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Since Alaska Airlines has expanded significantly over the past decade, there has been more competition among U.S. West Coast carriers.

It doesn't matter if you're flying transcontinentally from Seattle to New York or flying down the coast from San Francisco to Los Angeles. You can Book An Alaska Airlines Flight.

It's a bonus to be able to save some money with Alaska

Airlines' Saver fares. After all, Saver fares are Alaska Airlines' equivalent of basic economy fares on carriers like American Airlines, Delta and United. However, there are some restrictions associated with Saver fares.

Learn how to make the most of Alaska's budget-friendly flights and how to mitigate the restrictions of Saver fares with this guide.

Alaska Airlines' destinations

Airlines like Alaska offer flights to more than 100 domestic and international destinations, including Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, and Mexico. Airlines have hubs in the following cities:

Anchorage, Los Angeles, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle/Tacoma

Inflight Experience with Alaska Airlines

The Main Cabin fare allows you to select your own seat with no change fees. The Saver fare does not allow changes and does not include seat selection.

• In-flight dining

Depending on the duration of the flight, Alaska Airlines offers a variety of dining and beverage options for pre-ordering online.

• Wi-Fi

The airline is currently upgrading its airplanes to Gogo 2Ku satellite wi-fi, which lets passengers stream, browse, and chat on the plane. As of May 2021, 130 of 185 aircraft are equipped with satellite Wi-Fi.

The Gogo ATG4 basic inflight internet provides access to e-mail, social media, and online shopping even on planes without the new Wi-Fi system.

• Entertainment

Alaska Airlines offers free in-flight entertainment.

The entertainment library offers more than 500 free movies and 550 episodes of more than 80 TV series.

There are streaming entertainment systems in most aircraft, so you can watch movies and TV shows on your own device for free.

 Ticketing options

It is easy to Book Alaska Airlines Tickets with its three fare types. You can view Alaska’s low-fare calendar view for 3 days before and 3 days after your search date — or you can see the lowest fares for the entire month — if you are flexible with your dates.

Saver (Most restrictive fare):

There is no selection of seats.

• 1 personal item and 1 carry-on item.
• Status of last boarding.
• Changes are not permitted.

In addition to bonus miles, Mileage Plan elite status members receive priority boarding, check-in benefits, and baggage allowance, but they do not receive preferred seating or upgrade benefits on Saver fares.

 The main (standard economy) is as follows:

• If you upgrade to Premium Class, you can select your seat for free.
• No additional charge for changes
• The benefits of the Mileage Plan elite program apply

 In first class:

• It is free to select a seat.
• Access to the Alaska Lounge on select itineraries exceeding 2,100 miles.
• Priority status for onboarding.
• There is no additional charge for changes.
• Benefits of Mileage Plan Elite apply.

Additional Tips:

1. Review the Cancellation Policy: It's crucial to understand Alaska Airlines Cancellation Policy, as it may vary based on your ticket type and when you cancel. Be aware of any potential fees or restrictions.
2. Consider Travel Insurance: If you're concerned about unexpected circumstances that might lead to a cancellation, consider purchasing travel insurance. It can provide coverage for various situations, such as illness or emergencies.
3. Act Promptly: If you decide to cancel your flight, try to do so as soon as possible. Some fares may have a 24-hour risk-free cancellation period, while others may have more restrictive policies.
4. Keep Documentation: Always keep records of your booking reference, email confirmations, and any communication with Alaska Airlines. This documentation can be valuable if you need to dispute any charges or claim refunds.

Bag Policy/Fees for Alaska Airlines

It is our goal to keep Alaska Airline's baggage information up-to-date. However, Alaska Airline's baggage policy and fees are subject to change. Our Economy baggage fee chart can be found here.

• Item belonging to Alaska Airlines

There is a limit of one carry-on bag and one personal item per passenger. At least one of these items should be stowed beneath the seat in front of you.

• Carry-on bag for Alaska Airlines

Alaska Air allows one carry-on bag and one personal item, such as a purse, briefcase or laptop computer. At least one of the items should be stowed under the seat in front of you.

As of April 1, 2018, the size limit for carry-on bags on flights is 22" x 14" x 9" - that includes the wheels and handles.

• Alaska Airlines Checked Bag

Each additional bag costs $100. Alaska Airlines charges $30 for the first bag, $40 for the second bag, and $40 for the third bag.

The baggage rules and fees for Alaska Airlines flights 5000-5499 (operated by Qantas) or 8001-8100 (operated by American) are different. Please check with Qantas or American for their bag policies.

The fee applies to bags weighing up to 50 pounds and having a maximum linear dimension of 62 inches (linear). Oversized bags (those weighing between 51-100 pounds or having dimensions between 63-115 inches linear) will be charged a fee of $100.

• Sports Equipment Fees for Alaska Airlines

You may have to pay an oversize handling fee for large sports gear. For detailed information about oversize sports equipment and fees, please refer to Alaska Airlines.

Excess Fees and Travel Expenses: How to Avoid Them

Travel expenses and excess fees are reimbursed by several credit cards.

In this case, one of the Alaska Airlines co-branded credit cards is a great option, as both offer a free check-in bag on Alaska flights for you and up to six guests on the same reservation if you use the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card or Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Credit Card.

The Alaska credit card can easily save you up to $60 per passenger, per trip if you check bags regularly. In addition, your Alaska credit card offers 20% back on all in-flight purchases, like Wi-Fi and beverages.

Excess fees may also be offset by an annual travel/airline credit on your travel rewards card.

The Finest Amenities of Alaska Airlines

As part of Alaska Airlines' loyalty program, passengers can fly to 900 destinations worldwide with 15 international airline partners. The flight attendants and crew members are genuinely friendly and helpful to ensure a great flight experience for passengers.

The in-flight entertainment system, mood lighting effects, and comfy seats will give you a sense of well-being. Alaska Airlines offers fresh meals, drinks, and snacks in the lounge and onboard.

With Alaska Airlines first-class cabins, you'll enjoy the best wines from the west coast and a culinary menu with the finest selections. They are also equipped with in-flight Wi-Fi so that you'll never be bored on the airplane.

Alaska Airlines Customer Satisfaction

There are several reasons why Alaska Airlines is loved by passengers, one of which is the quality of customer service provided. Alaska receives praise for its friendly, helpful flight attendants and proactive customer service team.

It is Alaska's loyal customers who regularly thank the airline for its continued service and defend the airline when it is criticized.

The Saver fare, however, is causing problems for some customers who are used to changing tickets. However, Alaska clearly states when purchasing a Saver ticket that changes aren't permitted, so it isn't responsible.

Aside from the fact that these tickets are among the most generous basic fares out there, Alaska customers are probably going to rave about the savings soon enough! They allow both a personal item and carry-on along with the opportunity to earn miles (which isn't the case with budget fares on other major U.S. airlines).

 Alaska Airlines Boarding Procedures

A key factor in Alaska Airlines' boarding process is that it is "simplified" in order to minimize the impact of noisy airports on boarding.

A pre-boarding group of passengers will board first, including travellers with disabilities, families with children under 2, and active military personnel.

After First Class customers board, passengers can board Group "A" flights on Alaska flights without First Class seats.

As soon as First Class and pre-boarding customers are on the plane, Alaska boards by lettered groups, A-E:

Mileage PlanTM Million Miler, MVP® Gold 75K, and MVP® Gold members in Group A Those traveling in Premium Class seats (when available) in Group B are Mileage Plan MVP® members

The Main Seats in the rear of the aircraft are part of Group C. Guests in the Main seats located in the front half of the aircraft belong to Group D Guests in saver seats are in Group E

Alaska Airlines pet-friendly flights

Bringing a pet carrier plus a personal item counts toward your carry-on bag limit, as does bringing a pet carrier and a standard size carry-on bag. However, you cannot bring a pet carrier, a standard size carry-on, and a personal item at the same time.

The passenger must be at least 18 years of age in order to travel with a pet in the cabin. The passenger cannot occupy an emergency exit row or bulkhead row while traveling with a pet.

Traveling pets in the baggage compartment of Alaska Airlines will not be transferred to other carriers. Pets must be claimed and rechecked.

Is it beneficial to have a co-branded credit card?

Co-branded Alaska Airlines rewards cards relieve Saver-fare restrictions.

A Alaska Airlines Visa credit card costs just $95 a year and offers frequent flyers some juicy perks. As part of this offer, you can earn 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion FareTM ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23). Within 90 days of opening your account, you must make $3,000 in purchases.

• There is one free checked bag per flight for the cardholder and up to six companions.
• On all purchases made in-flight, you will receive 20% cash back.
• Each account anniversary, you will have access to a Companion Fare - $122 ($99 plus taxes and fees from $23) if spending $6,000 or more. In other words, after buying the first ticket, your second ticket will cost $122.
• If you frequently fly Alaska Airlines, the card's benefits clearly outweigh its $95 annual fee - especially if your friends and family use the free checked bags.
• There is also the Alaska Airlines Visa Business card, which is an excellent choice for companies with employees who frequently fly Alaska Airlines. It costs $70 per year plus $25 for each cardholder.
• As a bonus, the Alaska Business Card offers 50,000 bonus miles and Alaska's Famous Companion Fare ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after making $3,000 or more in purchases within 90 days.

Alaska Airlines miles: how to earn them

Mileage Plan offers more options than most airlines when it comes to racking up miles. Note that you can combine multiple strategies from this list to boost your mileage balance even more.

 Fly and earn miles

Flights on Alaska Airlines earn miles depending on their range and the fare class they purchase. You may also earn a combination of base miles and bonus miles if they are eligible, though government fares and other discounted fares are not eligible.

In addition to earning Alaska Airlines miles when you fly with Alaska Airlines partners on Alaska Airlines-marketed flights worldwide, you can redeem those miles to fly with other Alaska Airlines partners, which we'll discuss in more detail below.

Book hotel stays and rental cars

As an Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan member, you can earn miles at participating hotels and rental car agencies while you sleep. The number of miles earned per night (or per stay) varies depending on how you book.

In the case of rental car partners, you may earn miles per day or per rental period.

Take advantage of our partners' offers

First, download the Mileage Plan Shopping button to your computer desktop and earn miles when you shop at more than 1,100 online and local retailers, including Best Buy, Macy's, and Walmart.

Among the other partners you can earn miles with are 1-800-Flowers, Rover.com, SoFi, Teleflora, Vinesse Wine Club, GCI, Diners Club International, and Carrs-Safeway.

Become a member of Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan dining program

As a member of the Alaska Mileage Plan Dining, which is free to join, you earn miles each time you dine at a participating restaurant and pay with your linked credit or debit card.

Get a credit card from an airline

Don't forget about Alaska Airlines' easiest way to earn airline miles. By signing up for the right travel credit card, you can earn miles for every dollar you spend, regardless of how often you fly.

Saver fares: what are they?

Saver fares are Alaska Airlines' lowest-priced main cabin fares, similar to basic economy on other carriers.

There are restrictions on luggage, seating, boarding order, and your ability to change or cancel your flight. The following sections answer common questions about these restrictions.

Elite members and holders of eligible Alaska Airlines Visa® credit cards and Alaska Airlines Visa® Business cards are exempt from some Saver-fare restrictions. To take advantage of Saver fares, Mileage Plan elite status and cobranded credit cards will be discussed in the final sections of this guide.