Anyone about to fly with Frontier Airlines should familiarize themselves with the baggage policy before booking, as the advertised fare generally covers only a small under-seat bag. This guide is primarily aimed at first-time flyers with the low-cost airline: it covers carry-on allowances first, followed by checked baggage, pricing, additional fees, and benefits associated with loyalty programs or credit cards.
Carry-on baggage
With Frontier, only a small personal item travels in the cabin for free; standard carry-on luggage – the kind that goes in the overhead bin – is a paid service.
|
Element |
Maximum dimensions | Maximum weight |
Included in the base rate? |
|
Personal item |
18 × 14 × 8 in (46 × 36 × 20 cm) | 35 lb (16 kg) |
Yes, one per passenger and per direction |
|
Carry-on baggage |
24 × 16 × 10 po (environ 61 × 41 × 25 cm) | 35 lb (16 kg) |
No, paid (included in Economy, Premium, and Business packages) |
Measurements include handles, wheels, and straps. The personal item (handbag, small backpack, laptop bag) must fit under the seat in front of you, and its size is checked at boarding; a bag exceeding the limit incurs an additional fee.
Carry-on baggage (small wheeled suitcase or travel bag) must fit in the overhead bin. If there is no space left, it may be placed in the hold at the boarding gate at no extra cost. Coats and medical devices (canes, crutches, portable oxygen concentrators, respiratory devices, and mobility aids) are not counted as carry-on baggage.
Checked baggage: number, weight, and size
|
Criteria |
Rule |
| Standard weight |
40 lb (18 kg) |
|
Weight allowance (Business package) |
50 lb (23 kg) |
|
Size |
62 linear inches (157 cm): length + width + depth, including handles, wheels, and straps. |
Baggage allowance based on loyalty status and credit card
The Frontier Miles program offers free baggage starting at the Gold tier. The higher the status, the more the benefit extends to other travelers on the same reservation.
|
Status or card |
Free carry-on baggage |
Free checked baggage |
| Elite Silver | No (personal item only) | No |
| Elite Gold | Yes, for the member only | No |
| Elite Platinum | Yes, for the member and up to eight other people on the same reservation | One 40 lb bag for the member and up to eight other people on the same reservation (a second bag is free if the member also holds the card) |
| Elite Diamond | Yes, for the member and up to eight other people on the same booking | 2 suitcases for the member and up to eight other people on the same booking |
| Frontier Airlines World Mastercard | Yes, thanks to Elite Gold status provided for 90 days after the first purchase | 2 free bags for the primary cardholder |
Frontier Airlines baggage fees
The airline’s official website does not publish a fixed price list; the cost of carry-on or checked baggage depends on travel dates and when the ticket is purchased, with prices being higher at the airport. You can find the exact amount using Frontier’s “Bag Price Checker” tool, based on an existing reservation or a new trip.
As a guide, third-party comparison sites report prices ranging from approximately $40 to $69 per bag, per direction, at the time of booking, rising to around $99 at the boarding gate.
Prices apply per bag and per flight segment; a round trip therefore doubles the cost.
To add baggage after purchasing your ticket, go to the “My Trips” section of the Frontier website before departure; this way, you save money. It is cheaper than paying at the airport counter!
Overweight and oversized baggage: Surcharge prices charged by Frontier Airlines
These non-refundable fees are in addition to the base price of the baggage, per bag and per direction of travel.
|
Baggage |
Surcharge |
| Suitcase weighing 41 to 50 lb (19 to 23 kg) |
$75 |
|
Suitcase weighing 51 to 100 lb (23 to 45 kg) |
$129 |
| Suitcase measuring 63 to 110 linear inches (160 to 279 cm) |
$75 |
In other words, a 43-lb suitcase costs $75 more than a 39-lb one, with no added benefit. It is better to distribute the contents between two lighter bags than to pay this surcharge.
A few key points regarding the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard:
• Only the primary cardholder is eligible for free baggage; authorized users are excluded.
• The ticket must be purchased directly via the Frontier website or app using the card.
• The Frontier Miles number linked to the card must be included in the reservation prior to check-in.
• Golf and ski equipment are included in the benefit.
• The free baggage allowance is limited to two items; additional bags incur a fee.
This card is issued in the United States, so most international travelers do not have access to it. For them, joining Discount Den – the airline’s discount fare club – may lower certain baggage fees; check the details before purchasing a membership.