Frontier vs. Spirit: The Battle of the Budget Airlines

Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines are two major players in the budget airline game. And while their service and experience can seem pretty similar, Spirit comes out ahead in our analysis with more international routes, better reliability, superior elite status benefits, more credit card options and lower fees.

So which airline should you fly? Here's what to consider when comparing Frontier and Spirit.

Flight options

Winner for route network: Spirit

Frontier and Spirit fly to cities all over the U.S. and beyond, including Mexico and the Caribbean. But Spirit flies also flies to South and Central America.

Frontier destinations

Frontier serves more than 90 destinations that cover most of the U.S. (from Maine to California and Texas to Montana), plus Mexico and the Caribbean. While Denver serves as the airline’s main hub, Frontier operates secondary hubs in these locations:

• Las Vegas.

• Orlando, Florida.

• Philadelphia.

Spirit destinations

Spirit’s destination list is just a bit more robust than Frontier’s. Spirit flies to over 90 locations throughout the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean, plus South and Central America.

Spirit’s main hub is in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but it also uses the following locations as secondary hubs:

• Chicago-O’Hare.

• Detroit.

• Dallas-Fort Worth.

• Las Vegas.

• Orlando, Florida.

» Learn more: Plan your next redemption with our airline points tool

Reliability

Winner for reliability: Spirit

When looking at both airlines’ performance between July 2023 and June 2024, Spirit beats out Frontier as the most reliable option.

Frontier reliability

According to NerdWallet’s research on the most reliable airlines, Frontier’s flights were on time 73.95% of the time from May 2024 to April 2025, putting the airline near the bottom of the pile when it comes to timely touch-downs. Frontier also canceled 1.66% of its flights during that time period.

Spirit reliability

Spirit, on the other hand, has more on-time flights, with 81.28% touching down on schedule between May 2024 and April 2025, according to our analysis. About 1.22% of flights were canceled.

Airline loyalty programs

Rewards rate

Winner for loyalty program: Frontier

Another component to take into account when evaluating Frontier versus Spirit is their respective rewards programs and the benefits they offer. In this case, Frontier Miles are slightly more valuable.

Frontier loyalty program

The Frontier Miles frequent traveler program has its pros and cons. You can earn miles and points for every $1 spent at flyfrontier.com. Plus, you can earn additional miles by spending with a handful of travel and shopping partners.

Note that award flights start at 10,000 miles per way, which is higher than at some other airlines.

Spirit loyalty program

On Spirit, rewards redemptions start at 2,500 points. Members also have the option of using Free Spirit Points plus cash, which adds up to an award ticket faster or helps put smaller point totals to use. Members with a Spirit co-branded credit card or who have achieved Gold or Silver status can also pool points with up to eight friends and family members.

Elite status

Winner for elite status: Spirit

Spirit and Frontier are at the bottom of the pile for U.S. airlines, but Spirit elite status is slightly better because of a couple of extra benefits.

Frontier elite status

The first level of elite status on Frontier, Silver, is achieved by earning 10,000 points, and it gets you access to perks like priority boarding, family points pooling and free seat assignments. At higher statuses, you can enjoy an unlimited companion pass benefit, a discounted or free Discount Den membership and free checked bags.

Unless you fly with Frontier multiple times a month, even the lowest status can be difficult to reach. Holding a Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® can accelerate your earnings rate by offering 5x miles on eligible Frontier purchases, 3x miles on restaurant spending and 1x miles on everything else. That’s in addition to the mileage earnings you already get from flying on Frontier flights.

» Learn more: The complete guide to Frontier Airlines partners

Spirit elite status

You can reach elite status on Spirit by earning Status Qualifying Points (SQPs), which can be done by spending on Spirit flights or using a Spirit co-branded credit card. Silver status is achieved when you accumulate at least 2,000 SQPs.

However, the perks that come with reaching the first elite status level are meager. Silver status gets you things like priority boarding, seat selection at check-in, same-day standby and an overweight fee waiver — not much that has high value. However, holding status does mean you earn more points on every Spirit purchase you make.

It’s not until you reach Gold status — which requires 5,000 SQPs — that you get perks like free checked and carry-on bags, seat selection at purchase and complimentary onboard snacks.

NerdWallet valued Spirit status slightly above Frontier when it ranked the best airline rewards programs.

» Learn more: Your guide to Spirit Airlines’ award flights

Credit cards

Winner for best airline credit card: Spirit

Spirit offers more card options than Frontier, including a no-annual-fee option, plus holding a card means your miles don't expire.

Airline credit cards can improve your overall flight experience, and you can use them to collect miles strategically with either airline's loyalty program.

Frontier credit card

Frontier only offers one option:

• The Frontier Airlines World Mastercard®: Earn 50,000 Travel Miles after spending $500 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days of account opening. Earn 20,000 Travel Miles after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 180 days. With this card, you can pool your miles with family, accelerate your earnings to achieve status and score a $100 flight voucher on your account anniversary, all for a reasonable annual fee: $99.

» Learn more: Your guide to the Frontier Airlines award chart

Spirit credit cards

Spirit offers two credit cards for members of its loyalty program to earn extra rewards.

• Free Spirit® Travel Mastercard®: Online offer: Earn 10,000 Bonus Points after making at least $500 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. This card has a $0 annual fee.

• Free Spirit® Travel More World Elite Mastercard®: Earn 60,000 Bonus Points + a $100 Companion Flight Voucher after making at least $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. The annual fee is $0 intro for the first year, then $79.

Fees

Winner for lowest fees: Spirit

While Spirit wins this round, it depends on the specific flight and if you prefer to choose a seat. But generally speaking, you can expect to pay more on Frontier for things like bag fees and seat selection.

Frontier fees

Frontier is a budget airline, after all, so expect extra fees beyond your ticket price for any comfort items or upgrades. You get to bring only a personal item for free. A flight from Los Angeles to Phoenix charged between $54 and $99 for a carry-on (depending on whether you paid for the bag during booking or at the gate). A checked bag cost between $54 and $99, and a second costs between $74 and $99.

There are additional fees for checked bags over 40 pounds. You'll pay $75 per bag, per direction for bags weighing 41 to 50 pounds and $100 per bag, per direction for bags weighing 51 to 100 pounds. Bags over 100 pounds aren't accepted.

You’ll also pay if you want to choose your seat. Average one-way seat selection fees on Frontier are $23, according to NerdWallet calculations. And if you want the option to change your flight if something comes up, you’ll have to purchase Flight Flexibility coverage at the same time you book travel. This coverage starts at $30 per passenger, per direction.

Alternatively, you have the option to book a bundle, which includes options for a carry-on, checked bag, seat selection and priority boarding, as well as the ability to change your flight or be refunded. Bundle pricing varies.

Spirit fees

Just like on Frontier, be prepared to pay for the extras if you want them on Spirit — anything more than a personal item will cost you.

Your baggage costs depend on where you’re going and when you pay for them. A sample flight from Albuquerque to Austin charged $60 for a carry-on during booking and $60 for the first checked bag.

Average one-way seat selection fees on Spirit are $20.

There are bundle combos that offer Spirit’s most popular upgrades like a checked bag, a carry-on, seat selection and Wi-Fi, but the price varies based on the route. You may not be able to add a bundle after booking, and bundles are not available on all routes, so plan ahead.

Is Spirit better than Frontier?

Spirit is attractive to more frequent international travelers, tends to be more reliable and offers more credit card options, making it the winner in this budget airline face-off. That said, neither airline is a standout in terms of operational reliability, general elite status benefits or low fees, but in a straight-up comparison of Frontier and Spirit, Spirit ekes out a minor victory.

The battle between Frontier and Spirit is a close one, so it will likely come down to which airline is more convenient for you based on your desired destinations and departure point. But if you have the option, Spirit is the slightly better choice.