If you hate paying high airline prices like me, you've likely heard of and even flown Allegiant Air. Like Spirit and Southwest Airlines, Allegiant offers affordable airfare. They fly in and out of 100 airports across the country, so it's easy to find the flight you need.
While Allegiant offers cheaper airfare, they can get you with their baggage fees. Like Spirit Airline baggage fees, the costs can greatly inflate the cost of your flight. Here are four ways to avoid Allegiant Airlines baggage fees.
What is Allegiant's baggage policy?
It's no surprise that Allegiant, known for its low costs, has a strict baggage policy. Understanding the airline's rules and restrictions, and how to maximize your free baggage, is essential.
All Allegiant passengers are entitled to one free personal item, but you'll pay a fee for all carry-on and/or checked bags. You can have up to one carry-on and up to four checked bags.
Carry-on bags and personal items
| Allegiant Air carry-on bags | Allegiant Air personal items | |
| Limit per passenger | One | One |
| Maximum size | 10 inches x 16 inches x 22 inches | 8 inches x 14 inches x 18 inches |
| Fee at booking | Up to $35 | Free |
| Fee before check-in | $15 to $70 | Free |
| Fee at airport gate | $75 | Free |
You can pay a fee to bring up to one carry-on bag aboard Allegiant flights, with this cost ranging from $10 to $75. The sooner you pay for your bag, the more you can save. Carry-on luggage can have wheels and handles, but it must be able to fit in an overhead compartment and be smaller than 10 inches x 16 inches x 22 inches.
A roll-aboard, garment, or tote bag can count as carry-on luggage. But if the overhead bins fill up, you'll need to gate-check your carry-on baggage.
All Allegiant passengers can also bring one free personal item on any flight. These are defined as bags with a maximum size of 8 inches x 14 inches x 18 inches that fit under the seat in front of you. They can include purses, laptop bags, or small backpacks. Oversized personal items can cost up to $75.
Checked bag cost and weight
| Allegiant Air checked bag | |
| Limit per passenger | Four |
| Maximum size | 80 linear inches |
| Weight limit | 50 pounds |
| Fee at booking | Up to $35 |
| Fee before check-in | $15 to $70 |
| Fee at airport check-in | $75 |
You can check up to four bags with Allegiant Air, each of which can be no heavier than 50 pounds and no larger than 80 linear inches. 50 pounds per checked bag is a typical limit, but 80 linear inches is pretty generous. Many airlines, including United Airlines, Delta, and JetBlue, limit you to 62 linear inches.
The Allegiant website provides a bag price calculator to help you determine the baggage fees for both checked luggage and carry-on bags. You must provide the home and destination airports and dates of travel. You'll receive three prices for paid at booking, paid pre-departure, and paid at the airport.
For example, for an Allegiant flight from Chicago, IL to Destin, FL, on October 26, 2025, the following fees would apply:
- Carry-on paid at booking $34
- Checked bag paid at booking: $35
- Carry-on or checked bag after purchase but before departure: $70
- Carry-on or checked bag paid at the airport: $75
You could save a decent chunk of money just by paying in advance when you buy your tickets with Allegiant.
Oversized and overweight bags
| Bag type | Additional fee |
| Overweight checked bags between 51-70 pounds | $35 per segment |
| Overweight checked between 71 - 99 pounds | $75 per segment |
| Oversized checked bag over 80 linear inches | $75 per segment |
Standard sized checked bags must weigh less than 50 pounds and measure less than 80 linear inches.
If you have bags that exceed these limits, you'll incur additional fees. Here are Allegiant's fees for oversized and/or overweight checked bags:
How to avoid or reduce checked bag fees on Allegiant
If you fly Allegiant because of its low fares, here are the top four ways I've discovered to avoid or reduce the baggage fees.
1. Only take a personal item
Packing light is always a good idea when you travel. But when your airline charges for carry-on bags, taking only a small bag can save you quite a bit of money.
I've managed a three to four day trip with just my personal item. The key is to know the size limits and ensure the bag can fit under your seat, so don't overpack it. In Allegiant's case, a personal item can measure 8 x 14 x 18 inches.
Focusing on packing only what you absolutely need, such as clothing and important medications may help you avoid the costly carry-on fees.
2. Pay for baggage during booking
Allegiant tells you right from the start that they highly recommend that you pay for bags when you book your flight or in advance. This is to reduce chaos at the airport and to keep flights on time.
Here's how the prices stack up:
- Pay at the time of booking: Up to $35 per bag
- Pay online or on the app pre-departure: $15 to $70 per bag
- Pay at the airport: $75 per bag
Your best bet is to thoroughly consider what bags you'll take on your trip before you book your ticket. During the booking process, specify the number and type of bags you'll bring and then pay the fees along with the airfare.
3. Bring your military documentation
Allegiant waives some baggage fees for active-duty military, veterans, and military families. They include:
- One free carry-on bag
- Up to two free checked bags
- Up to one free pet in the cabin
- Free oversize checked baggage
This policy applies to active and reserve duty members of the military and National Guard, U.S. military veterans, spouses, and dependents with valid identification.
4. Use a travel credit card
Some of the best airline credit cards can get you many benefits, including free baggage. Unfortunately, Allegiant's credit card only earns miles toward flight purchases; there's no benefit for baggage fees.
However, there are several general travel rewards cards available that enable you to either earn miles that can apply to travel expenses or provide an annual allowance toward purchases, such as baggage fees.
For example, one of the best travel credit cards is the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. It gives cardholders up to a $300 annual travel credit that can be used to reimburse travel expenses, including baggage fees. Alternatively, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card allows you to earn miles by using the card for purchases. Those miles can then be redeemed for statement credits toward past travel purchases.
FAQs
Does Allegiant make you pay for a carry-on?
All Allegiant passengers can bring one personal item on board for free. Fees ranging from $10 to $75 apply if you choose to bring a carry-on bag.
What are the dimension limits for a carry-on bag with Allegiant?
Carry-on luggage must be smaller than 10 inches x 16 inches x 22 inches. It can have wheels and handles, but it must be able to fit in an overhead compartment.
Can you prepay for luggage with Allegiant?
Yes. You can prepay when booking or anytime before your departure date through the website or mobile app and it is the smartest way to reduce baggage fees on Allegiant.
Bottom line
Travel fees are excessive no matter what, but adding on extra baggage fees is unnecessary. To avoid taking the fun out of finding low-cost airline tickets on Allegiant, try limiting your bags to just a personal item, and if you must have a carry-on or checked bag, pay for them with your tickets. A little research and planning can really add up to travel savings for your next trip.
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