Originally Posted by
iahphx
I got an email today offering 99% off flights to Florida. They weren't really 99% off, because Frontier calculates fares in an "interesting" way, but if you could fly on a random Tuesday, there were some crazy fares available.
This follows a rash of other recent remarkable discounts. Fly for $25, 75% off, etc.
I can't help but think this is no way to build a business. Frontier seems like the airline that you might fly if one of their crazy fares "works" for you, but that you wouldn't otherwise consider. Kind of the airline for extra discretionary travel.
I'm skeptical this is a business, but we'll see.
Their model is to get you to pay fees for other things like seat assignments, baggage, and food and beverage aboard. I think the fare itself (aside from the aforementioned taxes and government fees) is almost meaningless.
Because of a flight time change and some courtesy vouchers, last weekend my daughter and I flew TPA-DEN-TPA for a grand total of $53 (total, not each). The two checked bags, however, cost $160. I even managed to snag us Stretch seats on the return by checking in very late.
I tend to think that the folks who are unsatisfied with Frontier don't understand what they're buying.