Deal Alert: Join Frontier’s Discount Den, Get $50 Voucher

Ultra low cost carrier Frontier Airlines is offering new and returning Discount Den members a $50 voucher. This deal effectively lowers the price of the airline’s discount club to just $9.99 for the first year. This limited time offer is only available through July 15, 2020 (expired) and does not apply to renewals. You can sign up HERE.

What Is Discount Den?

If you fly Frontier Airlines on a regular basis, or even use the airline for one big family trip each year, it’s hard to go wrong with Discount Den. For $59.99 per year, members have access to the airline’s lowest fares. You’ll save a few dollars here and there, but they add up quickly — especially if you’re flying with loved ones. One fare discount can be applied to as many as six people traveling on the same reservation. Those savings alone could cover the annual membership fee.

Discount Den is an even better value for families. Frontier Airlines offers “Kids Fly Free” fares on select flights throughout the year. Fares apply to kids 14 and under on the first day of travel. The airline allows passengers to book one “Kids Fly Free” fare for every adult Discount Den fare purchased. The offer changes regularly, but parents can usually expect to find these fares on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and some blackout dates and markets apply.

Everything Else Costs Extra

Frontier’s air fares are among the lowest in the industry. But as I’ve written previously, “your ticket buys you a seat and the space underneath the seat in front of you — nothing more.

“You will pay extra for a checked bag, and you will pay extra to put a carry-on bag in the overhead bins. If you want to choose your seats, that will also cost extra. The on-board amenities are additional, too, and that includes non-alcoholic beverages. And we should mention that Frontier made news … with a story about tipping flight attendants.…

“My advice is that you get the great airfare, and embrace Frontier’s ala carte concept. They will charge you for anything and everything, but remember that you’re saving a bunch of money on airfare. Use common sense when you book, pay for what you need upfront — yes, it will cost more to book a checked bag at the airport — but don’t buy what you won’t need.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Frontier is the only U.S. airline requiring all passengers and crew to undergo temperature checks before boarding. But at least they don’t charge extra for that.

How to Limit The Fees

Bundles

When you book at flyfrontier.com, the airline will give you the option to add a couple of different bundles to your selection. For this example, I found a DEN-SEA fare for under $107/round-trip. Add in the cheapest bundle (The Perks), and the cost increases by $65 each way. Now our flight is $237/round trip. If you want to select your seat, check one bag, and put another in the overhead bin, The Perks bundle is a better deal than paying for each of these things separately.

American Express Airline Fee Credits

Several American Express cards offer an airline fee credit, which covers incidental fees like seat fees, onboard food and beverage, and checked bags — but not air fare:

• American Express Gold Card ($100 fee credit, $250 annual fee)
• The Platinum Card from American Express ($200 fee credit, $550 annual fee)
• The Business Platinum Card from American Express ($200 fee credit, $595 annual fee)
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card ($250 fee credit, $450 annual fee)

AMEX airline fee credits are notorious for the hoops card holders must jump through to use them. Card holders must first select the one airline on which they plan to use the credit — just one! This becomes your choice for the entire calendar year and can only be changed online each January. If you have chosen another airline but haven’t yet used the benefit, call AMEX customer service and ask them to change your selected airline to Frontier.

Once you’ve selected Frontier for your AMEX airline fee credit, you can book incidentals separately. Let me repeat that: If you’re using an AMEX fee credit, book incidentals as a separate transaction from your actual plane ticket! If you book everything together, AMEX won’t see it as an incidental expense. Thus, no credit. Once you’ve booked your extras separately, keep an eye on your statement to ensure the fee credit posts. If not, call customer service and they can apply it for you.

$50 Voucher Restrictions

If you sign up for a new Discount Den membership by July 15th, Frontier Airlines will email you a $50 voucher. You should receive it by July 17th at the latest.

This voucher is good for one use only, so get the full $50 value from it. It can be used for airfare only, but there’s plenty of time. The voucher is valid to book any flight through September 21, 2021.

Discount Den memberships renew automatically every year, unless you cancel. You can cancel at any time within your account profile, but the subscription will remain active until its expiration. If you don’t know what your plans are beyond the first year, it’s a great idea to cancel and then renew when you’re ready.

Final Thoughts

Discount Den is a great value. But now that Frontier is offering a $50 voucher for new Discount Den members, it’s a no brainer. You’ll pay $59.99 for one year, but that voucher essentially brings your price down to just $9.99. Book a Discount Den fare, and you’ll likely save that much (or more) on just a single one-way flight.

This offer ends July 15th. But if you miss it, you may still want to consider a Discount Den membership the next time you book with Frontier Airlines. There is a very good chance the math will work in your favor.