Low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines has officially opened sales for its all-you-can-fly flight subscription, set to launch in May 2023. The GoWild! Pass is currently available on the carrier’s website offering pass holders unlimited flights across the carrier’s entire US network.
Deal details
Starting May 2, 2023, the GoWild! Pass spans across a 12-month period, allowing pass holders to book unlimited flights within the United States, including Puerto Rico, for just $599. Passengers are still required to pay $0.01 in airfare, with the pass not covering potential taxes, fees, and charges, not unlike stand-by flights offered by airlines to their employees. Typical add-ons such as baggage and seats still require purchase through Frontier Airlines’ website.
Flights can only be confirmed the day before travel and are available 300 days a year. Peak times appear to be subject to blackout periods, with holidays including Easter, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Christmas exempt from bookings. While pass holders cannot earn miles or status on their Frontier Miles accounts when booking GoWild! flights, travel with the pass will extend the expiration of account miles.
Regardless, Frontier Airlines remains optimistic about the service – touting its primary ability to provide holidaymakers seeking exciting new destinations with flexible travel.
“The GoWild! Pass is a terrific opportunity for people with flexible schedules who can hop on a flight on short notice and take advantage of the huge number of airplane seats that go empty each year,” noted Barry Biffle, Frontier Airlines CEO.
“We invite our pass holders to explore new cities, visit friends and family, and fly from snow to sun and back as often as they like with the freedom and flexibility of the GoWild!™ All-You-Can-Fly Pass.”
The fine print and further details are available on Frontier Airlines’ website, with sales of the pass offered on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis through November 17.
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Flight subscriptions
While an exciting new service for U.S.-based holidaymakers, Frontier Airlines is not the first to offer flight subscriptions. Despite a popular yet ultimately economically unsuccessful American Airlines scheme in the 1980s, the current flight subscription model has seen a creeping rise in prominence over the past several years.
Behind Frontier Airlines, Alaska Airlines is the latest carrier to offer a flight subscription, offering a range of ‘Mileage Plans’ for West Coast travelers, starting at $49 per month. Several other carriers, including United Airlines, AirAsia X, and New Zealand’s Sounds Air, have also moved to offer similar services with varied requirements, fees, and packages.
However, some passengers remain skeptical of the alleged cost-effectiveness of all-you-can-fly subscriptions. Most passes only cover base airfare, accounting for around half of a ticket’s price. Airport taxes and charges are scarcely included in flight plans, potentially racking up expenses for holidaymakers.
It’s not all negatives though; flight passes can be incredibly efficient for the right traveler. The usefulness of a subscription service is largely dependent on an airline, its network, and passenger preferences, with the model appearing to tip the scale towards weekend jet-setters looking to explore new cities during their time off.
What are your thoughts on Frontier Airlines’ GoWild Pass? Would you like to see the pass expand internationally? Let us know in the comments.