Now that Alaska Airlines is absorbing Virgin America, more West Coast travelers will be flying with the Seattle-based carrier and encountering the airline’s checked bag fee.
Alaska’s baggage fees are fixed, meaning they do not fluctuate depending on when you make the baggage reservation. In other words, you can pay for your luggage while booking your airfare or wait until you reach the airport check-in counter. Either way, the price will remain the same.
For travelers frustrated by the charge, it’s not all bad news. In 2010, the Seattle-based carrier made many customers happy with its “20-minute Baggage Guarantee.” Here’s the pledge: for every incoming domestic flight on Alaska Airlines, all bags will be delivered to the baggage carousel within twenty minutes of arriving at the gate. Otherwise, you receive a $25 voucher for your next Alaska Airlines flight.
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What’s the Deal?
Alaska Airlines currently charges $30 for your first piece of checked luggage and $40 for your second. The cost jumps to $100 for the third and each additional bag thereafter. Overweight (heavier than 50 pounds) or oversized bags will incur a $100 fee. Light packers are in the clear; every passenger is allowed one carry-on item and one personal item (such as a purse, small backpack, or briefcase).
What’s the Catch?
Alaska has a unique exception to its baggage policy: Hawaiian pineapples. According to the airline’s website, any passenger flying out of Honolulu, Kona, Maui, or Kauai to somewhere in the continental United States or Alaska is entitled to one free checked item, as long as it is a box containing pineapples. Seriously.
If you are traveling with more than two checked bags, it is advisable to check Alaska’s website first, as certain flight routes (such as Dillingham, Guadalajara, King Salmon, and a few others) during peak season may impose a two-bag limit. Although this typically won’t affect most travelers, it’s best to be informed.
Moreover, there are additional exceptions. If you are traveling solely within the state of Alaska, you can check up to three bags completely free of charge. Fees are also waived for First Class passengers (who can check two bags for free) and U.S. military personnel (who can check five bags for free).
Finally, if you participate in one of the airline’s loyalty programs, you may be eligible for up to two free checked bags.
