Do you pay for luggage with frontier

Short answer: Expect mandatory charges on checked items and most roll‑aboards when flying this Denver‑based ultra‑low‑cost carrier; add desired bag allowance during booking to secure the lowest available rates.

Typical published rates when added at reservation: personal item – free; carry‑on (standard wheeled bag) – roughly $30–$60; first checked piece – roughly $30–$60; second checked piece – roughly $45–$80. Airport and gate additions commonly increase to $60–$100+; oversized or overweight penalties often range $75–$200 depending on excess weight or dimensions. Exact numbers vary by route, date and fare tier; consult the carrier’s booking page for precise totals.

Practical recommendations: Select a fare that includes a carry‑on if transporting a standard roll‑aboard; add bag allowance during the initial reservation rather than at airport; weigh and measure items at home to avoid overweight/oversize surcharges (typical checked weight limit: 50 lb / 23 kg); consider the carrier’s bundle product such as “The Works” when traveling with multiple pieces – that bundle frequently yields a lower aggregate cost than separate add‑ons.

When cost minimization is a priority, travel light: stick to a personal item that fits under the seat (common max: ~18 x 14 x 8 in) and consolidate contents to a single checked piece only when necessary. Monitor fees on the official site before completing purchase; last‑minute gate transactions are the most expensive option.

Baggage fee rules for the ULCC carrier

Pre-purchase checked or cabin bag allowance during booking to minimize charges; gate additions typically run 2–3× higher and overweight/oversize penalties add another $75–$200.

Core specifics: basic fares usually include only a free personal item (small under-seat bag). Standard cabin bag and any checked piece are treated as add-ons priced by route, fare class, purchase timing and membership status.

Membership or bundled fares: subscription plans and fare bundles often offer lower per-piece costs; calculate annual fee versus expected trip frequency to determine savings.

Actionable tips: add baggage during initial booking or at online check-in to secure lowest published rates; confirm weight and dimensions before arrival to avoid surcharges; compare bundled fare that includes bag allowance when carrying more than one checked piece.

Which flights include free carry-on or checked bags?

Select The WORKS bundle to receive an included overhead carry-on and one checked bag on the ticket; standard basic fares include only a personal item that must fit under the seat.

Personal-item allowance: 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm), free on every fare class. Overhead carry-on allowance: typically 24 x 16 x 10 inches when included via a bundle or add-on. Checked-bag standard limits: 62 linear inches (157 cm) combined dimensions and 50 lb (23 kg) weight; overweight and oversize fees apply.

Carry-on and checked-bag inclusion appears on higher-priced bundles or as an explicit add-on purchased during booking. Adding baggage during initial reservation or online prior to departure results in lower fees than boarding-area purchases.

Certain ticket types on international itineraries and approved military or government travel may include free checked pieces; confirm inclusion by inspecting the fare bundle details on the booking confirmation or the carrier’s official policy page.

Recommendation: Compare the total cost of a higher bundle versus single-piece fees when booking domestic trips; select the bundle when at least one overhead or one checked item is planned, and always verify dimensions and weight limits before arriving at the airport.

Checked-bag fees at booking, online, airport

Buy a checked bag during booking to secure the lowest fee: first-piece typical range $30–$45 at booking; added online before departure $40–$50; at airport/gate $60–$80. Second-piece typical increments add $10–$25 per stage (booking → online → airport), subject to route and fare class.

Weight, size, surcharge bands

Standard allowance: up to 50 lb (23 kg) and 62 linear inches (length+width+height). Overweight surcharges: 51–100 lb = $75–$100; 101–149 lb = $150–$200; 150+ lb require cargo handling fees. Oversize (greater than 62 linear inches) typical surcharge $150. Special items and sporting equipment follow separate tariffs; oversized musical instruments may need advance booking.

Prepay whenever possible and verify exact amounts on the carrier site by route and fare class well ahead of departure. Related resource: how to inflate a tire with an air compressor step by step guide

Is a personal item always free and what qualifies as a personal item?

One personal item is complimentary only when it fits the carrier’s under-seat size limit: maximum 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm).

• Typical qualifying examples:
  • Small backpack (low-profile daypack)
  • Purse or handbag
  • Briefcase or small business bag
  • Laptop bag or tablet sleeve
  • Compact camera bag
  • Small diaper bag
• No published weight cap for the personal item, but gate agents enforce under-seat fit; an item that cannot be stowed under the seat will be reclassified as a carry-on or checked piece and may incur fees.
• Infant equipment such as collapsible strollers and car seats is generally accepted at the gate and handled separately from the personal item allowance.

Measurement and packing checklist:

1. Measure packed dimensions including wheels, handles and external pockets–use 18 x 14 x 8 inches as the hard limit.
2. Place laptops in slim sleeves to reduce bulk and improve chances of under-seat stowage.
3. Compress soft items into the main compartment rather than relying on external pockets that increase overall size.
4. If space is tight, move dense items to checked baggage or consolidate essentials into a smaller bag to avoid gate reclassification.

Selecting the right bag: choose compact models designed for urban commuting or day trips; many sport and snowboarding packs exceed allowed dimensions, so verify measurements before travel – see best backpack for snowboarding as a reference, but confirm size specs against the 18 x 14 x 8 inch rule.

How to add or pre-purchase baggage during booking, check-in, or after purchase

Add checked items during the initial booking via the “Add Bags” step to secure the lowest online rate and a clear breakdown of size, weight limits, and applicable fees.

During booking on the website or mobile app: after selecting a fare, open the Add Bags section, select bag type (carry-on or checked), specify quantity and weight class, review displayed rules and total at checkout, then save the confirmation code and electronic receipt.

At online check-in (typically opens 24 hours prior to scheduled departure): use Manage Trips or the airline app to add items; online rates usually remain available until about 1 hour before departure. Adding a carry-on or checked item at the gate typically results in the highest assessment.

After the ticket purchase but before check-in: add items any time via the Manage Trips link in the confirmation email or account. If the website or app fails, contact reservations and have the confirmation code ready. Keep the purchase receipt on a mobile device or printed copy to present at the airport if needed.

At airport kiosks and ticket counters: additions are accepted but priced above online levels; gate desks commonly apply the steepest fees. Standard checked-item limits: 50 lb (23 kg) maximum weight and 62 linear inches (158 cm) maximum dimension. Overweight applies at 51–99 lb; oversize applies above 62 linear inches; items exceeding 100 lb may be refused. Use the kiosk scale and a tape measure to confirm compliance before leaving the counter.

If an incorrect bag type or quantity was selected during booking, correct the selection via Manage Trips prior to check-in; refunds after travel are uncommon, so verify entries and retain receipts to resolve disputes through customer service.

Overweight, oversized, and sporting equipment – limits and costs

Measure and weigh items before arriving at the airport; surcharges apply when weight exceeds 50 lb (23 kg) or combined dimensions exceed 62 linear inches (158 cm).

Weight tiers and typical surcharge ranges. Standard checked-piece limit: ≤50 lb. Overweight tier A: 51–99 lb – common surcharge range $75–$150 when added during booking or online, rising to $100–$200 at the airport. Overweight tier B: ≥100 lb – often routed to cargo handling; many carriers decline acceptance as a standard piece.

Oversize limits and common charges. Standard size cap: ≤62 linear inches. Oversize tier A: 63–80 linear inches – typical oversize fee $75–$150 online, $100–$200 at the airport. Items beyond ~80 linear inches generally require cargo shipment or special handling and may incur higher surcharges.

Sporting equipment – typical treatment and example costs. Skis / snowboards: usually treated as a checked piece; common fee $60–$150. Bicycles: must be partially disassembled (remove pedals, turn handlebars); typical handling fee $150–$200; use a bike box or hard case. Golf clubs: common fee $75–$150. Surfboards / paddleboards: treated as oversize; expect charges at the high end of the oversize range plus possible special-handling surcharges (~+$50). E-bike batteries often prohibited in checked pieces; compliance with battery rules required.

Ways to reduce excess charges. Keep each piece under 50 lb via redistribution across multiple bags; use soft-sided cases to compress dimensions; prepay overweight/oversize surcharges during booking or online to save roughly $25–$75 versus airport rates; consider ground shipping when pieces exceed oversize or weight thresholds.

Airport handling and documentation. Arrive earlier when transporting bulky sporting gear; allow extra time for inspection and tag issuance. Retain claim tags and receipts until final pickup. Photograph equipment pre-check and report any damage immediately at the check-in counter to begin a damage claim under the carrier’s checked-item procedures.

Refunds and reimbursement – when the carrier waives fees after damaged, lost, or delayed bags

File an incident report at the gate desk immediately upon discovering damage or missing items.

Obtain a property irregularity report (PIR) and official claim reference at that moment; retain boarding pass and bag tag(s), and photograph visible damage plus interior contents.

Submit a written claim via the carrier claims portal within 7 days after travel when damage exists, within 21 days when the carrier declares an item lost, and within 14 days after delivery when delayed items triggered emergency purchases.

Attach original receipts, itemized repair estimates, purchase invoices, dated photos, and a detailed list of missing articles including approximate age and purchase price; include a police report when theft is suspected.

Standard liability caps apply under the contract of carriage; declared value protection increases compensation when declared during check-in and an extra fee was previously paid.

Refunds or waived fees are generally credited back to the original payment method; typical processing time spans 7–30 business days. If an electronic voucher is offered, confirm expiration and redemption conditions before acceptance.

Emergency-purchase reimbursement covers necessities only (toiletries, basic clothing); itemized receipts must show dates within the delay period. High-value or luxury purchases usually get denied.

Retain damaged goods until claim resolution; the carrier may require inspection or return prior to issuing reimbursement.

If no satisfactory response arrives within 30 days, escalate to customer relations by email, include PIR and claim reference, and request a written explanation of any denial. Unresolved disputes can be submitted to the U.S. Department of Transportation or the applicable national regulator.

Maintain a communication log with agent names, dates, claim numbers, and copies of all submissions to accelerate processing and strengthen any appeal.