Frontier Airlines offers a range of promotional deals and "freebie" offers designed to attract travelers seeking low-cost options. These promotions often involve the use of specific promo codes, membership in exclusive programs, and adherence to strict booking windows and travel dates. Based on available promotional materials, the airline frequently provides incentives such as waived fees for seat selection and carry-on bags, as well as companion travel benefits. However, consumers must navigate specific eligibility requirements and be vigilant against fraudulent schemes that mimic legitimate airline giveaways.
Frontier Airlines Specific Promotions
Frontier Airlines utilizes promo codes and membership programs to distribute limited-time offers. These deals are typically available for booking through the airline's official website or mobile app and are subject to specific terms and conditions.
The FREEBIE Promo Code Offer
A primary example of a Frontier freebie involves the promo code FREEBIE. This offer provides passengers with free seat selection and a free carry-on bag. To utilize this offer, customers must enter the promo code during the purchase of a new flight.
- Eligibility and Restrictions: The offer is valid only for new bookings made by 11:59pm Eastern time on May 8, 2024, for travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays through June 12, 2024.
- Geographic Limitations: The free seat selection and carry-on bag are valid only on flights departing from or arriving at specific airports: Boston (BOS), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Houston (IAH), Phoenix (PHX), and Raleigh-Durham (RDU).
- Blackout Dates: Travel is excluded on May 25 and May 28, 2024.
- Carry-On Details: The offer includes one carry-on bag per person per direction, subject to standard size and weight limits.
- Seat Selection: Only Standard Seat selection is free and must be selected at the time of the initial booking.
Discount Den Membership and Friends Fly Free
Frontier offers a subscription-based program called Discount Den, which provides access to specific low fares available only to members. Membership is required to book certain promotional fares shown on the website.
Frontier has also promoted a "Friends Fly Free" benefit for Discount Den members. This promotion allows members to book a flight for themselves and a companion for free (the companion pays only taxes and fees from $0.00).
- Booking Requirements: Discount Den members must sign into their account on FlyFrontier.com, select roundtrip flights, and enter the promo code FLYFREE.
- Booking Window: This promotion must be booked by March 24, 2025.
- Travel Window: The offer is valid for travel through May 21, 2025, on select days of the week and is not available on all routes.
Frontier Miles Program
Frontier encourages travelers to join the Frontier Miles loyalty program to "get the most out of your travel." While the source data does not specify a direct freebie associated with sign-up, the program is presented as a vehicle for accumulating miles and benefits.
Broader Context of Airline Deals and "Free" Tickets
While Frontier offers structured promotions, the broader landscape of airline freebies includes both legitimate sales and fraudulent schemes. Consumers looking for free or heavily discounted flights should understand the distinctions between official airline sales, reward programs, and scams.
Scams and Fraudulent Offers
Consumers are advised to exercise caution when encountering unsolicited offers for free airline tickets. A news report highlights the prevalence of scams, rackets, and rip-offs in the travel industry.
- Unsolicited Mailers: The report notes instances in the Dallas area where postcards were distributed claiming recipients were selected to receive "2 round-trip airfares to anywhere in the contiguous United States."
- Deceptive Language: These postcards often imply the tickets are "free" without explicitly using the word, potentially leading to hidden fees or requirements.
- General Warning: The report suggests that if an air travel offer sounds too good to be true, it likely is.
Legitimate Sales and Companion Offers
Other airlines utilize sales events and companion vouchers to provide value, though these are rarely completely "free" without conditions.
- Alaska Airlines 2-for-1 Sale: A historical sale offered a "buy one, get one" deal where a traveler could purchase a coach class ticket and receive a second ticket on the same flight for just the taxes and fees. This required the promo code GETYOURROW.
- Cyber Monday Sales: Various airlines, including Frontier, Alaska, and Spirit, participate in Cyber Monday sales, offering one-way flights for as low as $19 to $49. These are discounted fares rather than free tickets.
Strategies for Finding Low-Cost Flights
For consumers seeking the lowest possible fares or "free" flights through points, several strategies are recommended.
Travel Reward Credit Cards
Using a travel reward credit card is identified as the best and fastest way to score cheap or free flights regularly. These cards allow users to earn miles or points on everyday purchases.
- Top Cards: Recommended cards include the Capital One Venture Rewards Card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, and the Alaska Airlines Credit Card. Most of these carry an annual fee (typically $95).
- Interest Rates: These cards often have higher interest rates. The recommendation is to pay off the balance in full each month to avoid interest charges and maximize the value of earned points.
Travel Apps and Price Tracking
Technology can assist in finding the best time to book flights to minimize cost.
- Hopper App: This app uses an algorithm to predict price drops and jumps for flights. It allows users to watch flights and receive alerts when prices drop.
- Price Freeze: Hopper offers a feature to freeze the price of a flight for a limited time. If the price increases, Hopper covers up to $300 of the difference; if it decreases, the user pays the lower price.
Southwest Airlines Updates
While Southwest Airlines is not currently offering a specific "free flight" promotion in the provided data, the airline is undergoing changes that may affect future deals and pricing structures. These changes include the introduction of a new Basic Fare with fewer perks and the potential for assigned seating and premium upgrades in the future.
Conclusion
Frontier Airlines provides legitimate opportunities for free seat selection and carry-on bags through the FREEBIE promo code, as well as companion travel through the Friends Fly Free promotion for Discount Den members. However, these offers are strictly limited by time, travel dates, and specific airports. Consumers should remain wary of unsolicited offers for free tickets, as these are often scams. The most reliable method for securing free flights remains the strategic use of travel reward credit cards and the monitoring of official airline sales events.