Allegiant Air is a low-cost airline that operates flights to over 120 destinations across the United States. If you are planning to travel with Allegiant Air, it is important to be aware of the airline’s baggage policy to avoid any surprises or additional fees.
In this post, we will cover everything you need to know about Allegiant Air’s baggage policy to make your next trip as smooth as possible. We’ll explore the airline’s carry-on and checked baggage allowances and fees. We’ll then look at some items which won’t attract a bag fee.
Carry On Baggage Allowance
Your Allegiant Air fare includes a personal item for free.
However, if you want to bring a carry-on bag on board, you’ll have to pay a fee.
Carry On Item | Size Limit | Bag Fee |
---|---|---|
Personal Item | 18 x 14 x 8 in | Free |
Carry On Bag | 22 x 16 x 10 in | $10 to $75 |
Personal Item Size Limit
Your personal item must be no larger than 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 centimeters). It must be able to fit under the seat in front of you.
Examples of typical personal items include:
- Handbag
- Laptop bag
- Small backpack
Carry On Bag Size
Your carry-on bag must be no larger than 22 x 16 x 10 inches (55 x 40 x 25 centimeters). It must be able to fit in the overhead bins or under the seat in front of you.
Examples of typical carry-on bags include:
- Small suitcase
- Duffel bag
- Backpack
- Garment bag
Carry On Bag Cost
As mentioned earlier, Allegiant doesn’t include a free carry-on bag with its fares. You’ll have to pay a fee to bring one on board.
If you decide that you’d like to travel with a carry-on bag, you’ll be subject to a fee ranging from $10 to $70.
The carry-on bag fee depends on a few factors:
- Where you’re traveling from/to
- Your travel date
- Whether you prepay for your carry-on bag or pay at the airport
You can use Allegiant’s Baggage Fees Calculator to find out how much you’ll have to pay.
Note: For Allegiant flights departing from August 16th, 2023, the airline will no longer be using variable pricing for its baggage fees. Instead, carry-on bags will be subject to a standard fee, irrespective of where and when you fly:
- Prepaid fee: $70
- Airport fee: $75
In principle, I like the airline’s plan to move to static pricing. I’ve never been a fan of airlines that use a baggage fees calculator. It can unfairly pressure you to pay for your baggage fees prematurely, in the fear that it could increase later.
However, I don’t like the fact that Allegiant will be increasing the carry-on bag fee to $70/$75. This seems excessive, considering that the airline’s current highest fee for a carry-on is $70.
Oversized Baggage Fees for Carry On Items
If your personal item and/or carry-on bag is larger than the measurements described above, you’ll be charged an oversized bag fee at the airport. The fee payable could range anywhere from $50 to $75 per oversized item.
Also, there’s the possibility that your oversized baggage could be gate-checked, depending on how much space is available in the overhead bins.
Checked Baggage Allowance
How Many Checked Bags Can You Travel With?
You can travel with up to 5 checked bags. You can prepay for up to 4 of these bags online, prior to departure. The 5th bag is paid for at the airport.
Checked Bag Size
Each standard checked bag can be up to 80 linear inches (203 centimeters) in size. This is calculated by measuring your bags outside length, width, and height, and adding these measurements together. You need to include any protruding wheels, handles, or straps with your measurements.
This size limit is larger than other carriers. Most airlines have a limit of 62 linear inches (158 centimeters).
You can check bags larger than 80 linear inches up to 115 linear inches (292 centimeters), incurring an oversize bag fee.
Allegiant will not accept checked bags larger than 115 linear inches.
Checked Bag Weight
Each standard bag can weigh up to 50 pounds (22 kilograms). This weight limit has been increased as of March 1, 2023 – it was previously 40 pounds.
If your checked bag weighs more than 50 pounds but is no heavier than 100 pounds (45 kilograms), it will ne subject to an overweight bag fee.
Allegiant will not accept checked bags weighing more than 100 pounds.
Checked Bag Fee
Allegiant charges for all checked bags. Baggage fees are non-refundable.
The checked bag fee depends on a few factors:
- Where you’re traveling from/to
- Your travel date
- Whether you prepay for your checked bag or pay at the airport
Time of Payment | Checked Bag Fee |
---|---|
During your booking | $20 to $45 |
After your booking but before departure | $45 |
At the airport | $50 |
As you can see, buying your checked bags earlier gets you the cheapest fee.
To find out how much you’ll have to pay for a particular itinerary, you can use Allegiant’s Baggage Calculator Tool.
You can pay for up to 4 checked bags prior to departure. An extra 5th bag can be bought at the airport. You pay the same fee for each bag – there is no escalating fee structure for extra bags.
Note: For Allegiant flights departing from August 16th, 2023, the airline will no longer be using variable pricing for its baggage fees. Instead, checked bags will be subject to a standard fee, irrespective of where and when you fly:
- Prepaid fee: $70
- Airport fee: $75
Oversized Bag Fee
If your checked bag is larger than 80 linear inches, you’ll be subject to the following oversized bag fee:
Oversized Bag | Oversized Bag Fee |
---|---|
80 to 115 in (203.2 to 292.1 cm) | $75 |
This oversized bag fee is in addition to any other applicable baggage fees.
Allegiant won’t accept bags larger than 115 linear inches (292 centimeters) for check-in.
Overweight Bag Fee
For checked bags heavier than 50 pounds, you will be subject to one of the following fees, based on your bag’s weight:
Overweight Bag | Overweight Bag Fee |
---|---|
51 to 70 lb (23.1 to 31.8 kg) | $50 |
71 to 100 lb (32.2 to 45.4 kg) | $75 |
The overweight bag fee is in addition to any other applicable baggage fees.
You won’t be able to check in bags weighing more than 100 pounds (45 kilograms).
Checked Bag Fee Exemptions
Mobility Aids and Assistive Devices
Travelers with a disability can check mobility and assistive devices such as wheelchairs, walking frames and canes at no charge. Passengers can check these items at the ticket counter or the gate.
Mobility aid and assistive devices are not subject to size or weight restrictions.
Infant Assistive Devices
Paying passengers traveling with an infant can check in 1 stroller and 1 car safety seat at no charge. These items can be checked at the ticket counter or the gate.
Military Baggage Allowance
Allegiant Air allows military personnel with valid ID to check up to 2 bags for free. Checked bags will not be subject to oversize or overweight charges. Each bag can be up to 115 linear inches (292 centimeters) in size and up to 100 pounds (45 kilograms) in weight. Dependents receive the same free checked bag allowances if traveling on the same itinerary as the military passenger.
Prohibited Items
As a general rule, items which are hazardous, flammable, or explosive are prohibited on all Allegiant Air flights. The following is some of the more common items prohibited. For a more exhaustive list, you can refer to the TSA’s What Can I Bring.
- Alcohol with more than 70% alcohol content (140 proof)
- Batteries, unless used in a mobility or assistive device
- Battery-powered lighters
- Biohazards and infectious substances
- Camping equipment fuel
- Compressed gas and pressurized containers
- Dry ice weighing more than 55 pounds (25 kilograms)
- E-cigarettes or vaping devices
- Explosives
- Flammable aerosols, liquids, or solids
- Hair dryer or curler
- Household cleaning liquids
- Hoverboards or other electric boards
- Lighters or matches
- Magnetic or radioactive materials
- Poisons
- Portable electronic devices
Delayed and Damaged Baggage
Delayed or damaged checked must be reported within 4 hours of your arrival time. This should be done before you leave the airport. If you have already left, you can contact Allegiant by email.
Allegiant may not accept reports that are beyond the 4-hour cut-off time. If you have a valid reason for not being able to do so, Allegiant may allow you to file a late claim.
With regards to missing items in your bags, you have 24 hours to report this issue. This makes sense, as you may not realize that anything is missing from your bags until later.
You can amend your report within 21 days.
It may take Allegiant up to 45 days to process the claim. In the meantime, you can buy reasonable and necessary items you need while waiting for your bag to be found. You can then claim these expenses from the airline for reimbursement. Make sure that you keep all original receipts for these items.
Final Thoughts
When I originally wrote this post, I made a point about that although Allegiant has a generous checked size allowance of 80 linear inches, it was offset by its weight allowance of a conservative 40 pounds.
I’m happy to report that, as of March 1, 2023, Allegiant Air has increased its standard checked bag allowance to 50 pounds. Hopefully, some of the other low-cost carriers will follow suit.
Remember to always check Allegiant Air’s website or contact their customer service for the latest information on baggage allowances and fees.
Sources