Updated May 2026: Frontier bag fees updated May 6, 2026. First checked bag now $53 to $63 at booking, up to $99 to $117 at the gate. The 2025 FREEBAG promo has expired. The WORKS bundle ($99) and The PERKS bundle ($69) are the best ways to save if you need both a carry-on and checked bag.
Frontier Airlines charges for almost everything beyond a personal item. The base fare is low, but bags, seats, and carry-ons are all paid add-ons. The single most important rule: buy your bags at the time of booking on flyfrontier.com. Waiting until the airport can double the cost. Here are all the fees, size limits, and money-saving options for 2026.
Quick Answer
A checked bag on Frontier Airlines costs:
$53–$63 at booking
up to $117 at the gate
Frontier’s checked bag weight limit is 40 lbs, and buying baggage early is the cheapest option.
Frontier Airlines Baggage Fees 2026: Full Price Breakdown
| Bag type | At booking | At check-in | At airport counter | At gate |
| Personal item (14 x 18 x 8 inches) | FREE | FREE | FREE | FREE |
| Carry-on bag (24 x 16 x 10 inches) | $29 to $69 | $39 to $79 | $55 to $89 | $99 to $115 |
| First checked bag (up to 40 lbs, 62 linear inches) | $53 to $63 | $55 to $75 | $65 to $85 | $99 to $117 |
| Second checked bag | $53 to $63 | $55 to $75 | $65 to $85 | $99 to $117 |
| Third+ checked bag (excess bags) | $85 to $95 | $85 to $95 | $85 to $95 | $85 to $95 |
Key rule: Buy bags at booking on flyfrontier.com. The difference between the booking price and gate price can be $50 to $60 per bag. On a round trip with two bags, buying at the gate vs at booking can cost $200 more.Frontier Overweight and Oversized Baggage Fees 2026
| Situation | Fee per bag, per direction |
| Overweight bag: 41 to 50 lbs | $75 |
| Overweight bag: 51 to 100 lbs | $100 |
| Bag over 100 lbs | Not accepted as checked baggage |
| Oversized bag: 63 to 110 linear inches | $75 |
| Bag over 110 linear inches | Not accepted as checked baggage |
- Overweight and oversized fees are charged ON TOP of the standard bag fee, not instead of it.
- A bag that is both overweight and oversized gets charged both fees: $75 + $75 = $150 extra on top of the base checked bag fee.
- Assistive devices (wheelchairs, walkers, CPAP machines) are exempt from size and weight limits and are carried free of charge.
- Overweight and oversized fees are waived for the first 2 free checked bags for qualifying elite members.
What Happens If Your Frontier Bag Is Overweight?
Frontier charges:
- $75 for bags between 41–50 lbs
- $100 for bags between 51–100 lbs
- Bags over 100 lbs are not accepted.
💡 Frontier’s 40 lb checked baggage limit is stricter than most major U.S. airlines.
Why Are Frontier Airlines Bag Fees So Expensive?
Frontier keeps base fares low by charging separately for extras like checked bags, carry-ons, and seat selection.
This pricing model allows travellers who pack light to save money, while those who need baggage may pay more overall.
đź’ˇ Important: Frontier baggage fees increase closer to departure and become most expensive at the airport or gate. Buying baggage at the time of booking is almost always cheaper.
Frontier Airlines Baggage Size and Weight Limits
| Bag type | Max dimensions | Max weight | Cost |
| Personal item | 14 x 18 x 8 inches (must fit under seat) | No limit | Free |
| Carry-on bag | 24 x 16 x 10 inches (must fit in overhead bin) | 35 lbs | Paid add-on |
| Checked bag (standard) | 62 linear inches (L+W+H) including handles and wheels | 40 lbs | Paid add-on |
| Checked bag (oversized) | 63 to 110 linear inches | 40 lbs max | $75 oversized fee extra |
| Checked bag (overweight) | 62 linear inches max | 41 to 100 lbs | $75 to $100 overweight fee extra |
Important: Frontier’s weight limit for standard checked bags is 40 lbs, not 50 lbs like most US airlines. Most airlines allow 50 lbs before overweight fees kick in. Frontier charges $75 for anything over 40 lbs. Weigh your bag at home before leaving.
Can You Bring a Backpack for Free on Frontier?
Yes, Frontier allows one free personal item per passenger.
Your backpack is free if it fits within:
- 14 x 18 x 8 inches
The bag must fit completely under the seat in front of you.
⚠️ If your backpack exceeds Frontier’s personal item dimensions, it may be charged as a carry-on bag at gate pricing.
Is Frontier Still Cheap After Baggage Fees?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Frontier can still be cheaper than major airlines if:
- You travel with only a personal item.
- Book bags early
- Avoid seat upgrades
But once you add:
- carry-on bag
- checked baggage
- seat selection
- airport baggage fees
…the total cost may become similar to that of other airlines.
👉 Always compare the final price before booking. Call Flying Getaway at our phone for Frontier Airlines flight bookings, name change and discounted airline deals
Frontier Bundles 2026: The WORKS and The PERKS
If you need both a carry-on and a checked bag, a Frontier bundle is almost always cheaper than buying bags individually. Here is how the two main bundles compare:
| Feature | The PERKS (~$69 per direction) | The WORKS (~$99 per direction) |
| Carry-on bag | Included | Included |
| First checked bag | Included | Included |
| Seat selection | Standard seat | Premium seat selection |
| Flight flexibility | Not included | No change fee (fare difference applies) |
| Priority boarding | Not included | Included |
| Best for | Travelers needing bags + seat on a budget | Business travelers or those needing flexibility |
- Bundle prices vary by route and travel date. Check the exact price during booking at flyfrontier.com.
- On routes where a carry-on ($53) + checked bag ($53) total $106, the PERKS bundle at $69 saves $37 per direction.
- On round-trip flights, the savings can be $74 or more just by choosing a bundle over individual bags.
- A Business bundle also exists on some routes and includes 2 free checked bags.
Who Gets Free Bags on Frontier Airlines?
| Passenger type | Free carry-on? | Free checked bags? |
| Standard passenger (no bundle, no status) | No | No |
| FRONTIER Miles Elite Gold member | Yes, 1 free carry-on | No |
| FRONTIER Miles Elite Platinum member | Yes, free carry-on for self + up to 8 companions | Yes, 1st checked bag for self + up to 8 companions |
| FRONTIER Miles Elite Diamond member | Yes | Yes, 2 free checked bags for self + companions |
| Active duty US military (with valid CAC) | Yes | Yes, 2 free checked bags |
| Parents traveling with infant or young child | Diaper bag carried free (additional to allowance) | Stroller and car seat gate-checked free |
| Passenger with mobility devices | Assistive devices free, no size/weight limit | Assistive devices free |
Note: The Frontier credit card does not include free checked bags, unlike Delta and American Amex co-branded cards. The only ways to get free bags on Frontier are elite status, active military status, or purchasing a bundle.
How to Add a Checked Bag to Your Frontier Flight?
- Go to flyfrontier.com and click My Trip / Check-In.
- Enter your last name and 6-character confirmation code.
- Select Add Baggage on the Manage My Booking page.
- Choose the number of checked bags and pay online.
- You receive confirmation by email, and bags appear in your itinerary.
You can add checked bags up to 60 minutes before departure (domestic and international). The earlier you add them, the lower the price. Once you reach the airport counter, prices jump significantly.
5 Ways to Save on Frontier Baggage Fees
- Buy bags at booking on flyfrontier.com: the cheapest window by far. Gate prices are 50-80% higher than booking prices on most routes.
- Use the bundle math: if you need carry-on + checked bag, compare the PERKS ($69) vs buying both individually. The bundle almost always wins.
- Travel with only a personal item :14 x 18 x 8 inches. Most 20L daypacks and laptop bags fit. You avoid all bag fees entirely.
- Earn FRONTIER Miles Elite status: Platinum members get free carry-on + first checked bag for themselves and up to 8 travel companions on the same booking.
- Weigh bags at home: Frontier’s 40-lb limit is stricter than most airlines’. A digital luggage scale costs $10 and can save you $75 in overweight fees.
Sports Equipment and Special Item Fees on Frontier
- Golf clubs, skis, snowboards: treated as standard checked baggage if within 62 linear inches and 40 lbs. Standard bag fee applies.
- Bicycles: standard checked bag fee plus $75 oversized fee if over 62 linear inches. Must be in a hard case.
- Surfboards and oversized sports items: $75 oversized fee on top of the standard bag fee
- Musical instruments: carry-on if within 24 x 16 x 10 inches and fits in the overhead bin. Larger instruments must be checked.
- Strollers and car seats: gate-checked free. Does not count toward baggage allowance.
- CPAP machines: free carry-on regardless of size. Counts as a medical device, not a carry-on.
Need help with Frontier baggage or booking? Call Flying Getaway at our phone for Frontier Airlines flight bookings, baggage fee questions, and best available fares on your route. We compare Frontier’s all-in price to other airlines’ prices, so you know the real total cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
How strict is Frontier Airlines with personal item and carry-on bag size?
Frontier Airlines is very strict about baggage size, especially at the gate. Personal items must fit within 14 x 18 x 8 inches, while carry-on bags must stay within Frontier’s approved dimensions. If your bag exceeds the limit, you may be charged expensive gate baggage fees.
Can I add checked baggage to my Frontier flight after booking?
Yes. Frontier Airlines allows passengers to add checked baggage later through the “My Trip” or “Check-In” section on flyfrontier.com. However, baggage fees increase closer to departure, and airport or gate prices are significantly higher than booking online early.
What happens if my checked bag is overweight on Frontier Airlines?
Frontier Airlines charges overweight baggage fees once your checked bag exceeds 40 pounds. Bags between 41–50 lbs usually incur a $75 fee, while heavier bags may cost even more. Frontier’s weight limit is stricter than most major U.S. airlines, which typically allow 50 lbs.
Is a backpack free on Frontier Airlines?
Yes, a backpack is free on Frontier Airlines if it qualifies as a personal item and fits under the seat. The maximum allowed size for personal items is 14 x 18 x 8 inches. Larger backpacks may be charged as carry-on baggage.
Is Frontier Airlines still cheap after baggage fees?
Frontier Airlines can still be affordable if you travel light with only a personal item. However, once you add checked bags, carry-ons, seat selection, and airport baggage fees, the final price may become similar to other airlines. Always compare the total trip cost before booking.
What is the cheapest way to avoid Frontier baggage fees?
The cheapest way to fly with Frontier Airlines is to travel with only a free personal item and purchase baggage at booking instead of at the airport or gate. Buying bags early online is usually much cheaper than paying at the last minute.
Patrick Walker is the travel brain behind Flying Getaway. With a knack for spotting flight deals and a passion for exploring new skies, he helps travelers fly smarter and save more with every trip.
