Frontier Airlines Reshapes Loyalty With More Flexible Fare Redemption

Frontier Airlines, known as one of the largest ultra-low-cost carriers (ULCCs) in the United States, has introduced a significant enhancement to its frequent flyer program for 2025. Effective immediately, passengers can use their Frontier Miles to purchase fare bundles that include popular extras such as checked baggage, carry-on options, and advanced seat selection—benefits long excluded from base fares on budget airlines.

This development marks a substantial shift in how value-conscious travelers can leverage frequent flyer points. Instead of miles being redeemable only for basic base fares, they now extend to sought-after add-ons, allowing fliers to construct a more comfortable and predictable travel experience, even on a budget airline.

How the New Miles Redemption Works

Under Frontier’s updated system, miles can now be used to purchase their WORKS and PERKS bundles. These bundles typically include perks like:

• 1 checked bag and 1 carry-on bag
• Advanced seat selection, including stretch seating
• Priority boarding
• No change fees (WORKS bundle only)

The ability to redeem miles for the above options allows Frontier’s most loyal customers to enjoy a much-improved travel experience without paying extra cash for every upgrade. This improvement comes amid increased competition in the budget airline sector, where ancillary fees can often double or triple the advertised base fare.

Industry Context: Ancillary Revenue and Loyalty at ULCCs

The shift in Frontier’s loyalty program comes as budget airlines continue to depend heavily on ancillary revenue: charges from extras like checked bags, seat assignments, and priority boarding. According to IdeaWorksCompany’s 2024 study, ancillary revenue now represents over 50% of total revenue for some ULCCs, far surpassing traditional network airlines.

Until recently, most budget airline loyalty programs offered fewer rewards and steeper barriers to redeeming points for anything beyond the flight itself. Competitors such as Spirit Airlines and Allegiant have faced criticism for making miles tough to use except on base fares or for blackout dates. Frontier’s move disrupts this pattern, pressuring other carriers to match this added flexibility.

What This Means for Travelers

For leisure and business travelers alike, this change can result in significant savings and less uncertainty when flying Frontier. Now, a frequent flyer family or group can effectively ‘pay’ for all those extras—baggage, seat assignments, flexibility—simply by strategically using their accrued miles.

This is particularly relevant as Americans are traveling in record numbers: The Department of Transportation reported a 12% increase in domestic passengers in the first half of 2025 compared to the previous year, suggesting that competitive loyalty offerings can have a real impact on airline choice.

Expert Reactions and Market Impact

Travel industry experts have praised Frontier’s move as a step toward more consumer-friendly loyalty programs in the ULCC space. “By letting passengers apply miles to critical add-ons, Frontier aligns better with how budget travelers actually fly,” noted Jay Sorensen, President of IdeaWorksCompany. “It also encourages fliers to consolidate their business with one brand where their loyalty delivers real, tangible value.”

Frontier executives have signaled that this is part of a wider strategic push into loyalty and customer retention. In 2024, the airline saw a 7% increase in total active Mileage program members, outpacing growth at some larger network carriers. This year, the company announced new routes to more than a dozen domestic airports and expanded international service to Mexico and the Caribbean.

How Frontier’s Loyalty Program Compares

Frontier’s loyalty update sets it closer to mainline carriers such as Delta’s SkyMiles or United’s MileagePlus, both of which allow users to redeem points for seat upgrades, baggage, and other extras. However, Frontier distinguishes itself through lower redemption thresholds and a focus on value, rather than luxury. This is especially noteworthy for frequent fliers on a budget, including small business owners and cost-conscious families, who are increasingly seeking flexibility and predictability on bargain fares.

The expansion of redeemable benefits also brings Frontier in line with a broader industry trend, as airlines compete for customer allegiance in a post-pandemic travel rebound. According to Airlines for America, total U.S. airline revenues are projected to exceed $270 billion in 2025, with loyalty program engagement a key driver of repeat bookings.

Booking and Redemption: What Flyers Should Know

To take advantage of the new redemption options, flyers should:

• Log into their Frontier Miles account when booking
• Look for the new “Pay with Miles” option at checkout
• Check the number of miles required for WORKS/PERKS bundles, as redemption values may vary by flight and travel demand
• Monitor for limited-time promotions, especially during peak travel seasons

Frontier is also promoting co-branded credit cards that accelerate mileage earnings and sometimes offer instant bundle or upgrade perks.

The Bottom Line: Better Value for Budget Travelers

As budget travel becomes more mainstream and competition within the airline loyalty ecosystem intensifies, Frontier’s new policy empowers travelers to extract greater practical value from their miles. The ability to use points for commonly charged ancillary items bridges the gap between the value-focused model of ultra-low-cost carriers and the elevated experience traditionally offered by legacy airlines.

Whether you’re a frequent business traveler, a family on vacation, or a devoted deal-seeker, redeeming miles for more than just the seat unlocks a new level of flexibility and comfort. With other carriers likely to follow suit, the next year promises continued evolution in how airlines reward—and retain—their most loyal customers.