If you’re an active-duty U.S. military member who’s planning to fly with Frontier Airlines, you might be wondering what kind of baggage waivers you can get.
In this post, we’ll explain everything you’ll need to know about Frontier’s military baggage allowance, including:
- Who is eligible?
- How much free baggage are you eligible for?
- What are the size and weight limits?
- How to verify your military status?
- How much will it cost to buy extra bags?
Frontier Airlines Military Baggage Allowance Summary
Active-duty U.S. military personnel are entitled to:
- 1 free carry-on bag
- 2 free checked bags
Oversized and overweight baggage fees are waived for your free checked baggage.
Unfortunately, the free military baggage allowance doesn’t extend to dependents.
Who Is Eligible for Free Military Bags?
Active-duty military personnel of one of the following branches of the U.S. Armed Forces qualify for the free military bags:
- Army
- Navy
- Air Force
- Marine Corps
- Coast Guard
The following military reserve forces also qualify for free military baggage:
- National Guard
- Reserves
The free military bags apply for both travel on orders and personal travel.
Who Is Ineligible for Free Military Bags?
If you’re a military retiree or veteran, you aren’t eligible for Frontier’s baggage waivers.
Also, the free military baggage allowance doesn’t extend to your spouse or dependents.
Carry On Baggage Allowance
Active-duty U.S. military personnel are entitled to bring on board a personal item and carry-on bag for free:
| Personal Item | Carry On Bag | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of items | 1 | 1 |
| Size limit | 18 x 14 x 8 in | 24 x 16 x 10 in |
| Weight limit | Not stated | 35 pounds |
| Item Fee | Free | Free |
Personal Item Allowance
All tickets include one personal item for free. Military passengers do not receive any additional benefit with their personal item.
Personal Item Size Limit
Your personal item can be up to 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45.7 x 35.6 x 20.3 centimeters) in size. It must be able to fit under the seat in front of you.
Examples of typical personal items include:
- Handbag
- Laptop bag
- Small backpack
Frontier Airlines is renowned for being uncompromising with their policing of carry-on baggage size. Make sure that your personal item is within the above size limits. Otherwise, you may be required to pay a fee and your personal item checked as hold luggage.
Personal Item Weight Limit
Frontier Airlines doesn’t apply a weight limit for your personal item. Since your carry-on bag has a weight limit imposed on it, you can pack your heavier items in your personal item.
However, be careful not to overpack your personal item to the point where it’s bulging. It may not be able to fit easily in the personal item sizers at the airport.
Carry On Bag Allowance
Eligible active military personnel can bring a carry-on bag on board for free.
Hot Tip: If the overhead bins run out of storage space, there’s a chance that you’ll be required to check your carry-on bag. Although there is no charge involved, it can be inconvenient.
Make sure that you pack all your important documents, valuables, medications, and fragile items into your personal item to avoid any last-minute, frantic repacking.
Carry On Bag Size Limit
Your carry-on bag can be up to 24 x 16 x 10 inches (61.0 x 40.6 x 25.4 centimeters) in size. It must be able to fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.
Examples of typical carry-on bags include:
- Small suitcase
- Backpack
- Duffel bag
- Garment bag
Carry On Bag Weight Limit
Frontier Airlines allows carry-on bags to weigh up to 35 pounds (15.9 kilograms).
Hot Tip: If your carry-on bag exceeds 35 pounds, you can repack your heavier belongings into your personal item. Frontier doesn’t check the weight of personal items.
You should be able to lift your bag into the overhead bin without requiring assistance.
Free Checked Baggage Allowance
In this section, we’ll explain Frontier’s free checked baggage allowance for military personnel.
Number of Free Checked Bags
Eligible active military personnel are entitled to two free checked bags.
Free Checked Bag Size Limit
Each of your checked bags can be up to 110 linear inches (279 centimeters) in size. To determine its size, you measure your bag’s outside length, width, and height, then add these measurements together.
Frontier won’t accept checked baggage larger than 110 linear inches.
Free Checked Bag Weight Limit
Each of your checked bags can weigh up to 100 pounds (45 kilograms).
Frontier won’t accept checked baggage heavier than 100 pounds.
Excess Baggage Fees
This section applies to additional checked bags that you may purchase. These rules do not apply to your two free checked bags.
Extra Baggage Fees
If you want to purchase additional checked baggage, you will be charged $95 per bag at the airport kiosk or ticket counter.
Unlike your free checked baggage, extra bags follow Frontier’s standard baggage allowances:
- Size limit: 62 linear inches (157 centimeters)
- Weight limit: 40 pounds (18.1 kilograms)
If your extra checked bags exceed these limits, they will be subject to oversized and/or overweight baggage fees.
You’re allowed to travel with up to 5 checked bags in total.
Oversized Baggage Fees
If your checked bag is larger than 62 linear inches (157 centimeters), it will be considered oversized and subject to an additional fee.
For checked bags larger than 62 linear inches but not more than 110 linear inches (279 centimeters) you will be subject to a $75 overweight baggage fee. This charge is payable when checking in at the airport.
Frontier Airlines doesn’t accept checked baggage larger than 110 linear inches (279 centimeters).
Overweight Baggage Fees
If your checked bag weighs more than 40 pounds (18.1 kilograms), it will be considered overweight and subject to an additional fee.
Frontier has two categories of overweight baggage:
- For checked baggage weighing more than 40 pounds but no heavier than 50 pounds (23 kilograms), you will be charged a $75 overweight fee.
- For checked baggage weighing more than 50 pounds but no heavier than 100 pounds (45 kilograms), you will be charged a $100 overweight bag fee instead.
This charge is payable when checking in at the airport.
Frontier Airlines doesn’t accept checked baggage heavier than 100 pounds (45 kilograms).
How to Verify Your Eligibility for Free Military Bags
Your free military baggage allowance can only be verified during check-in at the airport counter. You will need to present your CAC card for authentication.
Important: During your online flight booking, don’t make any bag purchases. Your free bags will be added to your reservation when checking in at the airport.
Unlike most other airlines, Frontier doesn’t offer a way for you to verify your military status online. This is disappointing on a couple of levels. It slows down the check-in process at the airport. Also, if you wish to travel with excess baggage, it can only be bought at the airport.
Final Thoughts
Frontier Airlines offers a generous military baggage policy for active-duty U.S. military personnel, considering that the airline is an ultra-low-cost carrier.
As well as the standard personal item, you are entitled to travel with 1 carry-on bag and 2 checked bags for free.
Also, your 2 free checked bags aren’t subject to oversized or overweight baggage fees.
However, the military baggage allowance doesn’t extend to dependents. This is similar to Spirit’s military baggage policy.
One area where Frontier Airlines can improve their service for military passengers is to give these passengers the option of verifying their military status online. This service is available for military customers flying with Spirit Airlines.
Remember to always check Frontier Airlines’ website or contact their customer service for the latest information on baggage allowances and fees.
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