Should you sign up for Frontier's Discount Den or the new Spirit Saver$ Club?

Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines, the two largest ultra-low-cost carriers in the U.S., share many similarities. Both offer low ticket prices while charging extra for nearly everything else. They also provide paid membership options that promise exclusive discounts, distinct from their loyalty programs, which allow travelers to earn miles and gain elite status.

Both Frontier's Discount Den and the Spirit Saver$ Club—previously known as the $9 Fare Club—can lead to significant savings. Typically, they offer discounts of $10-30 per flight, along with unique perks like free flights for children and reduced fees for bags and seat selections. However, these programs may be more beneficial for families or groups rather than solo travelers.

Given Spirit's recent program overhaul, we're comparing both memberships side by side to help you determine which one, if either, is right for you. Reports indicate that the membership fees for both programs often qualify for American Express airline fee credits, potentially making your membership free.

New to Dinogo? Sign up for our daily newsletter and explore our beginner's guide.

A Comparison of Discount Den and Spirit Saver$ Club

Before we explore the details of each program, let's provide a brief overview of both. While they share many similarities, there are notable differences in pricing and benefits.

Discount Den

Pricing

The fee for Frontier Airlines' Discount Den is slightly less than that of Spirit's Saver$ Club. A membership costs $59.99, granting you access for a full year. Your membership will automatically renew the following year, but you have the option to cancel anytime.

To enroll in Discount Den, you need to meet certain criteria. First, you must be a member of Frontier's frequent flyer program, Frontier Miles. Additionally, you need to be at least 18 years old.

If you hold Frontier elite status, you could qualify for a complimentary or discounted Discount Den membership. Elite 50K members receive a 50% discount, while Elite 100K members get their membership for free.

Advantages

The main advantage of this program is access to discounted Discount Den fares. Our findings suggest that these fares are generally $10-30 less than standard rates, meaning you would need to take between 2 and 6 flights annually to justify the membership cost. You can easily compare regular Frontier fares with Discount Den fares by searching for routes on the airline's website.

Another significant advantage is access to Frontier's "Kids Fly Free" promotion. This offer allows children aged 15 and under to fly for free when traveling with a Discount Den member on select flights. Although there are some restrictions on eligible flights, this benefit can greatly reduce costs for families. Bookings must be round-trip, nonstop domestic flights made at least three days in advance and cannot coincide with Frontier's blackout dates.

As long as the member is included in the reservation, you can secure discounted fares for up to six passengers.

Spirit Saver$ Club

Cost

The revamped Saver$ Club has introduced new membership options and pricing. A one-year membership now costs $69.95, without any discounts during the first year or trial options. However, you can save $5 by choosing an 18-month membership for $99.90, or save $10 with a 24-month membership priced at $129.90.

Even with the 24-month option, the minimum annual fee you would pay is $64.95, which is still higher than the Discount Den. Like Frontier's program, the membership fee must be paid in advance, is nonrefundable, and renews automatically.

Current members of the $9 Fare Club have been automatically migrated to the new program.

Advantages

Similar to Discount Den, the Spirit Saver$ Club provides access to special discounted fares. On average, you can expect to save between $10 and $30 per ticket, although larger discounts are sometimes available, particularly for last-minute bookings. But that’s just the beginning.

Savings depend on the flight, but Saver$ Club members can enjoy discounts of up to 50% on checked and carry-on baggage fees. Members also receive reduced rates on seat assignments, including Big Front Seats and exit row seats. New benefits include discounts on À La Smarte options, like shortcut security, priority boarding, and Flight Flex.

While specific details are still pending, Spirit has indicated that members will soon receive exclusive offers from various partners.

Similar to Frontier's program, these benefits can also be utilized for friends and family traveling with you. While this might not matter for most, Spirit enhances the offer by allowing perks for up to eight guests on a single reservation, compared to six with Frontier.

Recent updates to Spirit's membership introduce several improvements to its frequent flyer program. The new Free Spirit program includes legitimate elite status tiers that provide real benefits, such as complimentary seat assignments and waived bag fees. Additionally, all elite members and Spirit Airlines credit cardholders can now pool their points together.

Which option should you choose?

Both Discount Den and Saver$ Club provide valuable offerings. The best choice ultimately hinges on your loyalty to either Frontier or Spirit.

Both programs generally offer the most value to frequent travelers or those who travel in groups—the more you fly, the more you save. Discount Den’s Kids Fly Free perk is particularly attractive for families with young children. However, considering the limitations and the already low fares with Frontier, Saver$ Club's discounts on baggage and seat assignments could end up being more beneficial overall.

In either case, a family of four can easily recover the annual fee with just one vacation per year. However, due to the discounts on baggage and other extras, the Saver$ Club might be more appealing for individual travelers.

If you determine that joining one of these programs is beneficial, wait before signing up. Since your membership activates immediately upon registration, it’s best to enroll only when you have a specific trip in mind.