Alaska Airlines Baggage Fees Policy Guide: (Checked, Carry-on) [2023]

Alaska Airlines offers some great baggage fee policies with some very reasonable prices compared to other major airlines. This article will show you what the Alaska Airlines baggage fees are for carry-ons, checked bags, and special items. 

I’ll also show you different ways to avoid the baggage fees by using certain credit cards and memberships and what you can expect if you’re a military member.

What are the Alaska Airlines baggage fees?

Alaska Airlines will allow you one free personal item and one carry on. Your first checked bag will cost $30 and your second checked bag will cost $40. However, there are several ways that you can avoid fees with Alaska Airlines.

Alaska baggage fees info

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

How can I avoid the baggage fees?

There are a few ways that you can avoid baggage fees on Alaska Airlines.

Credit cards

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card

One of the perks of the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card is that you can get the first checked bag free for you and up to six companions! This card also comes with other perks like 3X on Alaska Airlines purchases and a 50% discount on Alaska Lounge day passes. The Alaska Airlines Visa Business Credit Card also offers the free checked bag for up to six companions as well.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the hottest travel rewards credit cards. It earns 3X the points on dining and travel and comes with a host of valuable benefits. One of these perks is a $300 travel credit that can be used on anything that codes as travel, including baggage fees for Alaska.

American Express cards

Some American Express cards like the Platinum Card come with airline credits that can be used on Alaska Airlines. These credits cover various airlines incidentals, such as baggage fees and you can get credits up to $200!

Baggage fee waivers

Alaska offers baggage fee waivers for credit card holders and for a number of other people.

Eligible for their first bag checked for free:

  • Eligible Alaska Airlines Visa cardholders and up to 6 other passengers traveling in the same reservation.
  • Alaska Airlines Visa Business cardholders and up to 6 passengers traveling in the same reservation
  • Alaska Airlines World Elite Mastercard cardholders and up to 6 passengers traveling in the same reservation.

Eligible for their first two bags checked for free:

Eligible for their first three bags checked for free:

  • Customers ticketed for travel solely within the state of Alaska

Eligible for their first five bags checked for free:

  • Active duty US military personnel with valid military ID (more on that below)
  • Active duty US military dependents with valid military ID and travel orders

Alaska Airlines personal item

Alaska Airlines allows you to bring on one personal items which typically is something like a purse, briefcase, or laptop bag.

Backpacks are usually allowed so long as they are on the smaller side and able to fit beneath your seat.

Alaska Airlines carry-on 

The carry-on bag size limit for Alaska Airlines changed to 22” x 14” x 9′.’ 

All 3 measurements: length + height + width – may not add up to more than 45 inches.

Any baggage (including baggage checked free of charge) which exceeds the size or weight allowance, is subject to the additional fees outlined below.

If you are flying with a pet carrier, it will be considered a carry-on or a personal item.

Tip: You can download a baggage ID tag and put in your carry-on so that if it gets lost the identification and return process will be much quicker.

Alaska Airlines checked bag fees

Alaska Airlines has some of the better baggage fees for checked bags.

First bag

  • $30

Second bag

  • $40

Third bag

  • $100 each

Compared to United’s policy, you’ll save $50+ on your third checked bag. Of course, Alaska’s policy can’t compete with Southwest’s baggage policy that allows you to bring on two free checked bags. 

Alaska Airlines checked bag restrictions 

Oversize or overweight baggage

  • Bags that weigh 51 to100 pounds: $100
  • Bags with linear dimension of 63 to 115 inches (linear): $100

If a checked bag falls into more than one fee category (piece number, oversize, overweight), only the higher, single fee is charged. This is different from some other airlines that charge you based on each category that you violate.

If you want all the tips on how to deal with checked baggage and how to avoid fees, be sure to check out the ultimate guide to checked luggage. Click here to check out that article.

Maximum weight and length

No single piece of checked baggage may weigh more than 100 pounds and or exceed 115 inches. 

If you have luggage that is over that size then contact Alaska Air Cargo at 1-800-225-2752 for assistance with any items that exceed the checked baggage limitation.

During peak travel periods, Alaska may limit the number of bags that can be checked per passenger.

Below are some of the seasonal baggage limits. Click here to view the full list.

CityDate rangeLimit
Barrow (BRW)January 1 – December 31
(All flights)
No more than 2 checked bags per person
Additional baggage may be checked and accepted on a standby, space-available basis. You will be notified by Alaska Airlines to return to the airport to pick up standby baggage when it arrives.
Bethel (BET)January 1 – December 31
(All flights)
No more than 2 checked bags per person
Additional baggage may be checked and accepted on a standby, space-available basis. You will be notified by Alaska Airlines to return to the airport to pick up standby baggage when it arrives.
Billings (BIL)November 15 – March 1
(All flights)
No more than 1 checked bag per person
Additional baggage may be checked and accepted on a standby, space-available basis. You will be notified by Alaska Airlines to return to the airport to pick up standby baggage. (Refer to Sports Equipment Multipiece Exception if traveling with ski/snowboard equipment.)
Bozeman (BZN)November 15 – March 1
(All flights)
No more than 1 checked bag per person
Additional baggage may be checked and accepted on a standby, space-available basis. You will be notified by Alaska Airlines to return to the airport to pick up standby baggage. (Refer to Sports Equipment Multipiece Exception if traveling with ski/snowboard equipment.)
Dillingham
(DLG)
June 1 – August 31
(Applicable to all tickets purchased before March 1, 2023)
No more than 2 checked bags per person
Additional baggage may be checked and accepted on a standby, space-available basis. You will be notified by Alaska Airlines to return to the airport to pick up standby baggage when it arrives.
Dillingham
(DLG)
January 1 – December 31
(Applicable to all tickets purchased on/after March 1, 2023)
No more than 2 checked bags per person
Additional baggage may be checked and accepted on a standby, space-available basis. You will be notified by Alaska Airlines to return to the airport to pick up standby baggage when it arrives.
Guadalajara (GDL)November 15 – January 15, annually
(All flights)
No more than 2 checked bags per person
No excess, oversize, or overweight bags allowed.
Jackson Hole (JAC)November 15 – March 1
(Applicable to all tickets purchased on/before August 31, 2022)
No more than 2 checked bags per person
Additional baggage may be checked and accepted on a standby, space-available basis. You will be notified by Alaska Airlines to return to the airport to pick up standby baggage when it arrives.
Jackson Hole (JAC)November 15 – March 1, June 1 – August 31
(Applicable to all tickets purchased on/after September 1, 2022)
No more than 1 checked bags per person
Additional baggage may be checked and accepted on a standby, space-available basis. You will be notified by Alaska Airlines to return to the airport to pick up standby baggage when it arrives. (Refer to Sports Equipment Multipiece Exception if traveling with ski/snowboard equipment.)
Kalispell (FCA)November 15 – March 1
(All flights)
No more than 1 checked bag per person
Additional baggage may be checked and accepted on a standby, space-available basis. You will be notified by Alaska Airlines to return to the airport to pick up standby baggage. (Refer to Sports Equipment Multipiece Exception if traveling with ski/snowboard equipment.)
Kelowna (YLW)November 15 – March 31
(Applicable to all tickets purchased on/after September 1, 2022)
No more than 1 checked bag per person
Additional baggage may be checked and accepted on a standby, space-available basis. You will be notified by Alaska Airlines to return to the airport to pick up standby baggage. (Refer to Sports Equipment Multipiece Exception if traveling with ski/snowboard equipment.)
King Salmon (AKN)June 1 – August 31
(Applicable to all tickets purchased before March 1, 2023)
No more than 2 checked bags per person
Additional baggage may be checked and accepted on a standby, space-available basis. You will be notified by Alaska Airlines to  return to the airport to pick up standby baggage when it arrives.
King Salmon (AKN)January 1 – December 31
(Applicable to all tickets purchased on/after March 1, 2023)
No more than 2 checked bags per person
Additional baggage may be checked and accepted on a standby, space-available basis. You will be notified by Alaska Airlines to  return to the airport to pick up standby baggage when it arrives.
Kodiak (ADQ)June 1 – August 31
(Applicable to all tickets purchased before March 1, 2023)
No more than 2 checked bags per person
Additional baggage may be checked and accepted on a standby, space-available basis. You will be notified by Alaska Airlines to return to the airport to pick up standby baggage when it arrives.
Kodiak (ADQ)January 1 – December 31
(Applicable to all tickets purchased on/after March 1, 2023)
No more than 2 checked bags per person
Additional baggage may be checked and accepted on a standby, space-available basis. You will be notified by Alaska Airlines to return to the airport to pick up standby baggage when it arrives.
Kotzebue (OTZ)January 1 – December 31
(All flights)
No more than 2 checked bags per person
Additional baggage may be checked and accepted on a standby, space-available basis. You will be notified by Alaska Airlines to return to the airport to pick up standby baggage when it arrives.
Nome (OME)January 1 – December 31
(All flights)
No more than 2 checked bags per person
Additional baggage may be checked and accepted on a standby, space-available basis. You will be notified by Alaska Airlines to return to the airport to pick up standby baggage when it arrives.
Sun Valley (SUN)November 15 – March 1
(All flights)
No more than 1 checked bag per person
Additional baggage may be checked and accepted on a standby, space-available basis. You will be notified by Alaska Airlines to return to the airport to pick up standby baggage. (Refer to Sports Equipment Multipiece Exception if traveling with ski/snowboard equipment.)

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

Special items

Sports equipment

Each checked piece listed below is subject to the Alaska Airlines standard checked baggage fees and waivers but Alaska will waive the oversize fee or overweight fee for the items listed in this section.

  • Archery
  • Bicycles (non-motorized)
  • Boogie boards
  • Bowling
  • Fishing Equipment
  • Golf Clubs
  • Hockey/Lacrosse Equipment
  • Kiteboarding Equipment
  • Pole Vaults
  • Scuba Equipment
  • Skateboards
  • Skis/Snowboard
  • Surfboards/Paddleboards
  • Windsurfing Equipment

Musical instruments

Small musical instruments may count as your one carry-on bag and may exceed the Standard carry-on dimensions, as long as they can be safely accommodated in a proper storage compartment in the cabin of the aircraft.

If you don’t want to depart with your instrument, you can bring it on the plane with you by purchasing a seat for it.  You can review the Alaska Cabin seat baggage information for details.

Instruments are subject to the following checked-baggage service fees and overweight/oversize fees:

  • 50 lbs. or less: Standard checked baggage fees
  • 51-165 lbs: $100 (USD)
  • Up to 62″ (linear): Standard checked baggage fees
  • 63-150″ (linear)Alaska Airlines flights 1-1999 only: $100 (USD)
  • 63-115″ (linear)Alaska Airlines flights 2000-2999 and 3420-3499: $100 (USD)

Smart bags

“Smart bags” (luggage with charging devices or use a lithium battery powered electric motor) will only be accepted as a checked or carry-on bag if the lithium battery can be removed due to a potential safety hazard.

Read more about lithium batteries.

Alaska Airlines military baggage fees

Alaska Airlines really takes care of military members.

Active duty US military personnel with a valid military ID are allowed five bags free and $100 for each additional bag. They also may bring bags that weigh up to 70 pounds and be up to 115″  without incurring overweight or oversize fees.

Active duty US military dependents with valid military ID and travel orders are given the same benefits.

If you are active duty, you can also get priority boarding.

When can you check-in for Alaska Airlines?

Alaska will accept your checked bags at the airport from 4 hours before your flight time until approximately 1 hour before your flight time. View the ticket counter hours and specific Check-in cut-off time for your airport.

There are a couple of exceptions though (due to US Customs pre-clearance):

  • Vancouver (YVR) can only accept bags two hours prior to departure.
  • Calgary (YYC) can only accept bags two hours prior to departure.

Baggage for layovers

If your trip includes more than one flight on Alaska Airlines and or one of their airline partners, Alaska will check your bags to the final destination on your ticket as long as there are fewer than 12 hours between flights.

If your layover is for 12 hours or longer, you will need to claim and re-check your baggage and note that additional baggage fees may apply.

Lost or damaged baggage

If your bags are delayed at your arrival or if they are damaged, be sure to report the situation in person within 24 hours of arrival time.

If you fail to do that, you will likely be denied compensation.

You should be aware of the 20 minute baggage guarantee:

If your bags are not at baggage claim within 20 minutes of your plane’s arrival at the gate, Alaska will offer you a $25 discount code for use on a future Alaska Airlines flight, or 2,500 Alaska bonus miles.

Contact Alaska within 2 hours of your flight’s arrival for your discount code or miles.

So keep that clock tickin’ as soon as you arrive.

Read more about lost or damaged bags here. 

Final word

Alaska has one of the cheaper baggage policies for checked bags. It also has a number of ways to avoid fees with credit cards or certain membership statuses.

Related: 20 Best uses of Alaska Airline Mileage Plan Miles

Alaska Airlines Lost and Found Guide (What to Expect) [2023]

Have you recently lost or misplaced an item while traveling on Alaska Airlines? Well then you are in luck, our comprehensive guide to help you locate your item is exactly what you need. It can be very stressful to lose an item during your travels and unless the right steps are taken and taken quickly, the chances of recovering your item diminish considerably.

The important thing is to remain calm and take the necessary steps outlined in our comprehensive guide below to ensure that you have the best possible chance of being united with your lost item.

Alaska Airlines’ lost and found policy

People lose items while traveling on Alaska Airlines frequently so they have proper protocols and staff in place to look into helping their passengers recover their belongings.

The immediate step

Did you leave your belonging in the aircraft cabin itself? If you have and you are still in the aircraft, do not leave the aircraft. Due to increased security protocols in place these days, once you leave the aircraft you cannot go back in. Patiently make your way back to your seat and search it as thoroughly as possible. 

If you’re reading this article, however, chances are you have already left the aircraft.

In the event that you have left the aircraft but are still near the arrival gate, immediately make your way back to the gate area and get hold of an Alaska Airline official. Usually, these people have access to the aircraft or know someone who does have access.

Give this person all the information on what your item looks like and give them your seat number. If they send someone back immediately and find your item you might be able to get it back right then and there.

In other situations, if they find it later the staff will follow the lost and found protocols and may forward the item to the airline or airport’s lost and found counter.

The reason why I am constantly urging you to do things immediately is that there is a short window of opportunity before it becomes more and more unlikely that you will find your lost belongings. Anyone from the crew, cleaners to the other passengers may pocket your item.

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You have left the aircraft but not the airport

If you are still in the airport premises but can’t make your way back to the aircraft arrival gate then your most prudent line of action is to immediately find an Alaska Airline counter and get hold of the staff there. The Alaska staff is trained to help you with starting the lost and found recovery process.

IMPORTANT NOTE: You may want to get hold of the general airport staff instead of the Alaska Airline staff but it will be most likely counterproductive. In most cases, they will simply go through their own protocols and have you end up with the Alaska Airlines staff because that is the aircraft you arrived on. Needless to say that the only thing this will have achieved is to have wasted precious time.

You may be asking why time is of so much importance here. Well, since the Covid-19 pandemic, aircraft are thoroughly sanitized by larger cleaning staff. The longer it takes for officials to be alerted about your missing item the more people go through your seat.

Now, these people are usually very professional and if they find any unusual items on or around a seat they report it immediately. Having said that, in real life, not everyone is as honest.

Related: Airlines & Airports Lost & Found Tips (Ultimate Guide)

Alaska Airlines baggage services counters

The next plan of action is to locate the Alaska Baggage Services counter. You can find them easily by going to any information desk usually spread throughout airports.

While Alaska Airlines baggage services counters primarily deal with things like lost luggage, the staff at these counters may help you even when you have lost something on a plane.

Usually, they will ask you to fill out either this form or a printed version of it. This is also the form you can fill out if you have already left at the airport.

You must enter as much detail as possible in this form regarding both your travel and the item itself.

On your travel details mention your flight number, arrival/departure time, boarding airport final destination (if you are in transit), seat number, etc.

It is also important to give as much information as you have on hand like: make, model, color, serial number, etc. Any distinguishing marks such as scratches or customization marks on the body can quickly help confirm to the authorities that the item indeed belongs to you.

Note: If the staff has not been able to find your item while you are at the airport, make sure you are very clear on the next steps before you leave the airport. Ask the staff about the next procedural steps, local contact details (phone, email, etc), when you should follow up, policies on lost and found, etc.

You can visit this page to find the phone number(s) of every Alaska Airlines local agent for all US airports and if you are unable to reach them for any reason you can call the system-wide baggage support office for general assistance at 1-877-815-8253. The working hours are daily between 6:00 am – 10:00 pm (PT).

Items left at the TSA Security Checkpoint

In the event that you feel you have misplaced your items in the above-mentioned areas instead of the aircraft then you have to make your way to the TSA security staff as these specific areas come under the jurisdiction of the TSA.

TSA has its own Lost and Found department at all US airports and you can find the contact details for the relevant one here.

TSA has officially partnered with Rejjee to help you find lost items misplaced in TSA’s jurisdiction. The service is absolutely free and easy to use and you can file an online report to start the process.

Related: What Happens if Your Item Is Not Allowed Through TSA Security? Can You Get It Back?

For items lost in and about the airport facility

In the event that you have not misplaced the item on a flight or any of the TSA designated areas mentioned above then your lost item will probably find its way to the airport’s Lost and Found Counter… yes each airport authority also has its own lost and found department it may be associated with the airport police department.

The general staff at the airport will be able to assist you to find this counter. In any case, even if you have registered a complaint with the airline or the TSA, it is a good idea to make your way to the airport Lost and Found and search for your item here as well. In some cases, lost items in other areas have been known to turn up here.

If you are registering for a complaint here, again make sure you give as much detail as possible for these people to help locate your item. Remember that these people have their own dedicated contact numbers and emails so make sure you get a local person’s number and non-generic email before you leave the airport.

Responses on generic emails are usually slower versus those from a specific person who is aware of your case.

There is also a chance that you might have left your belongings at a local business at the airport such as a rental service or a restaurant. In this case, your best bet is to contact them directly as they will hold on to the item for a while in the event the owner shows up before they pass it on to the airport authorities.

What if you have left the airport?

Luckily, even if you have left the airport Alaska Airlines has the lost item form available online here. Filling it out and submitting it will automatically initiate the search procedure. But remember that you must do this within 14 days of having lost the item otherwise it is very unlikely that you will be seeing your belongings again.

Also if you happen to discover more details about your lost item like a serial number, after you have left the airport you can use this form to update the relevant information.

Traveling first or business class?

Traveling on first or business class has its own perks and one of them is the extra attention you get from the airline staff. 

Because airlines make extra effort to please passengers using their premium services or those passengers who are part of their frequent flyers clubs, it is a good idea to mention if you are using any of them.

Third-party services

There are also independent third-party Lost and Found services out there like Crowdfind but I normally don’t recommend you go to them… unless of course, they are officially working with your airline. If, however, your item is really valuable or very important to you these options are available.

How long will Alaska Airlines keep looking for your item?

Alaska will look for your item for a period of 30 days from the filing of the report. After that, they will send you an email informing you that the search was unsuccessful.

Final word

The odds of finding a lost item at airports are generally better than in other places due to the extra security in place these days. Also, if you act quickly and follow the right steps that we have outlined in the guide above your chances of finding your lost item increase greatly.

I wish you the best of luck in recovering whatever it is that you have lost.

Alaska Airlines Club 49: (Deals & Baggage Fee Benefits) [2023]

Some airlines like to provide special perks to residents who reside within their home states and countries in order to make life traveling a little easier and less costly. Alaska Airlines is one of these generous airlines and they have something called the Alaska Airlines Club 49.

The Alaska Airlines Club 49 can help certain residents save money and capture savings with different discounts on things like baggage fees and even shipping.

In this article, I will tell you everything you need to know about the Alaska Airlines Club 49 deals and benefits and other things like eligibility and how to sign-up. 

What is the Alaska Airlines Club 49?

The Alaska Airlines Club 49 is a special program that offers special discounts and deals to Alaskan residents who are also Alaska Mileage Plan members. Due to the geography of Alaska, there are unique travel needs for its residents and this program works to address those needs in practical ways.

Related: 20 Best uses of Alaska Airline Mileage Plan Miles

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

What are the Alaska Airlines Club benefits?

By joining Club 49, you will be able to receive the following benefits:

  • Two free checked bags on select routes
  • Travel discounts
  • Shipping discounts

Unfortunately, you do not get Alaska Lounge access or put in a priority boarding group but these three benefits can still be valuable. I will talk about each of these benefits in more detail below.

Mendenhall Glacier Ultimate Guide: Tips for Exploring

Two free checked bags

Club 49 members and passengers on the same reservation can check two bags for free when traveling to or from Alaska on Alaska Airlines. With Alaska Airlines, your first checked bag will cost $30 and your second checked bag will cost $40, so this could save you lots of cash over time (read more about the baggage fees here).

There are a few things to note about this perk.

Applies to your entire itinerary

This will apply to all passengers on the same itinerary (up to seven passengers). However, the benefit does not extend to all travelers in a group reservation. Only Club 49 members receive the free-checked-baggage benefit on group reservations.

Eligible airlines

This benefit can also be used on other airlines including: Horizon Air, PenAir (between Anchorage and Dutch Harbor), and SkyWest Airlines (Flight Series 3440–3499).

Eligible flights

You just need to remember that the flights must be traveling to or from Alaska.

Also, the member’s Mileage Plan number must be on the reservation before bags are checked.

The free checked bags are not available when connecting to another carrier for international travel or checking in with a codeshare or airline partner. Alaska has a lot of great partners but unfortunately if you are flying with one of them you will not get this benefit if flying internationally. If flying domestically and connecting you will be able to get the discount. 

Keep in mind that you can also get a free checked bag if you have the Alaska Airlines Visa Credit Card.

Travel Now discounts (30% off)

As a Club 49 member, you will receive two Travel Now discounts per year, good for 30% off one-way travel in a Refundable Coach (YAS) fare to, from or within Alaska on Alaska Airlines, booked within four days of departure.

These will be issued upon enrollment and then every following year when your membership is verified. Here are some key considerations:

Refundable Coach (YAS) fare

Refundable economy fares are going to be some of the most expensive fares. So even with the discount you still might be paying more than you normally would for an economy fare that cannot be cancelled. So be sure to compare prices before going for that discount.

Related: Alaska Airlines Saver Fare vs Main Cabin: What Benefits Do You Lose?

Eligible airlines

You can use these discounts on flights operated by Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, PenAir (between Anchorage and Dutch Harbor), and SkyWest Airlines (Flight Series 3440–3499).

Eligible flights & four day limitation

In order to get this discount, travel must include one Alaskan city and take place within four days of ticket purchase. Being forced to use this discount for essentially last minute tickets makes it a little bit harder to take advantage of, so these discounts are not for everyone.

Unlike the free baggage benefit, only one discount may be used per reservation. If more than one Club 49 member is traveling, a separate reservation must be made for each discount used.

Travel Now discounts are displayed in the discount code section of the member’s My account profile.

Weekly deals

You can also view the Deals page to see some good deals.

Each Tuesday they update the page with deals only available to Club 49 members. If you don’t want to miss out on these deals you can sign up for emails to get notified about them.

Head to your My account profile and sign in, then navigate to the My info and subscriptions tab and check the “Insider newsletter” box to subscribe.

Freight for Less

The Freight for Less discount will allow you to ship up to 100 lbs within the state of Alaska for $49* (plus tax) using cargo shipping. You’ll be able to use up to two 35-gallon totes or sturdy shipping containers that do not exceed 20”x30”x15” each.

This benefit can be very valuable to those who live in certain remote areas in Alaska where air shipping is needed/required.

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Club 49 Eligibility

If you want to join Club 49, and you will need to meet the following eligibility requirements.

First, you must be a resident of Alaska or military personnel permanently stationed in Alaska.

Residency is validated at alaskaair.com at the time of registration using Alaska state public records and requires customer’s consent for validation. (P.O. box numbers are acceptable.)

You must also have an active Mileage Plan account and My account profile.

Eligibility will be revalidated annually on the anniversary date of original enrollment. If Alaska Airlines is able to revalidate eligibility automatically, members will automatically be reenrolled for the following year. If Alaska Airlines is unable to revalidate residency automatically, members are required to reenroll.

If you would like to join Club 49 you can click here

Note: Children under age of 13 cannot be enrolled online,  but you can call 1-800-252-7522 (TTY: Dial 711 for relay services) between 5 a.m. and midnight (PT), seven days a week.

Constituent fares

The constituent fare offers Club 49 members affordable access to Alaska state legislators and government agencies during the annual legislative session. The constituent fare rates offer a 30% discount off the 7-day & 3-day advance purchase fares.

The discount codes are sent out via the Club 49 Insider email each year at the start of the legislative session (mid-January) to Club 49 members who live outside of the Juneau area.

Once you have received your codes, select the “Redeem” button in the email to automatically load the discount code in your My account profile.

Final word

Alaska Airlines Club 49 is a great way for Alaskan residents to save a little bit of money on flights to and from Alaska.

It also can be a great way to cut down on your expenses if you are needing to ship some freight.

Since it is so easy to sign up for I would recommend checking it out and considering signing up if you meet the eligibility requirements, since you never know when it could come in use.

Alaska Airlines Boarding Groups Guide: Don’t Get Left Behind! [2023 Updates!]

In 2018, Alaska Airlines decided to change its boarding policy in favor of something more simplistic. The new policy changed the labels for boarding groups and made a few other tweaks. Then, in 2023 Alaska Airlines made more changes to the boarding policy allowing credit card holders to get priority boarding!

In this article, I will tell you everything that you need to know about Alaska Airlines boarding groups and exactly what to expect with the current boarding policy.

Full list of Alaska Airlines boarding groups

The Alaska Airlines boarding groups include:

  • Pre-boarding (Military, disabilities, unaccompanied minors, etc.)
  • Priority Boarding (First Class, MVP Gold 100K)
  • Group A (Million Milers, MVP Gold, and MVP Gold 75K)
  • Group B (MVP members and guests in Premium Class seats)
  • Group C (Alaska credit card holders)
  • Group D (Main cabin in the back)
  • Group E (Main cabin in the front)
  • Group F (Saver)

I will go into more detail about each of these groups below.

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

Alaska Airlines economy cabin

How does Alaska Airlines boarding work?

The boarding process for Alaska Airlines is very similar to most other airlines, and I will break it all down below.

First, let’s start with choosing your seat.

After you input your personal details and making a booking, you should be prompted to select your seat. (In some cases the seat map may not be available.) The seat that you choose to select could end up affecting your boarding group and I will talk more about that below.

The next step is checking in at the airport.

Generally, for domestic flights, you want to arrive at least an hour before your flight’s boarding time if you’re not checking in bags and at least 90 minutes prior to your flight’s boarding time if you are checking bags (for inexperienced travelers, arriving two hours before departure is the standard). 

If you are an experienced traveler or are familiar with the airport and wait times of course you can arrive even later than the recommended times especially if you have TSA Pre-Check and/or CLEAR.  

Personally, I like to arrive at the airport extra early to give me the least stressful experiences as possible. It also makes it easier to enjoy airport lounges such as Alaska Lounges.

After you check in, you will have a paper boarding pass or you may have pulled up your boarding pass on the Alaska Airlines mobile app.

Personally, I like to have both a paper and a digital boarding pass. That way, if I lose the paper pass I have a digital copy of it and if my phone malfunctions or freezes up, I have a paper pass I can pull out.

If you have an issue with your boarding pass at the time of boarding, you will have to be pulled aside and you could lose your overhead storage bin space so it’s a good idea to have a back up plan.

Here’s what the boarding pass will look like compared to how the old boarding passes looked.

New Alaska boarding pass compared to old
Comparison of new boarding pass with old.

Alaska Airlines states that they want you to arrive at the gate 40 minutes prior to departure so that should be your goal at a minimum.

If you want to know your estimated boarding time, you should be able to find this on your boarding pass as shown above.

Just be aware that the departure time is subject to change, so make sure that you always verify the departure time with what is displayed on the flight monitors.

Boarding times may change depending on the route and aircraft and other factors at play but generally you can expect the boarding process to be announced around 30 to 40 minutes prior to departure.

This is not officially when boarding begins but this would be a good time to get ready to head over to the gate if you were not already there. As Alaska states, “This is your cue to gather your things and be ready, but you don’t need to move to line up.”

At about 30 minutes prior to departure, that’s when you can expect the pre-boarding to begin. And then, each group will be called up successively, possibly in five minute increments although it depends on how quickly or slowly passengers are processed.

Once you arrive at the gate and it is time for boarding, simply pay attention to the signs and they will guide you through the boarding process.

First, make sure that the sign contains your exact flight information such as your flight number and route.

Then just take a look at the left side of the screen. This will tell you the group that is now boarding. On the right side of that, you will see checkmarks for other groups that have boarded and that are currently boarding. If you belong to one of those groups that have already boarded, you should be allowed to board at that time.

Some signs may not show the now boarding group on the left and in those cases just look for the green checkmarks to see what groups are currently boarding or that have boarded.

Alaska airlines boarding screen
Alaska Airlines boarding sign.

Boarding groups explained

Alaska Airlines has a reputation for not strictly enforcing boarding groups. This has allowed people to board ahead of their designated boarding groups which sounds great except that it can lead to a disorderly process.

Therefore, I would advise our passengers to try to follow the published boarding group guidelines as much as you can simply to avoid confusion.

Pre-boarding

Unaccompanied minors

Unaccompanied minors are children who are 5 to12 years old and traveling without a parent, legal guardian or someone who is at least 18 years old. There are special rules regarding traveling as an unaccompanied minor and you can read more about those here. 

Related: Ultimate Preboarding Guide: Who Qualifies & What the Law States

Customers with disabilities

If you have a visible disability (such as being in a wheel chair, on crutches, etc.), you will be able to board without questions. However, if your disability is not readily apparent it may be a good idea to notify the gate agent that you want pre-boarding.

Remember, you are able to self-identify that you need preboarding.

Related: Guide to Visiting Airports & Flying with Vision Impairments.

Active members of the military

Alaska Airlines will allow active members of the military to board during pre-boarding.

On occasion priority boarding has also been offered to retired military members although that is a special scenario that may be tied to special occasions such as Veterans Day.

Related: Check out all of the benefits military members can take advantage of when flying.  

Alaska Airlines boarding area

Priority Boarding

If you are flying first class on Alaska Airlines then you can expect to be the first to board right after pre-boarding.

Don’t forget, first class passengers get other perks like free checked baggage.

Also, if you hold elite status as an MVP Gold 100K member you can board with Priority Boarding.

If an aircraft does not have a first class cabin then group boarding for those flights will just begin with Group A.

Alaska airlines first class cabin

Group A (Million Milers, MVP Gold and MVP Gold 75K, 100K)

Group A will consist of the two top levels of elite status which include Million Milers, MVP Gold 75K, and MVP Gold.

If you are wondering about the requirements for obtaining elite status with Alaska Airlines here are the requirements:

Elite LevelMiles FlownSegments
Alaska MVP20,000 miles30
MVP Gold40,000 miles60
MVP Gold 75K75,000 miles90
MVP Gold 100K100,000 miles140
Alaska elite status level requirements.

If you are boarding with a partner or spouse who does not have elite status and therefore has a lower boarding group, many times they can board with you.

It’s not an official policy but there are many reports of elite members pulling their partners along to board with them even when their partners have a lower boarding group.

Just try to do this within reason.

If you have an entire group of people with you then you are much more likely to cause an issue. This is even true if everybody is on the same itinerary.

By the way if you’ve earned a lot of Alaska miles and need some ideas on how to best redeem them be sure to check out our best uses of Alaska Airline miles.

Tip: Use WalletFlo for all your credit card needs. It’s free and will help you optimize your rewards and savings!

Group B (MVP members and guests in Premium Class seats)

If you are on the lowest level of elite status known as MVP, you will board with Group B.

Also, those individuals in Premium Class seats get to board with Group B.

Group C

Group C is where you will board if you hold an Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card (personal or business). Just remember, you need to use your Alaska credit card to purchase your ticket!

Group D (Main cabin in the back)

If you are flying economy and your seat is towards the back of the plane then you will board in Group D.

Where exactly the “cut off” is for seats in the back depends on the type of aircraft you are flying on since some aircraft will have many more rows of seats.

But if you are trying to get into Group D, I would recommend choosing a seat beyond the emergency exit rows, beginning around row 20. If you really want to be on the safe side, you could go even further with a seat around row 25.

Group E (Main cabin in the front)

If you are flying economy and your seat is towards the front of the plane then you will board in Group E.

Don’t despair if you find yourself in this group because you still have a chance to secure overhead storage bin space.

We recently had Group E boarding and were pretty worried about having space for our luggage but it turns out we were perfectly fine.

With that said, I would try to get ahead of the line because by the time they got to Group D, Groups E&F were practically merging together and boarding so it helps if you can try to get ahead of that.

Otherwise, you may get left behind!

Group F (Saver)

The final passengers to board the plane will always be those who have purchased saver fares. These are the cheapest type of tickets available on Alaska Airlines.

Keep in mind that if you purchase a saver fare, you may not be able to select your seat. So if you are flying with other individuals and you want to sit together, this is not a great ticket good.

When boarding groups don’t matter

Your Alaska Airlines boarding group may not matter at small airports which can be common in places like Southeast Alaska.

For example, we flew first class out of Gustavus airport which is a tiny little single building terminal.

They did not have the room for a traditional boarding process and so it was more of a first come, first serve boarding process. So don’t expect to take advantage of your boarding perks at smaller airports.

Related: How to Get to Gustavus, Alaska (Glacier Bay)

Alaska Airlines boarding groups FAQ

What is the order of boarding groups for Alaska Airlines?

Alaska Airlines will board in the following order:

Pre-boarding (Military, disabilities, unaccompanied minors, etc.)
Priority Boarding (First Class, MVP Gold 100K)
Group A (Million Milers, MVP Gold, and MVP Gold 75K)
Group B (MVP members and guests in Premium Class seats)
Group C (Alaska credit card holders)
Group D (Main cabin in the back)
Group E (Main cabin in the front)
Group F (Saver)

How many boarding groups are there?

There are a total of eight boarding groups if you include preboarding and priority boarding.

Where can I find my boarding group?

You can easily locate your boarding group on your boarding pass. See the image above for details.

Who qualifies for pre-boarding?

Different groups may qualify for pre-boarding including active military members, those with disabilities, and unaccompanied minors.

What if I don’t get the right boarding group?

There have been reports of apparent glitches in the boarding group issuance process. If you are given a boarding group that does not correspond to your elite level status simply call Alaska Airlines or meet with an agent at one of the counters to fix the issue.

What is the Alaska Airlines boarding music?

Alaska Airlines will play music during the boarding process but the tunes are always changing. You can find their latest playlists here.

Does the Alaska Airlines Visa Credit Card offer priority boarding?

Yes, the Alaska Airlines Visa Credit Card allows you to board with Group C if you use the card to pay for your flight.

Does Alaska board from both doors?

If you are flying on regional flights (such as with Horizon Air) then your flight may be boarded from doors located at the front and back of the plane. This typically will not be used for 737s.

Do Portland Timbers fans get priority boarding?

Portland Timbers fans can still get priority boarding but only at Portland International Airport (PDX) when wearing Timbers jerseys or gear. Some have even commented that a simple scarf can work. Read more here.

How does Alaska Airlines coronavirus boarding work?

Alaska Airlines states: “To better allow for personal distancing, boarding procedures have been updated so guests board by row numbers in smaller groups from the back to the front.”

Since Alaska already boarded from the back this is not a huge change but they will be segmenting groups into smaller groups now.

If you have priority boarding and would like to board first, speak with an agent about doing so since some agents may not call priority boarding first.

Final word

As you can tell, the boarding policy is very simple and straightforward for Alaska Airlines. It seems like Alaska is pretty lax when it comes to allowing others to board with you when you have a higher boarding pass so that is something to keep in mind. And while gate agents me be lax on the order of the boarding groups, it’s a good idea to follow the boarding procedures as closely as possible.

Alaska Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy (Junior Jetsetters) [2023]

Unaccompanied minor policies can be a little bit tricky because each airline has their own unique policies and the prices and age limits can sometimes be drastically different.

In this article, I’ll break down the Alaska Airlines unaccompanied minor policy aka “Junior Jetsetters.”

I’ll cover all the important information like the fees, special rules, and other important things you need to know about the entire process.

What is the Alaska Airlines unaccompanied minor policy?

Alaska Airlines requires children ages five through 12 (traveling without a parent, legal guardian, or other adult at least 18 years of age) to travel as unaccompanied minors (aka “Junior Jetsetters”).

What are the Alaska Airlines unaccompanied minor fees?

The Alaska Airlines unaccompanied minor service fee is $50 for nonstop (and direct flights) and $75 each way for connecting flights.

Unaccompanied minor service fees are waived for children who have attained MVP, MVP Gold, or Gold 75K Mileage Plan status.

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

Alaska Airlines unaccompanied minor rules

Time restrictions

Travel may not begin between 9pm and 5am. This rule applies to all different age groups.

Connections

It’s very common for airlines to have restrictions for unaccompanied minors on connecting flights and Alaska Airlines has several.

First, unaccompanied minors ages five through seven cannot be booked on flights involving transfers or connections.

Unaccompanied minors ages 8 through 12 years old, may be booked on flights involving transfers or connections to flights operated by Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, SkyWest Flight Series 3300-3499.

Children traveling alone cannot be booked on the last connecting flight of the day, unless there is no other option available.

Unaccompanied minors traveling alone cannot be booked on a flight with connections of two hours or more. Connections greater than 2 hours are only allowed if the city does not provide connections less than two hours.

Children traveling alone cannot be booked via alaskaair.com on flights that connect to or from other airlines flights. If you want to book a flight with a connection on a different airline, you need to call Alaska Airlines reservations at 1-800-252-7522.

Age requirements 

AgeConnectionsFee Must travel as UM?
5 to 7No$50Yes
8 to 12Yes$50*Yes
13 to 17Yes$50*No

*$75 fee for connections.

Children ages 13 through 17 have the option to travel as an unaccompanied minor if they need assistance but it is not necessary.

Related: Alaska Airlines Club 49: (Deals & Baggage Fee Benefits)

Want more details? Check out the Ultimate Guide to Unaccompanied Minor Policies

Alaska Airlines unaccompanied minor process 

Arriving at the airport

Alaska states to arrive at least 90 minutes prior to departure for domestic flights and 2 hours for international flights. (I would probably add an additional 30 minutes onto those guidelines to be on the safe side.)

When you arrive at the airport, you should approach an agent at the ticket counter and let them know that you have a child traveling as an unaccompanied minor (Junior Jetsetter).

Note: proof of age (such as a birth certificate or passport) may be requested upon check-in at the airport.

You’ll then need to complete and sign the guardian contact form. If you’ve already completed the form online and printed it out then this will save you some time.

To complete the form you will need the names and phone numbers of all of the guardians that will be picking up and dropping off the child. (You’ll also need to supply alternate guardians in the event of an emergency for each direction).

Keep in mind that the unaccompanied minor will only be released to individuals that have a valid photo ID that matches what is listed on the guardian form.

You will then need to pay the unaccompanied minor service fee. (Fees for children traveling alone can be paid during online check-in, at a check-in kiosk, or at any Alaska Airlines airport ticket counter.)

Getting through the airport

Once you complete the forms and pay the fee, you will receive an escort pass from the ticket agent so that you can escort the unaccompanied minor to the gate.

The unaccompanied minor will receive a lanyard and wrist band to wear while they are under the care of Alaska Airlines.

If the minor wants to visit the Alaska lounge know that guests under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.

Arriving at the gate

You should aim to report to the gate with the unaccompanied minor at least 40 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time.

Once there, it’s a good idea to introduce your child to the gate agent just to get them comfortable.

When it’s time to board, the unaccompanied minor will get early boarding and will also likely receive a special safety briefing from a flight attendant.

Remember, you will need to remain at the gate until the flight has actually taken off.

Sometimes flights have to turn back around after leaving the gate and airlines want to make sure that the flight is actually in the air before you leave the gate area.

During the flight

During the flight your unaccompanied minor can expect to receive:

  • An entertainment tablet on coast-to-coast to coast and Hawaii flights
  • A complimentary Main Cabin meal on flights more than 2 hours

It’s recommended to give your child a debit or credit card for inflight purchases. Cash is not accepted for onboard. If you have the Alaska Airlines Credit Card, they can get a 25% discount on in-flight purchases.

How to book an Alaska Airlines unaccompanied minor reservation

To book an unaccompanied minor reservation, simply head to the main Alaska Airlines website and proceed like you are making a normal booking.

You will have the opportunity to enter the number of children traveling and if you input your travel details that qualify for an unaccompanied minor fare, you will be asked if the child is traveling alone.

The first step of confirming an unaccompanied minor booking.

You will then be prompted to input the age of the child. Keep in mind that they want to know the age of the child at the time of travel.

After you make a reservation, you will be prompted to fill out the guardian contact form online.

To complete this form, you will need all of the names and phone numbers of the people picking up and dropping off the child. If you don’t have that information, you can always go back and add or edit the information.

To expedite the process at the airport, be sure to print out the form and bring it with you to the airport on the day of travel.

International flights

If the unaccompanied minor is traveling on an international flight they were may be special requirements to comply with.

If a minor under the age of 18 is traveling without a parent or legal guardian, it is highly recommended for them to carry a letter of consent that is signed by the non-traveling parent(s).

It is required for minors (under age 18) who are traveling without a parent or legal guardian to carry a letter of consent if the minor traveler is a citizen of Mexico, permanent resident of Mexico, or temporary resident of Mexico (e.g. on a student visa).

For these passengers, the following items must be presented when departing from Mexico:

  • 3 copies of the letter of consent or SAM document
  • The minor’s original birth certificate
  • 2 copies of the minor’s birth certificate

These letters of consent must meet specific requirements and you can read more about the requirements for Mexico here.

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Things to know

Alaska Airlines will limit the number of unaccompanied minors on each flight. This is presumably done to allow the staff to easily keep tabs on the unaccompanied minors on each flight.

Alaska Airlines will not accept unaccompanied minors if weather or other factors are likely to disrupt the routing or a connection.

So if you are planning on sending out an unaccompanied minor you need to be extra conservative when it comes to going forward with travel plans in the face of bad weather.

If the unaccompanied minor gets ill, Alaska Airlines will attempt to contact one of the guardians but if the child becomes seriously ill they will contact appropriate medical personnel.

Like other airlines, Alaska Airlines will not administer medication to your unaccompanied minor.

The unaccompanied minor should be allowed to make phone calls while the plane is on the ground so long as the supervising representative says it is permissible.

It’s possible that your unaccompanied minor could have his or her seat reassigned at the airport.

Related: 20 Best uses of Alaska Airline Mileage Plan Miles

Alaska Airlines unaccompanied minor FAQ

How much are the Alaska Airlines unaccompanied minor fees?

The unaccompanied minor fees are $50 each way and $75 each way for connecting flights.

How can I avoid the fees?

You can avoid the unaccompanied minor fees by using a credit card with an airline credit such as the Amex Platinum Card.

Do unaccompanied minors get pre-boarding?

Yes, unaccompanied minors will get pre-boarding and a special security briefing.

Do unaccompanied minors get a free meal?

On flights more than two hours, unaccompanied minors will likely receive a complimentary meal. (Due to coronavirus this may not be possible.)

When can I pay the unaccompanied minor fees?

You can pay the fees at online check-in, at a check-in kiosk, or at the airport ticket counter.

Can unaccompanied minors fly on connecting flights?

Unaccompanied minors may fly on connecting flights if they are older than seven years old.

Can unaccompanied minors fly with pets?

No, passengers must be at least 18 years old to fly with a pet in the cabin. Read more about the rules for flying pets here.

Final word

Compared to other airlines, Alaska Airlines has a pretty solid unaccompanied minor policy with low fees. They are also pretty flexible in allowing for connections for some ages and for allowing international flights.

Alaska Lounges Guide (Access Rules and Locations) [2023]

Alaska Airlines is one of my favorite airlines and is a great brand focused largely on the West Coast.

They offer a small network of lounges but allow you to tap into a much broader network of partner lounges as well.

In this comprehensive article, I will tell you everything you need to know about Alaska Lounges including things like how to get access, discounts, and special rules for pets.

What are Alaska Lounges?

Alaska Lounges are the official airport lounges of Alaska Airlines. They are primarily located on the West Coast of the US but there is one lounge found at JFK.

Alaska Lounges are pretty solid airport lounges where you can find complimentary food (mostly light snacks) as well as local draft beer, West Coast wines, and house spirits.

They also provide espresso and looseleaf tea handcrafted by an Alaska Lounge barista. If you are visiting for breakfast, be sure to check out the iconic pancake machine.

Coffee area at an Alaska Lounge.
Get complimentary coffee and tea at an Alaska Lounge. Photo by Evan Didier.

How to get access to Alaska Lounges

  • Alaska Lounge Membership
  • Via elite status benefits
  • First class tickets
  • Purchasing day passes

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

Alaska Lounge membership

An Alaska Lounge membership is the standard way to get access to all Alaska Lounge locations and over 95 partner lounges (all partner lounges are listed below).

You will receive a membership card (which can also be pulled up on your mobile device) and you will need to show that along with a same-day ticket boarding pass on any carrier along with a government-issued photo ID to get access.

Members will be able to bring in immediate family members which include partners and children under the age of 21 or up to two guests.

Members are required to accompany their family and guests at all times within the lounge.

The standard price for an Alaska Lounge membership is $500 per year.

However, if you have elite status with Alaska Airlines, you can receive a discount on the price of your lounge membership.

Elites
(MVP, Gold 50k, Gold 75k, Gold 100k)
Non-elites
Alaska Lounge
(9 Locations)
$400$500
Alaska Lounge+
(9 Alaska Lounge locations and
90+ Partner lounges)
$550$650
Alaska Lounges membership prices.

By the way, if you are a frequent flyer on Alaska you might want to check out our article on the top 20 ways to use your Alaska miles!

Elite status

If you are an MVP Gold 75K member, you will receive four complimentary Alaska lounge day passes in addition to other perks like avoiding baggage fees.

First class passengers

If you are traveling on a paid first class or first class award ticket on a flight operated by Alaska Airlines, you can have access to Alaska Lounges on the day of your flight.

The eligible fares include: A, D, F, P, or I class of service.

Keep in mind that you won’t get access to partner airline lounges this way.

Many airlines like United and American don’t allow you to have lounge access when flying first class domestically. Instead, you must be flying internationally so it is nice to see Alaska open its doors to first class passengers.

One last thing to note is that if you were upgraded to first class — whether complimentary, paid, or using miles — you will not get access to the Alaska Lounge.

Remember, as a first class passenger you will also get other perks like priority boarding.

Day pass

You can purchase a day pass for $60 per person at any Alaska lounge located at San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX), and New York (JFK).

Day passes are subject to the following restrictions:

  • Day passes are valid for 24 hours and only in the location where purchased. The following exceptions apply:
    • Day passes sold or distributed before June 13, 2022
    • Future use or additional guest day passes for Lounge Members
    • Day passes for Active Duty military
    • Gold 75K passes
  • The passes must be used in conjunction with the same day boarding pass on any airline.
  • One day pass is required per person but children younger than two can accompany an adult without a day pass.
  • Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult which could include unaccompanied minors.
  • Sometimes due to capacity day passes may not be available and access can be restricted.

The passes are nonrefundable but if you purchase a membership within 30 days of purchasing your day pass they will reimburse you for the cost of your day pass.

There are a few ways to get discounts on day passes.

Alaska Airlines Visa Card

If you have the Alaska Airlines Visa Card, you can get 50% off a day pass but the purchase must be made on the Visa card by the cardholder at the lounge.

Also, these passes must be instantly redeemed and you do not have one year to use them.

Other features of the Alaska Airlines Visa Card include:

  • 3X on Alaska Airlines purchases
  • 1X on all other purchases
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Companion fare
  • Free checked bag
  • In-flight discount
  • $75 annual fee

Travel credit cards

A lot of the best travel credit cards offer credits that could be used to cover the cost of a day pass.

For example, you could use the American Express Gold Card and take advantage of a $100 airline credit to cover the cost of two day passes.

Alaska Lounge members

Alaska Lounge members can purchase a day pass for their traveling companions or for guests and family not traveling with them at a reduced rate of $30 per person.

Children under two years of age can accompany an adult for no additional cost.

Active duty US military

If you are an active duty US military member traveling on orders, you can get a free day pass.

You will need to be able to verify your active status, show orders, and also be ticketed to fly on an Alaska flight departing within three hours.

Related: Comprehensive Military Airline Benefits and Discount Guide

Alaska lounge seating area with views of tarmac
Alaska lounge at LAX. Photo by Evan Didier.

Alaska Lounge rules

Just like other airlines, Alaska Airlines has a published number of rules that they expect guests to abide by. Here are a few of the rules you may want to be aware of before visiting:

Proper attire

Management reserves the right to deny entrance to a guest that is not dressed in proper attire.

Typically, you won’t have to worry about anything unless you are exhibiting bad hygiene, are showing a lot of skin, etc. Business casual is always a great way to go but not necessary.

No outside food or alcohol

Most lounges do not permit outside food or alcohol so this is no surprise. If you are just bringing in small snacks that probably will not be an issue.

No food or drinks to go

The lounge does not want guests to leave with food, beverages, or magazines found within the lounge. The exception is if you purchase a made to order meal, tea, or coffee.

Pets

Service animals and quiet pets in carry-on kennels are allowed in the lounge.

However, animals are not allowed on any furniture or allowed to eat or drink from the lounge service ware.

If your pet becomes disruptive an agent may ask you to leave.

Smoking

You are not allowed to smoke, chew tobacco, or use electronics cigarettes in the lounge.

Children

Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times and must “behave in a manner conducive to the quiet atmosphere of the Alaska lounge.”

Intoxication

Guests who appear to be intoxicated may be denied access to the lounge.

There is also a three drink limit per guest when it comes to alcoholic beverages.

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Alaska Lounges locations list

Anchorage Airport (ANC)

Location

  • Concourse C, near Gate C-1

Hours

  • Daily: 5:00 am – 1:00 am

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

Location

  • Terminal 7 on the Mezzanine level, just above security

Hours

  • Daily: 5:00 am – 8:00 pm

Los Angeles Airport (LAX)

Location

  • Terminal 6 on the mezzanine level, near gate 64

Hours

  • Daily: 5:00 am – 9:30 pm

Portland Airport (PDX)

Location

  • Concourse B, near the entrance to Concourse B

Hours

  • Daily: 4:30 am – 9:00 pm

Location

  • Concourse C, across from Gate C5

Hours

  • Daily: 4:30 am – 10:30 pm

San Francisco Airport (SFO)

  • Terminal 2, just beyond the D Security Checkpoint

Hours

  • Daily: 5:00 am – 10:30 pm

Seattle/Tacoma Airport (SEA)

Location

  • Concourse C, on the Mezzanine level next to Gate C-16

Hours

  • Daily: 6:00 am – 12:00 am

Location

  • Concourse D, just beyond the Security Checkpoint 4

Hours

  • Daily: 5:00 am – 10:00 pm

Location

  • North Satellite on the Mezzanine level, above gates N13-18

Hours

  • Daily: 5:00 am – 11:00 pm

Alaska Lounges partner locations

American Airlines Admirals Club locations

When traveling on Alaska Airlines or American Airlines, you can get complimentary access to Admirals Club Lounges for immediate family members (such as your spouse and children under the age of 21) or up to two guests.

Guests must arrive or depart that day on Alaska Airlines or an American flight. Alaska Lounge members and their guests do not have access to American Premium or Flagship Lounges.

Also, due to TSA regulations sometimes you may not be able to access a partner lounge when the lounge is located in a different terminal than your flight.

Below is the list of Admirals Club locations:

  • Atlanta, GA (ATL)
  • Austin, TX (AUS)
  • Boston, MA (BOS)
  • Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE)
  • Charlotte, NC (CLT) x 2
  • Chicago, IL (ORD) x 3
  • Dallas / Fort Worth, TX (DFW) x 5
  • Denver, CO (DEN)
  • Honolulu, Hawaii (HNL)
  • Houston, Texas (IAH)
  • London, England (LHR)
  • Los Angeles, CA (LAX) x 3
  • Mexico City, Mexico (MEX)
  • Miami, FL (MIA) x 2
  • Nashville, TN (BNA)
  • New York J.F. Kennedy, NY (JFK)
  • New York LaGuardia, NY (LGA)
  • Newark, NJ (EWR)
  • Orange County, CA (SNA)
  • Orlando, FL (MCO)
  • Paris, France (CDG)
  • Philadelphia, PA (PHL) x 4
  • Phoenix, AZ (PHX) x 3
  • Pittsburgh, PA (PIT)
  • Raleigh Durham, NC (RDU)
  • Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (GIG)
  • San Francisco, CA (SFO)
  • Sao Paulo, Brazil (GRU)
  • St. Louis, MO (STL)
  • Tampa, FL (TPA)
  • Toronto, Canada (YYZ)
  • Washington, D.C. (DCA) x 2

Qantas Club locations

In order to get access to Qantas Club locations, you will need to be departing that day on a purchased or mileage award for a Qantas operated international flight.

When traveling Qantas you will get complimentary access for your immediate family such as your spouse and children under the age of 21 or two guests.

Just keep in mind that guests must also depart that day on the same Qantas flight and that you will not get access to Qantas First Lounges.

Below is the list of Qantas Club locations:

  • Adelaide, Australia (ADL)
  • Alice Springs, Australia (ASP)
  • Auckland, New Zealand (AKL)
  • Brisbane, Australia (BNE)
  • Broome, Australia (BME)
  • Cairns, Australia (CNS)
  • Canberra, Australia (CBR)
  • Coffs Harbour, Australia (CFS)
  • Darwin, Australia (DRW)
  • Devonport, Australia (DPO)
  • Emerald, Australia (EMD)
  • Gladstone, Australia (GLT)
  • Gold Coast, Australia (OOL)
  • Hobart, Australia (HBA)
  • Hong Kong (HKG)
  • Honolulu, HI (HNL)
  • Kalgoorlie, Australia (KGI)
  • Karratha, Australia (KTA)
  • Launceston, Australia (LST)
  • London – Heathrow (LHR)
  • Los Angeles, CA – Business Lounge (LAX)
  • Mackay, Australia (MKY)
  • Melbourne, Australia (MEL)
  • Perth, Australia (PER)
  • Port Hedland, Australia (PHE)
  • Rockhampton, Australia (ROK)
  • Singapore (SIN)
  • Sydney, Australia (SYD)
  • Tamworth, Australia (TMW)
  • Tokyo, Japan (NRT)
  • Wellington, NZ (WLG)

Other partner locations

As an Alaska Lounge member, you can also get access into some other lounges including some United Club locations.

In order to access United Clubs or the CX lounge at SFO, you will need to have a ticket for same day travel departing that city on Alaska Airlines.

But for other partner lounges including the Airspace Lounge at SAN you need a same-day ticket departing that city on Alaska or American Airlines.

Here are the additional partner locations:

  • United Club – Minneapolis, MN (MSP)
  • United Club – Phoenix, AZ (PHX)
  • Airspace Lounge – San Diego, CA (SAN)
  • Cathay Pacific Lounge – San Francisco, CA (SFO)
  • United Club – Washington, D.C. (DCA)

Other lounge memberships

If you are interested in a lounge membership that is more broad and that can get you into a wider network of airport lounges you might want to look into cards that offer Priority Pass Select.

Or, if you are like me and you want to go after the best airport lounge access, then you should look into picking up the Amex Platinum Card.

The Platinum Card is a premium card that is loaded with benefits and some of the top benefits include access to airport lounges like Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass Lounges, Delta SkyClubs, and more.

Alaska Lounges FAQ

How can I get access to Alaska lounges?

You can get access to Alaska Lounges the following ways:

Alaska Lounge Membership
Via elite status benefits
First class tickets
Purchasing day passes

How much do day passes cost?

A normal day pass will cost $60, but if you are a member you can purchase a discounted day pass at $30.

How much does a membership cost?

An annual Alaska Lounge membership will cost you $500 but you can get discounts if you are an elite member.

When does my membership expire?

Your membership will expire one year from the date of processing on the last day of the month. So if you purchased a pass on June 15, 2022, your membership will expire on June 30, 2023.

How can I renew my membership?

You can renew your membership online, via email, or at an Alaska Lounge location. You can also renew over the phone by calling the customer service phone number at: 1-800-654-5669.

Are pets allowed in the Alaska Lounge?

Yes, service animals and quiet pets in carry-on kennels are allowed as long as they are not disruptive to the lounge environment.

Is there a dress code?

While there is not an official dress code, Alaska states that, “Our management reserves the right to deny entrance to any guest whose attire is not appropriate for the Alaska Lounge setting.”

What partner lounges do I get access to?

With an Alaska Lounge membership, you will get access to American Airlines Admirals Club locations (when arriving or departing that day on Alaska Airlines or American Airlines), Qantas Club locations (when departing that day on Qantas internationally), and other partners including select United Club locations at MSP, PHX, and DCA.

Final word

Overall, Alaska Lounges offer a variety of ways to get access and even methods to get a hefty 50% discount on day passes.

While the lounge network is mostly limited to the West Coast, it’s nice being able to access a wider network of partner lounges.

Personally, I would prefer to rely on a different type of lounge membership via my Platinum Card but for an Alaska frequent flyer, this membership could make a lot of sense.

Alaska Airlines First Class Guide: What to Expect on the Ground and in the Sky [2022]

Alaska Airlines First Class is an interesting product because while some aspects of it are exactly what you would expect for a standard domestic First Class product, they aren’t afraid to do some things a little bit different.

Sometimes that’s a good thing, sometimes that’s a bad thing.

But either way you’re getting something a little different which will at least keep things interesting.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll show you what the experience is like and will cover everything including lounge access, boarding, dining, and much more!

Product overview

Unlike carriers like United, Delta, Hawaiian, and American, that each offer lie-flat seats in at least some First Class cabins, all First Class seats with Alaska Airlines are standard recliner seats.

Some of the seats might be more modern than others and you might notice slight differences between different aircraft but when you are booking a First Class flight with Alaska, you don’t have the option to shop around for lie-flat seats.

That’s a bummer but it does kind of make things easy because at least you pretty much always know exactly what to expect.

In terms of what type of aircraft you will be flying on, it will most likely be a narrowbody jet like a: Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737-900ER, or Airbus A320-200. Or, on regional flights you can expect an Embraer 175.

However, they also fly the following aircraft:

  • Airbus A321neo
  • Boeing 737-700
  • Boeing 737-900
  • Boeing 737 MAX 9
  • Bombardier Q400 (no First Class cabin)
Alsaka window view

The First Class Perks

Dedicated check-in line

Your First Class experience begins whenever you arrive at the airport for check-in.

If you don’t have any bags to check then you can just check in on your mobile device and then head directly to security.

But if you have bags to check, you can take advantage of the special dedicated lines for First Class passengers and elite members.

On a recent visit to SEA, the baggage check-in area was a madhouse!

Unfortunately for me, I was flying Economy and just had to deal with the madness but when I took a look at the First Class check-in area, it was like this little island of tranquility (off limits to me).

So flying First Class is a good way to avoid the frenzy in some cases.

One interesting thing is that Alaska does not offer priority security lines for First Class passengers. That doesn’t bother me because I always use TSA Pre-Check/CLEAR but it is a departure from most other airlines.

Related: How Early Should You Get to the Airport?

first class Dedicated check-in line

Two free checked bags

As a First Class passenger, you will get your first two bags checked for free.

The weight limit is 50 pounds for each so they don’t increase your weight allowance like most other US airlines do for First Class.

Normally, your first checked bag would cost $30 and your second checked bag would cost $40. So First Class can offer you some decent savings on your luggage fees but there are other ways to save.

For example, Alaska provides some special free luggage perks for certain types of passengers like those flying within the state of Alaska.

Also, if you have a co-branded Alaska credit card you can get your first bag checked for free for yourself and others.

Read more about the different ways to avoiding Alaska baggage fees here.

Alaska baggage kiosks

Lounge access

Something unique about Alaska Airlines is that they offer First Class passengers access to Alaska lounges, even for domestic flights.

They don’t have any cut off time so you can show up to the lounge as early as you’d like as long as you have a First Class boarding pass for that day.

You cannot bring any guests with you for free — they would have to be flying Alaska First Class, purchasing a day pass, or have some other type of membership access.

(FYI – day passes are not available for every lounge.) Also, upgrades to First Class are not eligible for free lounge visits.

There are quite a few ways you can get into an Alaska Lounge if you don’t qualify with a First Class ticket and you can read about all of those different ways here.

In the Alaska Lounge, you’ll find complimentary food including free alcohol.

The offerings are pretty basic compared to something like a Centurion Lounge but they do offer certain specialties like their famous pancake maker.

Other free options include: oatmeal, soups, salads, and snacks like fruit, pretzels, chips, and cookies.

At some lounges like Sea-Tac’s North Satellite Terminal you can put in orders for hot food items like sandwiches and paninis for around $8 to $10.

At the bar, you’ll find free wine, beer (including local craft beers), and spirits although premium alcohol comes with an extra charge.

Alaska does not have a huge nationwide lounge network and for the most part you’re going to find these lounges clustered in the West Coast/PNW.

Below are all of the lounge locations:

AirportLocation
Anchorage Airport (ANC)Concourse C, near Gate C-1
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)Terminal 7 on the Mezzanine level, just above security
Los Angeles Airport (LAX)Terminal 6 on the mezzanine level, near Gate 64
Portland Airport (PDX)Concourse B, near the entrance to Concourse B;
Concourse C, across from Gate C5
San Francisco Airport (SFO)Terminal 2, just beyond the D Security Checkpoint
Seattle/Tacoma Airport (SEA)Concourse C, on the mezzanine level next to Gate C-16;
Concourse D, just beyond Security Checkpoint 4;
North Satellite on the mezzanine level, above Gates N13-18

If you’re based in the Pacific Northwest, your First Class ticket might be getting more valuable because some of the lounges will be a lot more attractive to you in the next few years.

Alaska has a lot of big plans for re-doing the lounges in Seattle and Portland to provide 50% more capacity. There are also plans for a 20,000-square-foot lounge at Seattle airport for 2026. Stay tuned!

Alaska lounge seating area with views of tarmac
Alaska lounge at LAX. Photo by Evan Didier.

Boarding privileges

If you are First Class passenger you’ll be one of the first to board the plane because you can board before Group A.

The Alaska Airlines boarding groups include:

  • Pre-boarding (Military, disabilities, unaccompanied minors, etc.)
  • First Class
  • Group A (Million Milers, MVP Gold, and MVP Gold 75K)
  • Group B (MVP members and guests in Premium Class seats)
  • Group C (Main Cabin in the back)
  • Group D (Main Cabin in the front)
  • Group E (Saver)

When it’s time for boarding you’ll see a sign at the gate indicating where First Class and elite members will line-up.

You can line up there before it is time to board but just make sure you leave enough space for people to easily get through.

As soon as pre-boarding is done they will announce the call for First Class passengers and you can make your way down the jet bridge.

You should be among the first to board because you get to board ahead of many of the MVP members.

That’s a noticeable difference between other airlines like United and American that allow some high-ranking elite members to board before First Class.

Related: Alaska Airlines 737-9 MAX First Class Review (SEA-PHX)

The First Class Experience

Now that you have a sense of the perks, let’s take a look at what the actual First Class flying experience will be like.

The cabin

A typical First Class cabin will have 12 to 16 seats and will be arranged in a 2-2 configuration. On smaller, regional aircraft you can expect a 1-2 configuration with 12 seats.

Here’s a look at what you can expect when you stroll into your cabin.

Alaska Airlines first class cabin

Some of the aircraft feature a unique (carpeted) design on the bulkhead that I find frequent flyers either love or hate.

Personally, I really like the geometric design (not sure about the carpet) and always appreciate an airline that does something different with their cabin’s interior.

Some of the cabins ditch the design for something more simplistic, which looks clean but also more sterile and boring.

Alaska Airlines first class cabin

In the back of the cabin, there’s a semi-private partition that some flight attendants pull to shield you from the happenings in the Economy Cabin. They don’t always pull it closed in my experience.

Alaska Airlines first class cabin partition

First Class passengers have their own lavatory in the front of the plane which is supposed to be reserved for First Class only.

However, depending on the circumstance, sometimes they allow Economy passengers to use it.

Related: Can You Use the First Class Lavatory When in Economy?

The seat

Your First Class seat will offer you a lot more legroom than a standard Economy seat. In fact, it offers more legroom than most other similar First Class products.

Your seat width will be around 21 inches and you will have around 41 inches in pitch, which is a lot of legroom.

I’m not sure how big of a difference it is when you’re talking about 38 inches versus 41 inches since both are plenty but I do think it’s cool that Alaska is an industry leader with its First Class legroom.

I guess that makes up for not having lie flat seats.

Okay, it totally doesn’t but it’s a start, I guess.

The seats are significantly more roomy than Economy although if you upgraded to Premium Class, some of those seats offer a lot of legroom.

Overall, I found the seats to be pretty comfortable although at the end of the day they are still just standard recliner seats.

Alaska Airlines first class seat

A standard recliner seat can only be so “tricked out” but your seat may have a couple of helpful features.

Some of the seats will have a drink tray that pulls out from the middle.

Alaska Airlines first class tray

Others may have small storage compartments on the side of the seat.

Alaska Airlines first class seat storage

Some of the new First Class seats feature custom-designed Recaro leather seats, which looks a lot more sleek than the old standard look. Plus, they have tablet holders.

Alaska Airlines first class seat new

You’ll also find foot rests on these which I have mixed feelings about.

It is nice to have something to rest your legs on but if you have a personal item stored beneath the seat in front of you, you don’t have much room for the foot rest and it sort of blocks the room you need for larger personal items.

Alaska Airlines first class seat foot rest

Dining

Alaska very rarely provides true pre-departure beverages.

Instead, you’ll find Boxed Water at your seat whenever you arrive.

I like that they provide something a little different but I’m personally just not a fan of Boxed Water as there is something unappealing about drinking water out of a carton no matter how environmentally friendly it may or may not be.

Alaska Airlines first class boxed water

On flights over 350 miles, you’ll get the full drink service served to you in a glass.

Alcoholic options include:

  • Anchor Brewing West Coast IPA
  • Full Sail Brewing Sesión Cerveza Lager
  • Intrinsic Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Intrinsic Columbia Valley Sauvignon Blanc
  • Domaine St. Vincent Sparkling Wine
  • Jack Daniel’s Whiskey
  • Woodford Reserve Bourbon
  • Scotch Whisky
  • Cruzan Rum
  • Gin
  • Tito’s Vodka
  • Five Farms Irish Cream

Keep in mind that the exact menu can vary.

Alaska Airlines first class drinks

Of course, you can always go with non-alcoholic products.

Alaska Airlines first class drinks

Breakfast will be served on flights departing from 5 AM to 10 AM and lunch and dinner will be served on departures from 10 AM to 9 PM.

The type of meal that you can expect will depend on how long your flight is.

Flights 670+ miles

For flights just over 670 miles you can expect something on the lighter side like a Soy Meets World entrée salad.

Flights 1,100+ miles

For mid range flights the meal gets a little better with a hot entrée or the Signature Fruit & Cheese Plate (examples of both in the photos below).

Flights 2,140+ miles (Hawaii and coast-to-coast)

On the longest of journeys, you’ll get the most from their meal service including an appetizer, bread and butter, and choice of hot entrée like the a Southwest Strata baked with Ciabatta bread and Napoles cactus for breakfast or a Honey BBQ Flat Iron Steak for lunch or dinner.

Desserts can come in a few different forms like Butter Pecan cookies, chocolate bars, or vanilla ice cream.

So far, the vast majority of my First Class domestic dining has been on United Airlines and American Airlines, both of which have been pretty hit or miss.

But from the limited number of First Class flights on Alaska that I’ve experienced, I’ve been pretty impressed.

My advice would be to pre-order your meals so that you’ll know exactly what kind of meal to prepare for.

If you wait until dining is served, there is always the chance that your preferred menu option won’t be available.

And if you think you can just sit in the front row and order your food first, sometimes they take orders from the back first so that does not always work.

Learn more.

Alaska Airlines first class meal
Alaska Airlines first class meal

In-flight entertainment

One of the slight knocks against Alaska Airlines First Class is that they don’t offer seatback TVs.

Instead, you will just have to stream movies or TV shows by connecting to their in-flight entertainment via Wi-Fi, which you can do for free.

That cuts down on the First Class enjoyment in my opinion but a lot of people don’t care about having seatback monitors so it’s not a big deal for everyone.

The good news is that you will have a power outlet and USB port dedicated to your seat, making it very easy to keep all of your devices charged.

Related: What Airlines Have Seatback TV Screens?

Alaska Airlines first class power outlet

Booking

Upgrades

If you have elite status with Alaska Airlines you can take advantage of upgrades to First Class.

Depending on your status and the type of fare you purchase, you can get upgraded at the time of booking or whenever your upgrade window opens. I’d suggest you check out the upgrade policy here for more details.

If you want to use miles to upgrade to First Class you have to book an Economy fare that is eligible for upgrades. You can find these when searching for your flight by selecting “Mileage” from the Upgrade fare type selections, under Filter Results.

If you want to pay for an upgrade then that is something that will be available if First Class seats are open within 24 hours of departure. You can do this online, at a kiosk, or the check-in counter.

Awards

If you want to use Alaska miles to book a First Class flight, the price is going to depend on the distance.

They break up the award chart into different distance zones and the price for domestic First Class awards range from 15,000 miles all the way up to 30,000 miles.

Keep in mind that these are the starting prices so based on the type of fare you’re booking, the price can go up considerably.

DistanceAward Price
Less than 700 milesStarting at 15,000
Between 701 and 1,400 milesStarting at 25,000
Between 1,401 and 2,100 miles Starting at 25,000
Longer than 2,101 miles Starting at 30,000

Cash

When reviewing 30 different routes and comparing First Class vs others, we found that First Class was on average 166% more expensive than Main Cabin. That’s about 2.5 times the price on average.

Final word

Alaska Airlines First Class stands out in a few ways with universal lounge access and industry leading leg room. The lack of lie-flat seats is a bit of a bummer but just about everything else about the First Class experience is up to par with other major US airlines.

Alaska Airlines Saver Fare vs Main Cabin: What Benefits Do You Lose?

If you’ve been planning a trip on Alaska Airlines chances are that you may have come across Saver Fares.

These can be really tempting tickets based on the lower price but what exactly will you lose out on if you choose a Saver over a Main Cabin Fare?

In this article, we will take a deep dive and compare each aspect of Saver Fares against what you would be offered when flying Main Cabin.

Everything from boarding, carry-ons, and pricing will be discussed.

By the end of the article, you’ll be able to make an informed decision on whether or not it would be worth it for you to book a Saver Fare or just go with Main Cabin.

What is the Alaska Airlines Saver Fare?

An Alaska Airlines Saver Fare is the cheapest fare available on some Alaska Airlines routes. It’s the equivalent of “Basic Economy” on other airlines.

While it is the cheapest fare, it comes with limitations on important things you’ll care about like: changes, seat selection, and boarding.

For your reference, the different type of fares you can choose from when booking an Alaska Airlines ticket include:

  • Saver
  • Main Cabin (standard economy)
  • Premium Class (not a true fare but an upgraded seat)
  • First Class

So this article is focusing on the differences between the cheapest two fares offered by Alaska.

Note that these different fares will not be available on every route.

Related: Alaska Premium Class vs Main Cabin vs First Class: Which Is for You?

Booking Alaska Airlines Basic Economy

It’s very easy to purchase an Alaska Airlines Saver Fare.

After you input your flight search details, the results will show the option to select “Saver” or Main assuming that both are available.

You can simply select the option you would like and if you select “Saver” you will probably receive a confirmation message to make sure that you understand the restrictions.

Simply proceed through booking as you normally would and it’s as easy as that.

Throughout the booking process you will have multiple opportunities to upgrade to Main Cabin just in case you end up changing your mind.

Also, you can even choose a Premium Class seat when it comes time to seat selection.

Note: If you purchase a Premium Class seat with a Saver Fare, Saver Fare restrictions still apply.

Carry-on bags

Anytime you’re dealing with a Basic Economy Fare such as the Saver Fare the biggest question on your mind is probably can you bring a free carry-on bag?

Well, you will be happy to know that Alaska Airlines allows you to bring a free carry-on bag when flying on a Saver Fare. This is the same policy that applies to Main Cabin.

The same size restrictions also apply so your carry-on item needs to be no larger than 22″x14″x9.”

Considering that Saver Fare passengers will be the last to board (unless you have some kind of special exception), you may want to try to go with a smaller carry-on to avoid having to check it.

But then again, if you already are facing a high likelihood of checking your bag, maybe you want to go ahead and utilize all of the space that a full-size carry-on bag affords.

Alaska Airlines overhead storage space

Personal item

Both Main Cabin and Saver passengers can bring a personal item on board with them for free.

A personal item is usually smaller than your carry-on bag and it often consists of a backpack, purse, laptop bag, camera bag, etc.

The major distinguishing factor between a carry-on and a personal item is that your personal item typically goes underneath the seat in front of you and needs to be a size that can easily fit under there.

When flying a Saver Fare, you probably want to put things like lithium ion batteries into your personal item because you may have to check your carry-on bag if the plane is full (but more on that below).

Related: What’s a Personal Item on a Plane?

Checked baggage

Alaska Airlines charges $30 for your first checked bag and $40 for your second checked bag. These prices apply the same to both Saver Fares and Main Cabin Fares.

You’ll be happy to know that if you have elite status, you will still maintain your baggage allowances even if you purchased a Saver Fare.

Also, Alaska Airlines credit card holders can qualify for free checked bags.

Seat selection

When you purchase a Saver Fare, you are not able to select your seat for free. Instead, seats will be assigned to you at the airport/check-in.

If you don’t get a seat when you check in, your seat will be automatically assigned at the gate.

On my prior Alaska flights, I heard them make a special announcement for passengers who have not received an assigned seat to come up to the desk so that might be how you find out where you will be seated.

You should be prepared for a middle seat on a lot of flights especially if they are full. However, if the occupancy rate is lower you might still get away with a window or aisle seat.

This is a pretty big difference between Saver Fares and Main Cabin since Main Cabin gives you the option to select your seat for free.

For groups or families wanting to sit together, you should be aware that there is no guarantee that parties of two or more will be seated together.

So Saver Fares are often NOT the best options for families traveling together.

It’s worth pointing out that elite members do NOT receive preferred seating or upgrade benefits with Saver Fares.

Alaska airlines main cabin seat

Boarding

When you fly with a Saver Fare, you’re going to be in the very last boarding group which is Boarding Group E.

When flying Main Cabin you could be in Group C or Group D.

Typically, if your seat is in the front of the Economy Cabin then you’ll be in the latter group and if you are seated towards the back of the plane you will be in Group C.

The implications of this means that if you are boarding with a Saver Fare, you could struggle to find overhead storage bin space.

Overhead storage bin space could potentially be an issue for Main Cabin passengers in Group D as well.

I’ve flown economy with Alaska Airlines and boarded with Group D and we did not have any problem finding overhead storage bin space so I know it can be done. It just might make you a little bit nervous.

In the event that there is no space for your carry-on you can bring it forward and they will check the bag for free.

For that reason, if you are flying on a Saver Fare try to keep things like lithium ion batteries in your personal item such as a backpack so that you don’t have to deal with the challenges of checking such bags.

If you have a Saver Fare and qualify for pre-boarding you can still take advantage of pre-boarding but you need to notify an agent about that.

Something else worth pointing out is that Elite Mileage Plan passengers get their elite boarding perks even when flying on a Saver Fare.

That’s a pretty big perk that can make Saver Fares much more appealing.

Alaska airlines boarding

In-flight experience

Once you have made it to your seat and the plane takes off, the in-flight experience is going to be identical whether you are flying Main Cabin or a Saver Fare.

Your legroom will be the same since the seats are all identical in economy.

The only time you would have more legroom is whenever you are flying in a Premium Class seat or you get a seat in an emergency exit row.

However, the latter would be tough to come by with a Saver seat since they are typically reserved for elites.

 Standard legroom in main cabin.
Standard legroom in main cabin.

You’ll be able to get the same Wi-Fi and in-flight entertainment streaming options as Main Cabin.

It’s also nice that you can often find outlets and USB ports in the Economy Cabin so it’s pretty easy to keep your devices charged up when flying Main Cabin or Saver.

That’s pretty important because Alaska Airlines does not have seatback TVs.

Both Main and Saver passengers can choose food and drink options from the menu.

You can get complimentary drinks like soda water and some light snacks like Biscoff Cookies but if you want a meal you will need to pay for that and also perhaps order ahead of time.

If your elite status entitles you to free snacks or beverages you can get those.

Refunds and changes

If you book a Saver Fare or Main Cabin ticket, you can always cancel for no penalty within 24 hours for tickets purchased 24 hours or more prior to your scheduled departure time.

Another big difference between Main Cabin and Saver Fares is that they allow changes for Main Cabin tickets (a difference in fare may apply).

However, Saver Fares cannot be changed or canceled.

So you don’t want to book a Saver Fare unless you are absolutely 100% positive that you will be flying that day.

Another major rule to be aware of is that there are no same-day standby or same-day confirmed changes allowed on Saver Fares. This is the case even for those who have Mileage Plan elite status.

And finally you are not allowed to mix Saver Fares with Main Cabin Fares on the same itinerary.

Earning miles and loyalty points

Whenever you fly a Saver Fare also known as an “X” fare, you’ll be happy to know that you will earn 100% of your base miles.

What’s more, if you have elite status with Alaska Airlines you’ll also earn 100% of your bonus miles.

Upgrades

Both Main Cabin and Saver Fares can be upgraded to First Class.

These paid upgrades can be done on the day of departure at the check-in kiosk or airport ticket counter/gate. In some cases, you may be able to upgrade online before then.

The biggest thing to be aware of is that if you do upgrade to First Class from a Saver Fare, Saver Fare restrictions still apply.

So you won’t be able to cancel or change your flight. The same thing applies whenever you purchase a Premium Class seat.

And be sure that you don’t rush into upgrading or purchasing a seat because once you make a purchase, you won’t be able to get a refund for Premium Class seat purchases or First Class paid upgrades.

Pricing

We were very curious about the price differences between Main Cabin and Saver Fares so we conducted a small study with about 30 different Alaska Airlines routes.

Our findings showed that Main Cabin was on average 23% percent more expensive than a Saver Fare.

Interestingly, the price difference between the two fares is usually always in exact increments of $20, $30, $40, and $50.

This can make it really easy to decide if a Saver Fare is worth it.

For example, you can ask yourself is saving $50 worth potentially losing out on everything due to not being able to make changes to your flight?

Or, in other cases is $20 worth giving up your ability to sit with your travel partner and potentially having to check your carry-on?

When you attach that type of specific value to your savings, it’s a little easier to decide whether or not it’s worth it to go with the cheaper fare.

Because we always like to disclose our data points, below you can find all of the different price points we found:

RouteSaverMain
Seattle (SEA) to Juneau (JNU)$80$110
Seattle (SEA) to Fairbanks (FAI)$119$149
Seattle (SEA) to Honolulu (HNL)$259$299
Seattle (SEA) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL)$159$209
Seattle (SEA) to New Orleans (MSY)$189$229
Los Angeles (LAX) to Anchorage (ANC)$171$201
Los Angeles (LAX) to Puerto Vallarta (PVR)$151$191
Los Angeles (LAX) to Salt Lake City (SLC)$159$189
Los Angeles (LAX) to Washington, DC – Dulles (IAD)$169$209
Los Angeles (LAX) to Newark (EWR)$138$178
San Francisco (SFO) to New York-Kennedy (JFK)$158$188
San Francisco (SFO) to Chicago-O’Hare (ORD)$131$161
San Francisco (SFO) to Las Vegas (LAS)$49$69
San Francisco (SFO) to Phoenix (PHX)$159$189
San Francisco (SFO) to Austin (AUS)$139$179
Portland (PDX) to Anchorage (ANC)$128$158
Portland (PDX) to Maui (OGG)$259$299
Portland (PDX) to Reno (RNO)$99$129
Portland (PDX) to Albuquerque (ABQ)$99$129
Portland (PDX) to Boise (BOI)$69$89
San Diego (SAN) to Kona (KOA)$159$199
San Diego (SAN) to Boston (BOS)$179$229
San Diego (SAN) to Orlando (MCO)$189$229
San Diego (SAN) to Sacramento (SMF)$49$69
San Diego (SAN) to Cabo San Lucas (SJD)$166$206
Anchorage (ANC) to Chicago-O’Hare (ORD)$159$189
Anchorage (ANC) to Phoenix (PHX)$198$228
Anchorage (ANC) to Honolulu (HNL)$198$238

Final word

A lot of travelers are attracted to the cheaper Saver Fares on Alaska Airlines.

For some passengers, it makes sense to jump on these cheaper tickets but it may not be worth it if you want to secure overhead storage bin space, want to sit together, and have doubts that you might need to change your flight dates.

Sometimes having elite status can make choosing a Saver Fare a better option because you can still take advantage of perks like priority boarding but at the end of the day you will likely always be losing out on some type of benefits such as upgrades or seat selection.

My recommendation is to break down what specific benefits you will be losing out on with a Saver Fare and ask yourself if the price savings are worth it.

Personally, almost every time I do this the answer is “no” but it all depends on your personal circumstances and preferences.

Alaska Premium Class vs Main Cabin vs First Class: Which Is for You?

If you’re thinking about flying Alaska Airlines you might be trying to decide which class would be best for you.

In this article, I’ll break down the key differences between Alaska Premium Class, Main Cabin, and First Class.

I’ll focus on things like boarding privileges, legroom, dining, and other key aspects like price, so you’ll have a solid understanding of what to expect in each class.

Lounge access

One major difference between First Class and Premium Class and Main Cabin is that a First Class ticket can get you into Alaska Lounges. (Upgraded passengers do not qualify.)

If you still want lounge access then consider picking up a credit card like the Platinum Card from American Express which offers Centurion Lounge access and also gets you into a lot of other nice airport lounges.

Cards offering Priority Pass memberships are also a good option for Main Cabin passengers wanting in on airport lounges.

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

Check-in

Main Cabin and Premium Class will have the standard check in lines but when you fly First Class you will be able to skip ahead with expedited check-in and express security screening at select airports.

The expedited check-in lane can save you a lot of time whenever the lines get really backed up for baggage check-in.

I’ve flown a lot of domestic First Class but I’ve never really been big on the expedited security screening because I already have TSA Pre-Check and CLEAR. But if you don’t have those, that expedited screening could come in handy at some airports.

Boarding

When flying Main Cabin, you’re gonna be boarding with Group C or Group D which means that you could be among the last to board especially if you are in the front section of economy.

This could make it difficult to secure overhead storage bin space which is a huge difference between Main Cabin and Premium Class. With Premium Class, you will board in Group B which should guarantee you overhead storage bin space.

First Class is the very first to board after pre-boarding and so it beats out both of the groups above.

You should never struggle to find overhead storage bin space when flying First Class unless you are late to boarding and the crew allowed people to stuff the First Class bins.

Baggage fees

First Class is the only fare that provides you with free checked baggage, allowing you to check your first and second checked bags for free. If you were planning on checking two bags that could save you $70 for a one-way trip.

Premium Class and Main Cabin do not offer you any perks for free baggage.

However, if you have an Alaska Airlines credit card you can easily get a free bag when flying in economy. You can also get two free bags if you have elite status or are a member of Club 49.

And finally, if you are flying within the state of Alaska you can also get free checked bags.

Cabin

Premium Class and Main Cabin combine to make up the entire Economy Cabin while First Class is at the front of the plane, sometimes divided by a semi-private partition.

The typical Economy Cabin will be in a 3-3 configuration although the smaller regional aircraft will be in a 2-2. The first 3 to 5 rows will make up the Premium Class section and everything after that is Main Cabin.

Related: Alaska Airlines Premium Class Review: Worth It?

The typical First Class cabin will be arranged in a 2-2 configuration with 3 to 5 rows of seats. Regional aircraft will be in a 2-1 configuration.

Some of the cabins have some cool Alaskan-inspired designs that accent the bulkhead and cabin pretty well, so the First Class cabin can have a bit more of a “cozy” feel to it.

Legroom

Legroom is one area where you will see pretty dramatic differences between the classes. For many people, it’s the sole reason why they choose one class over the other.

Main Cabin seats offer you seat pitch of about 30 to 32 inches depending on the aircraft. That’s a decent amount of legroom for economy but not quite industry-leading.

Your leg room is going to look a lot like this.

Premium Class will up your leg room by about 4 to 5 inches on average although sometimes you get even more. Below is what your legroom looks like for a typical Premium Class seat. Keep in mind I’m 6’1.”

Those extra few inches may not look like much but they can make a pretty big comfort difference in my experience.

In some cases, Premium Class offers pitch up to 37 inches!

I’ve personally flown Premium Class in the bulkhead and had a pretty insane amount of legroom that was comparable to First Class.

With that said, First Class does come in strong with 41 inches of legroom not to mention the additional width you get which makes you get that much more comfortable. Some First Class seats also have a foot rest.

Food & Drinks

First Class is going to offer you a complimentary hot (or cold) meal on flights that are 1,100 miles or longer. The meals get a little better on coast to coast flights or those flights to Hawaii with the introduction of an appetizer.

Meanwhile, you do not get a free meal when flying Premium Class or Main Cabin.

Instead, you can you get some basic snacks like Biscoff cookies but you do have the option to pre-order certain types of meals (~$10) on flights 1,100 miles or longer and to order snack packs on shorter flights above 783 miles.

In First Class, you get free alcoholic beverages but you can also get these when flying Premium Class. The difference? In First Class, you’ll get your drink served to you in a glass. Plus, you can get pre-departure Boxed Water.

They will still serve free drinks like soda water in Main Cabin so you can still get something for free but if you want alcoholic beverages you’ll have to purchase them at these prices: Beer $8; Wine & Spirits $9.

In-flight entertainment

In-flight entertainment is going to basically be the same for all three cabins.

You will not find a seatback TV in First Class nor will you find them in Main Cabin or Premium Class. Instead, you can connect to the Wi-Fi on the plane and stream movies and TV shows.

Alaska is also very good about supplying USB ports and power outlets on almost all the aircraft and for just about every seat.

When flying in Main Cabin or Premium Class you may have to share your power outlet with other passengers but when flying First Class you will have your own dedicated power outlet.

Related: Which Airlines Have Power Outlets & USB Ports?

Cost

The cost difference between Main Cabin and Premium Class is going to vary based on the length of the route.

Sometimes you can upgrade for as little as $9 but other times it may be closer to $150 if you’re talking about one of the longer routes. We looked at 30 different routes and found that the average price increase from Main Cabin to Premium Class was $76.

The price difference for First Class can be much higher.

On short flights, the difference between First Class and Main Cabin may actually not be that much and when you factor in baggage fee savings, it can make sense to go with First Class.

But on longer flights you could be paying significantly more money for an Alaska Airlines First Class flight, especially if you can’t jump on one of the cheaper fares.

When reviewing 30 different routes, we found that First Class was on average 166% more expensive than Main Cabin. That’s about 2.5 times the price on average.

Here’s all the price data we found. (The premium cost reflects the price increase from economy.)

RouteEconomyPremiumFirst
Seattle (SEA) to Juneau (JNU)$110$34$260
Seattle (SEA) to Fairbanks (FAI)$149$55$579
Seattle (SEA) to Honolulu (HNL)$299$149$1,009
Seattle (SEA) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL)$259$149$939
Seattle (SEA) to New Orleans (MSY)$360$149$770
Los Angeles (LAX) to Anchorage (ANC)$201$79$601
Los Angeles (LAX) to Puerto Vallarta (PVR)$391$89$941
Los Angeles (LAX) to Salt Lake City (SLC)$219$9$279
Los Angeles (LAX) to Washington, DC – Dulles (IAD)$203$149$669
Los Angeles (LAX) to Newark (EWR)$209$119$669
San Francisco (SFO) to New York-Kennedy (JFK)$182$124$890
San Francisco (SFO) to Chicago-O’Hare (ORD)$161$69$479
San Francisco (SFO) to Las Vegas (LAS)$69$29$139
San Francisco (SFO) to Phoenix (PHX)$159$25$249
San Francisco (SFO) to Austin (AUS)$179$44$369
Portland (PDX) to Anchorage (ANC)$209$49$471
Portland (PDX) to Maui (OGG)$359$149$1,499
Portland (PDX) to Reno (RNO)$129$25$189
Portland (PDX) to Albuquerque (ABQ)$129$49$319
Portland (PDX) to Boise (BOI)$89$15$169
San Diego (SAN) to Kona (KOA)$199$149$1,269
San Diego (SAN) to Boston (BOS)$229$129$939
San Diego (SAN) to Orlando (MCO)$211$149$619
San Diego (SAN) to Sacramento (SMF)$69$15$109
San Diego (SAN) to Cabo San Lucas (SJD)$611$59$941
Anchorage (ANC) to Nome (OME)$174$16$204
Anchorage (ANC) to Adak Island (ADK)$568$26$598
Anchorage (ANC) to Chicago-O’Hare (ORD)$189$89$779
Anchorage (ANC) to Phoenix (PHX)$211$84$729
Anchorage (ANC) to Juneau (JNU)$182$16$252

Final word

As you can tell, there are some pretty big differences between Main Cabin, Premium Class, and First Class.

Not every difference matters to every person so it’s important to hone in on what differences are key for your value determinations.

For some people, the extra legroom is crucial but for others, they put value on things like priority boarding, free alcohol, and free meals.

Ultimately, you will have to place your own value on each of these differences and determine if the cost difference is justified for your individual situation.

Alaska Airlines Premium Class Review: Worth It? [2022]

If you have ever flown with Alaska Airlines you probably considered upgrading to Alaska Premium Class at some point. But what exactly could you expect when upgrading and would it actually be worth the extra cost?

In this article, I will show you everything you need to know about Alaska Premium Class. I’ll give you a breakdown of all the benefits, some photos of the cabin, and also a lot of price data points for Premium Class.

What is Alaska Premium Class?

Alaska Airlines Premium Class is the economy plus product offered by Alaska Airlines. The main benefits of flying Alaska Premium Class include: extra legroom, priority boarding, and complimentary alcoholic beverages.

Although the word “Premium” is used don’t get the seats confused with what is typically offered in a Premium Economy product as they are very different.

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

Alaska Airlines Premium Class seats

How do you book Alaska Premium Class?

You can book Premium Class at several different times before your departure date.

At the time of booking

Whenever you are booking your flight, you can simply select a seat in Premium Class. You will do this after you input your personal information for your ticket.

Note that on a couple of my flights it initially did not show any seats available in Premium Class. However, whenever I checked back several days later I was able to see some availability and upgrade myself.

Also, not every aircraft will have Premium Class.

Premium class seat selection

After booking and before check-in

After you make a booking you can use the manage reservation tool to change your seat to Premium Class.

At the time of check-in

At the time of check-in you can also decide to upgrade your seat. This can be done online, on the app, or at the airport when you arrive at a kiosk or check-in desk.

Onboard?

Alaska Airlines states that you can upgrade onboard although I’m not sure exactly how that would work. And because of seats filling up quickly, I would recommend upgrading well ahead of departure.

Elite Mileage Plan upgrades

If you hold Mileage Plan elite status with Alaska Airlines you can get free upgrades to Premium Class.

You can get upgrades to Premium Class at the time of booking based on the following rules:

  • MVP: Y, B or H fares
  • MVP Gold: Y, B, H, K, M, L, V, S or N fares
  • MVP Gold 75K: All fares except Saver fares
  • MVP Gold 100K: All fares except Saver fares

If you have a non-qualifying fare you can still get upgraded close to departure based on the following rules:

  • MVP: 48 hours before departure
  • MVP Gold: 72 hours before departure
  • MVP Gold 75K: 120 hours before departure
  • MVP Gold 100K: 120 hours Highest waitlist priority

Be aware that upgrades to Premium Class will only be processed automatically if the same seat type is available to upgrade you into (e.g. window to window).

If you are currently in the middle seat, you will be eligible to be upgraded into any Premium Class seat. And if you are in an exit row seat, you will have to select a Premium Class seat yourself.

MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K, and MVP Gold 100K can also get Premium Class upgrades with one companion on the same flight and reservation. (If a reservation includes more than one companion, it will not be eligible for complimentary upgrades.)

Note: Accepting a Premium Class upgrade will not affect your placement on the waitlist for First Class upgrades.

Read more about upgrades here.

Alaska Airlines Premium Class seats

Alaska Premium Class experience: Worth it?

To understand if flying Alaska Premium Class is worth it, let’s take a close look at all of them main benefits.

Priority boarding

One of the biggest perks of Alaska Premium Class is that you can get priority boarding. With an Alaska Premium Class ticket, you will board with Group B.

Here’s a look at all the boarding groups:

  • Pre-boarding (Military, disabilities, unaccompanied minors, etc.)
  • First class
  • Group A (Million Milers, MVP Gold, and MVP Gold 75K)
  • Group B (MVP members and guests in Premium Class seats)
  • Group C (Main cabin in the back)
  • Group D (Main cabin in the front)
  • Group E (Saver)

Boarding right after Group A means that you should not ever have to worry about overhead storage bin space.

Alaska Airlines boarding

Seats towards the front of the cabin

In addition to boarding early, you’ll be able to snag a seat toward the front of the economy cabin.

Usually, it will be the first four or five rows behind first class where your seat will be located. This is great because it means you’ll be able to be one of the first passengers to board and also get off the plane.

So if you ever have a tight connection or need to get going, Premium Class can be worth it for that reason.

On top of these rows, you should also see a special color designating overhead storage bin space for Premium Class.

Airlines are not always very strict about these dedicated storage bin areas so don’t be surprised if regular economy passengers place their bags in these bins.

Alaska Airlines Premium Class cabin overhead storage bin

Extra legroom

On average, you will have 3 to 4 inches of extra legroom than Main Cabin although the exact amount of extra legroom you get with Premium Class is going to depend on the aircraft you’re flying. For example, on an Airbus A319, you could have six extra inches of legroom!

Here’s a look at both of the pitch (legroom) and the seat width you can expect on different Alaska Airlines aircraft with Premium Class. Keep in mind that the normal pitch for Alaska Main Cabin seats is about 30 to 32 inches.

AircraftPitchWidth
Airbus A319 V137″ – 38″18″
Airbus A320 V137″ – 38″17.7″
Airbus A32137″ – 38″18″
Boeing 737-70035″17″
Boeing 737-80035″17″
Boeing 737-90035″17″
Embraer 17534″18.25″
Alaska Airlines Premium Class legroom

I’ve flown Premium Class a few times and I really enjoyed the bulkhead seats. You get a lot of extra legroom and you can still slide your baggage underneath the first class seats in front of you.

It’s an extremely comfortable way to fly, although there are hard partitions between the armrests which can be a bit more confining for some people.

Alaska Airlines Premium Class legroom bulkhead
Premium Class legroom on a 737-700.

If you don’t get the bulkhead, here’s a look at the legroom you would have in a normal Premium Class seat.

Alaska Airlines  Premium Class legroom on a 737-900.
Premium Class legroom on a 737-900.

Now compare that to a normal economy seat on Alaska Airlines.

Related: Alaska Premium Class vs Main Cabin vs First Class: Which Is for You?

Main Cabin legroom on a 737-900 alaska Airlines.
Main Cabin legroom on a 737-900.

And just in case you were wondering, here is the legroom in a first class seat on Alaska Airlines.

First Class legroom on a 737-900.

Free alcoholic beverages

One perk that people really love about premium class is that you can get free alcoholic beverages, including complimentary beer, wine, and cocktails.

In order to get these free drinks, the flight needs to be at least 350 miles.

The normal prices for these would be: Beer $8, Wine & Spirits $9. So if you can down a couple of drinks you would be saving nearly $20. Not bad.

They have a good drink selection which includes:

  • Anchor Brewing West Coast IPA
  • Full Sail Brewing Sesión Cerveza Lager
  • Broken Earth Winery El Pasado Red Blend
  • Canoe Ridge Vineyards Chardonnay
  • Domaine St. Vincent Sparkling Wine
  • Jack Daniel’s Whiskey
  • Woodford Reserve Bourbon
  • Scotch Whisky
  • Cruzan Rum
  • Gin
  • Tito’s Vodka
  • Five Farms Irish Cream
Alaska Airlines Premium Class alcoholic drink

You can also order soda water and other beverages like seltzer for free although main cabin also gets them for free.

Alaska Airlines Premium Class drink

They also provide complimentary snacks. If your trip is over 1,100 miles you can pre-order $10 meals like the Signature Fruit & Cheese Platter, Chicken & Mango Salsa Wrap, or Sunrise Breakfast Sandwich.

And if your trip is only over 783 miles, you can order snacks like potato chips, chocolate covered almonds, or Northwest Deli Picnic Pack.

Related: Alaska Airlines 737-9 MAX First Class Review (SEA-PHX)

Alaska Airlines Premium Class snack

Seatback TVs

Alaska Airlines is one of the US airlines that do not provide seatback screens, so even when flying you will not have a screen in front of you.

The good thing is that in premium class you can still get power outlets and USB ports. (Other cabins also offer outlets and USB ports.) This makes it very easy to keep your device charged while you enjoy entertainment on your device.

Remember, you can always stream movies and TV shows for free when flying on Alaska by connecting your device to their Wi-Fi.

Which Airlines Have Power Outlets & USB Ports?

Alaska Airlines Premium Class USB power outlet

How much does it cost to upgrade to Premium Class?

Premium Class upgrades start as low as $15 a flight but the exact price is going to depend on your specific route. For example, upgrading to Premium Class on a flight to Hawaii could cost you $150.

Below, we have provided data points for 30 different routes to give you a sense of what it would cost to upgrade to Premium Class on Alaska Airlines.

We have also provided the price for an economy ticket and first class ticket so that you can compare the prices.

One interesting thing to note is that they don’t charge more for aisle or window seats when upgrading.

Seattle (SEA) to Juneau (JNU)

  • Economy: $110
  • Premium: +$34
  • First: $260

Seattle (SEA) to Fairbanks (FAI)

  • Economy: $149
  • Premium: +$55
  • First: $579

Seattle (SEA) to Honolulu (HNL)

  • Economy: $299
  • Premium: +$149
  • First: $1,009

Seattle (SEA) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL)

  • Economy: $259
  • Premium: +$149
  • First: $939

Seattle (SEA) to New Orleans (MSY)

  • Economy: $369
  • Premium: +$149
  • First: $770

Los Angeles (LAX) to Anchorage (ANC)

  • Economy: $201
  • Premium: +$79
  • First: $601

Los Angeles (LAX) to Puerto Vallarta (PVR)

  • Economy: $391
  • Premium: +$89
  • First: $941

Los Angeles (LAX) to Salt Lake City (SLC)

  • Economy: $219
  • Premium: +$9
  • First: $279

Los Angeles (LAX) to Washington, DC – Dulles (IAD)

  • Economy: $203
  • Premium: +$149
  • First: $669

Los Angeles (LAX) to Newark (EWR)

  • Economy: $209
  • Premium: +$119
  • First: $669

San Francisco (SFO) to New York-Kennedy (JFK)

  • Economy: $182
  • Premium: +$124
  • First: $890

San Francisco (SFO) to Chicago-O’Hare (ORD)

  • Economy: $161
  • Premium: +$69
  • First: $479

San Francisco (SFO) to Las Vegas (LAS)

  • Economy: $69
  • Premium: +$29
  • First: $139

San Francisco (SFO) to Phoenix (PHX)

  • Economy: $159
  • Premium: +$25
  • First: $249

San Francisco (SFO) to Austin (AUS)

  • Economy: $179
  • Premium: +$44
  • First: $369

Portland (PDX) to Anchorage (ANC)

  • Economy: $209
  • Premium: +$49
  • First: $471

Portland (PDX) to Maui (OGG)

  • Economy: $359
  • Premium: +$149
  • First: $1,499

Portland (PDX) to Reno (RNO)

  • Economy: $129
  • Premium: +$25
  • First: $189

Portland (PDX) to Albuquerque (ABQ)

  • Economy: $129
  • Premium: +$49
  • First: $319

Portland (PDX) to Boise (BOI)

  • Economy: $89
  • Premium: +$15
  • First: $169

San Diego (SAN) to Kona (KOA)

  • Econom: $199
  • Premium: +$149
  • First: $1,269

San Diego (SAN) to Boston (BOS)

  • Economy: $229
  • Premium: +$129
  • First: $939

San Diego (SAN) to Orlando (MCO)

  • Economy: $211
  • Premium: +$149
  • First: $619

San Diego (SAN) to Sacramento (SMF)

  • Economy: $69
  • Premium: +$15
  • First: $109

San Diego (SAN) to Cabo San Lucas (SJD)

  • Economy: $611
  • Premium: +$59
  • First: $941

Anchorage (ANC) to Nome (OME)

  • Economy: $174
  • Premium: +$16
  • First: $204

Anchorage (ANC) to Adak Island (ADK)

  • Economy: $568
  • Premium: +$26
  • First: $598

Anchorage (ANC) to Chicago-O’Hare (ORD)

  • Economy: $189
  • Premium: +$89
  • First: $779

Anchorage (ANC) to Phoenix (PHX)

  • Economy: $211
  • Premium: +$84
  • First: $729

Anchorage (ANC) to Juneau (JNU)

  • Economy: $182
  • Premium: +$16
  • First: $252

Final word

I really enjoyed my flights in Alaska Airlines Premium Class.

Because I am a little bit over 6 foot, I value the extra legroom quite a bit and it always helps to make the ride more comfortable.

It’s also really nice to not have to worry about boarding late and potentially not having overhead storage bin space.

The only area where there is questionable value for me is when it comes to alcoholic beverages because I don’t drink. However, if I did drink that would add about $10-$20 in value for a short to medium flight. More for longer flights.

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