Frontier steps up credit card perks with new companion certificates

For the second time in as many weeks, Frontier Airlines is making an aggressive play to win over frequent flyers of other airlines.

The budget airline on Monday announced it will start handing out companion travel certificates to its credit card holders when they meet certain spending milestones. If you spend $3,000 on the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard®, you'll be able to book a flight and take a family member or friend along — essentially for free.

Meanwhile, customers who join Frontier's loyalty program over the next month can double their mileage earnings with the airline: The carrier is pledging to match whatever miles a new member has across competitor airlines (though it's a bit more complicated than that).

It's part of what the Denver-based ultra-low-cost carrier is billing as an "unprecedented lineup of loyalty offers." It's an obvious push to entice new customers to consider flying with the carrier, which is seeking a boost for its bottom line.

Last week, Frontier said it would give Gold status to any loyalty member of Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue or Spirit Airlines.

"No other U.S. airline is giving travelers this much value," Frontier Chief Commercial Officer Bobby Schroeter said in a statement Monday.

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.

Read more: Why the Frontier Airlines Mastercard became the newest credit card in my wallet

Here's what to know about the two new offers Frontier rolled out.

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New credit card companion certificate

Frontier announced a deal sweetener for members who carry (or might consider carrying) its Frontier Airlines World Mastercard.

Between now and Jan. 31, 2026, members will be able to earn a companion certificate each time they hit the following spending thresholds:

• Earn one companion certificate upon hitting $3,000 in eligible card spending.
• Earn a second certificate upon hitting $10,000 in spending.
• Earn a third certificate upon hitting $20,000 in spending.
• Earn unlimited companion travel upon hitting $50,000 in spending.

We should note, $50,000 in card spending would technically unlock Frontier Miles Platinum status, which now comes with unlimited companion travel.

If you combine card spending with airline travel, you could unlock the unlimited companion travel pass sooner than $50,000 in swipes.

Read more: Best credit cards for everyday spending

What to know about the companion certificates

The companion certificates you'd earn at the $3,000, $10,000 and $20,000 spending milestones would be redeemable for one-time, round-trip travel for any companion of your choosing.

You'd book a trip and then add your family member or friend for just the cost of nominal government taxes and fees. These certificates will expire one year after issuance.

Each dollar spent on Frontier's card accrues elite-qualifying miles toward status. The card has a $99 annual fee and comes with two free checked bags on all Frontier flights.

Frontier Airlines miles match

The second promotion Frontier announced Monday is a "miles match" of sorts.

For new Frontier Miles members who join between now and Sept. 26, Frontier said it will match the number of miles in all of their other eligible loyalty accounts.

Let's say you had:

• 10,000 Free Spirit miles with Spirit Airlines
• 50,000 TrueBlue points with JetBlue
• 150,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles

If you joined Frontier Miles, the airline would give you up to 210,000 miles.

But there's a huge caveat: You'd first have to earn 210,000 miles with Frontier yourself.

Basically, Frontier is saying, "Switch to us and we'll double your miles up to whatever you've got with other carriers."

You can shoot lower, too. If there's no way you'd hit 210,000 miles with Frontier, you could just ask the airline to match, say, 20,000 miles. Then, you'd be eligible to claim 20,000 bonus miles once you earn 20,000 miles on Frontier yourself.

There are a few more rules to know:

• It's open to new members only.
• Enrollment is required by Sept. 26.
• Matches are capped at 1 million miles.

Miles earned by flying or spending on Frontier's credit card count.

Bottom line

Frontier's latest loyalty promotions are part of a push by the carrier to entice more customers to its planes, credit card portfolio and loyalty program.

Budget airlines have struggled financially compared to their larger network competitors in recent years, as travelers have flocked to airlines with high-end seats and long-haul international flights.

Frontier is clearly hoping these deal sweeteners — combined with its first-ever first-class seats set to debut later this year — offer customers who haven't typically flown low-cost airlines a reason to reconsider.

Related reading:

• When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
• The best airline credit cards
• What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• What are points and miles worth? TPG's monthly valuations