The Frontier Airlines Credit Card With Early Returns Frequent Flyer Rewards
Frontier Airlines is a scrappy little carrier with hubs in Denver and Milwaukee. It may be best known for its aircraft which feature pictures of animals on the tail. Frontier and Barclays Bank offer two different versions of the Frontier Airlines World MasterCard that allows customers to earn miles in their Early Returns frequent flier program.
Customers can apply for two different kinds of this card; the $59 annual fee card, and the no annual fee version. The card with the $59 annual fee features 25,000 bonus miles after the cardholder’s first purchase, and another 10,000 miles when spending $750 in the first 90 days. Cardholders will then earn one mile per dollar spent, with double miles for purchases from Frontier airlines. The no annual fee version of this airline credit card features only 5,000 bonus miles and offers half the miles for purchase; a half a mile per dollar for most purchases, and a single mile per dollar for purchases from Frontier. Holders of both cards also enjoy the exclusive benefit of being able to redeem companion award tickets for 5,000 fewer miles.
Both Frontier Airlines cards offer up to 10,000 additional bonus miles on 0% APR balance transfers. Cardmembers are also offered a 15 month, 0% introductory financing period for balance transfers, but there is a 4% balance transfer fee. Subsequently, cardmembers will receive a standard APR equal to the Prime Rate plus either 12.74% or 11.74%, depending on the applicant’s credit worthiness. Finally, there is a 3% foreign transaction fee on all charges processed outside of the United States.
The card with the annual fee offers an impressive sign up bonus of 35,000, more than enough for a free flight. The reduced mileage companion ticket is also a nice feature. Finally, the long introductory financing period on balance transfers is a pleasant surprise for a rewards card.
The Frontier Card lacks non-mileage perks, such as checked bag fee waivers or priority boarding, which cardholders are beginning to expect from airline affiliated cards. It is also hard to imagine a scenario where the no annual fee version makes more sense. If the additional 30,000 bonus miles are not worth $59 to cardholders, they probably should not be using this card in the first place. However, it is possible to apply for the superior card with the annual fee and only be approved for the no annual fee card. Applicants do not learn of this until after a credit card application has been submitted.
This is a great card for frequent travelers on Frontier airlines. It offers a generous sign up bonus, but fairly standard rewards. The no annual fee card is difficult to recommend to anyone except perhaps the most frugal spenders who are just looking for a balance transfer card that they will occasionally use for Frontier purchases. The reason we have a highly competitive airline industry is because small companies like Frontier are willing to challenge the major carriers. Thankfully, the same is true of the credit card market as well.
