Frontier Airlines is making its latest ploy to win over customers who frequently fly with its top competitors. And the offer could be an easy path to scoring upgrades to its brand-new first-class seats.
The budget airline on Tuesday announced a new status match opportunity targeting customers who have elite status with any of the following carriers: Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue and Spirit Airlines.
If you have status with any of those four airlines, regardless of the level, you can match to Frontier Miles Elite Gold status for a fee of $69. Your status will last through December 2026 — so it’ll be good for about 16 months.
What to know about Frontier Miles Elite Gold
Gold is the second of four status tiers in Frontier’s loyalty program, and offers a handful of benefits that help flyers skirt some of the most cumbersome hurdles of flying a budget carrier. Frontier Miles Elite Gold members can bring a full-size carry-on bag on board and select a seat even if they choose its cheapest, most bare-bones fare class.
They also get complimentary access to the carrier’s UpFront Plus product (which features a guaranteed empty middle seat) within four hours of departure if seats are empty.
Most notably, Gold members will be eligible for complimentary upgrades to Frontier’s new first-class product that’s expected to debut by the end of 2025.
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“This is one of the most valuable offers we’ve ever extended to frequent flyers,” Frontier Senior Director of Brand and Customer Engagement Jeff Werkheiser said in a statement. “We’re inviting members of many different airline loyalty programs to experience The New Frontier – where they can travel affordably without sacrificing comfort or premium perks.”
Frontier aims to woo loyal flyers of other carriers
Frontier has been on a mission to poach loyal customers of its top competitors. Earlier this year, the Denver-based ultra-low-cost carrier targeted Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards loyalists with a paid status match offer (customers who took part in that promotion are not eligible for this one).
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Over the last year and a half, the carrier has revamped its fare products and rolled out new pseudo-premium features like the UpFront Plus option it has compared to European-style business class.
And the airline is now offering a companion pass to members who reach high-level Elite Diamond or Elite Platinum status.
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Frontier Airlines status match
Let’s get to the specifics of this status match.
You’ll need to have a Frontier Miles frequent flyer account and prove your elite status in one of the four programs:
- Southwest Rapid Rewards
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
- JetBlue TrueBlue
- Free Spirit
Once you pay the $69 fee, Frontier expects to process your upgrade to Gold status within 24 to 48 hours.
The promotion runs through Sept. 9.
If you have an existing booking with the airline and already paid for an add-on item like a seat or carry-on bag (items that would be complimentary with Frontier’s Gold status), the airline will not refund those purchases — but beyond those prepurchased items, the status benefits will apply going forward.
Read more: Is Frontier elite status worth it?
Is the Frontier status match worth it?
There’s little downside in opting in to this Frontier Miles promotion if you ever fly the airline (or think you might over the next year-plus) and have status with Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue or Spirit — other than potential ineligibility for future similar promotions at Frontier.
While there is that $69 fee to enroll, the status benefits could potentially cover that cost in one trip, given how much Frontier charges for bags and seats on some flights. Plus, keep in mind, this status match doesn’t have a challenge associated — meaning, there’s no need to fly a certain amount, spend a certain amount or carry a cobranded credit card to qualify for or maintain the status.
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