7 Things to Know About Frontier Status Match – NerdWallet

Elite status can be addicting. Once you’ve earned the benefits associated with status — such as waived fees and priority access — it can be hard to turn away. If you’re wanting to fly with Frontier but don’t already have elite status, you may be wondering if it’s possible to match over. Yes, it can be. Here’s a look at Frontier status matches, the benefits and what you need to know. 

While some airlines maintain a widely available status match opportunity, that isn’t the case for Frontier. Matches are generally only possible when Frontier is running one of its status match promotions. The last was in December 2021, which means it’s been a while since the opportunity was offered. 

However, it is worth noting that two instances of status matching outside an official promotion have been reported within the past year. Both of these have been at the website statusmatch.com — this paid service works to get your status matches approved.

Many airlines will provide you with a status challenge rather than a direct status match. In these cases, you’ll receive temporary elite status with the opportunity to retain your status by flying a certain amount during a period of time. 

Frontier’s status matches don’t generally do this. Instead, you’ll need to pay an application fee. During the last round of status matches, the fee came out to $49. Considering you’d likely end up spending a couple of thousand dollars to complete status challenges with other airlines, $49 is a fairly cheap deal. 

Note that Frontier also allowed flyers to buy up an additional level of status if they didn’t qualify for the tier that they wanted, though it doesn’t list the prices to do so. 

Frontier is a low-cost airline, which means that it may feature cheap fares but fees add up. This can range from fees for selecting a seat to paying to bring a carry-on bag.

Those who have elite status with Frontier Airlines, however, receive many of these benefits for free. What you’ll get varies depending on your level of status; there are currently three levels that you can attain: Elite 20k, Elite 50k and Elite 100k. As you’d expect, the best benefits are reserved for Elite 100k members. 

Here are some of the benefits you can expect with Frontier’s elite status. 

• Waived award redemption fees.

• Waived phone booking fees.

• Waived same-day change fees.

While it would be nice to get elite status for nothing, odds are that won’t happen. As with other airlines, you’ll need to have existing elite status to take advantage of a status match. 

Frontier can be a strange beast with this one; while other airlines require that you have status with an airline, Frontier’s most recent status match promotion allowed you to match over with hotel elite status. 

This included status from hotel chains such as Hilton Honors, IHG One Rewards, Choice Privileges, Marriott Bonvoy, Wyndham Rewards and World of Hyatt. Perhaps most interestingly, customers were able to acquire many of these statuses from credit cards rather than hotel stays. Then, these could be matched over to Frontier by paying the application fee.

With Frontier’s status match promotion, those cardholders were able to match over to Elite 100k — Frontier’s top status. 

When you think of elite status, you probably envision it benefiting individuals rather than groups or families. However, Frontier’s elite status provides quite a few benefits to those traveling with the elite member. The best perks unlock at Elite 100k with the WORKS bundle which provides free upgraded seats, priority check-in, free checked bags and free carry-on bags. 

These benefits apply to up to eight people traveling with the elite member. Considering that carry-on bags can be more than $50 each, the value of these benefits adds up quickly.

This may seem obvious, but you need to be a member of Frontier’s frequent flyer program, Frontier Miles, to apply for a status match. Signing up is free and easy, though, you’ll need to have personal information on hand. 

Although Frontier isn’t currently offering a status match opportunity, you can sign up to receive notifications if and when another one arrives. 

To do so, go to Frontier’s dedicated status match page. You can input your personal information, including your name, email address and MileageDen number. Then, you’ll get an email when Frontier launches another promotion.

Although status matching with Frontier isn’t always an option, when it is, it can be incredibly generous. In the past, travelers have been able to match over using their hotel or airline elite status, even when they’ve acquired that status through a credit card. 

Although Frontier allows for a status match rather than a challenge requiring you to fly extra flights on the airline, there can be application fees associated with the process. Even still, the benefits associated with being an elite member on Frontier can more than make up the cost. 

(Top photo courtesy of Frontier Airlines)