SOME CARD INFO MAY BE OUTDATED
This page includes information about these cards, currently unavailable on NerdWallet. The information has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been provided or reviewed by the card issuer.
Nerdy takeaways
- Frontier will usually charge you to select a seat.
- You can always skip selection for free and get one assigned at the gate.
- “Stretch seating” offers more legroom, but costs more.
Frontier Airlines offers ultra-low-cost fares with only the flight included. If you want to choose your own seat, check a bag or bring a carry-on, you'll have to pay. If you'd like the option to select your own seat — even a middle seat in the back of the aircraft — you’ll need to pay extra (either as an à la carte upgrade or part of a fare bundle).
Also, the complimentary snacks and soft drinks that other airlines hand out come with a charge on Frontier Airlines.
This pricing model is great if you’re a budget traveler who wants to pay only for the things important to you — things like legroom.
If you like the idea of à la carte savings, but consider legroom a priority when you fly, you should know about how Frontier Airlines’ seating system works.
» Learn more: Your guide to Frontier baggage and other fees
How do Frontier’s seat assignment fees work?
When you go to book a basic fare on Frontier, you’ll have the option of picking a seat for a fee.
The seat selection screen looks like this — the first few rows are sold at a premium price relative to the rows in the back:
You can choose one of these seats for the price listed. But you don’t have to. Just scroll to the bottom of the page, and click the “Continue” button.
On the next page, you’ll get another prompt from Frontier asking you to confirm that you don’t want to select a seat. At that point you’ll choose the “No, thanks, I’ll take whatever” option.
Note that if you choose to book an economy, premium, or business fare bundle — which start at $30, $50 and $100, respectively — seat selection will be included for no extra fee (beyond what you pay for the bundle)
» Learn more: Are airline fees fair?
What if I don’t pay for seat selection?
Not selecting a seat doesn't mean you won’t get one, it just means that Frontier will assign one to you at check-in or at the gate. This means you’re much more likely to get put in a middle seat, near the back.
So when deciding whether to pay for seat selection, ask yourself: Is the cost of selecting a seat worth it to avoid sitting in the middle? If not, you can skip it and save some cash.
Families who want to sit together might consider paying for seat selection to avoid getting split up, though gate agents will often work to keep families together.
» Learn more: Frontier vs. Spirit: The battle of the budget airlines
By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
What is Frontier stretch seating?
Most seats on Frontier Airlines flights have between 28 and 31 inches of pitch, which is the distance from the back of your seat to the back of the seat in front of you. That’s slightly below the average pitch of 30 to 31 inches found on other airlines.
Frontier Airlines stretch seating comes with an extra five to seven inches of pitch. These seats also recline, unlike the other seats, and they offer bigger tray tables.
Frontier typically offers five or six rows of stretch seating on its aircraft, including the exit rows.
How much does Frontier Airlines stretch seating cost?
The cost of Frontier Airlines stretch seating depends on a couple of different factors, most notably how long the flight is and when you book.
On some flights, stretch seating starts at $16 for each leg. On longer flights that you book later, this perk can cost well over $56. You'll have to check your individual flights for specific pricing as it varies by route and length.
If you have a connecting flight, you’ll need to pay for stretch seating for each leg of your flight.
If you want to pick any seat while flying on Frontier, you’re going to pay something (either à la carte or as part of a fare bundle), so take that into account when deciding if the stretch seating option is worth it for you.
» Learn more: Is Frontier Airlines’ The Works bundle worth it?
What about Frontier Airlines first class?
Since Frontier is a low-cost carrier, it doesn’t offer a first class option. If you’re looking for something better than a regular seat, you’ll want to purchase stretch seating when booking your flight.
You’ll get perks like more legroom, extra recline and early boarding.
How to get Frontier seat assignments for free
There are a couple of ways that you can get Frontier Airlines stretch seating for free.
1. Earn elite status
Frontier Elite 20K status lets you pick a seat for free and you can pick stretch seating for free when you check in. If you have Elite 50K or Elite 100K status, you can pick stretch seating for free when you buy the tickets and you get family seating, which allows up to eight passengers on the same reservation to pick any seat, including stretch seating, at the time of purchase.
2. Use credit card statement credits to offset Frontier seat fees
Another way you can get Frontier Airlines stretch seating for (sort of) free is to use airline incidental credits from an American Express card. These cards pay you back (in the form of a statement credit) when you purchase certain airline incidentals, including seat selection, up to a certain limit every year. It is important to note that the charge must be classified as seat selection and not an upgrade to get the credit. Terms apply.
You have to select your preferred airline at the beginning of the year, or when you sign up, so if you have one of these cards and want to use the credit for Frontier Airlines perks, be sure to select it as your preferred airline.
Cards that offer these credits for airline fees include:
- American Express Platinum Card® – $200 annual credit.*
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express – $200 annual credit.
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card – $250 annual credit.
Terms apply. Enrollment required.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does seating work on Frontier Airlines?
The fare you purchase will determine if your seat (and what type of seat) is included. A basic fare does not include complimentary seat assignments. This means you have two options: Pay for a seat or skip seat selection. By skipping seat selection, you might get stuck in a middle seat or separated from your party — but it’s free. Frontier also offers “stretch seating” with extra legroom for an extra charge. Economy fares include a standard seat, premium fares include a premium seat and business fares include an UpFront Plus seat.
Can you pick your seats on Frontier Airlines?
You can select your seat on Frontier, but it will cost you. You always have the option to skip Frontier Airlines seat selection for free.
Should I pay for a seat on Frontier Airlines?
Generally, you should only pay for a seat on Frontier if you want to avoid the middle seat, or if you’re traveling with family and don’t want to get separated. Frontier will make selecting (and paying for) a seat appear like the default option, but remember: You can always opt out.
How much does Frontier Airlines charge for seat selection?
The cost of selecting a seat varies by route and seat type, from $17 to $55 each way for standard economy seats. In our analysis, we found that Frontier charges an average of $36 for seat selection on a roundtrip fare.
Are backpacks free on Frontier Airlines?
Small bags and personal belongings are allowed for free on Frontier, but you will get charged a fee for overhead carry-ons, such as roller bags and larger backpacks. Personal items must meet the following measurements: 8 inches deep by 18 inches wide by 14 inches high.
Does Frontier Airlines have first class seating?
No, Frontier does not offer a first class option. However, if you purchase stretch seating on Frontier, you’ll receive some perks like more legroom, extra recline, early boarding, and more.
Is paying for seats worth it on Frontier Airlines?
Whether paying for seats on Frontier is worth it depends on your situation. If you despise the middle seat or are traveling with a family, it might be worth shelling out the seat assignment fee for some peace of mind. And if you need extra legroom, Frontier’s stretch seating might be worth it.
That said, when in doubt, you can probably skip the seat assignment fee altogether if you're booking a basic fare. The whole point of flying Frontier is that it’s cheap, and if you pay for seats both ways, you’re eroding the potential savings compared with flying on another airline.
All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by NerdWallet. The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is no longer available through NerdWallet.
To view rates and fees of the American Express Platinum Card®, see this page.
To view rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.
*More from American Express
American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:
- Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
- Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card®
- Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Explore more on
Article sources
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary,
trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed
studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with
industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness
and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high
standards for journalism by reading our
editorial guidelines.
