Frontier Flight Delay Compensation: What to Know – NerdWallet

Flight delays are not only frustrating, they occur more frequently than you might expect. The Department of Transportation’s March 2023 data revealed that about 25 percent of flights didn’t post on-time arrivals.

It’s a possibility that you should anticipate regardless of which airline you’re flying on, including Frontier Airlines. If your Frontier flight is delayed, it’s important to know Frontier’s flight delay compensation policy and what you’re entitled to.

Federal law requires airlines to refund you for a canceled flight, but the U.S. Department of Transportation has no regulations regarding flight delays. A delayed flight doesn’t automatically mean you have the right to a refund or other type of compensation from the airline.

When it comes to flight delay compensation, Frontier and other airlines are free to set their own policies and decide what they’re willing to provide to these passengers. Here’s what to know about Frontier flight delay compensation.

If your flight is impacted by a schedule change, like a departure or arrival time change, Frontier will notify you. You’ll receive this notification as a text message, email or in the Frontier app. In the notification, it will describe the new time and reason for the delay, if known.

Generally, Frontier flight delay compensation isn’t offered for delays under three hours of your original departure time.

In the event of what the carrier considers a “controllable situation,” it’ll book you on the next available Frontier flight to avoid further impact to your travel itinerary. This re-booking is at no extra cost.

The airline will only place you on the next available Frontier flight. It isn’t under any obligation to book you on another carrier’s flight, even if it’s closer to your original departure time.

If a schedule change by the carrier results in a significant delay, you have the option to request a refund.

As part of the Frontier delayed flight compensation terms, flights that are delayed for at least three hours are eligible for a refund of the unused portion of the flight booking. This includes fees paid toward seat upgrades and checked baggage.

This refund is applicable for circumstances that are within, and outside of, Frontier’s control. For example, baggage loading, mechanical issues, weather interruptions, bird strikes and other reasons.

Once Frontier grants this refund, however, it’s no longer obligated to provide further flight delay compensation.

Although a significant delay can ruin your original travel plans, sometimes you just need to get to your destination. Passengers who accept Frontier’s assigned alternative flight are offered complimentary meal vouchers for delays of three hours or greater.

It might be a nominal gesture during a frustrating flight delay experience, but being able to get a meal on the carrier’s dime is better than nothing.

If you used a credit card to book your Frontier flight and it was delayed, check your card benefits. Some credit card benefits programs offer reimbursement protection for delays that meet certain criteria.

For example, theChase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers trip delay reimbursement for flights that are delayed more than 12 hours or necessitate an overnight stay. It provides up to a $500 reimbursement per ticket for expenses associated with a delay, like accommodations and meals.

Schedule changes for your flight can have an avalanche effect on your subsequent travel plans and can be stressful in general. Although Frontier will provide refunds for unused portions of tickets for flights delayed more than three hours, there’s little recourse for shorter delays.

If you believe you deserve compensation for a delayed flight, check whether you meet Frontier’s Customer Service Plan policy for a refund, or if the credit card you used offers trip delay insurance to help cover the loss.