Frontier Airlines offers Elite Gold status to anyone with $40 and a Southwest Rapid Rewards number

Frontier Airlines is out with its latest ploy to win over customers who have historically opted to fly Southwest Airlines.

The Denver-based ultra-low-cost carrier this week announced an unusual status match of sorts ... actually, "status opportunity" might be the correct term.

Between now and April 30, any Southwest Rapid Rewards member can instantly earn Frontier Miles Elite Gold status for the remainder of 2025. The only catch? There's a $40 fee.

Frontier specifically targeted Southwest loyalists "looking for their new airline of choice" with this promotion — a move that came after the airline last month temporarily offered travelers free bags on summer bookings shortly after Southwest ditched its long-standing "bags fly free" policy.

Bargain hunting: When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?

Now, this latest move specifically targets members of Southwest's loyalty program — including those who don't even have Rapid Rewards A-List status. You just need a Rapid Rewards number.

The promotion could provide benefits that are not typically offered by budget airlines, including a free carry-on bag, complimentary seat selection and — eventually — potential upgrades to the budget airline's new first-class seats tentatively set to debut later this year.

Here's a quick rundown on how to sign up.

How to get Frontier elite status

To earn Frontier Miles Elite Gold status as part of this status opportunity, you'll need to visit frontier.getstatus.com by April 30.

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The landing page asks you to add the email address and number associated with your Frontier Miles account; you'll obviously need one of those to earn elite status in the program.

You'll also have to enter your Southwest Rapid Rewards number — but again, this isn't a traditional "status match," so anyone with a number can apply.

On the following page, you'll be asked to pay a one-time nonrefundable fee of $40.

Once you do that, Frontier says your loyalty account will be upgraded to Elite Gold within 24 hours. Your status will be valid until Dec. 31.

What do you get with Frontier Elite Gold status?

Frontier's Elite Gold status is the second rung on its four-tier status ladder (trailing Elite Platinum and Elite Diamond).

Normally, to qualify, you'd need 20,000 elite qualifying points.

Benefits include:

• Ability to earn 14 points per dollar spent
• No change or cancellation fees
• A free carry-on bag (for the primary member but not for traveling companions)
• Standard seat selection at booking, extra-legroom ("premium") seats at check-in and access to the airline's UpFront Plus product (featuring a guaranteed empty middle seat) within four hours of departure (for the primary member but not for traveling companions)

Another perk that the airline says is coming later this year is complimentary upgrades (pending availability) to its brand-new first-class recliners, which will start appearing in the front two rows of all its planes.

I got a look at the design last week at a conference in Hamburg, Germany, and they look to be on par, more or less, with the domestic first-class product offered by Frontier's competitors.

Frontier CEO Barry Biffle told me last year that the airline plans to offer upgrades starting at the Elite Gold status tier.

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

A push to win over more travelers

Frontier's latest push to win over travelers who frequent other airlines comes as the carrier has encountered new hurdles to its business — a trend felt by myriad carriers across the airline industry.

In a filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission last week, the company cited declining revenue in March fueled by weakening demand and resulting fare discounts.

The airline cut back on its flight schedule during the second quarter, which runs between April and June and is typically airlines' strongest stretch of the year.

Related reading:

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• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status