jan_believes

Considering first time booking on F9 for my son going to attend his grandpa's funeral. Family laptop sustained fall recently so can't let him take it on the trip.

How is the fee for Direct TV collected? Is there an option for prepay on the fee on the website or is this a flight attendant directed transaction?

Thanks!

MostlyAir

If you are flying on an Airbus you will be able to pay for the TV by swiping your card right next to the screen. Note TV is only available on Airbus aircraft.

Nice little link for you showing you the back of one of the seats.
http://www.airlinereporter.com/wp-co...FrontierTV.jpg

knope2001

I wasn't sure if it was included with Classic or Classic Plus fare, and best I can tell it is not. But on that topic, there is a new (or newish?) interactive grid on the website which makes it much easier to see what the different fare tiers include and what the different fare tiers include for someone with different frequent flyer status levels. That has sometimes seemed a little confusing because there were separate charts. Now you can click on your status level and see what's included at what fare levels.

https://www.frontierairlines.com/fro...fairs-chart.do

Now back to the original topic, as obviously the traveler about which the traveler asked is not a frequent flyer on Frontier. The only means of payment is by swiping a credit or debit card in the seatback -- you don't need to engage the flight attendent, and the F/A are not equiped to accept cash. However, I have seen F/A swipe their complementary TV card for minors traveling alone because obviously they don't typcially have a credit card.

If your traveler is an unaccompanied minor, I think it's standard for the F/A to turn on TV for them. If your traveler is young but old enough that they are not considered an unaccompanied minor and are flying alone, I would suggest they have $6 cash and, ask the F/A nicely if there is any way they can buy television even though they are too young to have a credit card. I would guess that it's nearly certain that either (a) the F/A will comp TV for them, or (b) an adjacent passenger with a credit card will help your traveler out (either free or by taking the $6).

I don't know if there is any firm policy to comp (or strictly not to comp) TV for minors traveling alone who would not otherwise have a credit card, but I've seen it happen more than a few times. If your son does not have a credit or debit card, I think it's still nearly certain he can get television onboard one way or another.

mke9499

From Frontier website:

runnigel

I like the wording and the fact they are upfront about things. Beats the typical bait and switch you can see other airlines do...

RSVP

I always thought this was the case, but wondered why it had disappeared from the amenities chart some time ago.

knope2001

Thanks for hunting that down...I thought it was but thought perhaps it had been pulled since I could not find it on the website.

That makes it simple enough for the OP then...

--If your son is traveling as an unaccompanied minor (which includes the extra service fee) he should get TV included.

--If your son is old enough that he's not an official UM, then purchasing the Classic fare will pre-pay the TV charge.

The Classic fare is generally $15-$30 more than the Economy fare, but it waives the bag fee, includes TV, and has a few other less common fees (like change fees or standby fees) reduced or waived.

mke9499

The website's booking engine could show a little DirectTV logo next to the flight number display, whenever the on-board service will be available.

The only drawback, I suppose, is that on those rare occasions when an aircraft swap is necessary, or on new equipment that does not yet have DirectTV hooked up, there would likely be some disgruntled customers.

Which brings up another question...If DirectTV is not working on your flight, and you are Summit or Ascent, or are traveling on Classic or Classic Plus ticket, are you given any extra amenity or accommodation to make up for the unavailable service?

stuyguy

Happened to me once as a Summit. Wasn't comped anything but perhaps that's because my preferred seat is way back in 12D

jan_believes

WOW, I am really impressed by the responses given here! Thank you all!

Sure beats the wrangling I often see here where one's motives are impugned just by the question posted. There's not a "boogie man" behind every door!

Great way to keep it on track and avoid the negatives that can be attached. Thanks again for the efforts and information!

(I decided against using F9, but am still impressed with the replies to my question on this thread!)

BradWI

another option would be to get him a prepaid credit card with some small amount stored on it.

knope2001

That's a great alternate suggestion.....

JeffCO

O/T but my question is why F9 advertises that they carry MSNBC (which is overlapped with CNBC, the only dual channel they list). No matter what time of day I've flown, I haven't seen MSNBC on there in well over a year. When I've asked the FAs, they say they have no control over it, so I'm presuming it's DirectTV's decision? Seems weird to me though, why do it in the first place (bandwidth?) and why not just pick one or the other?

chillinthemost

Direct TV is a great benefit of flying Frontier.

flg8rmatt

Agreed. I do this for my daughter when she flies as a UM.