Frontier Airlines now offering free bags for cardholders
There's a pretty cool new perk for holders of the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard®: free checked bags.
The card has a $99 annual fee ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year), but the new free-checked-bag perk makes it even more interesting.
Starting Thursday, you now get two free checked bags on all Frontier Airlines-operated flights when you pay with your Frontier Airlines World Mastercard. (Note: This benefit will apply to future bookings with the card but not to previously booked travel.)
New cardholders also get instant Frontier Elite Gold status for 90 days after their first purchase with the card. This status can be extended to 12 months by spending $3,000 within the first 90 days of membership.
Perks include:
- No change/cancel fees (more than seven days from departure)
- Standard seat assignment at booking
- Priority customer care
- Priority boarding: Zone 2
- Free carry-on bags
- Premium seating at check-in
The card also has other perks, including the ability to pool Frontier miles with other family members, receive priority boarding and earn credit toward elite status.
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.
Related: Budget airline survival guide
You also get a waiver for award flight fees paid with the card and no foreign transaction fees.
"This new benefit, combined with existing perks like Instant Elite Gold Status and miles that never expire, makes our card a must-have for any traveler looking to maximize value and convenience on every flight," Bobby Schroeter, chief commercial officer at Frontier Airlines, said in a statement.
Related: Frontier Airlines World Mastercard vs. Free Spirit Travel More World Elite Mastercard
Do note that you'll have to buy your flight using the card (like with United Airlines' free-checked-bag policy). It appears that World Mastercards like this one don't have travel protection, so that's an important thing to consider.
Other things to flag:
- Tickets must be purchased from flyfrontier.com or the Frontier Airlines mobile app.
- There is no limit to how many times you can use this benefit.
- Free-checked-bag benefit includes golf and ski equipment.
"The addition of free checked bags reflects Barclays' and Frontier's shared commitment to provide valuable rewards and benefits to cardmembers that help enhance their travel experiences with the airline," Doug Villone, head of cards and partnerships at Barclays US Consumer Bank, said. "We're proud to support Frontier and their mission of providing affordable travel across America and beyond."
Bottom line
The Frontier World Mastercard suddenly makes more sense for regular Frontier flyers. Free checked bags and temporary Gold status — on top of previous perks like family miles pooling, award booking fee waivers and elite qualifying miles — make this card worth far more than the annual fee.
To learn more about the card, read our full review of the Frontier Mastercard.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.