Allegiant Airlines Baggage Fees [2024]: 4 Ways to Avoid

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 has a strict baggage policy since it’s known for its low airfare. Understanding their policy and how to maximize your free baggage options is essential.

Carry-on baggage and personal items

All passengers get one free personal item at no charge. Personal items 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.

You can also bring one carry-on bag for a fee, which can range from $10 to $75. 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 bag, garment bag, or tote bag fitting within the size limits could qualify. However, there may be occasions when the overhead bins fill up. If this happens, you must gate-check your carry-on baggage.

Jackets, small umbrellas, food for the flight, medical equipment, and diaper bags may be brought on board for free. Car seats, strollers, assistive devices, and mobility aids such as wheelchairs can be checked at the gate if necessary for no charge. Oversized personal items or excess baggage in the form of carry-ons can have a fee of $50 to $75 added.

Checked bags

You can check up to four bags, which can be no heavier than the 50-pound weight limit and no larger than 80 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 Fort Lauderdale, FL, on October 24, 2024, the following fees would apply:

• Carry-on paid at booking $34
• Checked bag paid at booking: $44
• Carry-on or checked bag paid pre-departure: $70
• Carry-on or checked bag paid at the airport: $75

Potentially you could save $26-$41 just by paying in advance when you buy your tickets.

Oversized and overweight bags

Standard sized checked bags must weigh less than 50 pounds and measure less than 80 linear inches. If you have oversized or overweight bags, you’ll incur additional fees.

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

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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