Allegiant Baggage Fees: Everything You Need to Know

Like every low-cost carrier in the U.S. and across the globe, Allegiant Air will charge you extra fees for everything from a seat assignment to a snack. But the most important – and difficult to keep tabs on – are Allegiant bag fees, which can make or break a good deal with the budget airline.

Allegiant Air baggage fees are tricky: While many carriers charge flat fees for domestic flights, Allegiant charges different amounts for almost every route it operates. And there are some quirky rules and limits you'll want to keep in mind in order to get the best value with Allegiant whether you're checking luggage or bringing a carry-on bag.

Allegiant tries to sell fliers “bundles” that include bags, but those aren't always the most cost-effective way to bring your belongings with you onboard Allegiant. Allegiant baggage fees are non-refundable, making it even more important that you know the rules before you book. Yet there's good news, too: A strict weight limit for checked luggage has gotten much better recently.

If you're looking to book an Allegiant Air flight, make sure you have a full understanding of Allegiant baggage fees. Let us help you.
 

 

Allegiant Baggage Policy

Allegiant's baggage policy is different from most of the other major U.S. airlines. And remember: All baggage fees on Allegiant are non-refundable, so it's important you know exactly what you're getting.
 

 

Each passenger can bring up to two bags in the cabin of the plane: one personal item and one carry-on bag. Personal items like purses and small backpacks are the only bags you can bring free on Allegiant – at least so long as they meet size requirements. Beyond that, you'll have to pay for your bags flying Allegiant:

• You'll have to pay to stow a carry-on bag in the overhead bin. Prices vary from flight to flight.
• Allegiant checked bags aren't free, either – and those fees can really add up for oversized or overweight luggage.

On Allegiant, baggage is priced by route and per segment – there aren't roundtrip baggage fees. And as you'll see, the earlier you add a checked bag or carry-on to your reservation, the cheaper your Allegiant bag fees will be…

 

Allegiant Personal Item Size

Personal items are the one aspect in which Allegiant matches the rest of the airline industry.

On Allegiant Air, all personal items are free. Allegiant says items like a purse, briefcase, or backpack can be considered a personal item, so long as it is smaller than 7 inches by 15 inches by 16 inches. That's typical for airlines – basically, so long as it can fit underneath the seat in front of you, it's good to go with Allegiant.
 

 

There is no published weight limit for a personal item. And unless your under-seat bag is comically oversized, we wouldn't worry about Allegiant being strict about personal items.

 

Allegiant Carry-On Size

The size of your carry-on bag is another important consideration before buying an Allegiant fare.

Allegiant charges for any carry-on bag like a large backpack, rolling suitcase, or garment bag to put in the overhead bin. The airline says Allegiant carry-on bags can be no longer than 9 inches by 14 inches by 22 inches in dimension and must be able to fit in the overhead compartment.
 

 

Importantly, those dimensions include all of the bag, including any wheels and handles. Just as with personal items, there's no published weight limit for carry-ons with Allegiant.

 

Allegiant Checked Bag Size

For years, you'd need to watch your bag's weight when checking luggage with this budget carrier.

While most major airlines cap checked luggage at 50 pounds, Allegiant previously set that weight limit at just 40 pounds.

Here's where Allegiant bag fees really stand out: You'll need to watch your bag's weight when checking a bag with this budget carrier. But that changed in 2023: Allegiant's maximum checked bag weight is now 50 pounds.

And the maximum Allegiant checked bag size is generous at 80 linear inches (height + width + length)
 

 

Bag weigh in at over 50 pounds at check-in? You'll be on the hook for even more fees – beyond what you already paid to check a bag in the first place.

Allegiant allows passengers to check up to four bags apiece, though you'll have to pay separately for all of them.

 

Allegiant Baggage Fees

Alright. We've talked about luggage size on Allegiant, but what about those Allegiant baggage fees? What will it actually cost you?

Well, that depends. Allegiant not only charges separate fees for carry-on bags and checked bags, but the amount you'll pay varies from route to route. Allegiant has a dizzying, route-by-route breakdown of fees for carry-on bags and checked bags. Search for your home airport (or click on the first letter) to see what Allegiant charges on your routes.

Generally, you can expect to pay the following by adding a bag while buying your flights:

• Personal item: Free!
• Carry-on bag: $15 to $40
• Checked bags: $20 to $45

 

But it varies wildly … and sometimes, carry-on bags can cost more than checked luggage. For example, a checked bag costs $38 flying from Akron (CAK) to Nashville (BNA) while a carry-on bag costs just $22. But if you fly from Akron to Sarasota (SRQ), it flips: A checked bag costs less at $23 each way while bringing a carry-on will cost you $32.
 

 

In almost every case, you'll want to add a bag (or bags) to your flight when you book your ticket: Allegiant baggage fees are the cheapest when you book them at checkout. All checked and carry-on bags are $45 when added after booking but before the day of departure. And all bags are $50 when paid for at the airport.

Here's an example booking on Allegiant.com. We looked for a one-way flight from Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) to Destin (VPS). Allegiant quoted us $31 per carry-on bag and $39 per checked bag.
 

 

There is only one way to get completely free bags when flying Allegiant Air: If you qualify through military service. All active duty, reserve duty, and veterans of the U.S. military get two free checked bags, a free carry-on, a free in-cabin pet, and aren't subject to oversized baggage fees. Spouses and dependents qualify for the same service if they are on the same itinerary.

 

Allegiant Oversized and Overweight Bags

It also pays to understand the oversized and overweight baggage fees with the airline.

An overweight bag is anything weighing between 50 and 70 pounds on Allegiant. Those bags cost an additional $50 each … on top of the base checked bag fee that varies from flight-to-flight. If the bag is between 71 and 100 pounds, that's an additional $75 on top of the base checked bag fee. Allegiant won't accept bags weighing more than 100 pounds.

For example, checking a bag on the flight from Las Vegas (LAS) to Bozeman (BZN) in Montana costs $44. But if you get to the airport and that bag weighs in at 50 pounds, you'd wind up paying another $50 fee for a total of $94 … and the same on the way back. And if it weighs 75 pounds, you'd pay a total of $119 each way. Ouch.
 

 

Oversized bags on Allegiant cost travelers $75 more than the base checked bag fee. An oversized bag is anything more than 80 inches of height + width + depth.

Notably, if you are found to have an oversized personal item on Allegiant flights, you could be charged between $50 and $75. Allegiant doesn't spell out when you would be charged $50 or when you would be charged $75.

 

Allegiant Special Items and Sports Equipment

Like all airlines, Allegiant has some distinct rules for when you travel with some special items and sports equipment.

Sporting equipment

Sports equipment on Allegiant flights are considered a checked bag, with all of the usual fees applying per person, per bag, and per segment.

But sports equipment on Allegiant is still subject to the airline's strict 50-pound checked bag maximum to avoid overweight fees. Sports equipment cannot exceed 100 pounds total on Allegiant.

The following sports equipment is allowed on Allegiant:

• Bowling bag, including ball and shoes
• Golf bag (in a hard-sided golf bag carrying case provided by the passenger), including clubs, balls, and shoes
• Hockey stick and hockey equipment
• Fishing tackle box and fishing rod, so long as the rod is encased in a cylindrical fishing rod container suitable to Allegiant for withstanding normal checked baggage handling without sustaining damage to the rod
• Snow ski equipment encased in a container or containers acceptable to Allegiant and including no more than one pair of skis or one  snow board, one pair of ski boots, and one pair of ski poles
• Water ski equipment encased in a container or containers acceptable to Allegiant and including no more than one pair of water skis and one life preserver
• Skateboard in a container or case acceptable to Allegiant
• Archery equipment, including a bow, arrows, and an average size target (large target stands cannot be accepted), so long as the bow and arrows are encased in a container acceptable to Allegiant for withstanding normal baggage handling without sustaining damage to the equipment
• Scuba equipment, provided air tanks are empty and all accompanying equipment (BCD, mask, flippers, weight belt, etc.) are encased together in a container acceptable to Allegiant.

 

 

Firearms are also allowed as checked bags on Allegiant flights, so long as travelers following these guidelines.

• All passengers must declare their firearm at time of check-in.
• Passengers must be 18 years of age to check a firearm.
• Firearms and ammunition cannot be carried on board the aircraft but are accepted in checked baggage only.
• Firearms must be unloaded and encased in a locked, hard-sided container acceptable to Allegiant for withstanding normal checked baggage handling without sustaining damage to the firearm. Only the individual checking the baggage should retain the key or combination.
  • Firearm parts, including magazines, clips, bolts and firing pins, are prohibited in carry-on baggage, but may be transported in checked baggage.
  • Replica firearms, including firearm replicas that are toys, may be transported in checked baggage only.
  • Rifle scopes are permitted in carry-on and checked baggage.
• There is no limit to the number of firearms or corresponding accessories a passenger can carry in the locked hard-sided container.

 

Allegiant Pet Policy

If you want to bring your furry friends along on your Allegiant flight, you're in luck!

Believe it or not, Allegiant's pet policy is actually one of the most traveler-friendly policies among U.S. airlines. The pet in cabin fee is just $50 per person, per segment on Allegiant flights. Consider this: That's as much as $80 less than flying with a pet on than the likes of Delta.

Pet carriers must adhere to the personal item size requirements as in-cabin pets must fit underneath the seat in front of you.

 

Are Allegiant Bundles Worth It?

We looked into Allegiant Air baggage fees, but you might see options for buying an Allegiant bundle when you check out.

So are Allegiant bundles worth it? You'll have to do the math for your particular route because those baggage fees vary so much. When you check out, Allegiant offers to sell travelers bundles like the Allegiant Bonus and the Allegiant Total.
 

The Bonus fare gives you a free carry-on and seat selection. The Total fare gives you a free checked bag and priority check-in and boarding, too.

In the example above, the $101 Total bundle more than doubles the $85 base fare of the flight. On this flight, the baggage fees were $31 per carry-on and $39 per checked bag. So, do some math to see if it's smarter for you to forego the bundle or purchase it. It also depends on whether or not things like seat selection and priority boarding are important to you, too.

As always with booking flights, you need to do the math for what makes sense to you. In many cases, these bundles could save you money and add some convenience to your journey. But if you only have one bag, it's probably not worth the cost.
 

What About the Allegiant Credit Card?

On many airlines, having a co-branded credit card can help you save on bag fees, or give you free bags altogether. Unfortunately, that's not the case with the Allegiant World Mastercard.

The Allegiant credit card does not offer travelers free bags. It does, however, offer you 3x points per every dollar spent on Allegiant, which includes your baggage fees.

 

Bottom Line

Figuring out what Allegiant baggage fees you'll have to pay on your next flight with the budget carrier is confusing, to say the least.

Allegiant baggage fees vary depending on the route you fly and the size of your bag. But beyond those ever-changing amounts, you'll want to make sure you stay under Allegiant's strict weight limit when checking a bag and the size restrictions, too. And above all, be sure to add a bag to your flight as you're checking out – earlier is always better to save on Allegiant bag fees!

 

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