Alaska Airlines Baggage Fees Policy Guide: (Checked, Carry-on) [2024] (2024)

Alaska Airlines offers some great baggage fee policies with some very reasonable prices compared to other major airlines. This article will show you what the Alaska Airlines baggage fees are for carry-ons, checked bags, and special items.

I’ll also show you different ways to avoid the baggage fees by using certain credit cards and memberships and what you can expect if you’re a military member.

What are the Alaska Airlines baggage fees?

Alaska Airlines will allow you one free personal item and one carry on. Your first checked bag will cost $35 and your second checked bag will cost $45. However, there are several ways that you can avoid fees with Alaska Airlines.

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

How can I avoid the baggage fees?

There are a few ways that you can avoid baggage fees on Alaska Airlines.

Credit cards

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card

One of the perks of the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card is that you can get the first checked bag free for you and up to six companions! This card also comes with other perks like 3X on Alaska Airlines purchases and a 50% discount on Alaska Lounge day passes. The Alaska Airlines Visa Business Credit Card also offers the free checked bag for up to six companions as well.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the hottest travel rewards credit cards. It earns 3X the points on dining and travel and comes with a host of valuable benefits. One of these perks is a $300 travel credit that can be used on anything that codes as travel, including baggage fees for Alaska.

American Express cards

Some American Express cards like the Platinum Card come with airline credits that can be used on Alaska Airlines. These credits cover various airlines incidentals, such as baggage fees and you can get credits up to $200!

Baggage fee waivers

Alaska offers baggage fee waivers for credit card holders and for a number of other people.

Eligible for their first bag checked for free:

• Eligible Alaska Airlines Visa cardholdersand up to 6 other passengers traveling in the same reservation.
• Alaska Airlines Visa Business cardholdersand up to 6 passengers traveling in the same reservation
• Alaska Airlines World Elite Mastercard cardholders(Discontinued) and up to 6 passengers traveling in the same reservation.

Eligible for their first two bags checked for free:

• Customers traveling in First Class
• Elite level Mileage Plan™ membersand companions traveling in the same reservation
• Club 49® memberstraveling on a ticket that contains at least one Alaska Airlines city in Alaska

Eligible for their first three bags checked for free:

• Customers ticketed for travel solely within the state of Alaska

Eligible for their first five bags checked for free:

• Active duty US military personnelwith valid military ID (more on that below)
• Active duty US military dependentswith valid military ID and travel orders

Alaska Airlines personal item

Alaska Airlines allows you to bring on one personal items which typically is something like a purse, briefcase, or laptop bag.

Backpacks are usually allowed so long as they are on the smaller side and able to fit beneath your seat.

Alaska Airlines carry-on

The carry-on bag size limit for Alaska Airlines changed to 22” x 14” x 9″.

All 3 measurements: length + height + width – may not add up to more than 45 inches.

Any baggage (including baggage checked free of charge) which exceeds the size or weight allowance, is subject to the additional fees outlined below.

If you are flying with a pet carrier, it will be considered a carry-on or a personal item.

Tip: You can download a baggage ID tagand put in your carry-on so that if it gets lostthe identification and return process will be much quicker.

Alaska Airlines checked bag fees

Alaska Airlines has some of the better baggage fees for checked bags.

First bag

• $35

Second bag

• $45

Third bag

• $150 each

The new prices now compare with United’s pricing on your third checked bag. Of course, Alaska’s policy can’t compete with Southwest’s baggage policy that allows you to bring on two free checked bags.

Alaska Airlines checked bag restrictions

Oversize or overweight baggage

• Bags that weigh 51 to100 pounds: $100
• Bags with linear dimension of 63 to 115 inches (linear): $150

If a checked bag falls into more than one fee category (piece number, oversize, overweight), only the higher, single fee is charged. This is different from some other airlines that charge you based on each category that you violate.

If you want all the tips on how to deal with checked baggage and how to avoid fees, be sure to check out the ultimate guide to checked luggage. Click here to check out that article.

Maximum weight and length

No single piece of checked baggage may weigh more than 100 pounds and or exceed 115 inches.

If you have luggage that is over that size then contact Alaska Air Cargo at 1-800-225-2752 for assistance with any items that exceed the checked baggage limitation.

During peak travel periods, Alaska may limit the number of bags that can be checked per passenger.

Below are some of the seasonal baggage limits. Click here to view the full list.

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Special items

Sports equipment

Each checked piece listed below is subject to the Alaska Airlines standard checked baggage fees and waivers but Alaska willwaive the oversize fee or overweight fee for the items listed in this section.

• Archery
• Bicycles (non-motorized)
• Boogie boards
• Bowling
• Fishing Equipment
• Golf Clubs
• Hockey/Lacrosse Equipment
• Kiteboarding Equipment
• Pole Vaults
• Scuba Equipment
• Skateboards
• Skis/Snowboard
• Surfboards/Paddleboards
• Windsurfing Equipment

Musical instruments

Small musical instruments may count as your one carry-on bag and may exceed theStandard carry-on dimensions, as long as they can be safely accommodated in a proper storage compartment in the cabin of the aircraft.

If you don’t want to depart with your instrument, you can bring it on the plane with you by purchasing a seat for it. You can review the AlaskaCabin seat baggageinformation for details.

Instruments are subject to the following checked-baggage service fees and overweight/oversize fees:

• 50 lbs. or less: Standard checked baggage fees
• 51-165 lbs: $100 (USD)
• Up to 62″ (linear): Standard checked baggage fees
• 63-150″ (linear) Alaska Airlines flights 1-1999 only: $100 (USD)
• 63-115″ (linear) Alaska Airlines flights 2000-2999 and 3420-3499: $100 (USD)

Smart bags

“Smart bags” (luggage with charging devices or use a lithium battery powered electric motor) will only be accepted as a checked or carry-on bag if the lithium battery can be removed due to a potential safety hazard.

Read more about lithium batteries.

Alaska Airlines military baggage fees

Alaska Airlines really takes care of military members.

Active duty US military personnelwith a valid military ID are allowed five bags free and $150 for each additional bag. They also may bring bags that weigh up to 70 pounds and be up to 115″ without incurring overweight or oversize fees.

Active duty US military dependentswith valid military ID and travel orders are given the same benefits.

If you are active duty, you can also get priority boarding.

When can you check-in for Alaska Airlines?

Alaska will accept your checked bags at the airport from 4 hours before your flight time until approximately 1 hour before your flight time. View theticket counter hoursand specificCheck-in cut-off timefor your airport.

There are a couple of exceptions though (due toUS Customs pre-clearance):

• Vancouver (YVR) can only accept bags two hours prior to departure.
• Calgary (YYC) can only accept bags two hours prior to departure.

Baggage for layovers

If your trip includes more than one flight on Alaska Airlines and or one of their airline partners, Alaska will check your bags to the final destination on your ticket as long as there are fewer than 18 hours between flights.

If your layover is for 18 hours or longer, you will need to claim and re-check your baggage and note that additional baggage fees may apply.

Lost or damaged baggage

If your bags are delayed at your arrival or if they are damaged, be sure to report the situation in person within 24 hours of arrival time.

If you fail to do that, you will likely be denied compensation.

You should be aware of the 20 minute baggage guarantee:

If your bags are not at baggage claim within 20 minutes of your plane’s arrival at the gate, Alaska will offer you a $25 discount code for use on a future Alaska Airlines flight, or 2,500 Alaska bonus miles.

Contact Alaska within 2 hours of your flight’s arrival for your discount code or miles.

So keep that clock tickin’ as soon as you arrive.

Read more about lost or damaged bags here.

Final word

Alaska has one of the cheaper baggage policies for checked bags. It also has a number of ways to avoid fees with credit cards or certain membership statuses.

Related: 20 Best uses of Alaska Airline Mileage Plan Miles