Frontier Flight Change Fees vs. The Cost of a New Ticket: Which is Cheaper?
By Carey Cronin 15-09-2025 153
You found an incredible deal on a Frontier Airlines flight. You booked it months ago, feeling like a travel-planning champion. But now, life happens. A work meeting pops up, a family event gets rescheduled, or you simply found a better itinerary. You need to change your flight. You head to the Frontier Airlines website, bracing yourself, and then you see it: the potential cost.
The Frontier Airlines change flight fee combined with the fare difference might be staggering. A thought flashes through your mind: "Wait, would it be cheaper to abandon this ticket and book a brand new one?" It’s a modern travel dilemma that countless flyers face. This isn't just about reading the rules; it's about understanding a complex financial calculation. This comprehensive guide will dissect the Frontier flight change policy, provide you with a clear framework to run the numbers yourself, and ultimately answer the question: when facing a change, is it more cost-effective to pay the fee or start from scratch?
Understanding the Frontier Flight Change Policy
Before you can do any math, you need to understand the rules of the game. Frontier Airlines, as an ultra-low-cost carrier, operates on a model where base fares are incredibly low, but most conveniences, including changes, come with additional fees. Their Frontier flight change policy is designed to be strict, but it does have a few passenger-friendly nuances.
The core principle is that all changes, except in very specific cases, will incur a fee. This fee is charged per person, per segment. This means if you have a round-trip ticket and need to change both your outbound and return flights, you could be looking at two separate change fees. It's crucial to remember that the change fee is only one part of the total cost. On top of the fee, you are always responsible for paying any difference in airfare between your original ticket and the new flight you want. If the new flight is cheaper, you do not receive a refund for the difference; instead, you may receive a credit for the value (minus the change fee), but the rules around this are tight.
The Golden Rule: Frontier Change Flight Within Twenty-Four Hours
There is one universally acknowledged exception in the airline industry, and Frontier adheres to it. If you book a flight at least seven days (168 hours) before the departure time of your original flight, you have a full twenty-four hours from the time of booking to change or cancel your flight for free. This is a DOT-mandated rule. So, if you quickly realize you made a mistake-wrong date, wrong name, wrong destination-you can correct it without penalty. This is the primary scenario where you can answer "yes" to the question, "Can I change my Frontier flight for free?"
When Frontier Changed My Flight Time
It's important to distinguish between passenger-initiated changes and airline-initiated changes. If Frontier changed my flight time significantly (usually by two hours or more), or changed your routing, or canceled the flight altogether, you are entitled to options. In these cases, the airline will typically allow you to change to another Frontier flight at no charge or request a full refund to your original form of payment. This is a key consumer protection. Always check your email and the Frontier app for notifications if there's a schedule change, as you might have more flexibility than you think.
The Works Bundle: Your Ticket to Flexibility
For those who anticipate possibly needing to change their plans, the best time to buy flexibility is at the time of booking. Frontier offers bundles, the most comprehensive of which is "The Works." This bundle includes not only a carry-on bag, a checked bag, seat selection, and priority boarding but also a crucial perk: refundability and no change fees. If you purchase "The Works," you can change your flight without paying the standard Frontier Airlines change flight fee. You would still be responsible for any fare difference, but the elimination of the fee itself (which can be $49 or more each way) is a massive saving if a change is likely. For business travelers or anyone with uncertain plans, this bundle can be worth its weight in gold.
Breaking Down the Costs: Change Fee vs. New Ticket
Now, let's get to the heart of the matter. To make an intelligent decision, you need to compare two numbers:
The Total Cost of Changing Your Existing Ticket
The Total Cost of a Brand New Ticket
Here is the simple formula you need to follow.
The Formula for Changing Your Existing Ticket
Change Cost = (Change Fee x Number of Passengers x Number of Segments) + Fare Difference
Change Fee: This is a fixed amount set by Frontier. As of this writing, the fee varies based on how far in advance you make the change. The closer to departure, the higher the fee. You must check the latest fees on Frontier's website at the time of your change, as they are subject to increase.
Number of Passengers: The change fee is applied to each person on the reservation.
Number of Segments: A segment is one takeoff and one landing. A one-way flight is one segment. A round-trip flight is two segments. If you are changing both your outbound and return flights, you will likely pay a change fee for each.
Fare Difference: This is the current price of the new flight you want, minus the value of your original ticket. Crucial note: If the new fare is lower than your original fare, you will NOT get a cash refund. The value may be issued as a travel credit, but you still have to pay the change fee. This is why sometimes changing to a cheaper flight can still be an expensive endeavor.
The Cost of a New Ticket
This one is simpler. It's the total all-in price you see for a new ticket on the same flight(s) for the same number of passengers. This includes the base fare, carrier interface charge, government taxes, and any mandatory fees.
The Deciding Calculation
Once you have both numbers, your decision is simple:
If Change Cost is less than New Ticket Cost, then proceed with the change.
If New Ticket Cost is less than Change Cost, then book the new ticket and abandon the old one (you will not receive a refund for the old one).
Walk-Through Scenarios: Putting the Math into Action
Let's make this concrete with some hypothetical examples. Assume a Frontier Airlines change flight fee of $49 per segment for changes made more than 60 days before departure.
Scenario One: The Solo Traveler Changing a One-Way Flight
Original Ticket: You bought a one-way ticket from Denver to Orlando for $39.
Reason for Change: You need to fly one day later.
The New Flight: The same Denver to Orlando flight for tomorrow costs $59.
Change Cost Calculation: ($49 change fee) + ($59 new fare - $39 original fare) = $49 + $20 = $69.
New Ticket Cost: $59.
Decision: The new ticket ($59) is cheaper than the change cost ($69). You should book the new ticket and let the old one go. You lose the $39 from the first ticket, but you only spend $59 on the new one, for a total spend of $98. If you changed it, you'd spend an additional $69 on top of your original $39, also totaling $98, but this assumes you get the value back, which often comes as a restricted credit. Booking new is cleaner and cheaper in this case.
Scenario Two: The Family Changing a Round-Trip Flight
Original Ticket: A family of four bought round-trip tickets from Philadelphia to Las Vegas for $99 per person ($396 total).
Reason for Change: They need to return home one day earlier.
The New Return Flight: The return flight they want now costs $129 per person.
Change Cost Calculation: This is a change to the return segment only.
Change Fee: $49 per person x 4 people = $196
Fare Difference: ($129 new fare - $99 original fare) x 4 people = $30 x 4 = $120
Total Change Cost: $196 + $120 = $316
New Ticket Cost for Return Leg Only: Booking four new one-way tickets for the return flight would cost $129 x 4 = $516.
Decision: The change cost ($316) is significantly cheaper than buying four new one-way tickets ($516). In this case, they should absolutely pay the change fee and fare difference.
Scenario Three: When the Airline Changes Your Flight
Original Ticket: You booked a ticket from Cleveland to Tampa for $79.
The Problem: Frontier changed my flight time by moving your departure from 9:00 AM to 6:00 AM, which doesn't work for you.
The Process: Because this is an airline-initiated change of more than two hours, you are protected. You should call Frontier or use the chat function and request to be moved to a more convenient flight on the same day, or even a different day, at no extra cost. There should be no Frontier Airlines change flight fee and no fare difference charged in this scenario. This is a case where you can change your flight for free due to the airline's action.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Decision
Don't get overwhelmed. Follow this step-by-step process whenever you need to change a Frontier flight.
Gather Your Information: Have your confirmation code and passenger names handy. Log in to your Frontier account.
Price the Change: Go through the "Manage Booking" process on the Frontier website all the way to the final payment screen without completing it. This will show you the exact total cost to change your flight, including all fees and fare differences. Note this number down.
Price a New Ticket: Open an incognito browser window (to avoid cookies affecting prices) and search for a brand new ticket on the exact same flights you want to change to. Note this all-in price.
Run the Calculation: Compare the two numbers from steps 2 and 3. Use the formula from above to confirm the website's change quote.
Consider the Value of a Credit: If the change process indicates you'll receive a travel credit for a fare difference, remember that this credit is only good for future Frontier travel and will likely have an expiration date. A new ticket purchase is often a cleaner transaction.
Make the Decision: Choose the cheaper option. If they are very close, consider the hassle factor. A new ticket is a simple purchase. A change might involve dealing with customer service, especially if you have questions about credits.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the current Frontier Airlines change flight fee?
The fee is not a single fixed number; it varies based on how far in advance you make the change. Fees are typically lowest when changed 60+ days before departure and increase significantly within 7 days of departure. You must always check the latest fee schedule on the Frontier Airlines website during the change process.
2. Can I change my Frontier flight for free if I have a medical emergency or a death in the family?
Frontier's official policy does not waive fees for these situations. However, it is always worth calling their customer service, explaining your situation calmly, and providing documentation (like a doctor's note or death certificate). They may, at their discretion, offer a waiver or credit as a gesture of goodwill, but it is not guaranteed.
3. If Frontier changed my flight time, what are my rights?
If Frontier changes your schedule by two hours or more, you are entitled to either accept the new schedule, change to another available Frontier flight at no additional cost, or receive a full refund to your original form of payment.
4. Does the twenty-four hour rule apply to all fares?
Yes, the DOT mandate requires that all airlines operating in the U.S., including Frontier, must allow holds or free cancellations on all ticket types within 24 hours of booking, provided the booking was made at least 7 days before departure.
5. What happens to the value of my original ticket if I change to a cheaper flight?
You will not receive a refund. The difference in fare will typically be issued as a travel credit or voucher for future use on Frontier Airlines, minus any applicable change fees. This credit will usually have terms and conditions, including an expiration date.
6. Can I change the name on a Frontier ticket?
Frontier Airlines does not allow name changes on tickets. The policy is very strict. If you need to change a name, you would effectively need to cancel the ticket (receiving any potential value as a credit, minus fees) and purchase a new one in the correct name.
7. How do I actually change my flight?
The easiest way is through the "Manage Booking" section on the Frontier Airlines website or mobile app. You can also call their customer service, but be aware that there may be an additional phone booking fee for assistance.
8. What is the difference between changing a flight and canceling a flight?
Changing a flight allows you to apply the value of your existing ticket toward a new flight. Canceling a flight converts the value of your ticket into a travel credit or voucher (minus any cancellation fees) for future use, but you are not booking a new flight at that moment.
9. If I book a new ticket instead of changing, what happens to my old ticket?
If you simply book a new ticket and do not use your old ticket, you will receive no value from it. It will be considered a "no-show," and you will forfeit the entire amount paid. You must actively cancel it to potentially receive a future travel credit, minus fees.
10. Is "The Works" bundle worth it for flexibility?
If there is any reasonable chance your plans might change, "The Works" bundle can be an excellent value. By prepaying for flexibility, you shield yourself from the high change fees later. Calculate the cost of the bundle versus the potential change fees you might avoid.
Conclusion
Navigating the intricacies of airline change policies, especially with ultra-low-cost carriers like Frontier, can feel like a daunting task. The difference between making a smart financial decision and wasting hundreds of dollars often comes down to understanding the fine print and running a simple calculation. Remember the golden rules: always check the 24-hour window, know your rights if the airline changes your schedule, and never assume—always price out both options before you commit.
If this process feels overwhelming, or if your travel situation is complex, remember that you don't have to figure it out alone. The team at Tours N Travel Pro specializes in helping travelers navigate these exact scenarios. Our experts understand the nuances of the Frontier flight change policy and can quickly run the numbers for you, ensuring you choose the most cost-effective path. We handle the stress, so you can focus on your trip.
For personalized assistance with your Frontier flight changes, or any other travel planning needs, call the experts at Tours N Travel Pro today at TFN No. +1-866-679-5070. Let us turn your travel dilemmas into simple solutions.
