Frontier for Bags Cost: Prices, Fees & Ways to Save

Frontier is an ultra-low-cost airline, and its base fare includes only a small personal item. Everything else is an add-on, including a carry-on bag and any checked bag. The fares can look cheap until you add luggage, so the bag fee often decides whether Frontier is the better deal.

Frontier prices bags by route, travel date, weight, and when you buy them. Paying during booking costs the least, and the price climbs as departure gets closer. This guide shows the fees by purchase timing and the penalties for heavy or oversized bags.

A checked bag has a size limit of 62 linear inches and a weight limit of 40 pounds. Fees are charged each way, so a round trip doubles the amount. A bag that costs $39 – $49 at booking costs more the later you buy it.

Added during booking, the first bag costs $39 – $49. Added after booking but before check-in, it costs $49 – $59. Paid at the airport or gate, it costs $79 – $89. Frontier's own bag price checker shows the exact figure for a specific route and date.

A second bag costs more than the first at every stage of the purchase.

At booking, the second bag costs $49 – $59. After booking online it costs $59 – $69, and at the airport it costs $89 – $99. Two travelers who each check two bags at the airport can spend more on luggage than on the ticket.

Frontier charges for a standard carry-on, which is a bag up to 24 inches high, 16 inches wide, and 10 inches deep, and under 35 pounds. The personal item is free. It must fit under the seat in front of you and measure 18 inches wide, 14 inches high, and 8 inches deep.

A carry-on bought during booking costs $59 – $69. After booking it costs $69 – $79, and during online check-in it costs $79 – $89. At the airport or gate it costs $89 – $99. When bought in advance, a checked bag can cost less than a carry-on on Frontier, which is unusual among airlines.

Frontier weighs and measures bags at check-in. Going over the limits adds a charge on top of the regular bag fee.

A bag weighing 41 to 50 pounds costs $75 extra. A bag weighing 51 to 100 pounds costs $129 extra. An oversized bag measuring 63 to 110 linear inches costs $75 extra. Bags over 100 pounds are not accepted. Weigh your luggage at home to avoid these charges.

• When you pay. Booking costs the least, followed by after booking, online check-in, and the airport.
• The route and date. Frontier prices bags by flight, so the same bag costs different amounts on different trips.
• Weight and size. The charges above stack on top of the base fee.
• Fare type. Business fares include two checked bags up to 50 pounds each, and bundles can include a carry-on.
• Elite status and cards. Frontier's elite status and the Frontier credit card waive some bag fees. The card offers free checked bags for the cardholder when you book flights with it.

• Pay for bags during booking. The same bag can cost far more at the gate.
• Compare bundles. For trips over two nights, bundles that include a carry-on can cost less than buying bags separately.
• Travel with only a personal item when you can. It is the only free allowance on a basic fare.
• Pack to the weight limit. Move items between bags instead of paying for overweight.
• Price the trip against other airlines. A cheap Frontier ticket plus bags may cost more than a fare that includes them.
• Talk to a licensed financial professional before opening a travel card only for baggage perks.