Frontier Flight Delay Compensation: How to Get Refunds & Claims Guide 2025

Sometimes, all you want is to get from Point A to Point B for cheap. In which case, Frontier Airlines might just fit the bill! 

But when things go wrong and you’re watching departure times getting pushed, you may wonder if all the money you saved on the flight will have to go to a hotel room for the night.

In several common circumstances, you're entitled to compensation if your Frontier Airlines flight has a controllable delay. Compensation might look like rebooking and meal vouchers.

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What Frontier Airlines Owes You for a Delay According to their Contract of Carriage

Frontier Airlines doesn’t provide customers with as many options as other airlines might in the case of significant, controllable delays. 

This is the downside of booking with a budget airline — if something goes awry, they won’t do as much for you as a pricier airline might.

• A significant delay is 3 hours or more for domestic flights and 6 hours or more for international flights.
• A controllable delay includes things within the airline’s control, such as maintenance issues, baggage loading, or crew problems. 

Frontier says they have no obligation to provide delayed passengers with hotel rooms and transportation, and they have not committed to travel credits or other forms of inconvenience compensation. 

Don’t expect cash compensation, either — in fact, no domestic airline has committed to this. 

However, here is what they do offer:

Rebooking 

According to their contract of carriage (the legal binding agreement made between the airline and its passengers), Frontier says that if your flight is disrupted due to an issue within their control, they will rebook you on the next available Frontier flight. 

However, while other airlines go the extra mile to get you on a flight with a partner airline, Frontier does not promise this. 

Vouchers

Frontier will provide delayed passengers with meal vouchers while they wait in the airport because of a controllable delay of 3 hours or longer. 

The fine print doesn’t elaborate and say how much these are worth, but it’s expected that vouchers will cover a reasonable meal from an airport concession.

No complimentary accommodations

Here’s where Frontier really pinches pennies with their customers: In the case of an overnight delay, the airline does not guarantee any complementary accommodations, like a hotel room for the night or ground transportation to lodgings. 

This could really put you in a pinch when you’re stuck in an airport far from home. 

Travel credit

Frontier says they “may also offer a voucher, travel credit, or other form of compensation as an alternative to a refund.” 

This is pretty ambiguous, and they don’t further specify what conditions would make you eligible to receive a travel credit instead of or in addition to a refund.

Keep in mind that receiving travel credit is a great deal for the airline, but not for you. They aren’t shelling out cash to their customers, and the odds of you coming back to spend that travel credit with them are fairly low. 

Unless you’re certain you’re going to use it for something specific, decline the travel credit and just ask for your money back in the form of a true refund!

Refunds

If you’re looking for a refund, Frontier does say they’ll refund unused portions of tickets when a flight is delayed over 3 hours and you have declined rebooking efforts, travel credits, vouchers, or other forms of compensation.

But it’s unclear in their fine print if this is automatic. Frontier says: “… we’ll provide you, upon request, a full refund for any unused portion of your ticket.” (Italics are ours.) 

However, under a rule from the Biden-Harris administration, if you reject rebooking options, accommodations, and the travel credit, and decide not to fly at all, you are entitled to a full refund, to be automatically applied to you. 

To be safe, speak with the airline representative.

It’s important to keep in mind that you can’t claim a refund if you accept the airline’s accommodations, credits, or rebooking offers!

Understanding Your Rights for Frontier Airlines Delay Compensation

As a passenger affected by a delay, it’s helpful to understand the relationship between the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and airline companies and your rights therein. (How’s that for legalese?!) 

Background: The U.S. Department of Transportation regulations

Technically, the DOT does not require airlines to compensate passengers affected by flight delays. 

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 delays.

The DOT has created an Airline Cancellation and Delay Dashboard that details what each airline has committed to providing for their 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!

What makes a delay

A “significant delay” for domestic flights means your flight has been delayed by 3 or more hours. For international flights, it’s 6 or more hours. 

There are two different categories of delays: controllable and uncontrollable. 

• Controllable delays include things like maintenance issues, baggage loading, or crew problems. These issues are within the airline’s control — because of that, it’s on them to correct your itinerary.
• Uncontrollable delays include weather, air traffic, or “acts of God.” The airline has no control over thunderstorms, for example, or international tensions that delay your flight. These are called “force majeure” events.

The DOT requires airlines to follow through on their specific promises to customers in the case of a controllable delay. 

If airlines fail to adhere to their own commitments, you can file a complaint with the DOT, which will hold them accountable.

Delays beyond Frontier Airlines’s control

While you are entitled to services from Frontier in the case of controllable delays, uncontrollable delays are a different story. 

When a flight is delayed because of weather, security concerns, or other “force majeure” events outside of the airline’s control, passengers have fewer protections. 

In fact, Frontier claims they “may cancel, divert, or delay any flight without liability except to provide a refund for the unused portion of the ticket.”

Essentially, the airline has made no commitment to providing complimentary accommodations, travel vouchers, or other amenities when delays are outside their control. 

So, what can you do? Truthfully, not much. 

You could proactively change your flight ahead of time if weather reports aren’t looking good, especially if the airline has already published weather warnings for airports you’ll be flying in or out of. 

But outside of that, airlines are not legally obligated to provide services to you if a delay is out of their control. 

Cancellation compensation

What if your flight is completely canceled (for any reason) and the airline can't rebook you?

In that case, according to the Biden-Harris administration’s rule, you’re entitled to a full refund “of the ticket purchase price, minus the value of any portion of transportation already used.”

Tips: What to Do When Your Frontier Flight Is Delayed

Don’t panic! Delays happen, so if you stay cool and remember your rights as a passenger, you’re already ahead.

Communication is key

When you book your flights, include your correct phone number and email address so the airline can reach you when there are delays or changes to your itinerary. 

Frontier Airlines promises to communicate with you accurately and in a timely manner, so keep your phone handy for those text alerts or other notifications!

Agents from the airline should be available to address your specific needs. Talk to them politely and firmly to make sure you get what you’re entitled to as a passenger. 

This is an instance where having that DOT dashboard or the Frontier Customer Service Plan handy will work in your favor. 

If you run into problems with an airline agent, show them the dashboard on your phone. Legally, they cannot deny you any of the services that are listed on the dashboard for Frontier Airlines!

Sometimes, if there’s a long line at the gate to speak with an agent, it may be faster to connect with an airline representative through the chat function on the Frontier Airlines website or by calling their helpline: 801-401-9000. 

Alternative Compensation Options

Frontier’s services leave a lot to be desired. And there are many factors that can influence the type of compensation (and how much) you might be able to get.

If the airline doesn’t offer you satisfactory compensation right off the bat, the two main alternative options, in order, are travel insurance and credit card insurance.

Travel insurance coverage

If you purchased travel insurance, you might be eligible for additional compensation beyond what Frontier offers. 

Generally, travel insurance covers unanticipated expenses when you travel domestically or abroad, including travel interruptions like delayed flights.

Check your policy — many cover expenses like meals and hotels even during weather delays.

If you don’t have a travel insurance policy, you can shop for one that suits your needs through an online broker like VisitorsCoverage.

Credit card travel protection

Many credit cards offer trip delay protection if you booked your flight with them. 

These benefits often kick in after shorter delays than airline compensation and can cover more expenses. 

For example, if you booked your flight with the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you might receive compensation of up to $500 per ticket if you’re delayed six hours or more. Its sister card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, offers travel delay compensation after 12 hours or more.

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TL;DR: How To Get Frontier Flight Delay Compensation

Frontier Airlines provides few options for passengers experiencing flight disruptions. While they aim to get you to your destination, their policies prioritize operational flexibility. 

Be prepared to discuss alternatives with Frontier representatives, and push for compensation in the form of meal vouchers.

Remember: These are the commitments Frontier has made to its passengers. Understanding their policies can help you navigate unexpected travel challenges.

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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.