Beware of Frontier Airlines

[TLSnell1981]

I am livid right about now! I called Frontier Airlines wanting to add a passenger on my flight for my trip in Feb 2008...I booked this about 5 months ago. I was informed that they no longer fly to Orlando. I asked why I wasn't notified of this change....I was told they have been trying to get another airlines to accommodate these passengers....but they have had no luck. I was then given the generous offer of having my money refunded. No matter, that flights are now twice what I paid in the summer. When I informed the agent of this she responded that it was a promotional fare any way...that is why it was so cheap.What difference does that make? I then called consumer affairs and was given the rules according to FAA. blah, blah, blah...and they would probably get me on a flight with someone....but, had no idea what the times would be or where I would need to connect through. (I have a non-stop flight booked). They also probably wouldn't know anything until February.

I don't know if anyone else has their flight booked through Frontier, but thought I would give a heads up just in case.

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

Where are you flying out of?? I never even heard of Frontier.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Memphis. Frontier's hub is in Denver and has recently expanded. I had heard good things about their service and the planes were nice..... for a discounted airline. Don't know what happened.

 

[seashoreCM]

Even big, old, and well known airlines (legacy airlines) (I consider Southwest one of those now) can discontinue service to one or more destinations.

Check the rules and policies (contract of carriage) to find out what you are entitled to. Typically all they have to do, when the cancellation is days in advance, is to refund your fare.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[TLSnell1981]

Even big, old, and well known airlines (legacy airlines) (I consider Southwest one of those now) can discontinue service to one or more destinations.

Check the rules and policies (contract of carriage) to find out what you are entitled to. Typically all they have to do, when the cancellation is days in advance, is to refund your fare.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

This flight was cancelled almost FOUR MONTHS in advance....it may be rules and policies, but It's still wrong not to notify a customer of this kind of change.

 

[CarolA]

Memphis. Frontier's hub is in Denver and has recently expanded. I had heard good things about their service and the planes were nice..... for a discounted airline. Don't know what happened.

Rember that good fare... that's what happened.

Airlines have been selling seats for lower then cost....Frontier apparently decided they couldn't afford to keep losing money in Memphis.

And Frontier announced LAST week they were pulling out of Memphis so it's not like they have known for months and just didn't tell you. It generally works in order of crisis. Flyers flying sooner get called first.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Rember that good fare... that's what happened.

Airlines have been selling seats for lower then cost....Frontier apparently decided they couldn't afford to keep losing money in Memphis.

And Frontier announced LAST week they were pulling out of Memphis so it's not like they have known for months and just didn't tell you. It generally works in order of crisis. Flyers flying sooner get called first.

The sad thing, for $30 more, I could have booked at the same time on NWA. I choose Frontier mainly for the schedule.

I had a feeling they were pulling out of Memphis....I asked consumer affairs this very question and was told no. I know this only happened recently ....I meant months before the flight.....I was told it would be Feb. before I was notified of the change.

 

[dudspizza]

I know this only happened recently ....I meant months before the flight.....I was told it would be Feb. before I was notified of the change.

This is why people must keep an eye on their flights. Don't rely on the airline to inform you of a cancellation or change. My next flight is May 2008 and I check all the time to make sure things are ok. I have already had one flight change and I had to re-choose my seating assignments..... It pays to be diligent....

Be happy you found out now and not in Feb when flights were through the roof......

Have a great trip!

Duds

 

[Lewisc]

Passengers that use airlines like Frontier, Allegiant, Skybus etc always run the risk of the airline going out of business or deciding to drop an airport and concentrate on more profitable routes.

Larger airlines generally find other airlines to accomodate passengers, at the same fare, or will offer a refund. Smaller airlines are more likely to just offer a refund.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Passengers that use airlines like Frontier, Allegiant, Skybus etc always run the risk of the airline going out of business or deciding to drop an airport and concentrate on more profitable routes.

Larger airlines generally find other airlines to accomodate passengers, at the same fare, or will offer a refund. Smaller airlines are more likely to just offer a refund.

I normally fly NWA, Delta and occaisionally Airtran. Airtran is a reward partner with Frontier and they won't accommodate their passengers.

I'm in the process of rebooking now.....just gonna have to pay the extra money. I sure was liking that flight schedule though. Non-stops arriving early in the morning....departing late in the evening. Oh, well at least we'll be at WDW.

 

[bfila]

Thanks for the heads up. My parents and sister were on a Frontier MEM to MCO flight in May. Had no idea the route was gone. Need to start looking for airfare for them again.

 

[Jimmy P.]

You are almost always better off booking on a large legacy carrier and avoiding low-cost airlines all together. Frontier is quickly becoming one of the worst. They spend a lot of time advertising their "home town" image and friendly service, but the fact is, they outgrew that reputation 5 years ago! They are as ruthless to their passengers as any bad airline before them.
Corporate greed and the need for the bottom line always trump the paying passenger on any airline today. With that in mind, you need an airline that has several HUNDRED aircraft in the system instead of a few dozen, so when they leave you stranded, they at least have a way to get you there on another one of their aircraft. Frontier doesn't have the capacity to bail you out of their overbooking / cancellation / delayed game policies they play everyday. You will now have to fly on a United, Continental or NWA ( as you should have booked last summer) but now for a much larger price, thanks to your friends at Frontier, you "home town" airline. . . .
That $30 you save with a low cost airline will cost you oh so much more now. Lesson learned. You will be smarter next time.

 

[TLSnell1981]

You are almost always better off booking on a large legacy carrier and avoiding low-cost airlines all together. Frontier is quickly becoming one of the worst. They spend a lot of time advertising their "home town" image and friendly service, but the fact is, they outgrew that reputation 5 years ago! They are as ruthless to their passengers as any bad airline before them.
Corporate greed and the need for the bottom line always trump the paying passenger on any airline today. With that in mind, you need an airline that has several HUNDRED aircraft in the system instead of a few dozen, so when they leave you stranded, they at least have a way to get you there on another one of their aircraft. Frontier doesn't have the capacity to bail you out of their overbooking / cancellation / delayed game policies they play everyday. You will now have to fly on a United, Continental or NWA ( as you should have booked last summer) but now for a much larger price, thanks to your friends at Frontier, you "home town" airline. . . .
That $30 you save with a low cost airline will cost you oh so much more now. Lesson learned. You will be smarter next time.

It wasn't over $30. I booked Frontier for the schedule. They offered a 7am non-stop flight to Orlando and a 9pm, non-stop return. NWA's schedule leaves a lot to be desired. Nevertheless, I am on my way in a few days and I am so looking forward to WDW.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Don't even get me started on Frontier! I live in Denver and thats their hub so for years we have flown them and for years we wouldn't fly anyone else, esp. after they bought nothing but brand new airbuses. Slowly but surely they have begun to lose the customer service they used to have. Its near impossible to use your awards travel miles now and they LOVE to change your flight times sometimes by hours, or just cancel altogether. Because they are a small carrier, they don't have enough planes to accomodate the changes they love to foist on their passengers. And in the winter when Denver gets hit with snow, watch out!

In the end, Frontier is getting too big for their britches in some ways yet still a small carrier and its a bad combo. I no longer recommend them even if you do live in Denver. Its a shame because not so long ago you cannot believe the service they used to offer. My husband has flown hundreds of thousands of miles with them but no more. Welcome to the big leagues Frontier, see ya later!

 

[Timmbco]

Amy&Dan-

Same situation here. I used to love Frontier and now, mostly because I can't use my miles, I use Southwest. The gov't has also dropped them on most Denver routes in favor of (ugg) United.
I am a very unhappy Ascent member and will take my $$$$ elsewhere!

 

[JB2K]

If it's any consolation to former Frontier flyers, it looks as if Southwest Airlines is ramping-up their service at DEN.

I noticed quite a few flights on the DEN-MCO route (some nonstop, others connecting at more "convenient" airports like Nashville and Birmingham).