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Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Reviews
Frontier Airlines World Mastercard review: Worth your while if you’re a Frontier loyalist
Olivia Mittak is a credit cards editor at TPG. She specializes in maximizing earn for points and miles, finding the best welcome bonuses and choosing the right credit cards for your wallet.
Credit card writer Danyal Ahmed is an avid traveler, averaging about 100,000 aeronautical miles per year. He regularly applies that knowledge and his expertise in credit cards to his role as a credit card writer at TPG.
also contributed to this story
January 14, 2025 • 9 min read
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Quick summary
A co-branded airline card offers perks tailored to frequent flyers of a low-cost carrier, including family mile pooling, priority boarding and a flight voucher after meeting a spending threshold.
Instant elite status is granted upon first purchase, with the option to extend it by meeting a higher spend within the first 90 days.
Cardholders receive two free checked bags on flights operated by the airline and can earn elite status points in addition to miles.
The card is best suited as a secondary option for loyalists, while a general travel card may be more versatile for broader travel needs.
What to consider
A modest annual fee applies, and the card's value is maximized for those who fly the airline multiple times per year.
To receive the annual flight voucher, a minimum yearly spend is required; elite status can be extended with additional spend in the first 90 days.
Frontier miles are valued at 1.1 cents each as of January 2025 per TPG's valuations.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of this card's benefits versus other airline and general travel cards, plus guidance on maximizing elite status and redemption options.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
The Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® is likely not the most rewarding credit card, but it offers some potentially valuable perks for frequent Frontier flyers. While this makes it a good secondary card for Frontier flyers, we recommend having a more well-rounded travel card in addition to this one. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐
*Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
With a low-cost carrier like Frontier Airlines, the à-la-carte booking option can be a great way for travelers to save a ton of money on flights.
Starting at a $99 annual fee, this card offers the ability to pool your Frontier miles with other family members, priority boarding and the ability to earn credit toward elite status. We recommend a credit score of at least 700 before applying for the Frontier Airlines Mastercard.
Let's analyze this card's welcome offer, rewards rate and other ongoing factors to see if the Frontier Airlines Mastercard is the best match for you. With many positive changes on the horizon for Frontier Airlines and its loyalty program in 2025, now may be a good time to highly consider this card.
The information for the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Annual flight voucher each account anniversary after spending $2,500 or more during your card membership year
Award ticket fee waiver and two free checked bags when you book your flight with this card
Instant Gold Elite status
No foreign transaction fees
No statement credits
Not ideal for non-Frontier loyalists
Frontier Airlines World Mastercard welcome offer
The card's usual welcome offer is 50,000 miles plus a $100 flight voucher after spending $500 on purchases and paying the annual fee within 90 days of account opening. However, until Jan. 31, 2025, those who currently hold credit cards with other eligible domestic airlines can receive an additional 50,000 for a total of 100,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 180 days of account opening.
New applicants can earn this elevated bonus with Frontier after confirming eligibility, applying, getting approved and making qualifying purchases with the Frontier Mastercard.
One-way flights on Frontier start at 10,000 miles, so you can potentially book two round-trip award tickets with the welcome bonus and still have some miles left over. TPG's January 2025 valuations peg Frontier miles at 1.1 cents per point, making that 100,000 miles worth $1100.
The Frontier World Mastercard offers some unusual and potentially valuable perks for frequent flyers of the airline.
First, cardholders can pool their miles with up to eight other Frontier Miles accounts. Although Frontier calls this feature "Family Pooling," it can be any eight people you choose — including friends, coworkers and roommates. There are no minimums or caps on the number of miles you can transfer through this program.
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New cardholders also receive Gold Elite status instantly after making their first purchase with the Frontier Airlines credit card within the first 90 days after opening their accounts. The status is valid for 90 days from the date of account opening. However, it can be extended by 12 months when spending $3,000 in the first 90 days. Gold status perks include no change or cancellation fees (7 days or more from departure), complimentary seat selection at booking, and a free carry-on bag.
You'll also enjoy a $100 flight voucher every account anniversary after spending $2,500 or more on purchases on the card in the previous year. That will leave you in the green as far as the annual fee goes.
Plus, for every dollar you spend on the Frontier Airlines Mastercard, you'll earn one Elite Status Point on top of the bonus miles you'll earn. This can help accelerate your path to elevated status with Frontier.
A big perk for an ultra-low-cost carrier: Two free checked bags (40 lb limit per bag) on all Frontier Airlines-operated flights when you pay with your card.
Starting in late 2025, when first-class style seats roll out on Frontier aircraft, elite status members receive upgrades based on availability. Also, with a companion pass on the horizon for Frontier Airlines and a shortcut to Platinum status to earn it, the benefits of being a cardholder are becoming lucrative.
Other benefits include priority zone two boarding, a waiver for award flight fees paid with this card, your choice of card design from five options and no foreign transaction fees.
Earning miles on the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard
With this card, you'll earn 5 Frontier miles for every dollar spent on eligible flyfrontier.com purchases, 3 miles per dollar spent at restaurants, and 1 mile per dollar spent everywhere else.
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Considering this card's $99 annual fee, these earning rates aren't bad. If you're a Frontier loyalist, earning 5 miles per dollar spent on eligible online Frontier purchases is a great way to quickly secure award redemptions.
Still, the non-Frontier earning rates are nothing special, so this card works best when paired with another card with better earning rates.
Redeeming miles on the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard
When it comes to redeeming your miles, the Frontier award chart is pretty straightforward. The lowest-cost one-way Value awards are 10,000 miles within the U.S. and 15,000 miles for international flights. Standard awards, which have wider availability, will cost you 20,000 miles within the U.S. and 25,000 miles internationally, at minimum.
You can pay a few more miles to avoid capacity costs if you have elite status. For an extra 2,500 miles (at minimum) on top of the Standard award price, you can book a Last Seat award as long as there's a seat available for sale on the flight you want.
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You'll have to pay taxes and fees on these tickets; however, the aforementioned award booking fee is waived if you use your Frontier Airlines Mastercard to pay for the taxes and fees.
The associated taxes and fees can be quite pricey depending on the booking, so make sure to pay with your Frontier Airlines Mastercard.
Starting in mid-2025 members will also be able to redeem miles for ancillary items like baggage and seat upgrades — and other things.
Which cards compete with the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard?
When considering competitors for this card, you'll likely think of other airline cards first. However, it may be worth considering a general travel card against the Frontier Airlines Mastercard.
If you want a general travel card: The (see rates and fees) has a $95 annual fee and earns lucrative Chase Ultimate Rewards points that can be transferred to any of Chase's 14 airline and hotel partners. In addition, this card offers a $50 hotel statement credit on bookings through Chase Travel℠ and a complimentary DashPass membership (activation required by Dec. 31, 2027). To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
If you want a cheaper airline card: The (see rates and fees) has a $99 annual fee, which is mostly offset by a 3,000-point bonus award on every cardmember anniversary (worth $42 according to TPG's December 2024 valuations). The Southwest Plus card may be better if you can't justify the Frontier Airlines Mastercard's annual fee. To learn more, read our full review of the Southwest Plus card.
If you want an airline card with no annual fee: The (see rates and fees) is a no-annual-fee card that offers 25% back on inflight purchases and United Club premium drink purchases and has no foreign transaction fees. You'll also get a one-year complimentary membership to DashPass when you activate by Dec. 31, 2027. To learn more, read our full review of the United Gateway card.
Is the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard worth it?
I recommend the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard if you're a Frontier loyalist or you fly with the airline at least a couple of times per year. However, a general travel card is better if you fly more often with other airlines. Before applying for this card, consider how much value you'll get from it and whether that value justifies the $99 annual fee you'll pay after the first year.
The Frontier World Mastercard doesn't make sense for most people. Still, if you're a frequent Frontier flyer, the added value of this card brings family pooling, award booking fee waivers and elite status points — which can all be worth far more than the annual fee.
With Frontier's route network stretching to the Caribbean and Central America and big improvements coming the airline's way in 2025, this card may be a great companion for your upcoming travels.
