Qwest and Frontier Launch Communications Program for Frontier EarlyRet

    Business Editors/Technology Writers/Travel Writers

    DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 4, 2005--

Members Now Able to Earn up to 21,000 Miles Toward Free Flights When
    They Purchase Qwest Services

    More than 700,000 Frontier EarlyReturns members in Qwest's 14-state local service territory can now earn miles toward free roundtrip flights when they purchase Qwest products and services.
    As a result of Qwest's participation in Frontier's EarlyReturns Partner Program, EarlyReturns members -- Frontier's frequent flyers -- can earn up to 21,000 air miles with the purchase of Qwest services including DSL with MSN, long-distance, wireless and digital TV. And, when EarlyReturns members purchase more than one Qwest service, they can earn additional bonus miles.
    "Qwest's participation in the Frontier EarlyReturns Partner Program is another way Qwest is making it easier for consumers to purchase Qwest services," said Jim Vogel, vice president of sales for Qwest. "By bringing Qwest services to the places where consumers play and travel, we are making it more convenient for them to do business with the company, and rewarding them with valuable air miles from a leading airline when they purchase Qwest services."
    "Our frequent flyers have told us they want more ways to earn miles, so we are pleased to be able to offer this great partnership with Qwest to reward them for their loyalty to Frontier," said Andrew Hudson, senior director of marketing and communications for Frontier Airlines. "The value of this relationship to Frontier is that we can offer yet another way for our most loyal customers to earn miles by tapping into the products and services they use on a daily basis."
    Major airline carriers estimate that approximately 50 percent of air miles are currently earned without even leaving the ground through arrangements like the one between Qwest and Frontier.
    The Frontier EarlyReturns Partner Program represents the latest way in which Qwest is making it easier for customers to do business with the company. Customers who want to purchase Qwest services and earn miles toward a free flight on Frontier Airlines can call Qwest at 1 877-9 FLY NOW (1 877-935-9669).
    Launched in February 2001, Frontier's EarlyReturns frequent flyer program has grown to over one million members in just four years and finished third place for "Best Program of the Year" at the 2004 Freddie Awards for frequent flyer programs. Frontier attributes the success of the program to its aggressive mileage redemption levels -- at 15,000 miles for a free ticket anywhere in the U.S. and Alaska, it is the lowest in the industry. In addition, for only 25,000 miles, frequent flyers can use miles to reach any one of five Frontier destinations in Mexico.

    About Qwest

    Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE:Q) is a leading provider of voice, video and data services. With more than 40,000 employees, Qwest is committed to the "Spirit of Service" and providing world-class services that exceed customers' expectations for quality, value and reliability. For more information, please visit the Qwest Web site at www.qwest.com.

    About Frontier

    Currently in its 11th year of operations, Denver-based Frontier Airlines is the second largest jet service carrier at Denver International Airport with a fleet of 44 aircraft and employing approximately 4,550 aviation professionals. Frontier, in conjunction with Frontier JetExpress operated by Horizon Air, operates routes linking our Denver hub to 43 destinations in 25 states spanning the nation from coast-to-coast and to five cities in Mexico. Frontier's maintenance and engineering department has received the Federal Aviation Administration's highest award, the Diamond Certificate of Excellence, in recognition of 100 percent of its maintenance and engineering employees completing advanced aircraft maintenance training programs, for six consecutive years. In July 2004, Frontier ranked as one of the "Top 10 Domestic Airlines" as determined by readers of Travel & Leisure magazine. Frontier provides capacity information and other operating statistics on its Web site, which may be viewed at www.frontierairlines.com.

    Forward Looking Statement Note

    This release may contain projections and other forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements may differ materially from actual future events or results. Readers are referred to the documents filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically the most recent reports which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: access line losses due to increased competition, including from technology substitution of our access lines with wireless and cable alternatives; our substantial indebtedness, and our inability to complete any efforts to de-lever our balance sheet through asset sales or other transactions; any adverse outcome of the current investigation by the U.S. Attorney's office in Denver into certain matters relating to us; adverse results of increased review and scrutiny by regulatory authorities, media and others (including any internal analyses) of financial reporting issues and practices or otherwise; rapid and significant changes in technology and markets; any adverse developments in commercial disputes or legal proceedings, including any adverse outcome of current or future legal proceedings related to matters that are the subject of governmental investigations, and, to the extent not covered by insurance, if any, our inability to satisfy any resulting obligations from funds available to us, if any; potential fluctuations in quarterly results; volatility of our stock price; intense competition in the markets in which we compete including the likelihood of certain of our competitors consolidating with other providers or otherwise reorganizing their capital structure to more effectively compete against us; changes in demand for our products and services; acceleration of the deployment of advanced new services, such as broadband data, wireless and video services, which could require substantial expenditure of financial and other resources in excess of contemplated levels; higher than anticipated employee levels, capital expenditures and operating expenses; adverse changes in the regulatory or legislative environment affecting our business; changes in the outcome of future events from the assumed outcome included in our significant accounting policies; and our ability to utilize net operating losses in projected amounts.
    The information contained in this release is a statement of Qwest's present intention, belief or expectation and is based upon, among other things, the existing regulatory environment, industry conditions, market conditions and prices, the economy in general and Qwest's assumptions. Qwest may change its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in Qwest's assumptions or otherwise. The cautionary statements contained or referred to in this release should be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that Qwest or persons acting on its behalf may issue. This release may include analysts' estimates and other information prepared by third parties for which Qwest assumes no responsibility.
    Qwest undertakes no obligation to review or confirm analysts' expectations or estimates or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements and other statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
    By including any information in this release, Qwest does not necessarily acknowledge that disclosure of such information is required by applicable law or that the information is material.

    The Qwest logo is a registered trademark of Qwest Communications International Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries.

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CONTACT: Qwest Silvia McLachlan, 303-965-3424 (Media Contact) silvia.mclachlan@qwest.com or Stephanie Comfort, 800-567-7296 (Investor Contact) IR@qwest.com or Frontier Joe Hodas, 720-374-4504 (Media Contact) Cell: 720-231-8145

KEYWORD: COLORADO INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TRAVEL AIRLINES TRANSPORTATION TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORKING MARKETING AGREEMENTS SOURCE: Qwest Communications International Inc.

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