Flying from John Wayne Airport to Las Vegas should be a smooth and exciting start to a trip filled with entertainment. However, for many travelers choosing budget airlines like Frontier, the experience can quickly turn sour, especially when it comes to baggage fees. Our recent encounter with Frontier Airlines serves as a stark warning about the potential pitfalls of budget travel and the importance of carefully reviewing all charges before you fly, particularly on routes like John Wayne To Las Vegas.
Like many, we initially opted for Frontier, attracted by the seemingly low base fares for a quick trip from John Wayne (SNA) to the dazzling lights of Las Vegas. Booking through their app, we encountered what felt like a deceptive practice during the baggage check-in process. The app interface appeared to push us towards purchasing the “business package,” presenting it as the only viable option for travelers needing to check bags. This package, while including two checked bags per person, was overkill for our needs. We were a group of three traveling from John Wayne to Las Vegas with only three bags in total – far less than the six bags the package implied we needed.
Upon arriving at John Wayne Airport, the reality of budget air travel set in. The baggage check-in line was excessively long, and more concerningly, completely unstaffed. As the first in line, our anxiety grew with each passing minute, fearing we would miss our flight to Las Vegas due to the absent baggage attendant. It became clear we weren’t alone in our predicament; numerous other passengers flying from John Wayne to various destinations were also stranded at the unmanned counters.
Frustration mounting, attempts to contact Frontier customer service proved futile. Phone lines went unanswered, leaving us navigating their automated chat system, which offered little in the way of real assistance. In a desperate move, we contacted John Wayne Airport directly, requesting them to page a baggage attendant to the Frontier counter. Eventually, an attendant arrived, and we recounted our ordeal. We explained how the app had led us to pay for double the baggage allowance we required for our John Wayne to Las Vegas flight – a total of six bags when we only had three. The attendant, while sympathetic, advised us to seek a refund from Frontier directly for the unused baggage allowance.
Following her instructions, we once again attempted to engage with Frontier’s customer service. The automated chat system continued to be an obstacle course, but persistence finally connected us with a representative. Explaining the situation – the misleading app interface, the excessive baggage charges for our John Wayne to Las Vegas flight – we were met with a disappointing response. The representative stated they were “unable to assist” with a refund. Only after persistent escalation did they grudgingly issue a customer service ticket, eventually resulting in a flight credit. However, this “resolution” felt more like an insult than a solution. After such a negative experience, the prospect of flying Frontier again, especially from John Wayne to Las Vegas or any other destination, was utterly unappealing. A flight credit for an airline we vowed never to use again was hardly satisfactory.
In the end, Frontier effectively charged us nearly $500 to check just three bags on our John Wayne to Las Vegas flight – a sum that felt exorbitant and unjust. The inflexibility of their customer service and the manipulative tactics observed during the booking process left us with a strong sense of dissatisfaction and a feeling of being unfairly treated. Our experience serves as a cautionary tale for anyone considering Frontier Airlines, particularly for routes like John Wayne to Las Vegas. While budget airlines may offer tempting initial fares, hidden fees and questionable practices can quickly negate any perceived savings, turning a simple flight into a stressful and costly ordeal. Travelers should be acutely aware of potential baggage fee traps and consider whether the savings are truly worth the risk of a compromised travel experience.
