Frontier unveils 16 new routes in big South Florida expansion
Frontier Airlines is spreading its wings in South Florida, with a slew of new routes to the Sunshine State.
The Denver-based carrier will once again land in Fort Lauderdale (FLL) early next year with 12 routes, most of which are to destinations in the Northeast.
Frontier will also add a new pin to its route map at Aguadilla, Puerto Rico (BQN), along with two new routes to San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU), and three to Cancun, Mexico (CUN), early next year.
Headlining Frontier's latest growth is the South Florida expansion. The Denver-based carrier added Miami to its route map in 2014 and has since classified the city as one of its hubs. Frontier opened a new crew base there last year and now flies to 33 destinations, according to Cirium schedule data.
While Frontier is labeling Fort Lauderdale as a new destination in its press release, the airline last flew there in April 2020 at the outset of the pandemic. In fact, two of the 12 new FLL routes were previously served by Frontier before the pandemic (Islip, New York, and Trenton, New Jersey).
A carrier spokesperson told TPG that "we are returning to FLL with a robust schedule of 12 nonstop routes based on the continued strong demand we see in South Florida for affordable air travel."
Reopening its outstation in Fort Lauderdale — located just about 30 miles from Miami — might surprise some travelers, especially because the airline already serves 10 of the 12 FLL destinations from Miami, according to Cirium data.
However, South Florida has been an attractive destination throughout the pandemic, thanks to its year-round sunshine, a plethora of outdoor activities and relaxed COVID-19 policies. Airlines nationwide have been adding more flights to points all around the Sunshine State, and Frontier's latest growth seemingly fits into the broader theme of pandemic-era expansion in Florida.
But the move also comes just weeks after rival discounter Spirit Airlines entered Miami with a whopping 30 routes. Spirit operates a megahub in Fort Lauderdale and is poised to become the second-largest carrier in Miami after its expansion there is complete.
While this isn't necessarily a tit-for-tat move from Frontier — only two of its new FLL routes are operated by Spirit — it does feel like a competitive play to entrench itself in Fort Lauderdale.
As for the six other new routes, Cancun and Puerto Rico are the big winners. The airline will expand its service from Cancun to Hartford, Connecticut (BDL); Buffalo, New York (BUF); and Providence (PVD), bringing its total destinations served from this popular leisure city to over 20.
These latest routes keep fast-expanding Frontier in growth mode. Over the summer, the airline announced two big enlargements, including 20 new routes and five new cities followed by 15 new routes and one new international destination. That followed a springtime expansion spree in which Frontier announced 32 routes and eight new cities during a two-week stretch in April.
It hasn't exclusively been good news for Frontier, though.
Come early next year, both Newark (EWR) and Washington Dulles (IAD) will lose service from Frontier Airlines. The carrier's senior vice president of commercial, Daniel Shurz, blamed the decision on high operating costs at these two airports.
Additionally, earlier this year, the Denver-based carrier pulled out of Los Angeles (LAX) and San Jose, California (SJC), and instead consolidated its operations at nearby airports.
Frontier Airlines’ latest nonstop routes
Cancun (CUN)
- Hartford, Connecticut (BDL): Service begins Feb. 17; three times weekly.
- Buffalo, New York (BUF): Service begins Feb. 18; three times weekly.
- Providence, Rhode Island (PVD): Service begins Feb. 19; one time weekly.
Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
- Atlanta (ATL): Service begins Feb. 17; daily flights.
- Buffalo, New York (BUF): Service begins Feb. 17; daily flights.
- Islip, New York (ISP): Service begins Feb. 17; daily flights.
- Orlando (MCO): Service begins Feb. 17; daily flights.
- Philadelphia (PHL): Service begins Feb. 17; daily flights.
- Providence (PVD): Service begins Feb. 17; daily flights.
- Stewart, New York (SWF): Service begins Feb. 17; three times weekly.
- Trenton, New Jersey (TTN): Service begins Feb. 17; daily flights.
- Albany, New York (ALB): Service begins Feb. 18; three times weekly.
- Rochester, New York (ROC): Service begins Feb. 18; two times weekly.
- Green Bay, Wisconsin (GRB): Service begins Feb. 19; one time weekly.
- Portland, Maine (PWM): Service begins Feb. 19; one time weekly.
San Juan (SJU)
- Boston (BOS): Service begins Feb. 17; four times weekly.
- Hartford, Connecticut (BDL): Service begins Feb. 18; three times weekly.
Aguadilla (BQN)
- Orlando (MCO): Service begins March 24; three times weekly.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.