Alaska Airlines increases fee to check baggage
Alaska Airlines is raising its fee for checking a suitcase to $25, bringing it in line with most major airlines.
For tickets purchased on or after Oct. 30, the Seattle-based airline will charge passengers $25 each for the first and second checked bags. Additional bags will cost $75. Alaska currently charges $20 per bag for the first three suitcases.
The airline will keep its unique baggage service guarantee. If a passenger’s bags are not at the baggage claim area within 20 minutes of the plane parking at the gate, Alaska will give them a $20 discount code for use on a future flight or 2,000 bonus frequent flier miles. The discount will increase to $25 and the miles to 2,500 on Oct. 30.
The time remains the same, according to spokesman Marianne Lindsey.
Delta Air Lines is the only major airline to offer a rebate of baggage fees but only for bags that are delayed 12 hours or more.
Alaska is also increasing the fee to change tickets to $125. Currently, Alaska charges $75 if the change is made online and $100 if the change is made through a call center. Passengers who change tickets 60 or more days from the day of travel will not incur any fee at all.
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American Airlines, Delta, United Airlines and US Airways all increased change fees on domestic tickets from $150 to $200 in May.
Alaska Airlines Group Inc. expects the higher fees to result in $50 million of additional revenue each year. Alaska shares rose 7.7 percent Tuesday, closing at $55.93.