Book 2 for the price of 1: Frontier launches generous Companion Travel perk for elites

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The U.S. airline industry's newest companion pass just launched, allowing passengers to purchase a ticket and bring a friend or family member along for free (though you'll need to pay the associated taxes and fees).

Frontier Airlines went live with its new buy-one, get-one perk for frequent flyers who qualify for top-tier elite status in its Frontier Miles loyalty program. Under the new companion setup, Frontier Miles members who earn Platinum or Diamond status will be allowed to bring a guest for free — as long as there's room on board the flight.

It's an enticing new benefit, which TPG first reported on last December on the same day Frontier revealed its plans to add first-class seats to its planes.

"We are laser-focused on delivering real value and rewards to customers left behind by other airline loyalty programs, and our new companion travel shows our commitment to offering convenience, flexibility and our signature affordability," Frontier chief commercial officer Bobby Schroeter said in a statement.

How to earn Companion Travel on Frontier

With this new companion offering, Frontier will compete with Southwest Airlines for one of the most generous fly-for-free perks offered by a U.S. airline.

However, unlike Southwest's famous Companion Pass, Frontier Miles elite members who earn the perk won't have to select a designated companion — they can bring a different friend or relative each time they fly.

To earn the Frontier's Companion Travel perk, passengers will need to reach at least Platinum elite status, the second-highest rung on its four-tiered status ladder (Frontier also offers the benefit, of course, to its highest tier, Diamond).

Frontier Miles members qualify for Platinum at 50,000 status points in the qualifying year.

As a reminder, members can earn Frontier status in a couple of ways:

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• Earning 10 status points per $1 spent on Frontier purchases, such as flights and ancillary purchases
• Earning 1 status point per $1 spent on the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard®. The card has a $99 annual fee.

The information for the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issue.

TPG's Nick Ewen: Why the Frontier Airlines Mastercard became the newest credit card in my wallet

How to book

Travelers who qualify for Companion Travel on Frontier should book a flight on the airline's website or mobile app. You'll want to sign into your loyalty account and reserve a flight for two people, applying the companion benefit to your traveling partner.

Note that your companion will need a Frontier Miles number to be eligible to join you. Additionally, expect to pay some nominal taxes and fees.

Upping the ante on elite status

Frontier hopes that adding a companion pass perk to its elite status equation will inspire more travelers to fly with the budget carrier, and focus attention on its loyalty program and cobranded credit card.

While the airline doesn't have the network that Southwest boasts, this new elite status deal-sweetener will likely serve as a reason for more flyers to give the carrier another look. Who wouldn't want to book two flights for the price of one?

That's not the only new benefit Frontier has lined up; the airline also plans to start offering status upgrades to its new first-class seats once they start appearing on its planes, which is expected later this year.

Related reading:

• When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
• The best airline credit cards
• What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• What are points and miles worth? TPG's monthly valuations