Frontier charges a fee to change most flights, but the amount depends on how far ahead you book the change

Frontier does not let you change flights for free on most tickets. The airline charges a change fee that ranges from $0 to $99 depending on how much time passes between when you want to change and when your flight departs. If you change your flight more than 14 days before departure, the fee is lower. If you change within 14 days, the fee is higher. The exact amount also depends on the fare type you bought — Basic Economy tickets have different rules than higher-tier fares.

The change fee covers Frontier's cost to rebook you. If the new flight costs more than your original ticket, you pay the difference on top of the change fee. If it costs less, Frontier keeps the change fee and does not refund the difference.

Key Takeaways

  • Frontier charges $0 to $99 to change a flight depending on when you make the change and what fare type you purchased.
  • Changes made more than 14 days before departure cost less than changes made within 14 days.
  • You must pay any price difference if your new flight costs more than the original ticket.
  • Frontier waives change fees only in specific situations: schedule changes made by the airline, weather delays, or mechanical issues that prevent your flight from operating.
  • You can change your flight online through your Frontier account, by phone, or at the airport, though phone and airport changes may include additional fees.

When Frontier waives the change fee

Frontier removes the change fee in three situations. First, if Frontier changes your flight schedule — moves your departure time by more than one hour or changes your routing — you can rebook on a different flight at no charge. Second, if weather or a mechanical issue forces Frontier to cancel your flight, you can change to another flight without paying the fee. Third, if Frontier oversells your flight and asks you to volunteer to take a later flight, the airline waives the fee for that rebooking.

In all other cases, including if you straightforward change your mind about your travel plans, you pay the change fee. Frontier does not waive fees for personal emergencies, work conflicts, or illness unless you have purchased a refundable ticket or travel insurance that covers cancellations.

How much the change fee costs

Frontier's change fee structure depends on two things: the number of days between when you make the change and when your flight departs, and the fare type you bought. For most fares, changing more than 14 days before departure costs $0 to $25. Changing within 14 days costs $50 to $99. Basic Economy fares — Frontier's cheapest option — have higher fees than Standard or higher fares.

The exact fee for your ticket appears when you log into your Frontier account and select the change option. You can see the fee before you confirm the change, so you know the total cost before you commit. If you call Frontier or change at the airport, a representative can quote the fee over the phone.

How to change your flight online

The cheapest way to change is through Frontier's website or mobile app, where you avoid any phone or counter fees. Log into your account, find your booking, and select "Manage My Booking." Click the flight you want to change and choose a new date and time from available options. The system shows you the change fee and any price difference before you pay. Once you confirm, your new itinerary is booked when ready.

If no flights on your new date work for you, the system tells you that before charging anything. You can then try a different date or contact Frontier directly. Online changes process when ready, so you receive your new confirmation email right away.

Changing by phone or at the airport

You can change your flight by calling Frontier's reservations line, but the airline charges an additional $15 phone fee on top of the standard change fee. This makes a phone change cost $15 to $114 depending on how close to departure you are. At the airport, you can change at the ticket counter, but Frontier charges a $25 airport change fee plus the standard change fee, bringing the total to $25 to $124.

Use the phone or airport option only if you cannot change online — for example, if your booking is not appearing in your account or if you need to change after your flight has already departed. For any change you can make before you travel, the website or app is always cheaper.

What happens if you miss your flight

If you miss your flight, you can still change to a later flight on the same day or a future date, but Frontier charges the full change fee plus any fare difference. Missing your flight does not waive the fee. If you do not show up for your flight and do not contact Frontier, your return flight (if you booked a round trip) is automatically cancelled, and you lose that ticket with no refund.

If you realize you will miss your flight, contact Frontier as soon as possible. The airline may be able to rebook you on a later flight the same day at a lower cost than rebooking days later, when fares may be higher.

Refundable tickets and change policies

Frontier offers both refundable and non-refundable tickets. A refundable ticket lets you cancel and receive a credit or refund, but you still pay a change fee if you want to fly on a different date instead of cancelling. The advantage of a refundable ticket is that if you cancel, you get your money back as a credit toward future travel (or a refund to your original payment method in some cases). A non-refundable ticket gives you no refund if you cancel, only a credit toward future travel.

Neither refundable nor non-refundable tickets avoid the change fee. The difference is what happens if you cancel entirely rather than change to another flight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Frontier flight the day before departure?

Yes, but the change fee will be at the high end of Frontier's range — typically $50 to $99 depending on your fare type. You also pay any difference if your new flight costs more. Changing within 14 days of departure always costs more than changing earlier.

What if the new flight I want is cheaper than my original ticket?

Frontier keeps the change fee and does not refund the price difference. You pay the change fee, and the lower ticket price applies. You do not receive money back, only the cheaper flight.

Do I have to pay the change fee if Frontier changes my flight time?

No. If Frontier moves your departure time by more than one hour or changes your routing, you can rebook on a different flight without paying the change fee. Log into your account and look for the option to rebook due to a schedule change.

Can I change my flight for free if I have travel insurance?

Travel insurance does not waive Frontier's change fee. Insurance may reimburse you for the change fee if your reason for changing is covered by your policy — for example, illness or a family emergency — but you still pay Frontier upfront and then file a claim with the insurance company.

What if I booked through a travel website like Kayak or Expedia?

You must change your flight through Frontier directly, not through the website where you booked. Log into your Frontier account or call Frontier's reservations line. The travel website cannot process changes; it only sold you the ticket.