Alaska Airlines Baggage Fees: What They Cost and How to Avoid Them

I love traveling, but can’t stand all the fees that quickly add up, especially on airfare. While some fees are inevitable, I found some ways to get around the Alaska Airline baggage fees, or at least minimize them. While having one of the best airline credit cards may help you avoid fees and get other perks, there are a few other ways you can save without opening or using a credit card.

What’s Alaska Airlines’ baggage policy?

If there’s one thing that stresses me out while traveling, it’s knowing each airline’s baggage policies and fees. While they have some similarities, it’s important to understand each airline’s specific requirements to ensure you don’t spend more than necessary or be unable to take your luggage with you.

Here’s everything you must know about Alaska Airlines’ baggage policy.

Carry-on bags

Alaska Airlines’ carry-on policy includes one carry-on bag and one personal item free of charge. Carry-on bags, including the handle and wheels, must be 22 inches x 14 inches x 9 inches or smaller (no more than 45 linear inches). Personal items include laptop bags, purses, briefcases, or other small items.

Smart luggage with removable batteries are acceptable for both checked and carry-on, but the batteries must be removed and stored safely before they will be allowed on board. Bags without removable power sources will not be allowed.

Checked bags

Unfortunately, if you have more than one bag or they are larger than the above measurements, you must check the bags and pay the appropriate fees.

Alaska Airlines charges the following baggage fees:

• $35 for the first bag
• $45 for the second bag
• $150 each for the third + additional bags

These prices apply to bags up to 50 pounds and 62 linear inches in size.

If a bag weighs more than 50 pounds or is between 63 and 115 linear inches, you’ll likely have to pay oversize baggage fees. Alaska Airlines charges $100 for overweight bags and $150 for oversized bags.

There are some exceptions to these rules:

• Car seats and strollers, medical and mobility devices, and properly packaged Hawaiin pineapples and cases of wine can be checked free of charge in some instances.
• Alaska residents who are members of Club 49 may have baggage fees waived when traveling to, from, or within the state.

When you fly internationally on Alaska Airlines’ flights, you may get your first and second bag up to 62 linear inches checked for free, but it depends on the servicing airline and destination. Any additional bags may cost $100+.

Overweight or oversized bags will be charged $100 to $200 each. Strollers, car seats, and mobility aids, such as walkers or canes, may be checked at no charge.

How to avoid Alaska Airlines' baggage fees

I always look for ways to avoid baggage fees, especially on Alaska Airlines, because flying is expensive enough. Fortunately, I’ve found several ways.

1. Only pack a carry-on

This is one of the simplest ways to avoid Alaska Airlines baggage fees. Consider investing in a carry-on suitcase that fits the size and weight limitations, while allowing you plenty of space to pack your items. I also use packing cubes to maximize the space available.

Since you can also have a personal item, I stick toiletries, books, and small clothing items in a small backpack. If I have a purse, I just store it in my luggage until I get to my destination.

2. Join the Alaska Airlines loyalty program

Alaska Air offers a frequent flier program called Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan. Enrolling is free, and you earn miles for flying with Alaska Airlines and other carriers in its Global Partners program. These include American Airlines, British Airways, Qantas, Emirates, Icelandair, Aer Lingus, and Ravn Alaska.

You can also earn miles by shopping through the Mileage Plan Shopping website, which offers deals from over 850 online retailers, including Walmart.com, Kohl’s, BestBuy.com, Home Depot, and more.

After you earn 20,000 miles or fly 30 segments on Alaska Airlines and qualifying partner airlines, you’ll be eligible for the first tier of elite status — MVP. At this level, you’ll qualify to have two bags checked without fees. This will also apply to those flying with you, so long as they are booked on the same reservation. You’ll also enjoy additional benefits, such as priority check-in and boarding, bonus miles, and free upgrades when available.

3. Buy a premium ticket

Premium tickets, such as first-class, are obviously more expensive, but they come with many perks, like two free checked bags. When I want to fly first class, I try to be flexible with my travel dates so I can get the best deal, making the perks, like free checked bags and priority boarding worth it.

This is the only class of ticket to offer such a waiver if you don’t have a Mileage Plan membership with elite status.

4. Bring your military documentation

Active duty U.S. military personnel and their dependents get five free checked bags on Alaska Airlines. Each additional bag will cost $150 to check. Weight and size restrictions are also larger for these passengers; bags can be up to 70 pounds and 115 linear inches.

To receive the waivers needed for these benefits, the active member must present a valid military ID. Dependents must show a valid military ID and travel orders to receive their baggage fee waivers.

5. Get an Alaska Airlines credit card

Like most carriers, Alaska Airlines offers its own credit cards which gives you the chance to earn frequent flier miles that are added to your Mileage Plan membership to qualify for premium benefits.

However, any current Alaska Airlines credit card holder and up to six traveling companions get their first bag checked free.

Your everyday purchases add miles to your plan, and purchases made directly through Alaska Airlines earn three times as many miles. Earn enough miles, and you might even be able to fly for free.

Explore more benefits and features in both our Alaska Airlines Visa credit card and Alaska Airlines Visa Business credit card reviews.

6. Use a general travel card

You aren’t obligated to only use an Alaska Airlines credit card to get free baggage. Some of the best travel credit cards issued by banks that are not associated with any specific airline allow you to use your miles or points toward different travel expenses. Since they aren’t tied to a specific airline, they are more flexible, and are honestly what I prefer.

For example, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card allows you to use points toward purchases with airlines. If you use the card to pay for Alaska Airlines baggage fees, you could apply your card’s miles to pay for that purchase.

Some cards offer an annual travel credit, which is like free money that you can apply to travel-related purchases, including baggage fees. The Chase Sapphire Reserve^®, for instance, allows members to claim $300 in reimbursement of travel expenses each year. Similarly, some American Express credit cards offer airline fee credits, which could be used to reimburse you for Alaska Airlines’ baggage costs.

FAQs

Bottom line

If you do the legwork, you can avoid the Alaska Airlines baggage fees. The key is to be flexible in your travel dates, and to research your options. Consider which credit cards you have that may offer travel benefits, or do what you can to minimize your luggage to a carry on and personal item. With some creativity, you can get by without paying baggage fees.

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Current Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after making $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account (limited time offer)

Annual Fee

$95

Rewards Rate

3X miles on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases; 2X miles on eligible gas, EV charging stations, cable, streaming services, and local transit (including ride shares, trains, tolls, and ferries); and 1X miles on all other eligible purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Free checked bag
• 20% off in-flight purchases
• $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ membership
• Path to $99 companion fare

Drawbacks

• Has an annual fee
• Limited cardholder benefits
• Limited redemption flexibility

Card Details

• Earn 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after making $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account (limited time offer)
• 3X miles on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases; 2X miles on eligible gas, EV charging stations, cable, streaming services, and local transit (including ride shares, trains, tolls, and ferries); and 1X miles on all other eligible purchases