This article will tell you all you need to know about Frontier Airlines baggage fees, and how much baggage you can take on your Frontier Airlines flight. Nearly all baggage is subject to a fee on Frontier, including carry-on bags such as small suitcases. Only personal items such as purses or a laptop bag can be taken on board free of charge.
You have many opportunities to purchase a carry-on or check-in baggage allowances, either online, by calling customer service, or at the airport. Baggage charges are cheaper online and the cheapest rates can be found when you book and pay for your baggage at the same time when you book your flight.
Frontier Cabin Baggage Policy
When flying with Frontier, your only free baggage allowance is one personal item such as a laptop bag or purse smaller than 18 x 14 x 8in (45 x 35 x 20cm), including handles and wheels. Your personal item must fit under the seat in front of you or you will be charged a carry-on bag gate price which is typical $US89 per item each way.
Coats, diaper bags when traveling with an infant, canes, crutches, assistive devices, and foot rugs for use during prayer are all free to take into the aircraft cabin in addition to your one personal item.
If you want to take one additional carry-on bag, such as a small suitcase, on board the aircraft, this has to be paid for.
You have six options when can purchase a carry-on baggage allowance (one item only):
- During the online booking process
- Online before check-in
- During the online check-in process
- At the airport desk
- At the airport departure gate
- By calling customer service
The price increases the closer you get to the flight departure. The fee charged when you call customer service is the same as the fee applied at airport check-in.
Frontier has an online bag price checker which displays up-to-the-minute carry-on (and check-in) baggage allowance fees for a specific route and specific flight.
Bag Options | Frontier Airlines
Using the online bag price checker I looked at the carry-on baggage fees for a variety of domestic and international Frontier flights three months ahead. This is what I found:
So, if you want to take a carry-on bag as well as a personal item on board the aircraft you will need to pay between around $US43 to $US55 if you purchase online before, or during check-in. If you wait until you get to the airport, there is a flat rate of $US79 at the check-in desk and $US89 at the gate, regardless of route. $US79 is also charged if you book your carry-on bag by calling customer service.
Paid-for carry-on bags can have maximum dimensions of 24 x 16 x 10in (61 x 41 x 25cm), including handles, wheels, and straps. The maximum weight allowed is up to 35lb (16kg). Your carry-on bag must be able to fit in an overhead compartment.
Note: If you arrive at the gate with a carry-on bag that exceeds the allowable dimensions you will have to pay an additional charge to gate check the bag.
Passengers who purchase Frontier’s ‘the WORKS’ or ‘the PERKS’ bundles receive a free carry-on bag; see below.
Frontier Miles Elite 20k and 50k members receive a free carry-on bag in addition to their personal items. Frontier Miles Elite 100k members are eligible for ‘the WORKS’ bundle and so also receive a free carry-on bag allowance.
Frontier Check-In Baggage Policy
Standard Size and Weight Limits
Frontier’s standard check-in bag now has maximum dimensions totaling 62in/158cm (length + width + height), including handles, wheels, and straps, and a maximum weight of less than 40lb (18.1 kg). Frontier reduced the standard check-in bag weight from 50lb (23kg) to 40lb (18.1kg) in January 2022, effective from 1st March 2022.
Any bag that exceeds these limits is considered to be oversized or overweight and is subject to an excess baggage fee.
Frontier does not accept bags that weigh more than 100lb (45kg) or have total dimensions of more than 110in (280cm), with the exception of assistive devices or musical instruments.
Standard Check-in Baggage Fees
Frontier allows you to purchase check-in baggage allowances online. Similar to carry-on bags, you have six options when can purchase a check-in baggage allowance:
- During the online booking process
- Online before check-in
- During the online check-in process
- At the airport desk
- At the airport departure gate
- By calling customer service
The prices per check-in bag increase the closer you get to the flight departure.
Note that if you want to take more than one check-in bag you will need to pay for these online or at the check-in desk. You cannot take more than one unpaid check-in bag to the gate.
Using Frontier’s online bag price checker I looked at the standard check-in baggage fees for the same example flights that I checked the carry-on baggage fees. These are the typical each-way fees (per bag):
- First check-in bag online*: $US38 – $US50
- Second check-in bag online*: $US50 – $US60
- Third+ check-in bag online*: $US85 – $US90
- First check-in bag at airport desk/call customer service: $US79
- Second check-in bag at airport desk/call customer service: $US89
- Third+ check-in bag at airport desk/call customer service: $US95
- First check-in bag at airport gate: $US89
- Second check-in bag at airport gate: Not available
- Third+ check-in bag at airport gate: Not available
*Online price ranges include purchase during booking, before check-in, and during check-in. The highest online prices apply during online check-in and the lowest during the original flight booking process.
Passengers who purchase Frontier’s ‘the WORKS’ or ‘the PERKS’ bundles receive a free check-in bag; see below. Frontier Elite 100k frequent flyers are also awarded ‘the WORKS’ bundle and so receive a free check-in bag.
Remember that Frontier’s standard check-in bag weight is only 40lb (18.1kg) which is lower than the industry standard economy class check-in bag weight of 50lb (23kg). If your check-in bag weighs more than 40lb you’ll need to pay an excess baggage charge – see below.
Frontier Miles Frequent Flyers
The Frontier Miles frequent flyer program has three status levels:
- Elite 20k
- Elite 50k
- Elite 100k
With all three status levels, you are automatically eligible for a free carry-on bag each time you fly.
If you reach the highest status level – Elite 100k, you, your friends and family members are awarded ‘the WORKS’ bundle meaning that each passenger is eligible for a free standard check-in bag, in addition to the already awarded free carry-on bag.
Excess (Oversize/Overweight) Baggage Fees
Any bag that exceeds Frontier’s 40lb/62in standard check-in bag is subject to an excess baggage fee in addition to the standard baggage fee paid.
Frontier’s excess baggage fees for overweight bags come in two tiers as follows:
- Check-in bags weighing 41-50lb are charged $US50 per bag, each way
- Check-in bags weighing 51-100lb are charged $US100 per bag, per each way
Check-in bags weighing in excess of 100lb are not accepted.
Note that baggage checked to or from Canada is subject to a maximum 70lb (32kg) weight limit.
The excess baggage fee for check-in bags with total dimensions 63in to 110in is $US75 per bag each way. Frontier does not accept check-in bags with total dimensions exceeding 110in.
Bundles
Frontier offers two bundles called ‘the WORKS’ and ‘the PERKS’. Both include a free carry-on bag and a free check-in bag, and other benefits.
‘The WORKS’ and ‘the PERKS’ bundle prices vary by route and are charged one way but are based on a round-trip purchase.
Check-in Baggage Allowances For Military Personnel
Verified active military passengers may bring one carry-on bag and/or may check-in up to two bags, which may be oversized and/or overweight, for free. This benefit does not extend to family members or other traveling companions.
Sports Equipment
Frontier will carry a wide variety of sporting equipment. Some items can be taken as cabin baggage, or as check-in baggage, whereas other items can only be taken as a check-in items.
The standard size and weight rules and fees for carry-on and check-in baggage apply to sporting equipment, unless otherwise noted here:
- Bicycles that exceed 99.9lb or 109in total dimensions are not accepted. A fee of $US75 each way applies, no other fees are levied.
- Fishing poles/rods may exceed the standard carry-on baggage dimensions as long as they fit into an overhead compartment.
- Golf equipment – overweight charges apply if the item weighs 50lb or more. Oversize charges do not apply.
- Snow and water ski equipment, and snowboards – one item which may include skis, poles, boots, etc. and one pair of boots (in a boot bag) may be checked in separately from the bag, counting as one item as long as the boot bag does not exceed 25lb. If the boot bag weighs more than 25lb, it is classed as a second bag. Overweight charges apply for items weighing more than 50lb, oversize charges do not apply.
- Surfboards/wave skis/kiteboards/windsurfers/kayaks/canoes/hang gliding equipment – items that exceed 99.9lb are not accepted. Items that exceed 15ft in length are not accepted.
Musical Instruments
Standard and excess check-in and carry-on baggage fees apply to small and large musical instruments.
Small musical instruments such as guitars, violins, cymbals, etc. can be checked-in or taken on board as a carry-on item. Small musical instruments in the cabin may exceed the carry-on baggage dimensions as long as they fit into an overhead compartment.
Large musical instruments such as cellos, that do not fit into an overhead compartment may only be taken on board the aircraft if a separate seat is purchased.
Musical instruments that weigh more than 100lb are not accepted.
Traveling With Infants
You can take a stroller with you, free of charge, but if you take it to the gate, it must be checked in.
You can also take an FAA-approved car seat on board, free of charge if you choose to purchase a seat for your infant. Alternatively, it can be checked-in free of charge.
An adult traveling with an infant on his/her lap may carry a second personal item, such as a diaper bag, free of charge.
Conclusion
The only free baggage allowance when traveling Frontier is one small personal item such as a handbag or a laptop bag.
A carry-on bag and a check-in bag allowance can be purchased online, at the airport check-in desk, at the gate, or by calling customer service. Baggage fees are always cheaper if you book and pay for additional baggage online, and the earlier you book and pay the cheaper the online price will be, with the best prices available when you make the original flight booking.
If you want to take more than one check-in bag with you make sure you book and pay for your check-in bag allowance online or at the check-in desk. Frontier will only accept one un-booked check-in bag per passenger at the gate.
Remember that Frontier’s standard check-in bag weight is only 40lb/18.1kg which is less than the economy class 50lb/23kg industry standard.
