In this post I wanted to take a look at Alaska Airlines’ baggage guarantee, which many people aren’t familiar with. It’s worth being aware of, as it should put you at ease when checking a bag with Alaska. That’s because if the airline doesn’t deliver, you’re entitled to compensation.
In this post:
What is Alaska Airlines’ checked bag guarantee?
Alaska Airlines has a straightforward 20-minute baggage guarantee. If your checked bags aren’t delivered to the baggage belt within 20 minutes of the plane’s actual arrival time (as reported by Alaska), you’re entitled to compensation.
There are two compensation options — you can either request 2,500 Alaska bonus Mileage Plan miles, or a $25 Alaska discount code to use toward a future flight. For what it’s worth, personally I would select the bonus miles, as I value Mileage Plan miles at more than one cent each.
So, how do you claim your compensation when your bags don’t arrive within that timeframe, and what are the stipulations?
- Just visit the baggage office within two hours of your flight’s arrival to request compensation
- This guarantee applies to all flights operated by Alaska Airlines (flights 0001- 1999), Horizon Air (flights 2000 – 2999), and SkyWest (flights 3300 – 3499)
- The only exception to this rule is international flights requiring customs clearance, as well as flights between Anchorage and Dutch Harbor (I’m intrigued… does anyone know what makes Dutch Harbor unique, so that bags can’t be delivered within 20 minutes?)
- Bags coming to the oversize baggage claim area are excluded, and this includes things like checked pets, golf clubs, skis, surfboards, assistive devices, and firearms
- This guarantee doesn’t apply to Alaska Airlines employees, or anyone else traveling on industry discount tickets
- Each person can only get one of these guarantees per flight, in the event that you have multiple bags show up late
Why this Alaska baggage guarantee is so awesome
Let’s be honest, a lot of frequent flyers avoid checking bags at almost all costs. While there’s always the risk of the bag getting lost or significantly delayed, the most significant inconvenience of checking a bag is how long you have to wait at baggage claim.
The 20-minute baggage guarantee really is a game changer in that regard, since you know the airline will try to deliver on its promise consistently. By the time you get to the baggage claim belt, you’ll probably only have to wait 5-10 minutes for your bag, depending on the airport.
For example, I live in Miami and usually fly American, and checking bags with the airline is kind of an infuriating experience. Even with priority bag tags, I consistently find that my checked bags take 30-45 minutes to be delivered to the belt.
Obviously it doesn’t have to take that long, but rather it’s just not a priority for the airline to deliver bags in a timely manner. Personally I feel much more comfortable checking bags with airlines that offer checked bag guarantees, which in the United States includes Alaska and Delta.
Bottom line
Alaska Airlines has a checked bag guarantee, whereby the airline promises that your bag will arrive at baggage claim within 20 minutes, or else you’re due 2,500 bonus miles or a $25 discount code. Delta is the only other US airline to have such a guarantee, so this is something to keep in mind.
If you’ve checked a bag with Alaska Airlines, what was your experience like? Have you ever used the 20-minute baggage guarantee?
I have used this perk many times. I am also watching the clock to make sure I take advantage of this guarantee. Once I flew to Anchorage and my bag didn't catch the flight like I did. I was staying the night in Anchorage and catching my next flight in the morning so they said they could fly it up on the next flight. Well that night they gave me 10,OOO miles for the inconvenience...
I have used this perk many times. I am also watching the clock to make sure I take advantage of this guarantee. Once I flew to Anchorage and my bag didn't catch the flight like I did. I was staying the night in Anchorage and catching my next flight in the morning so they said they could fly it up on the next flight. Well that night they gave me 10,OOO miles for the inconvenience and another 10,000 miles when I picked it up the next day! Absolutely love Alaska Airlines,
One year, when I flew 125k miles on Alaska, I earned 60,000 miles from this guarantee. I always check a bag when leaving SEA, even if it's an empty box that I can leave if something bad happens. Bags are never late at SeaTac - only happens at other airports.
Alaska has had this for years, and constantly made it within the 20 min. However, my last two flights, they were significantly delayed, but we got the 2500 miles per person very efficiently
This is but one of the many reasons I try and fly DL whenever possible, though UA (IAD) and AA (DCA) are arguably easier. DL is just more reliable, and a better experience all around.
I also choose DL because it's the least hopeless of the major carriers. UA is reluctant backup. AA is an emphatic no-no.
DUT is the launching point for a lot of Pacific fishing - you actually see quick clips of the airport on Deadliest Catch reruns. Tiny airport, probably a whole lot of fishing gear to unload. Also AS doesn’t operate their own metal into here - all local carriers on codeshare basis. Landings look pretty hairy here too!
Ravn Alaska on the Dash-8 are the only option into DUT, and those are some truly eye watering prices on that route...
Alaska among others used to fly 737-200C's into DUT but the narrow and short runway combined with bonkers weather meant it was highly unreliable (the S2000 runway overrun a few years back highlights this) which is why Alaska outsources the route to this day.
I've used the bag guarantee about 7 times. Certain airports are slower. SEA is fast.
This is an area where Delta does a good job. In contrast, American’s baggage delivery, systemwide, is best described as “glacial.”
Who checks bags?
To those pax whom this 20 minute guarantee is given??
I have never been successful. They also have an exception for airport irrops that they like to use at PDX. "Sorry, there's construction at the airport, so the guarantee doesn't apply."
At LAX they changed the carousel without updating signs and several of us were waiting for 30 mins before flagging someone down and being told they were on a different belt. We asked for the guarantee as a goodwill gesture, but the LAX...
I have never been successful. They also have an exception for airport irrops that they like to use at PDX. "Sorry, there's construction at the airport, so the guarantee doesn't apply."
At LAX they changed the carousel without updating signs and several of us were waiting for 30 mins before flagging someone down and being told they were on a different belt. We asked for the guarantee as a goodwill gesture, but the LAX baggage office denied it (on top of already being very rude).
I think overall the guarantee keeps a focus on quick bag delivery, but I don't count on ever collecting when they miss.
I've never been denied a claim for miles due to the guarantee from DL. Typically points are awarded nearly instantly.
I've never been denied a claim from AS. As a loyal and frequent flyer, I've probably racked up over a dozen of these over the years. Never a problem having them follow through. Best US airline for customer service by far.
The problem with AS is not denying claims, it is being available in person for claims. What if the baggage office is closed or there's a huge line? The DL claim is an online form.
The only guarantee is that there's never anybody at the baggage desk at JFK and it consistently takes about 40 minutes for bags to come on the evening arrivals.
Then @them on Twitter and they give you the miles. Only works when the baggage office is closed.
I think Alaska Airlines has suspended their service to Dutch Harbor, perhaps related to PenAir, which operated the flight for them, going bankrupt. Maybe that exception predates that and it had something to do with PenAir's operations there?
Last time it took 21 minutes for my bag to arrive at the baggage claim, and I had no trouble receiving the bonus miles. I'm curious how often Alaska meets the 20-minute goal.