Alaska Airlines Baggage Fees & How To Avoid Paying Them

Alaska Airlines has one of the most clear-cut baggage policies we’ve seen.

Depending on the route and cabin, 2 or 3 standard bags are either included or only $35 for your first bag, with additional bags coming in below the average cost for airlines we’ve reviewed. Thanks, Alaska!

Alaska Airlines Carry-on Allowance

1 personal item: FREE
1 standard carry-on bag: FREE

Size Restrictions

• Personal: Size undisclosed, but Alaska references items such as a purse, briefcase, or laptop bag
• Standard: 22 x 14 x 9 inches (55.88 x 35.56 x 22.86 cm) or 45 linear inches, including handles and wheels

Alaska does not have a weight allowance for carry-on luggage, but you must be able to lift the bag into the overhead compartment unassisted.

Lap Infant Carry-on Policy

• Lap infants are not entitled to their own carry-on allowance, so a diaper bag would count toward the standard carry-on limit of the adult passenger.

Stroller Gate Check Policy

• Transportation of a child’s car seat and/or stroller is free of charge as checked baggage. These items can be checked with other baggage or at the gate area.

Alaska Airlines Checked Baggage Allowance

All checked bags must adhere to a max weight of 50 pounds (23 kg) and max linear dimensions of 62 inches (158 cm).

For flights purchased on or after January 2, 2024, the fees are as follows:

Domestic

Economy

• First Bag: $35
• Second Bag: $45
• 3+ Bags: $150 each

First Class

• First Bag: FREE
• Second Bag: FREE
• Third Bag: $150 each

Within the State of Alaska

• First Bag: FREE
• Second Bag: FREE
• Third Bag: FREE
• 4+ bags: $150 each

Additional/Excess Baggage Fees

Each additional piece of luggage (3+ bags): $150 each
Overweight Fee: $100 for bags 51 to 100 pounds (23 to 45 kg)
Oversized Fee: $150 for bags 63 to 80 inches (160 to 203 cm); $150 for bags 80 to 115 inches (203 to 292 cm)

* As of June 30, 2023, more than 1 fee may apply to a bag. For example, the checked bag fee + oversize fee.

For baggage fees related to special luggage (sporting equipment, musical instruments, etc.), please refer to Alaska’s policy.

Seasonal limitations apply. See the Alaska Airlines website for more information.

Can I Prepay for Baggage?

Alaska Airlines does allow passengers the ability to prepay luggage online or via its mobile app from 24 hours before the flight departure.

Exclusions and Waivers

• Club 49: Members traveling on a ticket that contains at least 1 Alaska Airlines city in Alaska receive 2 checked bags free
• Atmos Rewards Silver and Gold elite, Oneworld Ruby and Sapphire: Members receive 2 checked bags free
• Atmos Rewards Platinum, Titanium, and Oneworld Emerald*: Members receive 3 checked bags free
• Active-duty U.S. military personnel and their dependents (on travel orders): 5 checked bags free (bags may weigh up to 70 pounds and be up to 115 linear inches without incurring overweight or oversize fees)

*May check up to 4 bags for free for itineraries wholly within the State of Alaska. Restrictions may apply.

Credit Cards That Give You a Free Checked Bag With Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines might waive checked bag fees if you fly first class or within the state of Alaska, but what if you’re flying economy outside of Alaska?

The answer is simple — get one of the co-branded credit cards provided by Bank of America. By booking your flight with the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature^® card, Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite^® card, or Atmos™ Rewards Visa^® Business Card, you and up to 6 companions will receive 1 free checked bag on Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines flights.

With the Hawaiian Airlines^® World Elite Mastercard^®, booking an Alaska Airlines-operated flight with it grants the primary cardmember 2 free checked bags.

Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature^® card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Provides the potential to earn plenty of points to fly with Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines or over a dozen partners. Plus, get an annual companion fare from just $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) when you spend at least $6,000 a year on the card!

Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature^® card

Provides the potential to earn plenty of points to fly with Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines or over a dozen partners. Plus, get an annual companion fare from just $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) when you spend at least $6,000 a year on the card!

Welcome Offer

Receive a 30% global flight discount code for a qualifying future flight after opening your new account. Additionally, earn 60,000 bonus points and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $3,000 or more on purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

30% global flight discount + 60,000 points + $99 Companion Fare

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$960

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.99% - 27.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

With the Atmos Rewards Ascent card in your wallet, you can get great perks and earn points at the same time. This is a win-win if Alaska or Hawaiian is the airline you prefer to fly with! Plus, its annual companion fare is a great benefit for traveling couples.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3x points per $1 spent on Alaska and Hawaiian purchases
• 2x points per $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging, local transit (including rideshare), cable, and select streaming services
• 1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases

Cons

• Charges a $95 annual fee
• Does not earn transferable rewards

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Receive a 30% global flight discount code for a qualifying future flight after opening your new account. Additionally, earn 60,000 bonus points and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $3,000 or more on purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
• Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™. Get a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after you spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year. Valid on all Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines flights booked direct.
• Free checked bag. Any cardholder who purchases airfare with their card, and up to 6 additional guests traveling on the same reservation, may check their first bag free.
• Enjoy priority boarding so you can get to your seat quicker, when you pay for your flight with your card.
• Earn unlimited 3 points for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases. Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases. And earn unlimited 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. And, your points don’t expire on active accounts.
• Earn a 10% rewards bonus on all points earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America^® account.
• Enjoy 20% back on all Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines inflight purchases and get $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ Membership when you pay with your new card.
• With oneworld^® Alliance member airlines and Alaska’s Global Partners, Alaska has expanded their global reach to over 1,000 destinations worldwide bringing more airline partners and more ways to earn and redeem points.
• Flexibility with no blackout dates on Alaska Airlines flights when booking with points or a companion fare.
• Plus, no foreign transaction fees.^†

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99% - 27.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards Frequent Flyer Program

To see more airline baggage fees and policies, click here.