Want to come out ahead flying Frontier Airlines? Then you need to understand Frontier baggage fees.
An ultra-low-cost carrier known for its dirt-cheap fares and additional fees for everything from seat assignments to baggage, Frontier has been shaking things up lately. Instead of pure a la carte pricing where passengers pick and choose what extras they want like bags, the airline now sells fare bundles – most of which include free carry-on bags. And now, Frontier even offers free checked bags if you hold a co-branded Frontier credit card – a popular perk you’ll find on many other airlines’ credit cards.
But despite that change of heart, bringing bags will still cost you more with Frontier – whether you add luggage separately or pay more upfront for a fare that includes baggage. Here's what that looks like for flights from Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) to Denver (DEN) in October.
As with every airline, every traveler gets one personal item for free on Frontier Airlines … at least so long as it fits underneath the seat in front of you. But if you purchase the airline's cheapest “Basic” ticket, that's all you'll get – any additional bags will cost you.
Here's everything you need to know when it comes to Frontier baggage fees.
Thrifty Tip: Match your airline (or hotel) status to Frontier to get free carry-on or checked bags!
Frontier Airlines Personal Item Policy
No matter what fare you purchase, there's one Frontier bag that is always free: A personal item.
Personal items on Frontier Airlines are anything that can fit underneath the seat in front of you. That's all you get.
According to Frontier, personal item bags can only be 14 inches tall, 18 inches wide, and 8 inches deep. Make sure your bag is the correct size before heading to the airport, because paying for a carry-on or checked bag upon arrival at the airport could cost you nearly $80.
These days, Frontier sells a standard “Economy bundle” for another $30 or so each way, which includes a personal item and a carry-on bag as well as complimentary seat assignment.
Frontier Airlines Carry-On Baggage Policy
Need something more than a backpack or purse? If your Frontier carry-on bag fits the airline's size parameters, you can bring it on board the plane with you and put it in the overhead bin. But you'll have to pay for it.
Carry-on bags must be 35 pounds or less to qualify, and must be smaller than 24 inches tall, 16 inches wide, and 10 inches deep. In our experience, Frontier rarely weighs carry-on bags … but gate agents can be vigilant about fitting them into bag sizers before boarding.
As with all Frontier baggage fees, the earlier in the process you book your bags, the cheaper they'll be.
Carry-on bags booked at check-in will cost flyers up between $54 and $56 each way in most cases. Wait until you're at the airport, and that bag will cost you $79 – or even more if you have to pay up for it at the gate. You'll pay the lowest Frontier baggage fees by adding your bag at purchase – or simply booking a bundle that includes a carry-on bag.
It's worth noting that on Frontier, baggage fees are often the same for carry-on bags as they are for checked bags.
Carry-On Baggage Fees & Specifications
If your bag is small enough to be considered carry-on bags, they typically cost between $54 and $60 each way when purchased during flight booking … but are slightly more expensive after that.
For instance, for a flight between Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) and Denver (DEN), Frontier is currently charging $54 when you add a carry-on bag during checkout, $69 to add it anytime before or during check in, $79 to add one at the airport or by calling customer service, and $99 if you need to tack it on at the gate.
If you're booking Frontier's cheapest fare and want to add a carry-on bag, you'll pay the lowest price by purchasing it online while booking your flight.
Better yet, just book at least an economy bundle that includes a carry-on bag. Because while adding a carry-on bag separately to the cheapest basic fare will cost you $54 on this flight from Minneapolis to Denver, booking the economy bundle that includes a carry-on bag (plus seat selection and free change or cancellation) only costs an extra $49.
The math won't work out so neatly every time, but it's always worth comparing the cost of buying a bundle that includes a carry-on bag versus adding it separately.
Traveling with Pets
Pets are allowed to travel on Frontier flights for a fee in the cabin, but cannot be checked as baggage.
Pets on Frontier currently cost travelers $99 each way. Travelers can still bring a personal item on board free of charge when traveling with a pet.
Pets must be “domesticated” according to Frontier, and all cats and dogs must be at least eight weeks old. Frontier accepts dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, or small household birds on its flights. Large birds, rodents, beavers, ferrets, reptiles, amphibians, spiders, and insects are not allowed on any Frontier flight.
Pets must remain in their carriers the entire duration of the flight, according to Frontier's rules. Oh, and travelers with pets cannot sit in an exit row on Frontier flights – nor in the first row of the plane.
The container itself can be a maximum of 18 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 8 inches tall. It's recommended that the case be soft-sided and the carrier must be large enough for the pet to stand, turn around, and lie down in a natural position.
If you're planning to travel abroad with your pet, make sure you go over the U.S. Department of Agriculture's guidelines about pet transport before you begin planning your journey. For instance, pet health certificates and vaccination proof are required in many countries where Frontier flies.
Frontier Airlines Checked Baggage Policy
Frontier Airlines baggage fees also apply to checked bags, but adding a checked bag to your Frontier ticket is typically the same price (or cheaper) than carrying it on.
First, make sure your Frontier checked bags meet the size criteria. The size of your bag cannot exceed 62 inches when you add the length, width, and depth of the bag together.
Most major airlines allow bags up to 50 pounds, but not Frontier: Frontier has a slightly stricter, 40-pound weight threshold. Your baggage allowance on Frontier hinges on the size and weight of these bags, so double-check before leaving for the airport.
Checked Baggage Fees and Specifications
The best and easiest way to check for the latest, up-to-date Frontier baggage fees is to use the airline's “Bag Price Checker.”
Just plug in your booked flights or your potential flights and the airline will give you a breakdown of what you can expect to pay. But keep in mind: All of these charges apply each way. If you're flying roundtrip, double the price.
As always with Frontier Airlines, you'll save by paying for your bag while you purchase your flight.
For most flights, your first checked bag costs around $55 each way if you purchase it at booking. Compare that to what it would cost if you try to check your bag at the airport – $79 each way – and you're saving more than $20 each way by getting it done earlier.
But adding additional bags to your reservation can cost even more. For example, a second bag on these flights from Chicago-O'Hare (ORD) to Cancún (CUN) will cost another $74 even during check out … and that rises to $95 for a third checked bag.
Frontier also sells bundles that include a checked bag – two of them, in fact. But that's only included on Frontier's most expensive “Business bundle.” On that same trip from Chicago to Cancún, those pricier fares will cost you an extra $99. Ouch.
Frontier Airlines Paid Special Items
Of course, there are always special items that travelers want to fly with, from guns, to hockey sticks, to trombones, and more. Frontier baggage fees for these items vary, too.
Firearms
Any Frontier traveler over the age of 18 may travel with a checked firearm on Frontier Airlines flights.
Travelers can check unloaded firearms after declaring the weapons with customer service agents at the airport.
Firearms must be stored in locked, hard-sided containers. You can also check 11 pounds of ammunition when traveling with a firearm.
Regular checked baggage fees apply to all firearms and ammunition, including weight restrictions.
Musical Instruments
Musical instruments, large and small, are all allowed on Frontier Airlines flights as long as they are less than 100 pounds.
Carry-on instruments may exceed normal carry-on sizes so long as they fit into the overhead bins on the airplane.
Larger musical instruments that are too big for the overhead bin and are carried on the plane are only allowed if you purchase a seat for the instrument.
Regular checked and carry-on baggage fees apply to all musical instruments, including weight restrictions.
Sports Equipment
Frontier allows all kinds of sports equipment onboard its aircraft.
That includes all of the following:
- Archery equipment
- Boogie/Wake Boards
- Bowling equipment
- Fencing equipment
- Fishing equipment
- Golf equipment
- Hang gliding equipment
- Hockey equipment
- Kayak and Canoe
- Paintball guns
- Scuba gear
- Skates
- Skateboard
- Ski equipment (snow and water)
- Snowboard equipment
- Tennis rackets
- Surfboards, wave skis, kiteboards
- Windsurfing
As with most airlines, ski boot bags can be checked together with the ski bag and only count as one item, so long as the boot bag is less than 25 pounds. Allow 30 extra minutes at check in for ski equipment.
For a detailed look at the rules for every item, visit Frontier's website.
Regular checked baggage rules apply to all sports equipment, including weight restrictions.
Bicycles and Antlers
Both bicycles and antlers are allowed on Frontier Airlines flights.
Non-motorized, single-seat bicycles can be checked on Frontier Airlines flights so long as the handlebars are fixed sideways, the pedals are removed, and the bike is stored in a protective case.
Bicycles need an extra 30 minutes for check-in and cannot be brought to Cuba.
Bicycles are $75 each way on Frontier flights, no matter what fare you purchased.
Antlers that are free of residue and are under 100 pounds can be checked on Frontier Airlines flights for $100.
Frontier Airlines Baggage Exceptions
As with most airlines, some baggage types are exempt from baggage fees on Frontier.
Diaper Bag
When traveling with an infant, diaper bags can be carried on in addition to your carry-on luggage on all Frontier flights, free of charge.
Stroller
Strollers can be either checked or carried onto any Frontier flight free of charge when traveling with a child.
Car Seat
Child restraint systems, or car seats, are free of charge on all Frontier flights when traveling with a child.
Overweight Baggage Fees
Checked bags can be up to 40 pounds on Frontier Airlines flights, and everything heavier than that is subject to additional fees.
Bags between 41 and 50 pounds will get hit with an extra $75 fee each way and bags over 50 pounds are another $100 per bag each way.
Bags over 100 pounds are not accepted on Frontier Airlines flights.
How to Reduce Fees for Frontier Airlines Baggage
Frontier baggage fees are hard to avoid. Unbundling the flight itself and the baggage is all part of the airline's business model. But there are a few ways to save.
Pay for Baggage Upfront
The best and easiest way to save on Frontier Airlines baggage fees is by booking your bags at checkout when you buy your airfare.
The airline is very clear on its website that booking bags right away will save you money. Adding bags at checkout can save you a few bucks … or as much $30 each way compared to booking your bags at the gate.
Purchase a Bundled Fare
Now that Frontier has ditched its pure a la carte pricing model, you can buy bundles from the outset that come with more … and cost more, too. In many cases, that's the right move.
For example, let's say you're flying from Denver (DEN) to New Orleans (MSY) and want to bring a carry-on bag and ensure you don't get stuck in a middle seat between two strangers. You could purchase a $54 “basic” fare, but adding a carry-on bag would be another $54. Oh, and add at least $16 for a seat assignment.
That's an extra $70, bringing your total on this flight to New Orleans to $124 each way. So why not book an economy bundle from the outset that includes both for an extra $49: A total of $103 each way.
Buying a bundle won't always help you come out ahead – particularly if you need to check luggage. But it's worth comparing the cost of a bundle versus adding everything you need separately.
How to Get Free Baggage from Frontier Airlines
Outside of packing all your belongings into a small personal item, there are other ways to get free baggage from Frontier Airlines.
Hold the Right Credit Card
Most travelers might overlook the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® from Barclays, but there's a new reason to pick it up now: Free checked bags.
As of August 2024, the Frontier co-branded credit card comes with two free checked bags on every Frontier flight for cardholders. Critically, you have to pay for your flight with your Frontier card to get this perk.
The Frontier card has a $0 introductory fee for the first year, then $99 a year after that. But if you take more than one roundtrip Frontier flight a year, you can easily recoup that cost in bag fees.
Learn more about the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® from Barclays (for full disclosure, this is not an affiliate link)
Get Frontier Status
“Low-cost carriers” and “elite status” might not exactly go hand in hand, but status with Frontier can pay off big time when it comes to bag fees.
- Flyers with Frontier Gold Elite status can get a free carry-on bag on every flight.
- Flyers with Frontier Platinum Elite status and higher can get a free carry-on bag and a first checked bag free – for everyone on their reservation!
Read up on how to get Frontier Status easily through a status match!
Provide Military Documentation
With Frontier, military bags fly free, too.
Military members with military identification get two free carry-on bags and two free checked bags on every Frontier Airlines flight. The program only applies to active duty military, and not military families or travel companions.
Frontier Airlines Baggage Fees FAQs
How Much Does Frontier Charge for Checked Bags?
Frontier charges about $50 to $55 per checked bag on all of its flights when paid for during booking.
Bags weighing 41-50 pounds will be charged $75 extra per bag, per direction. Bags weighing 51-100 pounds will be charged $100 per bag, per direction. Bags heavier than 100 pounds will not be accepted.
What Size Bag Can You Carry on Frontier for Free?
Frontier only allows you to carry on a “personal item” bag for free. Personal item bags can be no larger than 14 inches in height, 18 inches in width, and 8 inches in depth, including handles, wheels, and straps.
Personal items must fit underneath the seat. There is a charge for any bag larger.
Is a Backpack a Personal Item on Frontier?
Yes, most backpacks can be personal items on Frontier, so long as it fits underneath the seat in front of you.
If the backpack is 14 inches in height, 18 inches in width, and 8 inches in depth or smaller, it can be a personal item on Frontier. If it is larger than that, it's considered a carry-on – at least so long as it is less than the maximum carry-on size of 24 inches by 16 inches by 10 inches.
Bottom Line
Understanding Frontier baggage fees is the best way to understand the value of Frontier flights.
Frontier offers dirt-cheap fares … but charges very high baggage fees. Knowing how to book Frontier checked bags for less and understanding your baggage allowance on Frontier can help you save on your next trip.