Frontier Canceled Your Flight? Here’s How to Get Compensation

Saving money on a cheap airline might seem like a great idea at first. But things can go wrong and you might find yourself stuck waiting in an airport because your Frontier flight has been canceled. What then? 

In their fine print, Frontier outlines how they’ll take care of you if your travel has been interrupted because of a cancellation. 

What Frontier Owes You for a Cancellation

In their contract of carriage, Frontier outlines exactly what their passengers are entitled to (and what they’re not) during controllable cancellations or delays.

Rebooking and other services

Rest assured that Frontier has an obligation to rebook you on a new flight at no additional cost to you. 

However, Frontier makes no promises to book passengers on partner airlines the way other airlines might. That’s one of the drawbacks of booking with an ultra-low-cost carrier — you don’t have the same protections and services you may receive from a different airline. 

Vouchers

If you’re stuck at the airport waiting for a rescheduled flight and it’s been 3 hours or longer, Frontier says they’ll provide you with a meal voucher. 

Unlike other airlines, Frontier doesn’t offer reimbursement if they’re unable to provide a meal voucher (or multiple vouchers, for longer delays).

Complimentary accommodations

Another downside to booking with Frontier is the lack of accommodations if something goes sideways and you’re stuck overnight. 

Even if the flight cancellation is due to reasons within Frontier’s control, they have no obligation in their fine print to provide stranded passengers with complimentary hotel rooms and the associated ground transportation. 

Refunds

If your flight has been canceled and you choose not to move forward with rescheduled flights from Frontier, you’re eligible for a full refund of your unused ticket. 

The fine print is vague, but Frontier may try to offer a travel credit instead of a refund. Don’t go for it! Travel credits are great for airlines, since they’re not out any money, but you will be if you never end up using the credit. Cash is best! 

If you turn down those offers and all other forms of compensation, including rebooked flights, they are obligated by the Department of Transportation to refund you for the ticket you didn’t use.

Understanding Your Rights When Frontier Cancels Your Flight

Airlines don’t exactly want to spend more money on passengers if they can help it. So, you may need to be your best advocate when it comes to getting what you’re entitled to after a flight cancellation. 

What makes an eligible cancellation

For you to be eligible for meal vouchers, your flight must be canceled for reasons within Frontier's control. This includes crew delays, mechanical issues, and fueling or baggage problems.

Other cancellations occur because of uncontrollable factors, and the airline is not responsible for providing you the same care in those circumstances. 

You are not eligible for vouchers when your flight is canceled due to:

• Extreme weather
• Security issues
• Medical emergencies
• Air traffic control problems

However, a regulation from the Department of Transportation requires airlines to refund you if your flight has been canceled, regardless of the reason, if you choose not to continue your trip. 

So, if your flight was canceled because of an extreme snowstorm and you decide not to take the rebooking, the airline owes you a full refund!

How the Department of Transportation fits in

Within the last few years, the Department of Transportation has improved its process for holding airlines accountable when they don’t treat customers right.

Technically, the DOT actually doesn’t have any of their own specific requirements for airlines related to customer care during travel interruptions, besides the refund regulation.

However, the DOT does enforce the promises that airlines have made to their customers, which are specific and include amenities and services for customers experiencing controllable cancellations.

The DOT has created an Airline Cancellation and Delay Dashboard that details what each airline has committed to providing for customers in the instance of flight delays and cancellations. 

I highly recommend you check it out and have it handy whenever you’re flying — it’s a fantastic resource!

If Frontier doesn’t offer you the services they’ve promised they will, you can file a complaint with the DOT, which will ensure you receive your compensation. 

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Claiming Compensation

Remember — you are your own best advocate! When you know your rights as a passenger, you’re more likely to get compensated for your trouble.

Rebook like a pro

You should be automatically rebooked, but confirm your new reservation with the gate agent if you’re already at the airport. 

You can also manage your trip on the Frontier website or through their app. 

The Frontier contract of carriage doesn’t supply much additional information about their processes during an extended delay — one of the downsides of booking with a budget airline.

The risks with ultra-low-cost carriers

When you book with an ultra-low-cost carrier, the price you pay is reflected in the services you’re provided (or lack thereof). While the risk might be worth it for some, it won’t be for others. 

It’s a matter of risk — how much you’re willing to take and how equipped you are to cover unexpected hotel costs if they come up.

Other Compensation Options

Travel insurance policies and credit card benefits can both provide compensation when your flight gets canceled — and in most cases, it’s more generous than what airlines provide.

Travel insurance

If your flight gets interrupted for any reason, your travel insurance policy can provide additional compensation, like a larger meal budget or lounge access. You’ll also receive booking support to get you back en route ASAP. 

Your accommodations and other prepaid activities are also reimbursable. So, if you ended up stuck somewhere overnight because your connection was canceled, you wouldn’t be out money for the suite and dinner reservation you booked at your destination.

READ MORE: Which Situations Are Covered by Trip Cancellation Insurance?

Credit card benefits

Lots of top credit cards come with travel insurance as a benefit. So, if you used that credit card to book the trip, you might already be covered. 

For example, if you booked your flight with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you could receive up to $500 in compensation per ticket if it takes longer than 6-12 hours for the airline to book you on a new flight.

If your trip is totally canceled (say, if bad weather or a strike means no flights are available at all and you need to forfeit the whole thing), you could get up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip to cover any prepaid, nonrefundable costs. 

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TL;DR: How To Get Frontier Flight Cancellation Compensation

When you book with Frontier, you might save money, but you won’t receive the same level of care other airlines provide during a travel interruption. This might be a worthwhile tradeoff for you, but it’s important you know the risks! 

You may have to pay out of pocket for a hotel room and Uber, and meal reimbursements aren’t promised in Frontier's contract of carriage.

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Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.