Frontier priority lane access
 

I've just started flying Frontier for the convenience and cost of some of the routes out of Denver and I'm curious about folks' experience using priority access lanes.

I had no problems with this week-end's flight den-sea-den but I was asked about my qualification to use the premier lane at SEA by the person manning that lane. There's nothing on the boarding pass that states that I'm eligible for priority access lanes other than the very small "summit" printed on the pass. Guess I'm used to the very large "PRIORITY ACCESS" printed on the AA passes. It just seems to me that Frontier is placing access to the lanes on the checker's familiarity with Frontier status levels or my ability to explain my qualifications.

Anyone had any problems anywhere?

I just show my Summit card at DEN and have never had any problems. Once someone took a close look to see that it hadn't expired but that's it.

You see "PRIORITY ACCESS" in big fat letters on an AA boarding pass because that's a specific AA elite/marketing term - referring to lines at the counter, priority at boarding, and such. That priority access is not related to the elite security lines at most airports.

The "Summit" designation (and my own "Ascent" designation) should be all you need to use elite security lanes at almost all airports.

I just had an early flight through Sea-Tac and asked one of the airport people if there was a priority access lane (there were a lot of people in the cattle chute). He pointed to the far end and sure enough, there was a completely empty lane that first went by a Pre-Check guy, then brought you right to the ID checker merge point of the regular lanes, but then shunted off to a different lane again. Added bonus, they were using the porno scanners on the regular lane but the Special People lane was just the old metal detectors.

Forgot to add - no one asked to see any verification of my priority access eligibility.

It's usually printed somewhere on your boarding pass.

I fly Frontier regularly out of DIA and have never had an issue w/ the priority access lanes in Denver or any other airport. The "Summit" designation on the BP seems vague, but no one has ever questioned me about using the priority lanes. And I don't travel w/ my Summit card.

Besides, if you walk up to the priority lane like you've been there before, they hardly even look at your BP. At least, that's been my experience.

I was at SEA yesterday. The priority line is off to the left of the main security queue. There's a sign at the start of the line and it mentions Frontier Summit/Ascent. Also the woman checking for eligibility made it a point to find it on the boarding pass. Having the status yesterday allowed me to skip at least 45 minutes waiting for TSA, allowed me to move up my departure time to an earlier flight with no change fee or additional fare, got me two free drinks on the way home, watched Life of Pi for free, and my free checked bag was the third one out of the chute in DEN. Not bad at all on a $98 one way ticket. Beyond Frontier, I've been on SW, Delta, United in 2013 and there just is no comparison. I should easily qualify for Summit again just with ... time in their seats and I hope the program continues as is going through their upcoming ownership drama. I'm a happy camper.

I don't usually check a bag, but when I do, and they remember to put the purple Priority tag on it, it's usually out with the first bags. The other perks are nice as well - though I had TV and headphone problems on 3/4 flights in the past couple weeks. And I would gladly forgo the free booze (not really looking for a beer at 8AM) if they'd give me one of those breakfast burritos instead. :-)

I was turned away from the priority lane at SEA this week. The lady guarding the entrance told me that Frontier does not participate in allowing priority access at SEA and pointed to a sign showing all the airlines that do participate.

I just checked out Frontiers website and they list SEA as being an airport that participates in priority security. Something isn't right here.

new sign, new lady?

Posts above say that Seattle works for priority.

Yeah, something isn't right.

I used the SEA priority lane on May 11 with no problems, but the post above makes it sound as though Frontier may no longer be allowed.

Has anyone contacted Frontier customer service for clarification yet?

On May 9 on my flight DEN-SEA I was questioned about my use of the priority lane at DEN by the TSA agent on the bridge to Terminal A. I didn't know the TSA did this. I thought that part was under airport control and had nothing to do with the TSA. So far, I've only been checked to see if I'd go into the priority lane or the pre check lane at SEA. Without Frontier's name being included on the new sign, this looks like potentially bad news.

I sent an email to Frontier customer service asking for clarification. I'll report when they respond.

I just heard back from customer service. Apparently I entered the wrong security check point. There are three in SEA. I had gone to the one closet to 'A' gates because that is where Frontier used to be. Now they are in B gates, so I assume I need to go to the check point that is located in the middle of the airport between B and C gates.

Mr. The P,

Excellent question. I called our ticket counter in Seattle and our agents there verified that our Summit and Ascent members still qualify for Priority Security screening, but not all lines are created equal. If you enter security nearest our ticket counter and gate, you'll have the option you want. If you're not sure of the correct location, please ask our agents.