- Frontier Airlines has launched a ‘GoWild!’ pass, allowing U.S. residents to book unlimited flights for $299 annually.
- The pass is available to members of Frontier Miles and automatically enrols new members upon purchase.
- The introductory price of $299 is valid until December 18th 2024, after which it’s going up and up…
Budget carrier Frontier Airlines has made headlines today with its new ‘GoWild!’ pass, a quintessentially American all-you-can-fly offer that, the airline claims, provides travellers with unparalleled flexibility and affordability. Priced at an enticing $299 USD for the first year, the pass allows for unlimited flights within the United States, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Latin America between May 1st 2025 and April 30th 2026. But what’s the catch? And is it worth your hard-earned dollars? Here’s what we know.
Eligibility and Membership Criteria
Only U.S. residents who are also members of Frontier Miles — the airline’s loyalty program — can purchase the pass. If prospective pass holders are not already members, they will be automatically enrolled upon purchase, enabling Frontier to reward its most loyal customers while simultaneously expanding its membership base — clever.
How the GoWild! Pass Works
For just $299 USD, flyers can book trips on select Frontier Airlines routes for as little as one penny per flight. However, readers should note that not all Frontier flights are available on the pass and that pass holders are responsible for any relevant taxes and fees associated with their airfare. As they say, there’s no such thing as a free lunch…
Booking Flexibility… and Lack Thereof
The pass offers decent flexibility for travellers. Passholders can make reservations the day before a domestic flight’s departure and up to ten days in advance for international flights, so spontaneous travellers need not be afraid. For domestic round trips, the return flight must also be booked the day before departure.
There are a few restrictions we would advise you to be aware of before taking the plunge. Flights must be booked through Frontier’s website; mobile app bookings are not supported. There are so-called ‘blackout dates’ around major holidays and peak travel periods when the pass cannot be used to purchase tickets. Passholders are also unable to purchase tickets on behalf of other travellers.
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Seat Selection and Baggage
Passholders cannot reserve plane seats in advance and the pass does not include carry-on or checked baggage. These can be purchased separately, however, allowing flyers to tailor their experience based on their individual needs.
Costs and Pricing Details
The GoWild! pass is currently available at an undeniably tempting introductory price of $299 USD, which is set to expire at 11:59 pm MST on December 18th. Thereafter the pass will be available for an increased price of $499 USD, and automatically renews for $699 USD at the end of the purchase period regardless of your initial purchase price.
Comparisons and Market Context
Frontier Airlines is by no means the first carrier to offer a comparable annual pass. It is not even first time that this airline has done it, having previously introduced a similar pass in 2022, limited to domestic travel within the US. The new GoWild! pass expands on this same concept to include international destinations, reaffirming Frontier’s as a competitive player in the low-cost carrier market… or so the airline bigwigs hope.
The industry has seen increasing competition from both low-cost and legacy carriers, with Frontier’s biggest competitor, Spirit, recently going belly-up having never fully recovered from the damage done by the pandemic.
More cynical commentators have claimed that the pass is a cash-grab effort from Frontier before it potentially meets the same fate, making hay from customers willing to pay a larger upfront cost in return for cheaper future travel. whether you buy this or not, the official line is that the GoWild! pass represents a strategic move to capture an increasingly elusive market segment that seeks affordability without sacrificing the ability to travel frequently.
Is Frontier’s GoWild Pass Worth It?
Offering (sort of) unlimited flights at an unprecedentedly low price point — for the net few hours, anyway — flexible booking options and access to an extensive network of routes could make the pass a smart move for spontaneous adventurers and savvy travellers alike.
However, potential pass holders should beware of the many fine-print restrictions and additional costs for basic services like baggage and seat selection, as well as ‘blackout’ periods around big holidays.
