I almost jumped off last year, but decided to give them another chance and made Ascent status for this year. It has made a huge difference in my travel style and I love it. Not only are their people usually fantastic to deal with, I can get where I need to go on F9 non-stop (huge!) and the price is competitive or even lower than UA or SW. The 24 hours in advance upgrade to free stretch seating is awesome and I have always been able to get it, as are the $0 bag fees. The priority security line and boarding perks are great too. I don't usually watch the TV provided, but that is appreciated too. I guess I can live without the cookie, but that is/was a little perk for everyone.

Remember, with Frontier elite status, you are the much bigger fish in the pond. On UA or AA, you're just another elite with lots of people having more status ahead of you and getting the 1st Class seat that you want. On SW, you're another cow in the cattle line until you take 25 one way flights in a year, and even then you get only a few of the F9 perks.

The F9 elite program is a truly unique product, with the 15,000 mile attainment, and it fits perfectly with my business travel and where I need to go. Perhaps you might travel enough to have elite status on more than one carrier. With what I have so far and planned for 2012, I would get up to around 20-22,000 qualifying miles on US or SW for 2012 and I would be nowhere with either of them.

Us F9 elites have to hope that Frontier keeps its independence, doesn't slash perks to the bone and maintains its high service levels (planes, schedules and people) out of DEN. I will do all I can to support them and I truly appreciate what a difference they have in the Denver market.