Overview
Frontier Miles is the loyalty program of an ultra low cost carrier, and it behaves like one. No bank transfers its points here, awards start at 5,000 miles one-way, and the miles expire after just 12 months of inactivity. It also has one of the friendliest pooling rules in U.S. aviation.
This guide covers earning, the four elite tiers and what they cost in spending, the award range, family pooling, and the paid add-ons that sit alongside the program. For the cards that earn Frontier miles, see our roundup of the best credit cards.
Frontier Miles overview
Frontier splits its currency in two, which is the first thing to understand. Redeemable miles pay for flights, while Elite Status Points decide your tier. Earning one does not automatically earn the other at the same rate.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Airline | Frontier Airlines, ultra low cost carrier |
| Elite tiers | Elite Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond |
| Status currency | Elite Status Points |
| Award pricing | From 5,000 miles one-way, up to 55,000 |
| Miles expiration | 12 months of inactivity |
| Bank transfer partners | None |
| Co-branded card | Frontier Airlines World Mastercard, issued by Barclays |
Frontier elite status
Four tiers, all earned with Elite Status Points. The rough conversion is 10 Elite Status Points per dollar spent with Frontier, which makes the thresholds easy to translate into real money.
| Tier | Elite Status Points | Approximate spend |
|---|---|---|
| Elite Silver | 10,000 | About $1,000 |
| Elite Gold | 20,000 | About $2,000 |
| Elite Platinum | 50,000 | About $5,000 |
| Elite Diamond | 100,000 | About $10,000 |
Status you earn runs through December 31 of the following year, so qualifying early in a calendar year gives you close to two years of benefits. On a low cost carrier, elite perks such as included bags and seat selection can be worth more than they sound, because everything is unbundled by default.
How to use Frontier miles
Award flights start at 5,000 miles one-way and rise to around 55,000 depending on route and demand. Pricing moves with demand rather than following a fixed chart, so the cheapest seats appear on off-peak days and less busy routes.
Family pooling
This is the program’s standout feature. Family Pooling lets up to eight people, who do not have to be related, earn miles into a single account for award flights. It is available to co-branded cardholders and elite members.
Eight contributors is generous compared with most airline pooling schemes, and because the group does not need to be a family, it works for friends or colleagues who fly the same routes.
Discount Den and GoWild Pass
Two paid subscriptions sit alongside Frontier Miles rather than inside it. Discount Den gives access to lower fares for a year, shareable with up to eight people, plus benefits such as Kids Fly Free. The GoWild Pass is a separate all-you-can-fly style subscription.
Neither is part of the free loyalty program, so treat them as separate purchases to evaluate on their own terms rather than as loyalty benefits.
Do Frontier miles expire?
Yes, after 12 months without earning or using miles. That is the shortest window of any major U.S. airline program, and it is the main reason casual Frontier flyers lose balances.
Is Frontier Miles worth it?
It is worth joining if you already fly Frontier, mostly for pooling and for elite benefits that offset the unbundled fees. It is not a program to chase, because no bank points reach it and the miles themselves are worth very little against fares that are already cheap.
- No transfer partners: Amex, Chase, Citi, and Capital One points cannot reach the program.
- 12-month expiration: The shortest clock among major U.S. carriers.
- Fees still apply: Award tickets carry the same bag and seat charges as cash fares.
Bottom line
Frontier Miles is a program for people who already fly Frontier, not a destination for a points strategy. Use pooling, watch the 12-month clock, and always price the award against the cash fare before spending miles.
If elite benefits would save you real money on bags and seats, the low Silver and Gold thresholds are reachable. For more on airline programs and the cards that feed them, see our guide to the best airline credit cards and subscribe to our newsletter.
Frequently Asked Questions about Frontier Miles
Do Frontier miles expire?
Yes, after 12 months without earning or using miles, which is the shortest window among major U.S. airlines. However, Frontier reinstates expired miles free of charge if you fly within 60 days of the expiration date.
Can I transfer credit card points to Frontier?
No. Frontier Miles has no bank transfer partners, so Amex, Chase, Citi, and Capital One points cannot reach it. You earn miles by flying, by shopping through Frontier’s partners, or with the Barclays co-branded Frontier Airlines World Mastercard.
How much does Frontier elite status cost?
Elite Silver needs 10,000 Elite Status Points, roughly $1,000 of Frontier spending. Gold needs 20,000, Platinum 50,000, and Diamond 100,000, which works out to about $2,000, $5,000, and $10,000 respectively.
How does Frontier family pooling work?
Up to eight people can pool miles into a single account for award flights, and they do not have to be family. Pooling is available to co-branded cardholders and elite members, which makes it one of the more generous pooling rules in U.S. aviation.
How many miles is a Frontier award flight?
Awards start at 5,000 miles one-way and run up to about 55,000, priced by demand rather than a fixed chart. Because Frontier’s cash fares are often very low, compare the two before spending miles.
Are Discount Den and GoWild part of Frontier Miles?
No. Both are paid subscriptions that sit alongside the free loyalty program. Discount Den unlocks lower fares for a year and can be shared with up to eight people, while the GoWild Pass is a separate flight subscription.
