Frontier's GoWild Pass Comes With Major Hidden Restrictions

Frontier Airlines' all-you-can-fly GoWild pass has delivered frustration instead of flexibility for some customers who purchased the $699 travel deal.

The GoWild pass allows unlimited flights, domestic or international, over a three-month period. But the pass comes with major restrictions that Frontier does not proactively advertise, leaving some feeling misled.

The biggest constraint is that GoWild pass holders cannot book domestic flights more than 24 hours before departure. They can reserve international flights up to 10 days out. This limited advance booking window has made it impossible for some pass holders to plan trips and book preferred flights.

Denise Smith, a resident of the San Francisco Bay Area, first went on five trips using her GoWild pass in April and May. But come June, she suddenly could not find any Frontier flights to book. After fruitlessly contacting customer service, Smith says she can now only book flights through other airlines at higher fares.

I have a few more travels scheduled until September, which is the reason I did this. "It's quite frustrating not being able to use the pass," she remarked.

Frontier maintains that nothing has changed recently with how the GoWild pass functions. The airline says the pass is tailored toward retirees, remote workers, and college students who have flexible schedules and can travel at the last minute.

But those who do not grasp the significant constraints have vented their dissatisfaction. Some started online forums to trade tips on navigating the pass's limitations.

"It truly provides unrestricted availability of unoccupied seats," stated Jacob Brown, an educator in Denver who oversees a GoWild Facebook group with 10,000 members. "However, it is currently summer, and many people are planning trips to Disney World and Vegas, resulting in flights being quite crowded."

For pass holders departing from cities without major Frontier hubs, finding seat availability can prove even more difficult. Michael Mastronardi, based in Orange County, California, shared his frustrations in a viral TikTok video.

Mastronardi ultimately booked a trip to the Bahamas with two overnight layovers using the pass. But he will have to keep “day-to-day checking” for his return flight home.

I currently regret having it. "I would have preferred to have the money in my pocket to spend," he remarked.

Some of the disgruntlement stems from the pass’s unclear terms combined with Frontier’s sparse customer assistance. The airline concedes the pass requires relinquishing some control over travel plans.

“The whole point of the community, I would hope, is that we can help people make the most of it,” said Brown of his Facebook group. "So knowing how to utilize the pass, destinations to visit, discounts once you're there, ways to save on lodging, things of that nature."

To address GoWild’s lack of online search tools, software developer Brad Nelson created a text alert service that finds available Frontier flights from specific airports. Nelson said over 1,000 people have used the tool so far. He is also building a website called the 1491 Club to further help people maximize the pass.

"It has become a more positive experience as individuals are recognizing the worth of the pass," Nelson stated. "It used to be difficult to find."

Still, stories of GoWild customers feeling duped persist. Besides its literature not being fully transparent about restrictions, Frontier’s online booking process shows regular fare options that may not actually be available for pass holders.

When selecting flights to book, the fees shown are the regular fares. But pass holders report getting an error at checkout telling them that flight is not accessible. This creates further confusion over what flights they can actually reserve.

Frontier maintains that the pass works as advertised. The airline just emphasizes that flexibility and spontaneity are required to benefit from the steeply discounted deal.

But consumer advocates argue Frontier should be more upfront about the significant trade-offs customers make, especially given the pass’s hefty $699 price.

“It’s advertised as having unlimited flights, but there are definitely limitations,” said Scott Keyes, founder of Scott’s Cheap Flights. “Any company selling a travel product has an obligation to proactively disclose the restrictions.”

While Keyes notes there is inherent value for spontaneous travelers, he believes the airline must improve transparency around the pass's constraints to avoid misleading people.

As complaints mounted this summer, more media coverage has helped illuminate that GoWild works best for retirees, remote workers or others with wide-open schedules. Still, consumer confusion persists.

“A lot of people definitely felt it was deceptive marketing,” Keyes said. “If more people had known how restrictive it was, many wouldn't have purchased it.”

Frustrated customers like Smith remain adamant that Frontier needs to better spell out the significant trade-offs upfront. But the airline maintains it has properly showcased the opportunities and limitations.

“I feel very frustrated,” Smith said. I have a few more travels scheduled till September, which is why I did this. It's quite disappointing to be unable to use the pass.