself whether flying Frontier or anyone else is with insurance. You can use one of the many credit cards with travel insurance or purchase a standalone policy for more protection. I use the All Trips Premier Plan from Allianz since we have been traveling a lot lately, however the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s insurance has served me well in the past as well.

Frontier Airlines Status Match Guide – Bottom Line

For me this status is one of the better deals around. I can fly to tons of cities for around $40 roundtrip and even to the East Coast for a fraction of what it would cost on any other airline all-in. The Frontier experience with Stretch seats is equivalent I would say to what you get with legacy airlines and I’m okay to purchase a drink if I need to. I find Frontier’s staff to be friendly and the experience isn’t notably different than other airlines.

I guess my point is to look past your bias to see if this could be a great deal for you. It won’t be for everyone, but I suspect many who dismiss this status match opportunity would actually benefit from it. This was my third time matching to Frontier 100K status and I’ll gladly do it again in the future if they offer it.

Have you matched to Frontier’s 100K status?

Disclosure: Miles to Memories has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Miles to Memories and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

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