I’m done with Frontier AirlinesI’ve talked quite a bit in the past about discount airlines and how they can help you to save, as long as you know that they charge for all of the extras. I’ve gone as far as recommending Frontier Airlines. After my latest experience, I won’t be doing that again, at least not for a while. I’ve always known that they nickel and dime you, but now they want the pennies as well!
My problem started with booking. I haven’t been flying much since 2020, so my Den Deals subscription expired. I was willing to buy it again if I could find a good deal on a trip that I was planning from Orlando to Albany, NY. When I searched, the Den Deals price to Albany was $99, and the return flight was $54. I then saw that I had just over 20,000 miles, and each of the two flights cost 10,000 miles each.
This is where the first problem came. I prefer to book two one-way flights instead of roundtrip. That way, if my first flight is canceled, I don’t have to worry about booking a new flight home for a higher cost. I started to book the first flight for 10,000 miles. There is always a $5.60 charge when you use points or miles on any airline, not just Frontier. That’s a US Passenger Security Fee. I expected the total to be $5.60. Nope, it was $55.60. When I went to my cart, there was a $50 Frontier Miles Award Redemption Fee. If I booked both flights as one-way, that meant my return flight would cost more than Den Deals if I used points! I decided to go ahead and book roundtrip, and that way I avoided an extra $50 fee for the second flight.
Originally, that would have been the end of this post. But Frontier decided to add to the story.
I was supposed to fly back on Saturday, April 2. I was getting ready to leave for the airport when I received an email that my flight had been canceled. It was the same day that Southwest canceled thousands of flights across the country. There was no offer to help, no talk of rescheduling the flight, just a link to let them know if I wanted a refund or credit for my flight. There wasn’t even a phone number if I needed help.
I understand that the airlines were hit hard during the pandemic. I did not expect to receive a $400 voucher like I did the first time my Frontier flight was canceled. Still, I didn’t expect them to leave me stranded three hours before my flight was supposed to leave. The reason why I chose that date was because there was another Frontier flight out of Albany the next day, but that one was gone as well. I don’t know if it was canceled or full.
I found a JetBlue flight out of Albany on Monday, and was able to extend my rental car. I spent two extra days with my family, so there was a silver lining. I chose the refund, because at that moment I never wanted to even see a Frontier plane again.
It took a few days, but I did get my refund. Frontier deposited all of $5.60 into my account. They didn’t refund any of the $50 Frontier Miles Awards Redemption Fee. I eventually received 10,000 of my miles back. By that time it was too late to use them, I was already home.
Don’t get me wrong, I know what I’m getting when I fly on Frontier Airlines. I understand that it is bare bones, and that I have to pay for any extras that I need. I’m good at packing light, and if I’m flying alone I don’t care where I sit. But leaving me stranded and charging me to use miles that I’ve earned was a little bit too much for me. It will have to be an incredible deal for me to book with Frontier again.
I’m just glad that I didn’t re-sign up for Den Deals! It costs $59.99 a year, plus there’s a $40 enrollment fee. They are willing to cut my enrollment fee in half because I’m a previous member. Isn’t that generous of them (said sarcastically)?