Frontier’s New Add-On Flips the Script on Flight Disruptions—for a Fee
For a small fee, Frontier’s new “Disruption Assistance for Any Reason” gives flyers rare power: rebook instantly or take the cash
Photo: Frontier Airlines. Courtesy of David Syphers / Unsplash
A new add-on available with your Frontier Airlines fare will rebook you on an alternate flight, including with other airlines, or offer a cash refund in the event of a cancellation or long delay.
The Disruption Assistance for Any Reason add-on, available to purchase on Frontier’s booking website and coming soon to its mobile app, seems to be priced based on the fare.
How does it Work?
For example, Frommer’s found that the protection was priced at just $3.50 per direction, or $7 total, for a $92 round-trip flight between Atlanta (ATL) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL), with a rebooking limit of $500. If you don’t accept your rebooking options, you can keep your original flight and receive a full refund for the ticket price.
On a longer round-trip $381 journey between New York City and Boise (BOI), the protection is priced at $21 per direction, or $42 total, with maximum coverage of $1,400.
Photo: Courtesy of Frontier
Frontier passengers who purchase the Disruption Assistance add-on will be automatically contacted digitally in the event of a same-day cancellation or delay of more than two hours.
They’ll be directed through a self-service rebooking pathway, with options to rebook “on any airline to the same destination for the same or next day” or accept a full cash refund and remain booked with Frontier.
An Industry-First Approach
The assistance service was developed with HTS, the B2B division of travel platform Hopper, and harnesses “its data advantage and AI-driven travel technology.” It’s also an industry-first for a U.S. airline.
“This offering reflects our continued commitment to building The New Frontier—where travelers have more control, greater transparency, and added confidence every step of the way,” Bobby Schroeter, Chief Commercial Officer at Frontier, said.
Photo: Courtesy of Frontier Airlines
“By providing smarter, faster solutions when plans change, we’re making flying easier and more customer-centric than ever before.”
“Disruption Assistance for Any Reason helps convert travel uncertainty into loyalty, empowering customers with real-time choices when they matter most,” Ella Alkalay Schriber, SVP & GM of Fintech at Hopper, added.
How It Compares to Current Proposals
If these protections sound a little familiar, you may have flown within the European Union or paid attention to the proposals of the Department of Transportation under the Biden administration.
On flights within the EU, travelers whose flights are canceled or delayed for more than three hours are entitled to automatic compensation of between €250 ($285) and €600 ($684), depending on the length of the flight.
Travelers also have the right to be rebooked, including with another airline, although in practice, passengers often have to be very assertive to claim this right. Airlines also cover meals and accommodation during disruptions.
Photo: Courtesy of Chris Brignola / Unsplash
While the EU has recently announced plans to water down these protections, extending the delay times required for compensation and reducing compensation amounts, these rights remain world-leading and are offered automatically and free of charge.
The Biden administration cited these EU air passenger rights when it proposed increased protections for U.S. air travelers in 2023. The administration’s proposals included:
- Cash compensation of between $200 and $750 for delays within the airline’s control
- Free rebooking, including with competitor airlines
- Meals, hotel, and ground transportation during disruptions
The proposals hadn’t been enacted when Biden left office in January, and the Trump administration, which has aligned itself more with airlines than their customers, is very unlikely to pick them up again.
Instead, Frontier is offering some similar protections for travelers, albeit at a price. Their new Disruption Assistance for Any Reason acts much like an insurance policy for their flights.
Photo: Courtesy of Rodrigo Pereira / Unsplash
Around 3 percent of Frontier flights were canceled last year. It’s harder to find data about delays of over two hours, but if you’re not comfortable with those odds, you may want to consider purchasing additional protection.
If you are disrupted, the service will also streamline rebooking, allowing you to handle it yourself rather than waiting in a line at the Frontier desk at the airport or calling their phone lines.
