Frontier Airlines has changed the redemption levels for its EarlyReturns frequent-flier program, lowering rates for one-way tickets and some cities outside the contiguous U.S. but increasing them for the majority of round-trip destinations.
The changes are the result of such issues as “economic factors and our continued alignment with Midwest Airlines and its loyalty program, Midwest Miles,” Frontier spokeswoman Lindsey Purves said Friday.
Republic Airways, which bought Frontier and Midwest last year, has been working to integrate the two brands.
Frontier’s redemption levels have been reduced for travel to Alaska. The number of flight segments needed to achieve “Ascent” and “Summit” membership status have dropped, as have the number of blackout dates.
Purves noted that more award seats have been opened up to make it easier for members to use miles.
Also, all one-way redemption tickets are priced at one-half the round-trip rate. The one-way requirement was 15,000 miles, and the current rate falls to 12,500 miles.
The round-trip level for cities in the contiguous U.S. — which rises from 20,000 miles to 25,000 miles for redemptions booked on and after June 15 — is in line with other airlines’.
Many of the other changes go into effect immediately.
But the round-trip change has riled some customers. Kate Sherman Snapp of Denver, an Ascent or Summit member since 2001, complained it’s the second boost in required round-trip miles in two years.
Frontier blamed the economy and fuel prices when the level was raised from 15,000 to 20,000 in September 2008.
“I have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars for all the miles I’ve flown,” said Snapp, who travels extensively as a national sales manager. “It’s like they are stealing from the most loyal, the people who have kept them flying.”
Ann Schrader: 303-954-1967 or aschrader@denverpost.com
