Frontier Airlines Baggage Fees & Tips To Cover The Expenses
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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).
Table of contents
Table of Contents
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.
- At Booking: $37-$39
- Online (up to 24 hours before departure): $40-$42
- Call Center: $55
- Web Check-In: $43
- Airport Ticket Counter: $55
- At the Gate: $60
Please note: 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 20.32 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 23kg (50lb) and max linear dimensions of 158cm (62”). 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.
| 1st Bag | 2nd Bag | 3+ Bags | |
| At Booking | $34-$37 | $39-$50 | $85 |
| Online (up to 24hrs before departure) | $39-$45 | $45-$50 | $85 |
| Via Call Center | $55 | $55 | $95 |
| Web Check-In | $40-$46 | $55 | $90 |
| Airport Ticket Counter | $55 | $55 | $95 |
| At Gate | $60* | n/a | n/a |
*for bags exceeding carry-on size limits
Please note: Frontier’s bundles, The WORKS℠ & The PERKS℠, includes both a carry-on piece and checked bag for each passenger and may save you money.
Additional / Excess Baggage Fees
Max weight per bag: <50lb
Overweight Fee: $75
Max linear dimensions per bag: up to 62 linear inches
Oversized Fee: $75
Bags heavier than 100lb 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 here.
Can I Pre-pay for Baggage?
Frontier Airlines does allow passengers the ability to pre-pay for luggage online or via the mobile app, saving up to 50%.
Here are the ways you can pre-pay:
- 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.
Recommended Cards That Reimburse You For Baggage Fees
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.
| Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card - This no annual fee card comes with a 20,000 bonus mile offer after spending $500 in the first 3 months. When you use your card for travel purchases (e.g. baggage fees), use your miles to pay off all, or part of, your statement balance! We've highlighted 30+ benefits of the card. |
| Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card - The "big brother" card to the VentureOne with a 100,000 bonus miles offer when you spend $20,000 on purchases in the first 12 months from account opening, or still earn 50,000 miles if you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. This card is full of benefits and perks and you can redeem your miles on travel or transfer your miles to over 10+ travel loyalty programs. |
Exclusions & Waivers
FRONTIER Milessm Elite 100K members receive a complimentary checked bag.
Active Duty Military:
- One free personal item
- One free carry-on bag
- Two free checked bags
Oversize and overweight baggage fees are waived for the first two free checked bags.
Please note: U.S. military passengers are defined as active duty armed forces, reserves, and national guard.”
What to remember:
- This applies to active duty military passengers only (not family members or traveling companions). That being said, if the active duty member has only one bag to check and their spouse has one 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.
Also, to clarify Active Duty Military bags, if the active duty spouse is traveling WITHOUT the active duty person, their bags are NOT free. For any spouse that plans to use Frontier while their spouse is deployed, you’ll pay. Your military ID is worthless.
So are the bags free when you do travel with the Active Duty military member? Also, how many Bags are authorized for free for the Active Duty Military member? The site doesn’t clarify. It merely states “free checked baggage for Active duty”. So does that mean unlimited? Please clarify. Thank you
Hi Steven, I’ve edited this response as Amy alerted me below that I accidentally got my wires crossed and gave you info for Spirit – sorry about that!
I was having trouble finding the information as well so I called Frontier and questioned their Customer Relations Department. Over the phone, they told me the following:
– All baggage types are free for active duty military; this includes carry-on bags AND checked bags.
– There is no limit to the number of bags an active duty military individual can check.
– There is no weight limit, nor size limit for active duty military bags (no overage charges will be applied).
– Baggage must be addressed at the airport check-in counter where all fees will be waived (there is no online option).
– This complimentary baggage policy does NOT extend to spouse/family members*
*If a spouse/family member is traveling WITH the active duty military individual, this person may utilize Frontier’s policy of unlimited complimentary bags in order to check in all of the bags under their booking (therefore extending the policy to the spouse/family member by proxy). Megan was correct above when she mentioned Frontier does not extend this policy when the spouse/family is traveling without the active duty military individual for instance if that individual is deployed.
Hope this helps!
Erin,
The article is about Frontier Airlines and you gave baggage info for Spirit. Any insight as to the Frontier policy for added baggage for active duty military? Their website isn’t exactly clear. Thanks!
Hey Amy, sorry about that – I don’t know where I got my wires crossed! I edited my response above so that information should be correct. Thanks for the heads up!!!
On Frontier the bags are free for the spouse & all dependants when traveling with the Active Duty military member, however all of the baggage must be under the Active Duty person’s name. Frontier told us that there is no limit to # of bags as long as they collectively weigh under 1000 lbs.
I have a shopping bag to take with me. It will contain some medicines, a bp machine, and a small amount of clothing. Will they charge me for this if it fits under the seat? My ticket is basic and I have not purchased any additional baggage.
Hello! So long as the bag fits under the seat in front of you, you won’t have any issues with being charged. However, you may want to call the airline to confirm this. Thanks!
If you book through a different party you are not allowed to add a bag until you get to the airport. The other party won’t help. I was on hold for over 45 min and no response on a week day and it’s the same fee if calling. The web site will not let you add a bag either. Very frustrating.
How many bags can military person bring?
Frontier does not publish a limit on free bags for active Military. If you have more than 3 bags, I would contact them in advance since you cannot add the bags online. You can call them at 801-401-9000 or contact their customer service via their customer help form. Here is the link: https://flyfrontier.custhelp.com/app/frontierairlines .
Hi Emily,
Please see the response to Steven B above… I called their customer relations department, so you can read over what they had to say.
As always, if it’s a special circumstance (and as Christine said, if you have quite a few bags) I’d call them and check just to be sure!
Erin! Thanks so much for your help! I’ve been needing to call them, this is great info!
Recommend not booking through different party. Wife and I recently used one and they charged our card six or seven different times for partial amounts and then credited parts back. When I called to straighten it out, as the total was about $100 more than what we were shown at checkout, I was told Frontier can change the fares any time they want and that was in the information when I booked. So they upped the price between the time I submitted my card when I booked and the 7 milliseconds it took to process? Was too tired to argue as we were traveling for a funeral so I let it go. In any event, might be wiser to go straight to their site to book. At least you know upfront who is screwing you. And bring a drink, lol. Water is not free either. Travel safe.
What if you pay for a checked bag at booking, but end up not needing it? Any chance for reimbursement?
Unfortunately not!
Does Frontier measure the wheels and handle? For a checked bag?
Hi Patricia, the general rule for all airlines is that the max size DOES include all wheels/handles.
I dont understand why the wheels and handles are included for measurements. That seems unfair.
Hi Chris, this can be frustrating if you measure just over, but this is typical of most airlines to ensure baggage can fit in the overhead compartments.
Does military spouse get a discount on baggage fees. If I a, traveling with my husband will they waive my carry on fee as well
Hi Linda,
Frontier Airlines will waive your baggage fees if you are traveling with your Active Duty husband. The only thing to remember is that the checked bags must all be under your husband’s name. There is no weight limit (up to 1,000 pounds).
How do I pay for my carry on suitcase with my credit card?
Hi Cheryl. You can pay for your carry-on baggage with your credit card in advance when purchasing your ticket or when you check in for your flight. You can enter your credit card information once you select the number of bags you have. You can also pay by credit card at the airport check-in counter, the airport self-service kiosk, or at the departure gate. The departure gate is the most expensive. Here are the carry-on baggage rules and a list of charges: https://www.flyfrontier.com/travel/travel-info/bag-options/
Please clarify on your website that active duty spouses traveling without their spouse do not get free baggage. I have been to the airport 7 times in the last 9 months because my husband and I are not able to live in the same state for his training. I recently got my spouse card, and tried to check a bag on my last trip out to see him, and was surprised to learn I would not be able to check my bag complimentary because he was not with me. It’s kind of like a slap in the face that you won’t check military spouse’s luggage unless they are traveling with their spouse. The worst part of being a military spouse is the long times apart. If you are trying to say you don’t care about the sacrifices military spouses make for our country, we hear you loud and clear. At least put it on your website so we can plan accordingly. Thank you.
Hi Chenoa – please be advised that we are NOT Frontier Airlines. We are Upgraded Points, a website dedicated to providing information about points and miles as well as other travel related content.
I am happy to add the clarification about active duty spouses to our article here, but please understand you have not contacted Frontier, so changing things here will not notify them or act in any way to change their policies. I can see how this is extremely upsetting – we totally agree with you that this is a very unhelpful policy.
We suggest you contact Frontier directly at 1 (801) 401-9000, or fill out their feedback form here: https://flyfrontier.custhelp.com/app/frontierairlines to voice your complaints.
Does an active duty soldier have to pay for the carry on and checked bags when they purchase their ticket? or should they purchase the ticket and then check bags when they check in? Basically do they pay first and get a refund or do they simply check bags once they are at the airport to save them from having to pay in the first place?
Hi Elena, Frontier requires an active duty ID and/or that you are in uniform at the airport and you cannot add your baggage online when purchasing your ticket. You must check your baggage at the airport in order for the fees to be waived.
Hope this helps!
Does Frontier check boxes? If so is it the same requirements for checked luggage?
Hey Seidah,
It is the same requirements.
I booked a vacation through Cheap Caribbean. I am trying to find out about costs for a carry on bag and/or a checked bag. The website in not very clear. I’ve been reading that if you book through a third party, you cannot purchase your baggage until you check in at the airport. Is this true and if so why?
Hi Audra, I assume you’re implying your vacation booked through Cheap Caribbean included a flight with Frontier Airlines. In part, whether or not you will have to pay for your baggage (and how much) will depend on the fare type for the ticket you’ve purchased. If your fare type is considered The WORKS℠ or The PERKS℠ it will include one carry-on and one checked bag. If not, then yes, you will have to pay for your baggage.
In terms of booking through third parties, I called Frontier customer relations and they reported that you should be able to add bags to your itinerary online. They stated somewhere in your confirmation from your third-party agency, you should have a 6 character confirmation code for Frontier (a combo of letters and numbers). If you cannot find that in your confirmation paperwork, I suggest calling the third party directly to get it.
Once you have the code, follow the instructions here to add baggage to your trip. Hope this helps!
Does the military policy regarding bags apply to only active duty or is retired military included?
Hi Audrey, as noted in the piece above: “Frontier Airlines offers free checked baggage to Active Duty Military.*** They require an active duty ID and/or that you are in uniform at the airport.”
Just to update, I don’t know if this is a new change, but on their website Frontier says this under the Military Personnel section of their Bag Options page.
“ACTIVE MILITARY PERSONNEL BAGS
Active military passengers only (not family members or traveling companions) receive one free carry-on bag, one free checked bag (including oversize and overweight) and a personal item.”
So it seems that the “no limit” on the military member’s bags may not be true anymore…
Hi Jonathon – thanks so much for this info! This is definitely a fairly new change in their policy and we’ve now updated our information on the page accordingly.
Really appreciate the heads up here! 🙂
I’m not sure where John got his information. The frontier website still says “bags”, not bag.
Here’s the excerpt from the frontier website for military.
“Active military passengers only (not family members or traveling companions) receive one free carry-on bag, free checked bags (including oversize and overweight) and a personal item”
You’re right Kyle, this appears to have changed again. When we moderated John’s comment recently, we did, in fact, verify his information was correct and adjusted our piece accordingly.
We’ll be calling Frontier’s Customer Service number this week in an attempt to clear up this conflicting information. Thanks for the heads up!
I booked 2 bags on your airline and realized I had accidentally canceled my flight so can I cancel my checked bags?
Thanks and let me know.
Hi Heidi. Please understand that we are not Frontier Airlines, we are Upgraded Points, a travel and points blog. You will want to contact Frontier directly regarding your canceled flight and checked bags. Frontier Airlines: (801) 401-9000
If airfare is included in an all inclusive trip from Apple vacations, can I purchase baggage fees when I book my trip?
Hi Debbie. You will want to contact Apple Vacations to find out if baggage fees can be included when purchasing your trip. Their number is (800) 517-2000. Or, if you are purchasing the vacation from a local travel agent, they will be able to help you.
Upon my arrival at the airport at the gate…. when we were about to get on the airplane, my aunt was stopped and had to place her luggage on a sizing cart. The lady stated that the carry on was too big to go in the overhead compartment and she had to pay $60. When we got on the plane we put the small carry on up there and it fit. I stopped the flight attendant and told her the situation – she told us to stop at the desk (Frontier) when the plane landed in Vegas and tell them the situation and that they should reimburse us because the carry on was small and did fit. This is so sad and I will never fly Frontier again. This was wrong and half the ppl flying on this flight had bigger carry-ons and no one approached them. We need to be reimbursed.
Hi Sherry – First, please be advised we are not Frontier Airlines and therefore cannot do anything to help in reimbursing you the cost of this bag. We are Upgraded Points, a website focusing on publishing points and miles based travel articles, in addition to other general travel posts like this baggage fee article here.
Did you go to the gate/dest when you arrived in Vegas as the flight attendant advised? If not, we suggest you call Frontier’s customer service line (1 (801) 401-9000) and inquire with them directly. 🙂
If you received a voucher, can you put the extra amount after the tickets toward baggage and or carry ons?
Hi Rachel,
According to these flight voucher terms and conditions, vouchers have a one-time use. So if your extras are included in your initial booking using the voucher then this should be possible, but not afterwards as no balance remains on a used voucher.
Do you know if airlines will allow an exception to the 1-bag carry-on rule for medical equipment? I would like to take a carry-on bag plus a small bag that contains my CPAP device.
Hi Sue, yes. Frontier must abide by the American’s with Disabilities Act. This act states that necessary medical equipment, such as a CPAP machine, doesn’t count toward your carry-on limit. It’s always a good idea to carry proof that it’s necessary in the form of a medical device/notification card though!
Hope this helps and thanks for reading!
I paid for my tickets through a third party and already paid a crap load for luggage, why do I have to pay twice if I booked a round trip? I think paying the same amount for a carry on is a little outrageous. If it is true that I have to pay another 200 dollars for luggage I will never fly Frontier again.
It’s a bait and switch scam. I booked a flight with a layover and they charge for a small backpack 4 times. When a small carry-on becomes more expensive than the flight itself you know this company is garbage.
What size purse is allowed as a carry on for free?
Hi Josephine,
As long as your purse will fit underneath the seat in front of you, you can bring it as a carry-on.
Thanks for reading!
I prepaid for 1 checked bag and 1 carry on. I also need to bring my CPAP. It has it’s own case. Can I bring it on the plane along with my carry on?
Hi Deb, a CPAP machine is considered a medical device and doesn’t count towards your baggage limits. You will be allowed your carry on, checked bag, and your machine. Thanks for reading!
I really feel like this a fake airline! I traveled on an 8 a.m. flight from Philadelphia to Orlando then Ontario California. I have a serious deal at 10 pm the same day. My flight is set to land in Ontario at 8 pm. Just close to 8 AM when the flight should leave comes an announcement that we have an hour delay. No issues because I have a 6-hour layover in Orlando! Close to 9 AM comes an announcement that the flight is canceled! Reasons not explained but we should proceed to their counter for rebooking! At the counter the next flight leaves at 2 PM but they cannot get me a connecting flight from Orlando because the flight is already full! So what happened to my earlier flight as I had a booking on the same flight? They are all rude and all I can do is leave the following day at 8 a.m. again to arrive at 8 pm! What about my business deal? No one cares how much I lose on the deal! Ok! Can I get the manager, or can I get you guys to put me on a flight with a different airline? They told me “No mam! You only have 2 options, either a refund that comes in next 5/7 working days or rebook to tomorrow’s flight.” But I have a bossiness deal? “ We are sorry that’s all we can do”. Well, I am visiting the country and I just got dropped here so how do I manage to wait till tomorrow at the airport? No one cares!! So, at last, I claim my refund and then I am given a $10 voucher and promised a $100 voucher to use on my next booking to be sent to my email immediately. Well, I have not seen the voucher nor my refund, and not even a slight communication from the airline!
I managed to book a direct flight with Spirit! Got there late! Missed my deal! Who do I blame and how do I recover! Frontier Airlines never cared at all! Give them your money, once they hold it, treat you like a beggar!!!! The worst experience by far!
I will have a personal item AND a CPAP machine. Are both those items allowed at no cost or fees to me?
Your response will be greatly appreciated.
Hi Cindy,
Frontier Airlines may allow you to bring your CPAP machine in addition to a personal item at no extra free. But be advised that we are not Frontier Airlines so you should reach out to their customer service team directly to verify.
Thanks for reading!
If you put a blanket and a pillow in a bag for easy carry they will make you take them out. No additional bags of any kind or you will have to pay. Also when I went to book a flight the baggage price came up as $75 right away. Have their prices changed?
Hi Rachel,
The price of a checked bag should depend on the route, how many bags you check, and how and when you purchase the bag. Frontier directs passengers to check their baggage calculator for fees.
I booked a flight with prepaid check baggage in Feb for flight in April. Frontier is offering travel credit applicable to a future Frontier flight for the full amount of your unused ticket without having to pay any cancellation fee. Will this travel credit include the amount that was prepaid for the baggage on the original flight? Or will I lose the fee I paid for baggage and have to repay for the checking the baggage on the flight I book using the travel credit ?
Hi Rob,
The amount you paid for your baggage should be included in the travel credit.
Thanks for reading!
I have a carry-on bag and a personal backpack. My flight is tomorrow. Will I be charged for the carry-on and personal bag?
Hi Francis,
Yes, you would be charged for the carry-on. Frontier only allows for passengers to bring a personal item for free, any additional baggage is at an extra cost.