Frontier Airlines: Difference between revisions
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*Collect personal data on passengers before setting the price of seats | *Collect personal data on passengers before setting the price of seats | ||
*Forcing customers to waive their right to sue or join class actions if they enroll in their fly pass program | *Forcing customers to waive their right to sue or join class actions if they enroll in their fly pass program | ||
*Sells passengers' personal information to third parties without | *Sells passengers' personal information to third parties without making opting out readily available | ||
*Making it difficult to check-in for flights online via [[Frontier Airlines Obfuscates Web Check-in Form|web-based check-in]] | *Making it difficult to check-in for flights online via [[Frontier Airlines Obfuscates Web Check-in Form|web-based check-in]] | ||
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There is also a history of charging $35 fee for talking to customer service agents over the phone.<ref>{{Cite web |last=A. |first=Ayah |date=July 21, 2022 |title=Airlines Charging As Much As $35 To Speak To A Phone Rep |url=https://travelnoire.com/airlines-charging-as-much-as-35-to-speak-to-a-phone-rep |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250211131942/https://travelnoire.com/airlines-charging-as-much-as-35-to-speak-to-a-phone-rep |archive-date=February 11, 2025 |access-date=June 10, 2025 |website=Travel Noire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Towey |first=Hannah |date=July 19, 2022 |title=Customers unable to navigate this summer's flight chaos online are getting stuck paying $25 fees to buy or change their tickets over the phone |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/flight-delays-cancelations-25-phone-fees-jetblue-united-customer-service-2022-7 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717220503/https://www.businessinsider.com/flight-delays-cancelations-25-phone-fees-jetblue-united-customer-service-2022-7 |archive-date=July 17, 2024 |access-date=June 10, 2025 |website=Business Insider}}</ref> | There is also a history of charging $35 fee for talking to customer service agents over the phone.<ref>{{Cite web |last=A. |first=Ayah |date=July 21, 2022 |title=Airlines Charging As Much As $35 To Speak To A Phone Rep |url=https://travelnoire.com/airlines-charging-as-much-as-35-to-speak-to-a-phone-rep |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250211131942/https://travelnoire.com/airlines-charging-as-much-as-35-to-speak-to-a-phone-rep |archive-date=February 11, 2025 |access-date=June 10, 2025 |website=Travel Noire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Towey |first=Hannah |date=July 19, 2022 |title=Customers unable to navigate this summer's flight chaos online are getting stuck paying $25 fees to buy or change their tickets over the phone |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/flight-delays-cancelations-25-phone-fees-jetblue-united-customer-service-2022-7 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717220503/https://www.businessinsider.com/flight-delays-cancelations-25-phone-fees-jetblue-united-customer-service-2022-7 |archive-date=July 17, 2024 |access-date=June 10, 2025 |website=Business Insider}}</ref> | ||
As of June 2025, passengers are still charged a $25 "non-refundable" fee for speaking with Frontier airport agents.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 10, 2025 |title=Optional Services |url=https://www.flyfrontier.com/optional-services?mobile=true |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250515220732/https://www.flyfrontier.com/optional-services/?mobile=true |archive-date=May 15, 2025 |access-date=June 10, 2025 |website=Frontier}}</ref> They may qualify for an exemption, though.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 10, 2025 |title=Airport Agent Assistance |url=https://www.flyfrontier.com/travel/travel-info/airport-agent-assistance/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250503201933/https://www.flyfrontier.com/travel/travel-info/Airport-Agent-Assistance |archive-date=May 3, 2025 |access-date=June 10, 2025 |website=Frontier}}</ref> | As of June 2025, passengers are still charged a $25 "non-refundable" fee for speaking with Frontier airport agents.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=June 10, 2025 |title=Optional Services |url=https://www.flyfrontier.com/optional-services?mobile=true |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250515220732/https://www.flyfrontier.com/optional-services/?mobile=true |archive-date=May 15, 2025 |access-date=June 10, 2025 |website=Frontier}}</ref> They may qualify for an exemption, though.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 10, 2025 |title=Airport Agent Assistance |url=https://www.flyfrontier.com/travel/travel-info/airport-agent-assistance/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250503201933/https://www.flyfrontier.com/travel/travel-info/Airport-Agent-Assistance |archive-date=May 3, 2025 |access-date=June 10, 2025 |website=Frontier}}</ref> | ||
In 2022, Frontier shut down its customer service phone hotline, leaving customers only the option to seek support via live chat.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Britt |first=Phil |date=January 23, 2023 |title=Frontier Airlines Hangs up Customer Phone Support. What's the CX Message? |url=https://www.cmswire.com/customer-experience/frontier-airlines-hangs-up-customer-phone-support-whats-the-cx-message/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250412183716/https://www.cmswire.com/customer-experience/frontier-airlines-hangs-up-customer-phone-support-whats-the-cx-message/ |archive-date=April 12, 2025 |access-date=June 10, 2025 |website=CMS Wire}}</ref> This has since been reversed in 2024. | In 2022, Frontier shut down its customer service phone hotline, leaving customers only the option to seek support via live chat.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Britt |first=Phil |date=January 23, 2023 |title=Frontier Airlines Hangs up Customer Phone Support. What's the CX Message? |url=https://www.cmswire.com/customer-experience/frontier-airlines-hangs-up-customer-phone-support-whats-the-cx-message/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250412183716/https://www.cmswire.com/customer-experience/frontier-airlines-hangs-up-customer-phone-support-whats-the-cx-message/ |archive-date=April 12, 2025 |access-date=June 10, 2025 |website=CMS Wire}}</ref> This has since been reversed in 2024. | ||
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A class-action lawsuit alleges that Frontier gate agents utilized the gate-side bag-sizers smaller than the posted size to mislead passengers into paying fees for bags that were actually within size limits.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pradelli |first=Chad |date=November 21, 2023 |title=Lawsuit accuses Frontier Airlines of bogus baggage fees {{!}} Investigation |url=https://6abc.com/frontier-airlines-bag-policy-class-action-lawsuit-flight-fees/14085587/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250326031459/https://6abc.com/frontier-airlines-bag-policy-class-action-lawsuit-flight-fees/14085587/ |archive-date=March 26, 2025 |access-date=Junie 10, 2025 |work=6abc Action News}}</ref> To further push Frontier's budget-focused business model, the bag fee incentives, coupled with their bait-and-switch practice of cheap tickets, and multiple fees, appears to be an overarching strategy to exploit their customers as much as possible so that the airline can make as much money as possible. | A class-action lawsuit alleges that Frontier gate agents utilized the gate-side bag-sizers smaller than the posted size to mislead passengers into paying fees for bags that were actually within size limits.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pradelli |first=Chad |date=November 21, 2023 |title=Lawsuit accuses Frontier Airlines of bogus baggage fees {{!}} Investigation |url=https://6abc.com/frontier-airlines-bag-policy-class-action-lawsuit-flight-fees/14085587/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250326031459/https://6abc.com/frontier-airlines-bag-policy-class-action-lawsuit-flight-fees/14085587/ |archive-date=March 26, 2025 |access-date=Junie 10, 2025 |work=6abc Action News}}</ref> To further push Frontier's budget-focused business model, the bag fee incentives, coupled with their bait-and-switch practice of cheap tickets, and multiple fees, appears to be an overarching strategy to exploit their customers as much as possible so that the airline can make as much money as possible. | ||
=== Controversial and exploitive pricing strategy === | ===Controversial and exploitive pricing strategy=== | ||
Frontier Airlines has been criticized multiple times for collecting personal details from their passengers, like ZIP codes, age, and gender, before showing seat fees at check out.<ref name=":0" /> Suspiciously, other airlines like Delta, American, and United do not ask for personal details before showing the prices of their seats. Frontier and Spirit have faced Senate scrutiny for this practice because it's believed that they use this information to adjust prices for different passengers who purchase tickets for the same flight based on demographic data. | Frontier Airlines has been criticized multiple times for collecting personal details from their passengers, like ZIP codes, age, and gender, before showing seat fees at check out.<ref name=":0" /> Suspiciously, other airlines like Delta, American, and United do not ask for personal details before showing the prices of their seats. Frontier and Spirit have faced Senate scrutiny for this practice because it's believed that they use this information to adjust prices for different passengers who purchase tickets for the same flight based on demographic data. | ||
Not only does this confuse customers about the true prices that Frontier posts, it is an indirect discriminator practice. It is reasonable to assume that Frontier adjusts prices based on: | Not only does this confuse customers about the true prices that Frontier posts, it is an indirect discriminator practice. It is reasonable to assume that Frontier adjusts prices based on: | ||
* ZIP code, which possibly correlates with passengers' income bracket or race | *ZIP code, which possibly correlates with passengers' income bracket or race | ||
* Age, which possible correlates with passengers' ability to pay for a certain price | *Age, which possible correlates with passengers' ability to pay for a certain price | ||
* Gender, which possible correlates with passengers' willingness to pay for a certain price | *Gender, which possible correlates with passengers' willingness to pay for a certain price | ||
=== Forced arbitration via Frontier Airlines "Fly Pass" === | ===Forced arbitration via Frontier Airlines "Fly Pass"=== | ||
Frontier's "GoWild! All You Can Fly" pass requires that members agree to terms that force them to resolve legal disputes outside of court and force them to abstain from joining class actions.<blockquote>"You and Frontier agree to arbitrate all disputes and claims between us... tort, statute, fraud, misrepresentation or any other legal theory... | Frontier's "GoWild! All You Can Fly" pass requires that members agree to terms that force them to resolve legal disputes outside of court and force them to abstain from joining class actions.<blockquote>"You and Frontier agree to arbitrate all disputes and claims between us... tort, statute, fraud, misrepresentation or any other legal theory... | ||
"In addition, by agreeing to resolve disputes through arbitration, You and Frontier agree to each unconditionally waive the right to a trial by jury or to participate in a class action, representative proceeding, or private attorney general action."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Terms and Conditions |url=https://idmonitoring.frontier.com/terms |url-status=live |access-date=June 18 2025}}</ref></blockquote>In 2024, federal Colorado judge, Judge Kathryn A. Starnella dismissed a class action lawsuit filed against Frontier Airlines by fly pass member, Jeriyma Hartsfield for a breach of contract. Despite Hartsfield's attempt to representa class of passengers who also faced a similar situation, the lawsuit was ultimately shot down by Judger Starnella because she deduced that Hartsfield, "had ample opportunity to review the terms, including the arbitration clause, before agreeing to them."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Milano |first=Ashley |date=July 9 2024 |title=Frontier Airlines 'All You Can Fly' Lawsuit Grounded, Heads to Arbitration |url=https://injuryclaims.com/news/other/frontier-airlines-gowild-lawsuit-dismissed |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250326041651/https://injuryclaims.com/news/other/frontier-airlines-gowild-lawsuit-dismissed |archive-date=March 26 2025 |access-date=June 18 2025 |website=Injury Claims}}</ref> Hartsfield was then left to attempt to resolve the matter via arbitration instead of in court. | "In addition, by agreeing to resolve disputes through arbitration, You and Frontier agree to each unconditionally waive the right to a trial by jury or to participate in a class action, representative proceeding, or private attorney general action."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Terms and Conditions |url=https://idmonitoring.frontier.com/terms |url-status=live |access-date=June 18 2025}}</ref></blockquote>In 2024, federal Colorado judge, Judge Kathryn A. Starnella dismissed a class action lawsuit filed against Frontier Airlines by fly pass member, Jeriyma Hartsfield for a breach of contract. Despite Hartsfield's attempt to representa class of passengers who also faced a similar situation, the lawsuit was ultimately shot down by Judger Starnella because she deduced that Hartsfield, "had ample opportunity to review the terms, including the arbitration clause, before agreeing to them."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Milano |first=Ashley |date=July 9 2024 |title=Frontier Airlines 'All You Can Fly' Lawsuit Grounded, Heads to Arbitration |url=https://injuryclaims.com/news/other/frontier-airlines-gowild-lawsuit-dismissed |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250326041651/https://injuryclaims.com/news/other/frontier-airlines-gowild-lawsuit-dismissed |archive-date=March 26 2025 |access-date=June 18 2025 |website=Injury Claims}}</ref> Hartsfield was then left to attempt to resolve the matter via arbitration instead of in court. | ||
=== Lack of transparency with opting out of personal data sharing with third parties === | |||
Frontier Airlines shares its customers personal data with "service providers" and "affiliates."<blockquote>"Frontier Airlines discloses your personal information to third parties for business purposes. When we disclose personal information, we enter an agreement that describes the purpose and requires the recipient to both keep that personal information confidential and not use it for any purpose except in performing the agreement. We provide your personal information for a business purpose to the following categories of third parties: (i) service providers; (ii) our affiliates and codeshare partner; and (iii) third parties to which you authorize Frontier Airlines to disclose your personal information in connection with products or services you elect to purchase from them."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Privacy Policy For California Residents |url=https://www.flyfrontier.com/legal/california-privacy-policy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250606081427/https://www.flyfrontier.com/legal/california-privacy-policy/ |archive-date=June 6 2025 |access-date=June 18 2025 |website=Frontier Airlines California Privacy Policy}}</ref></blockquote>In addition to personal data sharing, some of this sharing may count as selling of personal data under California law. Like with most companies, the mechanisms for opting out of these practices are buried in complex legal paragraphs, and they not made clearly available for customers. Of course, these terms only apply to passengers who are residents of California because of the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Passengers outside of the state of California do not currently receive the same comprehensive rights of legal California residents in this case. | |||
===Obfuscating web-based check-in and charging passengers for it=== | ===Obfuscating web-based check-in and charging passengers for it=== | ||
To be | Frontier Airlines has a suspicious history of technical glitches and errors with their website and mobile application when customers attempt to check in for their flight online.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Leff |first=Gary |date=May 3 2025 |title="Never Flying This Airline Again”—Watch As Frontier Threatens Ban, Calls Police When Passenger Complains About $25 Fee Just To Check In |url=https://viewfromthewing.com/never-flying-this-airline-again-watch-as-frontier-threatens-ban-calls-police-when-passenger-complains-about-25-fee-just-to-check-in/comment-page-1/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 18 2025 |work=View from the Wing}}</ref> In addition to the technical inconveniences, passengers have reported long wait times for customer service and unresponsive support from customer service while seeking assistance with these online check-in issues. Passengers who checked in late, some no doubt due to the technical issues, were charged unexpected fees for doing so.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fenton |first=Reuven |date=May 7 2025 |title=Frontier Airlines agents jeer at passenger after hitting him with surprise fee: ‘You thought you were gonna get on your flight?’ |url=https://nypost.com/2025/05/07/us-news/frontier-airlines-staff-taunt-passenger-trying-to-check-in-hit-him-with-25-fee-video/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250517034451/https://nypost.com/2025/05/07/us-news/frontier-airlines-staff-taunt-passenger-trying-to-check-in-hit-him-with-25-fee-video/ |archive-date=May 17 2025 |access-date=June 18 2025 |work=New York Post}}</ref> | ||
In 2023, Frontier's check-in form used to be readily available on the front page of their website. In 2024, passengers were then instructed to perform an additional step before checking in online: downloading the Frontier mobile app: [[Frontier Airlines Obfuscates Web Check-in Form]] | |||
As on June 2025, passengers must pay a $5 "Web Check In" fee to check in on Frontier's website.<ref name=":1" /> | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
[[Category:Frontier Airlines]] | [[Category:Frontier Airlines]] |