I used to fly Frontier a lot…but not this much!A few weeks ago I received an email from Frontier Airlines. It stated that they were soon to roll out an unlimited flight offer, and that I could sign up to receive more information once it was released. It also promised a limited time deal once the program rolled out. I’ve had my problems with Frontier since the pandemic, but the thought of unlimited travel intrigued me. I signed up to learn more.
When I received the email with more information I realized that it is a deal…for Frontier. While I’m sure that there are a few people who will save money with the new program, for most it is quite honestly crazy.
It’s called the GoWild! Pass. It promises an unlimited number of flights throughout the year. Sounds good, right? Not so fast.
The first problem with GoWild! is that your travel needs to be last minute. You can only book the day before! I guess this works for someone who is spontaneous, but it’s rare that I want to drop everything last minute to jump on a plane. And since you can only book the day before, you might not know when you’ll be able to fly home. GoWild! Pass was created to fill empty seats, and if there aren’t any then you’ll wait until there is a flight that isn’t full.
To be fair, if you’re flying internationally you can book up to ten days in advance. But then you could still end up stranded if your trip is longer than ten days. I wouldn’t want to travel overseas without a plan.
The second problem is the price. There was a two day introductory “sale” of $599 for the first year. That deal is over, and now the “sale” price is $799. That is only until November 22. The full price is $1,999, and you’ll automatically be charged that in one year if you don’t cancel before your renewal date. I did the math. Even with the $599 price, it’s expensive. If I were to take ten flights in a year, it’s $59 per flight, which is low to average for what I’ve paid on Frontier in the past. The current deal makes it $79 a flight for ten flights. If it’s $1,999, that’s almost $200 a flight! I have never been on a Frontier flight that was worth $200. Update: the $799 price has been extended through November 28.
You won’t get any of the extras with GoWild!. You’ll still pay to pick your seat, to bring a carry on, or to check a bag. Your pass is just for you, there is no “add a second person to your pass for $100” deal. You’ll pay one cent for each flight, plus taxes and fees. If you scroll down on the information page you’ll find the following:
Current government and airport taxes, fees and charges start at approximately $14.60 per person, per flight for domestic travel. Current government and airport taxes, fees and charges vary widely for international travel, and can be in excess of $100.
If you book a non-GoWild! flight directly the fees are added into the price. Under Den Deals (Frontier’s discount program) I could book a flight from Orlando to Boston tomorrow for $77. Non Den Deals would be $97. Using my ten flights per year example, that same flight on GoWild! could cost $93.61 under the current introductory rate, or $213.61 under the full GoWild! price.
While Frontier claims that GoWild! Pass offers unlimited travel, it doesn’t. There are blackout dates. Want to hop on a plane to surprise Grandma for Thanksgiving? Check the blackout dates first. Dream of ringing in the New Year in New York City? Most of the week before is blocked out. Decide to take a last minute flight to Philadelphia so you can be where the country was born on the Fourth of July? Not happening with GoWild!. Plan to propose in front of Cinderella Castle on Valentine’s Day? You can get to Orlando, but you’ll have to wait a few days to fly home again.
I can see where some people might get their money’s worth with GoWild!. If someone lives life spur of the moment, it could be fun to find a new place to fly to every week or so. Also, if someone flies for business or visits family a lot, it might make sense. But because you have to book last minute you might not end up with a seat. You’re taking a big chance. Most Frontier flights that I’ve been on since 2021 have been full.
If you want to learn more about GoWild!, you can see all the details for yourself here. It could be just what you’re looking for. Then again, read every word before you make your final decision. Frontier is the same airline that tried to charge me $50 plus $5.60 for using points on a flight that was $54 if I bought it without points. GoWild! is meant to benefit Frontier, not those who buy it.