Michael Turner
Who often avoids fees: Elite-status travelers and holders of the carrier’s co-branded credit card commonly receive at least one complimentary checked item. Active military traveling under orders generally have fees waived on checked items on qualifying itineraries.
Size and weight rules: standard checked allowance is up to 50 lb (23 kg) and 62 linear inches (length + width + height). Overweight fees usually begin at 51–100 lb (23–45 kg); oversize fees apply when linear dimensions exceed 62 inches. Special items such as sports gear and musical instruments may incur separate surcharges or require advance notification.
Practical recommendations: Prepay checked items online to secure lower rates than airport purchases; consolidate belongings into one bag under 50 lb when possible; carry a compliant personal item plus a carry-on to minimize checked pieces; confirm the baggage allowance shown on your itinerary and on the carrier website before travel to avoid surprises.
Baggage fees, waivers and practical tactics
Buy the carrier’s co‑branded Visa; it waives the first checked bag and applies to the cardholder plus up to six companions on the same reservation.
Quick policy snapshot:
- Carry-on: one overhead item plus one personal item included with most tickets; confirm eligibility at booking if a basic fare limits overhead stowage.
- Checked pieces: first checked piece $30, second $40 when purchased online or at the airport; overweight surcharges begin at 51 lb, oversized surcharges when combined dimensions exceed 62 linear inches.
- Weight thresholds: standard limit 50 lb per checked piece; items between 51–100 lb incur overweight fees; items above 100 lb typically require cargo arrangements.
- Exceptions: active duty military, elite status members, and passengers holding certain premium fares receive waived checked-piece privileges.
Fee-reduction tactics:
- Use the carrier’s Visa on the reservation to eliminate the first checked-piece fee across the booking.
- Enroll in the airline’s frequent-flier program and target status tiers that grant complimentary checked pieces.
- Pre-pay checked items during online check-in; airport-counter rates can be higher.
- Compress garments with vacuum bags and keep each checked piece at or below 50 lb to avoid overweight penalties.
- Ship bulky or heavy items by ground when dimensional or weight penalties would exceed shipping costs.
Packing tools and small-gear suggestions: carry a compact umbrella inside the overhead or personal item and protect the shaft with an impact-rated mount; see best impact umbrella mount.
Checked-bag fees by fare class and route
Choose a fare that includes at least one checked bag on Hawaii, Mexico, Central American and long domestic sectors; prepay online to reduce per-bag costs.
Main Cabin (standard economy): domestic U.S. routes typically assess a $30 fee for the first checked bag and $40 for the second; third bags commonly cost around $100. Short-haul international segments to Canada or Mexico usually mirror domestic first/second-bag pricing but can vary by route.
Basic Saver / Basic Economy-style fares: no checked bag allowance included. Expect to pay the same per-bag retail rates as Main Cabin when adding a bag, with online prepayment usually cheaper than airport transactions.
Premium cabins (Premium Class, First): usually include at least one checked bag with the fare; some premium tickets include two. Confirm included allowance at booking when traveling to Hawaii or international destinations, since route-based differences apply.
Elite status and co-branded credit card benefits: elite members and primary cardholders receive one or more free checked bags depending on tier level and card rules. Apply elite or card benefits during booking to ensure automatic waiver of applicable bag fees.
Hawaii and long transcontinental flights: expect higher secondary and oversize/overweight fees compared to short domestic hops. Typical ranges: first bag $30, second $40, overweight 51–100 lb around $100, oversized items starting near $100; exact amounts depend on route and weight/dimensions.
Recommendations: add checked bags while managing the reservation online to secure lower rates; verify included allowances printed on the ticket and compare bundled fares that explicitly state included checked-bag quantities when planning travel to islands or cross-border destinations.
Carry-on allowance: free items and when fees apply
To avoid extra fees, select a Main fare or higher at purchase or keep belongings to a single personal bag that fits under the seat.
| Fare class | Personal item | Overhead carry-on | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saver (lowest) | Yes – must fit under seat | Not included; overhead bag may be gate-checked at no fee or require an upgrade at booking/airport | Best option only if you can fit everything into a personal item |
| Main Cabin | Yes | Yes – one standard-size bag | Standard allowance on domestic flights; priority boarding increases access to bins |
| Premium/First | Yes | Yes – same standard-size allowance | Includes priority boarding and earlier bin access |
| Elite members / Cardholders | Yes | Yes | Priority boarding often granted, improving overhead space availability; some cards add checked-bag benefits |
| Infant on lap | Diaper bag plus personal item | Stroller and car seat accepted gate-checked at no fee | Strollers normally checked at the gate; larger child equipment handled separately |
Size, placement and exceptions
Maximum external dimensions for overhead carry-ons: 22 x 14 x 9 inches, wheels and handles included. Personal items must fit fully under the seat ahead. Domestic routes rarely enforce strict weight limits; partner-operated or international sectors may impose weight caps and stricter enforcement. Oversized items can be gate-checked and retrieved at baggage claim.
Practical tips to avoid fees
Pack a cabin-compliant backpack or compressible tote; confirm your fare code at booking; upgrade during checkout when a full carry-on is required; check in early and choose priority boarding to improve chances of bin space; gate-check bulky items rather than purchase a paid checked-bag option.
Excess, overweight and oversized bag fees with size and weight limits
Keep each checked bag at or under 50 lb (23 kg) and within 62 linear inches (length + width + height) to avoid overweight and oversized fees.
Weight thresholds: standard checked-piece limit 50 lb (23 kg). Overweight penalties apply as follows – 51–100 lb: $100 per piece; 101–150 lb: $200 per piece; pieces exceeding 150 lb are not accepted at the ticket counter.
Size restrictions: maximum linear dimension allowed 62 in (158 cm). Oversize penalty applies when linear measurement exceeds 62 in up to 115 in; pieces larger than 115 in are not accepted. Very long or irregularly shaped items may trigger special handling and higher assessment at gate or ticket desk.
Assessment details: penalties are applied per piece at check-in or bag drop and are added to the reservation balance; payment is required prior to boarding. Refunds occur only in limited circumstances, typically staff error or policy misapplication.
Practical steps to avoid extra fees: weigh every piece with a hanging scale; split dense items like electronics and shoes across multiple pieces; use soft-sided bags and compression cubes to stay within linear limits; compare estimated ground-ship rates against combined overweight/oversize penalties and ship when cheaper; have travel companions carry surplus items across their allowances.
Exceptions and special-item rules: sporting equipment, musical instruments and some premium-class tickets have distinct size/weight allowances or waived penalties – verify entitlements and equipment policy on the carrier website or in reservation details prior to travel.
Non-baggage tip: how to keep dog from running fence line
How to waive or reduce baggage fees using status, co‑branded credit cards and military benefits
Secure a Mileage Plan elite tier and use the carrier’s co‑branded Visa when booking to obtain at least one complimentary checked bag per passenger and extend the same benefit to companions on the same reservation.
Card benefit details: primary cardholders receive the first checked bag waived, and that benefit typically covers up to six guests on a single reservation. Ensure the card is used as the form of payment at booking; verify the benefit appears in the itinerary or baggage section; bring the card or a screenshot to the ticket counter when checking in.
Mileage Plan elites: MVP usually includes one complimentary checked piece, MVP Gold adds an extra waived piece, higher tiers such as MVP Gold 75K and MVP Gold 100K increase the number of waived pieces and may allow higher piece weight limits. Add your elite number to reservations immediately after booking and check the specific baggage allowance displayed with the booking code.
U.S. active‑duty military and eligible dependents traveling on official orders receive expanded checked‑bag allowances and waived collection of standard fees; present military ID and official travel orders at the ticket counter to have the allowance applied. If an online booking still shows a fee, call the carrier’s military travel desk prior to departure.
Stacking tactics: pay with the co‑branded Visa while logged into the Mileage Plan account, place companions on the same reservation, and include elite status to maximize waived pieces. At airport check‑in, request application of all applicable benefits if a baggage surcharge appears; keep screenshots of reservations, card front, and military ID to expedite agent review. When flying with partner airlines, confirm partner baggage rules because benefits may not transfer identically.
FAQ:
Does Alaska Airlines charge for carry-on and checked baggage?
Carry-on bags for Alaska Airlines are generally allowed without a fee for most ticket types, though size and stowage rules apply. Checked baggage usually carries a fee on standard economy fares. Exceptions exist: certain fare classes, passengers with qualifying elite status, military travelers, and holders of Alaska’s co-branded credit card may receive one or more free checked bags. Oversize and overweight pieces have additional charges. Since exact allowances and exemptions depend on the itinerary and passenger credentials, always check the baggage section of your booking or the airline’s website before packing.
How much does Alaska Airlines charge for checked bags on U.S. domestic flights?
Fees vary by route, fare type and how far in advance you pay, but a common pattern on domestic itineraries has been a charge for the first checked bag and a higher charge for the second. Paying for checked baggage during online check-in or on the airline’s website is often cheaper than paying at the airport. Weight and size limits matter: a standard checked bag must meet the airline’s linear-dimension and weight limits to avoid overweight or oversize fees. Because Alaska updates fees periodically and some fares or promotions waive charges, verify the current price for your specific reservation through Alaska Airlines’ baggage page or your booking confirmation to avoid surprises.
I have elite status and an Alaska Airlines Visa — will my checked bag be free? How can I make sure I’m not charged at the airport?
If you hold elite status with Alaska’s Mileage Plan, fly in a premium cabin, or carry an eligible Alaska co-branded credit card, you may be entitled to one or more complimentary checked bags. The exact number and whether a companion also benefits depend on the level of status, the fare class and the card agreement. To prevent unexpected charges: add your frequent‑flyer number and any credit card details to your reservation before travel; review the baggage allowance shown on your itinerary and the airline’s baggage policy; bring physical proof of membership or the card if requested at check-in; and, if a charge appears, point out the benefit printed on your confirmation or membership profile and ask the agent to recheck the allowance. If an error remains unresolved at the airport, keep receipts and file a follow-up claim with Alaska’s customer service after your trip.
