Frontier Flights: How to Snag $39 Tickets (And Dodge the Hidden Fee Trap)
Let’s cut through the chaos: You’ve seen Frontier’s Instagram ads flaunting $39 beach getaways, clicked eagerly, then choked on your coffee when the total tripled after seat fees and a $65 carry-on. But here’s the truth—Frontier flights can be dirt-cheap if you game their system like a pro. From exploiting the Discount Den to booking glitch fares even seasoned travelers miss, here’s how to fly from Orlando to Denver for less than a steak dinner—and still have cash left for a last-minute Airbnb.
The $39 Miracle: Routes That Actually Exist
Frontier’s headline fares aren’t myths—they’re just ruthlessly time-sensitive. Here’s where to strike in 2025:
- San Juan to St. Thomas ($39): This Caribbean island hop drops to $39 for Discount Den members on off-peak Tuesdays (June 13, 2025 confirmed). Book at 11 AM ET when Frontier refreshes deals, then use the savings to splurge on a private yacht day in the USVI.
- Orlando to Denver ($49): Snag this midweek winter fare for a ski trip where your lift ticket costs more than the flight. Pro tip: Pack gear in a checked bag ($20 pre-paid) to avoid Spirit’s $109 ski-board fee.
- Tampa to Santo Domingo ($96): Fly to the DR for less than a resort all-inclusive’s daily tip jar. Skip checked bags—Dominican street vendors sell decent duffles for $5.
Discount Den Decoded: The $60 Key to Unlocking Steals
Frontier’s Discount Den isn’t a scam—it’s a cheat code. For $59.99/year, you’ll slash fares by 50% and score perks like:
- Free Checked Bags: Save $45/bag on routes like Philly to Sarasota. Pre-pay during booking and pocket the difference.
- Kids Fly Free: Book an adult ticket from Denver, and your child’s seat drops to $0. Use the $200+ savings for a Everglades airboat tour.
- Secret Sales: Den members get 24-hour early access to promos like $19 Oklahoma City fares.
FRONTIER Miles: The Points Loophole No One Exploits
Frontier’s loyalty program is laughably easy to hack:
- Earn Miles on Groceries: Link your card to their dining portal—buying $100 worth of pasta at Publix nets 500 miles.
- Status Match Challenge: Match your Delta Silver to FRONTIER Gold via a simple form, then enjoy free seat assignments for 90 days.
- Mileage Pooling: Combine points with 7 family members to book a $39 flight faster.
Baggage Fees: How to Travel Like a Nomad (Not a Sucker)
Frontier’s baggage rules are designed to upsell you. Fight back:
- Personal Item Hustle: Use a 14”x18”x8” backpack (e.g., Cotopaxi Allpa 28L) and roll clothes military-style. Test it in Frontier’s sizer at home.
- Gate-Check Gambit: If your bag’s borderline, agents often check it free to avoid boarding delays. Smile and act clueless.
- Bundle Savvy: The “Works” bundle ($99) includes a carry-on, checked bag, seat, and priority boarding—worth $200+ separately.
When to Ditch Frontier: The Private Jet Math
For groups of 5+, chartering a jet can cost less per person than Frontier’s nickel-and-dime model. Example: A Philly→Sarasota round-trip for five costs ~$750 on Frontier ($150/person) before bags and seats. Split a Citation CJ3 for ~$4,000 total ($800/person) and gain:
- No TSA lines (arrive 15 mins pre-flight)
- Free Champagne and Starlink Wi-Fi
- Land at Sarasota’s private terminal, 10 mins from downtown
The Glitch Fare Gold Rush: How to Catch Mistake Prices
Frontier’s website occasionally glitches—like $9 Denver→OKC fares. When you spot one:
- Book immediately—don’t add seats or bags.
- Pay with a credit card that offers travel insurance (e.g., Chase Sapphire).
- Screenshot everything. Frontier often honors these as “promotional errors” to avoid bad PR.
Pro Tip: The Layover Loophole
Book a Frontier flight with a 10+ hour layover, and you’ve got a free bonus city. Example: A Tampa→Santo Domingo ticket with a 14-hour Miami stopover lets you squeeze in a Little Havana food tour for the price of an Uber.
(Continued in Part Two: How to guilt-trip Frontier into free upgrades, why their app is better than the website, and the secret to scoring emergency exit seats without paying a dime.)
Frontier Flights: How to Snag $39 Tickets (And Dodge the Hidden Fee Trap) – Part Two
The Art of the Guilt-Trip: How to Score Free Upgrades
Frontier’s customer service isn’t known for handouts, but strategic persistence can unlock perks. Start by tracking flight delays or cancellations—Frontier’s 2023 on-time rate was just 68%, so odds are decent. If your flight is delayed 3+ hours, politely cite DOT guidelines and ask for a seat upgrade as compensation. Better yet, tweet your grievance @FlyFrontier with a screenshot of your boarding pass. Airlines hate public shaming, and agents often cave to avoid viral backlash. Another angle: Mention a special occasion (birthday, anniversary) during check-in. Agents have discretionary power to assign exit rows or front seats, especially if you’re a FRONTIER Miles member.
Why the App is Your Secret Weapon
Frontier’s website feels like a 2008 time capsule, but their app is shockingly sleek. Use it to:
- Snag App-Only Sales: The Orlando→Denver $49 winter fare? It’s often $10 cheaper on the app, with no Discount Den required.
- Bypass Website Glitches: During peak booking times, the app processes payments faster, crucial for locking in error fares like $9 Denver→Oklahoma City flights.
- Track FRONTIER Miles in Real Time: Link your credit card to the dining portal via the app, and watch points rack up as you shop. Pro tip: The app sends push notifications for flash sales, like $19 Tampa→Santo Domingo fares that vanish within hours.
Emergency Exit Seats: The Free Legroom Hack
Frontier charges up to $25 for exit rows, but savvy flyers grab them for $0. Here’s how:
- Check In Precisely at 24 Hours: Frontier’s algorithm releases unpaid exit seats during check-in. Use the app’s countdown timer, and refresh exactly at the 24-hour mark.
- Gate Agent Charm Offensive: If seats are “sold out,” ask the gate agent if any exit rows are available due to no-shows. Offer to assist in an emergency—agents appreciate the confidence.
- Status Match Magic: Use Frontier’s 90-day Status Match Challenge to score instant Elite 20K status. Even temporary status waives seat fees, including exit rows.
The Hidden Perk of Frontier’s Basic Economy
Frontier’s barebones fares have a stealth advantage: flexibility. Unlike Delta or United, Frontier lets you cancel basic economy tickets for a full refund within 24 hours of booking. Use this to your advantage: If you spot a glitch fare, book immediately, then spend the next day refining your itinerary. For longer trips, pair Frontier’s $39 fares with a last-minute Airbnb stay—often 30% cheaper when booked 48 hours out.
The Private Jet Playbook for Small Groups
While Frontier reigns for solo travelers, groups of 3-4 should rethink. Example: A family of four flying Denver→San Juan in July 2025 would pay $1,200 on Frontier ($300/person) before bags and seats. For ~$5,000, charter a Phenom 300 and split the cost. Perks include:
- Skipping Frontier’s $65 carry-on fee (private jets allow 50 lbs/person).
- Custom meal requests (no $13 snack box upsells).
- Landing at San Juan’s Isla Grande Airport, a 5-minute drive from Old San Juan.
The Future of Budget Travel: Smarter, Not Cheaper
Frontier’s $39 fares aren’t a gimmick—they’re a blueprint for the next era of air travel. As airlines squeeze profits from fees, travelers must weaponize loyalty programs, tech hacks, and sheer audacity. Imagine a world where your Denver→Miami vacation costs less than airport parking. With Frontier, it’s already here—if you know where to look.
(Missed Part One? Click here to master Frontier’s Discount Den, baggage fee loopholes, and glitch fare strategies.)
Final Thought: The $39 Ticket is Just the Beginning
Frontier’s real value isn’t in dirt-cheap flights—it’s in rewriting the rules of travel. Why pay $200 for a “full-service” airline when you could fund a Dominican surf lesson with the savings? The next frontier? Using those miles for a free Costa Rica hop—baggage fees included. Stay hungry, stay cheap, and let the nickel-and-dimers fund your champagne upgrades.
