As noted in this morning's Rocky Mountain News, and as forecast by Randy Peterson in Inside Flyer a few issues ago, Frontier will announce a customer loyalty program next Wednesday, January 24th. The article mentioned Mileage Plus by name as its main competition. Should be interesting to see what it will look like!

Well, details are out on F9's website and the program looks pretty good for a small carrier. Best part is free anywhere roundtrip, valid throughout the year, for 15k miles. Two elite levels are offered but the bonuses and perks aren't too spectacular, IMO. Air partners are Midwest Express, CO and Virgin. Only 1 hotel partner, Kimpton (?)...all in all, not a bad effort and another reason to fly on this fine little airline.

Thanks for the posting on their new program. I agree that everyone should try this very good niche carrier--they offer THE most professional flight crews, seasoned pilots, low fares and soon, new A-319 airplanes. Glad to see they're sticking with CO as a partner. Anyone who hasn't tried them is missing a good deal.

Frontier Launching EarlyReturns Program

Frontier Airlines announced details of its new EarlyReturns FF program to launch 2/1.

Briefly--

Partners

CO, Midwest Express, Virgin, Alamo, Hertz, National, Payless Car Rental, Kimpton Hotels & Citicorp Diners Club.

Awards

EarlyReturns awards begin with one FREE roundtrip flight anywhere Frontier goes at 15,000 miles.

Elite Levels

2 elite levels, Ascent for those earning between 15,000 - 24,999 miles on Frontier/yr, and Summit for earning 25,000 or more Frontier miles.

Ascent members receive a 10% bonus on Frontier flights, priority check-in and boarding and a dedicated customer-service number.

Summit members get this and a 25% Frontier mileage bonus, free drinks aloft, extra baggage allowance, guaranteed reservations when flying full-Y and booking at least 72 hours in advance.

Statements

By snail-mail every 3 months, also available online.
www.frontierairlines.com

I'm surprised that F9 didn't include a 50k tier with a 100% bonus, but maybe they have so few fliers at that level that it's not worth the effort.

15,000 miles is great for a coast-to-coast award. Does anybody know if it's in capacity controlled or unrestricted inventory?

15k is capacity controlled, unrestricted is 30k

I wish they would consider pushing the envelope a little bit for their top tier fliers, as it would help all of us even those that don't fly F9.

Some benefits that would get my attention are:
1. Allow you to confirm at no charge same-day time changes on restricted tickets if the same fare class is available.
2. Relax capacity controls for award travel ticketed more than 30 days in advance to take inventory from the highest non-refundable fare code, not the normal stingiest award code.
3. Southwest's "Companion Pass" idea - fly 100 segments, and somebody travels free with you for a year.

I got the membership stuff in the mail on Saturday and you get 3,000 bonus miles for a flight (does not say round trip!) between Feb 1 and April 30!!

Additionally, 3,000 mile first flight bonus applies from 2/1 through 4/30.

Frontier Airlines (Nasdaq: FRNT - news) today launched its own frequent flyer plan, EarlyReturns, which offers some of the fastest returns and most generous benefits in the industry. To celebrate the new program, the airline is offering a sign-up bonus of 1,500 activation miles for customers who apply for membership and fly on Frontier by May 24, 2001. Customers can earn an additional 500 miles by booking on-line and flying on Frontier by May 24, 2001.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010201/co_frontie.html

Any idea if Frontier will open an airport lounge that will have recriprocity with XY's lounge in MKE?

FWIW, Frontier Airlines has also settled on a new paint scheme for its new Airbus fleet. The carrier's logo will span the entire fuselage in large, silver letters, while the engine cowlings get a new coat of green paint