Frontier Airlines, an ultra-low-cost carrier, has a cancellation policy that prioritizes affordability but includes specific conditions for refunds and fees. Below is a concise overview based on the latest information from Frontier’s official website and other reliable sources:
Within 24 Hours of Booking: You can cancel any Frontier Airlines flight within 24 hours of booking for a full refund to the original payment method, without a cancellation fee, provided the flight departs at least 7 days later (168 hours from booking). This applies to all fare types, including non-refundable tickets, and complies with U.S. Department of Transportation regulations. If booked through a third party like Alternative Airlines, contact them within their operating hours (e.g., 9 AM–8 PM GMT) to ensure the refund is processed within the 24-hour window.
After 24 Hours:
- Standard Tickets: As of May 2024, Frontier has eliminated cancellation fees for most fares (Economy, Premium, Business) when bundled (e.g., with The Works bundle). Without a bundle, cancellations incur a $99 fee per passenger, per direction, regardless of timing, and the remaining value is issued as a travel credit valid for 90 days from cancellation. The credit must be used to book a new flight within this period, with the same passenger name, and no residual value remains after use.
- The Works Bundle: Tickets purchased with The Works bundle are fully refundable to the original payment method with no cancellation fee, or you can opt for a travel credit valid for 1 year from the transaction date. This bundle also includes a carry-on bag, checked bags (Business bundle), seat selection, and priority boarding.
- Basic Fares: Non-refundable without The Works bundle. Cancellations incur a $99 fee, with the remaining value issued as a travel credit for 90 days.
- Award Tickets: Cancelling a Frontier Miles award ticket incurs a $75 redeposit fee to return miles to your account, waived for Last Seat Award tickets. Cancellations must occur before departure to retain value.
No-Show Policy: If you fail to cancel or check in at least 60 minutes before departure (20 minutes for boarding), the ticket is deemed a No-Show Cancellation, forfeiting all value. All subsequent flights on the itinerary, including return flights, are also cancelled.
Airline-Cancelled Flights or Significant Changes: If Frontier cancels your flight or makes a significant schedule change (e.g., delay of 180+ minutes for domestic flights, 360+ minutes for international), you’re entitled to:
- A full refund to the original payment method within 7 business days for credit cards or 20 days for cash/check, including ancillary fees (e.g., baggage).
- Rebooking on the next available Frontier flight at no extra cost, with meal vouchers for delays of 3+ hours or cancellations requiring rebooking 3+ hours later.
- A travel credit valid for 5 years from the cancellation date, if you choose not to travel.
- For EU/UK departures, EU Regulation 261/2004 may apply, offering compensation (€250–€600) for cancellations within 14 days, unless due to extraordinary circumstances (e.g., weather, air traffic control).
Special Circumstances:
- Medical Emergencies or Death: Refunds or fee waivers may be granted for serious illness or death of a passenger or close family member, with documentation (e.g., medical or death certificate). Submit via Frontier’s Document Submission Form.
- Jury Duty: Eligible for a full refund with documentation.
- Weather or Uncontrollable Events: For cancellations due to weather, bird strikes, or air traffic control, Frontier offers rebooking on the next available flight or a full refund of the unused ticket portion, but no compensation.
- COVID-19: For tickets booked between December 22, 2020, and September 30, 2021, cancellations were fee-free with full refunds or credits. Post-September 2021, standard fees apply unless covered by a travel advisory.
How to Cancel:
- By Phone: Call Frontier Reservations at +1-877-240-6770. A $35 service fee per ticket may apply for Economy or Frontier Miles award tickets booked via phone.
- At Airport: Visit a Frontier ticket counter with booking details.
- Through a Travel Agent: Contact the agent directly (e.g., Alternative Airlines) to process cancellations, as Frontier’s online system may not handle third-party bookings.
Refund Process:
- Refunds (when eligible, e.g., within 24 hours, The Works bundle, or airline cancellations) are processed to the original payment method within 7–10 business days for credit cards, longer for cash/check.
- Travel credits from cancellations (minus fees) are valid for 90 days (standard tickets) or 1 year (The Works bundle), non-transferable, and must match the original passenger’s name.
- Submit refund requests via the online form on flyfrontier.com. Failure to submit the form may result in no refund, even for eligible cancellations.
Additional Notes:
- Elite Status Benefits: Elite Diamond members receive full refunds (not credits) for cancellations at least 1 day before departure. Elite Platinum or Gold members may cancel or change without fees if done 7+ days before departure.
- GoWild! Pass: Cancellations follow standard policies, but availability for rebooking isn’t guaranteed. Credits may apply, but full refunds are limited to the 24-hour window or specific circumstances.
- Travel Insurance: Consider purchasing insurance or The Works bundle for flexibility, as non-refundable fares offer limited options. Some credit cards provide trip cancellation coverage.
