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Frontier Airlines Baggage Fees & Tips To Cover the Expenses

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Frontier Airlines Baggage Fees & Tips To Cover the Expenses
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Key Takeaways

  • Frontier Airlines charges for both carry-on and checked bags, with fees varying based on when and where the baggage is purchased.
  • It is cheaper to pay for your luggage during your initial booking. Paying at the ticket counter, the gate, and via the call center is the most expensive.
  • Overweight and oversized items are charged a hefty fee, so it’s best to weigh your luggage and double-check that you’re within your allowance.

Frontier is one of the few airlines that currently charges a fee for standard carry-on bags and each checked bag (there are no automatic inclusions). With Frontier’s baggage policy, these fees increase with time. So, to save the most money you should purchase both your carry-on and checked luggage allowance as early as possible.

If you’re not sure how much you’re bringing at the exact time you purchase your ticket, you have until 24 hours prior to departure to secure the next cheapest fee. Remember, baggage charges are applied per one-way trip (i.e. you’ll be paying double these fees round trip).

Frontier Carry-on Allowance

1 Personal Item: FREE

Standard Carry-on Bags:

Fees are route-dependent, and Frontier advises passengers to use the airline’s online bag price checker. After running a few route searches, we found these consistent prices below, but do check for your specific route.

  • During Booking on Web/Mobile App: $52 to $69
  • Before Check-in on Web/Mobile App: $69 to $86
  • At Check-in on Web/Mobile App: $69 to $86
  • At Airport Kiosk or Ticket Counter: $79 to $92
  • At the Gate: $99 to $115
  • Call Center: $79 to $92

Passengers who book The WORKS or The PERKS bundle receive a free carry-on bag.

Please note that if you arrive at the departure gate with carry-on luggage outside of your booked allowance then you will be charged an additional fee to check the item as hold luggage.

Size Restrictions

  • Personal: 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45.72 x 35.56 x 20.32 cm)
  • Standard: 24 x 16 x 10 inches (60.96 x 40.64 x 25.4 cm) and no heavier than 35 pounds (15.88 kg)

Lap Infant Carry-on Policy

  • A diaper bag may be carried on board when traveling with a child, in addition to your carry-on allowance.

Stroller Check Policy

  • A stroller and car seat can be checked, and this can be done at the gate free of charge.

Frontier Checked Baggage Allowance

All checked bags must adhere to a max weight of 40 pounds (18 kg) and max linear dimensions of 62 inches (158 cm). The pricing below is for a one-way flight.

Fees are route-dependent, and Frontier advises passengers to use the airline’s online bag price checker. After running a few route searches, we found these consistent prices below, but do check for your specific route.

SCROLL FOR MORE

 

First Bag

Second Bag

3+ Bags

During Booking on Web/Mobile App

 $47 to $63

$67 to $86

 $87 to $110

Before Check-in on Web/Mobile App

$54 to $74

$74 to $97

$94 to $120

At Check-in on Web/Mobile App

$58 to $74

$78 to $97

$98 to $120

At Airport Kiosk or Ticket Counter

$79 to $92

$89 to $110

$95 to $116

At Gate

$99 to $115*

N/A

N/A

Via Call Center

$79 to $92

$89 to $110

$95 to $116

* For bags exceeding carry-on size limits

Hot Tip: Frontier’s bundles, The WORKS, and The PERKS, include both a carry-on piece and checked bag for each passenger and may save you money.

Additional and Excess Baggage Fees

Max weight per bag: <40 pounds
Overweight Fee:

  • 41 to 50 pounds: $75
  • 51 to 100 pounds: $100

Max linear dimensions per bag: Up to 62 linear inches
Oversized Fee (63-110 linear inches): $75

Bags heavier than 100 pounds or larger than 110 linear inches won’t be accepted by Frontier Airlines.

For baggage fees related to special luggage (sporting equipment, musical instruments, etc.), please refer to Frontier’s policy.

Exclusions and Waivers

FRONTIER Miles Elite 20K and Elite 50K members receive 1 free carry-on bag. Elite 100K members receive 1 complimentary carry-on bag and 1 checked bag.

Active Duty Military

  • 1 Free personal item
  • 1 Free carry-on bag
  • 2 Free checked bags

Oversize and overweight baggage fees are waived for the first 2 free checked bags.

Please note: U.S. military passengers are defined as active duty armed forces, reserves, and national guard.

What to remember:

  • This policy applies to active-duty military passengers only (not family members or traveling companions). That being said, if the active duty member has only 1 bag to check and their spouse has 1 bag to check, we assume both bags could technically be considered complimentary if checked under the active duty member’s name. This will depend on the generosity of the gate agent.
  • You can not add your baggage online. You must check your baggage at the airport in order for the fees to be waived.

Can I Prepay for Baggage?

Frontier Airlines does allow passengers the ability to prepay for luggage online or via the mobile app, saving up to 50%.

Here are the ways you can prepay:

  • Log in to the My Trip/Check-In area of the Frontier website and click Add baggage.
  • Download and log in to the Frontier app.

Frontier doesn’t have a co-branded credit card that provides a free checked bag, but you can get your checked bag fees reimbursed by the cards below. Each card allows you to redeem Capital One miles for 1 cent each as a statement credit for previous travel purchases (within 90 days).

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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

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U.P. Rating 
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Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
75,000 miles
$1,350
$95
19.99% - 29.49% (Variable)
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)
Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

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  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
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  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
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Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.

Apply Now(at Capital One's secure site)
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.
Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel.
20,000 miles
$360
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19.49% - 29.49% (Variable),0% intro on purchases for 15 months
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
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  • Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
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  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
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  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
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Capital One Miles

To see more airline baggage fees and policies, click here.

Featured Image Credit: Frontier Airlines

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to pay for a carry-on bag on Frontier?

If you purchase a basic fare, you will have to pay for your carry-on bag on Frontier flights. Elite members and passengers who purchased The WORKS or The PERKS fare receive a free carry-on bag in addition to their free personal item.

How much does it cost for a carry-on bag on Frontier?

The cost for a carry on bag on Frontier can range from $52 to $115. This cost is dependent upon which point in the process that you purchase your luggage allowance and the route. The earlier you purchase your allowance, the cheaper it will be, and you can use the online bag price checker to find out the fee for your route.

Again, Elite members and passengers who purchased THE WORKS or The PERKS fare receive a free carry-on bag.

What size carry-on bag does Frontier allow?

A carry-on bag on Frontier Airlines is allowed to be no larger than 24 x 16 x 10 inches (including handles, wheels, and straps) and the weight of the bag can be no heavier than 35 pounds.

Is a backpack considered a carry-on bag on Frontier?

That depends on the size of your backpack. If the backpack is 14 x 18 x 8 inches or smaller, it can be considered a personal item. If it is larger, it will be considered a carry-on bag, unless it exceeds the maximum size for a carry-on (24 x 16 x 10 inches) in which case it will be considered a checked bag.

What size bag is free on Frontier flights?

If you purchase a basic fare with Frontier, only your personal item is free. Ticket holders are allowed 1 personal item with a size limit of 14 x 18 x 8 inches.

How much does it cost to check a bag on Frontier flights?

Checked baggage prices on Frontier Airlines range from $47 to $116 depending on the time at which you purchase your luggage allowance, the number of checked bags you have, and the route. The earlier you purchase your allowance, the cheaper it will be.

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About Erin Miller

An experienced points hacker, Erin is Alex’s partner-in-crime and contributes to Upgraded Points with in-depth guides and relationship management. Erin’s work has been cited in multiple major publications.

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