Frontier Airlines refunds: Rules, fees & how to get your money back?

If you’ve ever booked a flight, you know the feeling: excitement mixed with a tinge of worry about what would happen if your plans suddenly changed. When flying an ultra-low-cost carrier like Frontier Airlines, understanding the refund policy isn’t just helpful- it’s necessary for your wallet too. Frontier Airlines is famous for its low fares, but those fares often come with strict rules, especially concerning cancellations and refunds. Trying to navigate the official policy can feel like deciphering an ancient map, leaving you wondering: Can I get my money back? What exactly is the 24-hour rule? And when does Frontier issue a full refund versus a credit? 

Whether you’re a frequent traveler or a first-time traveler, by the time you finish reading, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to handle cancellations, change fees, and refund requests confidently. This guide by Affluence Travels ensures that you maximise your return every time your travel plans go sideways. 

Understanding Frontier Airlines refund policy 

Frontier Airlines primarily sells nonrefundable fares, which means that most standard tickets cannot be refunded to your original form of payment unless specific conditions are met. Instead of refunds, most travelers receive a travel credit when canceling, which can be used toward a future booking. However, there are situations in which you can receive a full refund, and these depend on:

• When you cancel your reservation 

• The type of fare that you purchased 

• If the airline changes or cancels your flight suddenly.
  
  

In any of the aforementioned situations, you might find it difficult to get a refund if you are unfamiliar with its process. Knowing the differences between each of these and ways to escape from them will help you get your refund money quickly and prevent unnecessary loss of value. 

Frontier airlines refund eligibility criteria and 24-hour cancellation policy.

Frontier tickets are generally non-refundable. However, under certain circumstances, you can receive a full refund to your original payment method in the following ways:

• All tickets, except those bought for travel within 7 days (168 hours) of the purchase, can be canceled within 24 hours of buying, and a complete refund will be issued to the original payment method. The quickest and simplest way to handle this type of cancellation is through the Frontier mobile app or on their official website.

• According to 14 CFR Part 260, you might qualify for a refund if you did not board your Frontier flight that was either canceled or underwent a major schedule alteration or delay (exceeding 3 hours for domestic flights or more than 6 hours for international flights) or if you did not receive a service for which you had paid.

• Refunds apply only if the customer did not take a rebooked flight (in the case of a cancellation), did not travel on the delayed or rescheduled flight, and did not choose to receive a travel credit instead of a refund to the original form of payment.

• Frontier cancels your flight because of schedule changes or those caused by weather, Air Traffic Control, aircraft damage caused by occurrences out of Frontier's control, such as bird strikes, etc. Alternatively, if your flight is canceled or delayed in excess of 3 hours, we'll provide you, upon request, a full refund of any unused portion of your ticket.

Remember, any refunds processed will go back to your original payment method that you ‘ve used to pay for your tickets. 

Refund policy for standard non-refundable tickets.

Standard tickets on Frontier Airlines are generally non-refundable. Unless you purchased a ticket with “refundability” included at the time of booking, the fare cannot be refunded for cash. Outside of that 24-hour window (or if the flight departs within seven days of booking), the ticket value is lost for refund purposes. Essentially, you will not receive a cash refund for the fare portion of the ticket. 

Most customers will pay a $99 cancellation fee per passenger, per direction. If the fee exceeds the ticket value, no credit is retained. However, there’s no fee if you:

•  Purchased an Economy, Premium, or Business, or bundle

•  Purchased an Economy Fare or Bizfare

•  Are an Elite member canceling 7+ days before departure

The WORKS Bundle: The only fully refundable ticket option available. 

When flying with Frontier Airlines, you must have heard about its bundle options. So, come let’s elevate your travel experience with Frontier’s bundle options which are customised packages tailored for your trip. The WORKS bundle during booking, your ticket becomes fully refundable when canceled. Benefits include:

1. 100% refund of your money back to your original payment method. 

2. Better flexibility and baggage handling 

3. Priority boarding 

4. Free flight changes 

5. Transfer to a different flight without any penalty.
   
   

This is the best option for travelers seeking flexibility. 

How Frontier Airlines Travel Credits Work? 

In cases when your ticket is non-refundable, and you cancel, Frontier issues a travel credit instead of a refund. Keep these important points in mind when doing this:

• Travel credits are valid for a year. 

• Travel with the credit must be completed by the expiration date. 

• You can use the credits to book the flights or pay for optional services like bags or seat upgrades.
  
  

Because the travel credit expiration requires travel to be completed before expiry—not just booked—it’s important to plan ahead.

Refunds When Frontier Cancels or Changes Your Flight

You are entitled to a full refund to your original form of payment if: