Frontier Airlines Baggage Policy: Fees, Free Bags & Tips

Frontier Airlines operates an ultra-low-cost model across the United States, offering very low base fares while charging separately for seat selection, carry-on bags, and checked bags. Frontier's baggage policy is one of the most consequential in US aviation — getting it wrong can add $75–$200 in unexpected fees at the airport. Getting it right, especially with a Discount Den membership or bundle, can make Frontier genuinely competitive against legacy carriers on total price.

What Frontier Includes Free

Every Frontier fare includes exactly one free bag: the personal item.

• Size: 35.6×25.4×20.3 cm (14×10×8 inches)
• Must fit under the seat in front of you
• No published weight limit for personal items

Frontier's personal item dimensions are among the most restrictive of any US carrier. A standard backpack may not fit if packed full — measure carefully. Small purses, slim laptop bags, and compact personal item bags designed for budget travel typically qualify.

No carry-on access to the overhead bin is included in Frontier's standard fares. This is a key difference from American, Delta, and United, which all include overhead carry-on access in economy.

Frontier Carry-On Bag Fees

When You Add It	Fee
At checkout (online booking)	$39–$59
Pre-departure (online before check-in closes)	$49–$69
At airport check-in counter	$75
At the gate	$99

Carry-on size limit: 56×36×22 cm (22×14×9 inches). The bag must fit in the overhead bin.

Frontier is one of very few US airlines that charges for overhead carry-on access in standard economy. If you arrive at the gate with an unpaid carry-on, the gate agent will charge $99 — more than a short-haul Frontier base fare on some routes.

Frontier Checked Bag Fees

When You Add It	Fee
At checkout (online booking)	$25–$45
Pre-departure (online)	$35–$55
At airport check-in counter	$75
At the gate	$99

Standard weight limit: 50 lb (23 kg)

Overweight fee:

• 51–100 lb: $75 additional fee
• Over 100 lb: Not accepted as checked baggage

Size limit: 62 linear inches (length + width + height). Standard suitcases fall within this limit.

Note that Frontier's overweight fee ($75 for 51–100 lb) is a flat charge rather than a per-pound rate, making it slightly more forgiving than Spirit's $100 overweight fee for bags above 50 lb, but still a significant penalty worth avoiding.

Frontier Bundles: WORKS and PERKS

Frontier offers two main bundle options that package bag fees with other perks:

The Works bundle typically includes:

• Carry-on bag
• First checked bag
• Seat selection (any available seat)
• Flight flexibility (changes, cancellations without fee)
• Priority boarding

The Perks bundle typically includes:

• Carry-on bag
• First checked bag
• Seat selection (standard seats only)
• No refundability

If you need both a carry-on and a checked bag, The Perks or The Works bundle is almost always cheaper than purchasing both bags separately. The Works bundle adds meaningful flight flexibility, making it especially valuable for travelers on uncertain schedules.

Frontier's bundle prices vary significantly by route and booking date. Always compare the bundle price at checkout against the sum of individual add-ons before choosing.

Frontier Discount Den: The Real Bag Savings

Discount Den is Frontier's annual subscription membership:

• Price: $59.99 per year (varies by promotion)
• Benefits: Access to lowest available fares (often not available to non-members), free carry-on bag on most fares, free first checked bag on most fares, and the ability to book multiple passengers at Discount Den rates

For frequent Frontier travelers, Discount Den fundamentally changes the economics:

• One round trip with a carry-on and checked bag saves approximately $80–$120 in bag fees versus a non-member buying bags at the online booking rate
• The membership pays for itself within the first round trip for most bag-carrying travelers

Discount Den does not apply to all fare types — some promotional fares exclude Discount Den benefits. Read the fare conditions at checkout.

Frontier Elite Status: FRONTIER Miles

Frontier's elite tier (Gold status and above) also provides bag benefits:

• Elite 20K: 1 free checked bag
• Elite 50K: 1 free carry-on + 1 free checked bag
• Elite 100K: 2 free checked bags + carry-on

Earning status requires flying 20,000, 50,000, or 100,000 qualifying miles per year — attainable for travelers who make Frontier a primary carrier.

Frontier's Pricing Complexity

Frontier's baggage fees change frequently. Published ranges are approximations — the actual fee for your specific route and date may differ from any published guide. Always check the current fee at checkout for your specific booking rather than assuming a fixed number.

Factors that affect Frontier bag pricing:

• Route (high-demand routes trend higher)
• Days before departure when bags are added
• Whether you're a Discount Den member
• Whether you're buying as part of a bundle

The single best practice: check the bag fee at the time of booking, not afterward. Once you're past checkout, the fee rises at each step.

Frontier vs. Spirit vs. Allegiant

Policy	Frontier	Spirit	Allegiant
Free personal item size	35.6×25.4×20.3 cm	46×33×20 cm	40×35×20 cm
Carry-on at booking	$39–$59	$39–$49	$10–$35
Carry-on at gate	$99	$109	$50
Checked bag at booking	$25–$45	$39–$49	$10–$35
Checked bag at gate	$99	$109	$50
Subscription membership	Discount Den ($59.99/yr)	Saver$ Club ($69.95/yr)	None

Frontier and Spirit are closely matched in fee structure, with Frontier often slightly cheaper on checked bags at booking. Allegiant has lower absolute fees but serves fewer routes. Frontier's Discount Den membership is the most valuable subscription in budget US aviation for regular Frontier flyers.

Practical Tips for Frontier Baggage

Measure your personal item. Frontier's 35.6×25.4×20.3 cm personal item limit is strict. A bag that looks small may not fit — measure all three dimensions before travel.

Add bags at booking, not later. The price difference between booking checkout and airport counter is typically $30–$50 per bag. Never plan to add bags at the airport.

Consider The Perks bundle. For trips where you need a carry-on and a checked bag, The Perks bundle is usually cheaper than buying both bags individually and adds seat selection as a bonus.

Buy Discount Den if you fly Frontier 3+ times per year. The $59.99 annual fee is offset by the free bag benefit on the very first round trip for most travelers.

Verify current pricing. Frontier's fees change frequently. The rates listed in this guide are representative ranges — confirm exact fees for your booking at checkout.

Summary: Frontier Airlines Baggage at a Glance

Frontier includes only a small personal item (35.6×25.4×20.3 cm) in all standard fares. Carry-on bags cost $39–$99 and checked bags cost $25–$99 depending on when you purchase. Airport and gate fees are significantly higher than online booking prices. Bundles (The Perks, The Works) provide the best value when you need multiple bag types. Discount Den membership ($59.99/year) includes free carry-on and checked bag access on most fares, making it highly valuable for travelers who fly Frontier 3 or more times per year.