Flying on Alaska Airlines is going to get more expensive as the airline is raising its fee for checking a suitcase to $25 to keep up with most airline's fees.
Anyone who purchases tickets on or after Oct. 30 will have to pay $25 for the first and second checked bags for each passengers. Any additional bags will cost $75. The airline currently charges $20 per bag for the first three bags, USA Today reports.
While it is raising the price, the airline is keeping its special baggage service guarantee and making it better. This means that if a passenger's bag isn't in the baggage claim area within 20 minutes of the plane landing and parking, the airline will give them a $20 discount to use while booking a future flight or 2,000 bonus frequent flier miles. With the bag check fee increasing, the airline is always increased this reward to $25 back or 2,500 miles starting Oct. 30. The only part that isn't changing is the 20 minute wait time.
Delta Air Lines has a similar payback system but it includes a rebate of baggage fees for bags that are delayed 12 hours or more.
In addition to the baggage fee, Alaska Airlines is increasing its ticket change fee to $125. The airline currently charges $75 for ticket changes made online and $100 if the change is made through a call center. However this applies to last-minute changes. Those who change their tickets 60 days or more from the day of that they travel will not be hit with the fee.
Alaska isn't the only airline to increase its ticket change fees. American Airlines, Delta, United Airlines and US Airways all changed their fees to from $150 to $200 on domestic flights in May.
The airline expects the fee increase to bring in $50 million in added revenue.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
