Alaska Airlines Baggage Fees & How To Avoid Paying Them

Updated: January 9, 2024, 2:47pm CST

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Alaska Airlines Baggage Fees & How To Avoid Paying Them

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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 $30 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

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature^® credit card: Cardholder and up to 6 passengers traveling on the same reservation receive 1 checked bag free
Club 49: Members traveling on a ticket that contains at least 1 Alaska Airlines city in Alaska receive 2 checked bags free
MVP, MVP Gold, Oneworld Ruby, and Oneworld Sapphire: Members receive 2 checked bags free
MVP Gold 75K, MVP Gold 100K, 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 holding the Alaska Signature card or Alaska Airlines Visa^® Business Credit Card, you and up to 6 companions will receive 1 free checked bag.

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature^® credit card

U.P. Rating

Provides the potential to earn plenty of miles to fly with Alaska Airlines or over a dozen partners. Plus, get an annual companion fare from just $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23)!

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature^® credit card

Provides the potential to earn plenty of miles to fly with Alaska Airlines or over a dozen partners. Plus, get an annual companion fare from just $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23)!

Welcome OfferGet 70,000 Bonus Miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of your account opening.
70,000 bonus + Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,260

Annual Fee

$95

APR

18.24% - 26.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

With the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature^® credit card in your wallet, you could get great perks and earn miles at the same time. This is a win-win if Alaska is the airline you prefer to fly with! Plus, its annual companion fare is a great benefit for traveling couples.

Pros

3x miles per $1 spent on Alaska purchases
2x miles per $1 spent on eligible gas, local transit (including rideshare), cable, and select streaming services
1x mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Annual companion fare
Free checked bag for you and up to 6 traveling companions
20% back on Alaska inflight purchase

Cons

$95 annual fee

LIMITED TIME ONLINE OFFER — 70,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™!
Get 70,000 Bonus Miles plus Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of your account opening.
Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™. Every year on your credit card account anniversary you’ll receive a companion fare which allows you to book a companion flight from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23). Valid on all Alaska Airlines flights booked on alaskaair.com.
Free checked bag for you and up to 6 guests on the same reservation – that’s a savings of $60 per person roundtrip!
Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, local transit (including rideshare), cable, and select streaming services, and unlimited 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases. And, your miles don’t expire on active accounts.
10% reward bonus on all miles earned on card with an eligible Bank of America checking, savings, or investment account.
Priority boarding on Alaska Airlines when tickets are purchased with 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 miles.
Flexibility with no blackout dates on Alaska Airlines flights when booking with miles or a companion fare.
Plus, no foreign transaction fees and a low $95 annual fee.
This online only offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 18.24% - 26.24% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Frequent Flyer Program

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

The information regarding the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature^® credit card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Featured Image Credit: Alaska Airlines

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Alaska Airlines charge for checked bags?

Checked baggage with Alaska Airlines is free for flights within the state of Alaska. For all other flights, the first bag is charged at $35 (free for first class), the second bag at $45 (free for first class), and 3+ bags at $150.

What can I carry-on on Alaska Airlines?

Alaska Airlines allows passengers to bring 1 piece of standard carry-on up to the maximum size of 22 x 14 x 9 inches or 45 linear inches and 1 additional personal item (size undisclosed by Alaska Airlines) like a handbag or small briefcase.

Can you carry on a garment bag on Alaska Airlines?

A garment bag is likely to be accepted as a carry-on with Alaska Airlines if it has the ability to be folded if required to go in the overhead compartments or under the seat in front of you. Depending on the size of the garment bag, this would count towards either your carry-on or personal item allowance.

How many free bags do you get on Alaska Airlines?

Depending on the route and cabin, 2 or 3 standard bags are included or are only $35 for your first bag, with additional bags costing $45 or $150.

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About Erin Miller

An experienced points hacker, Erin is Alex’s partner-in-crime and contributes to Upgraded Points with in-depth guides and relationship management. Erin’s work has been cited in multiple major publications.

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