Good Lifestyle

When exploring lush regions of the northwest Pacific, Alaska Airlines can be the fastest and most effective way to get there. However, the next time you book a fun weekend getaway to Seattle, Spokane, Bozeman or the sandy beaches along the Côte de l'Oregon, you may want to reconsider your Packaging method . During the weekend, Alaska silently updated its Luggage policy page To reflect the new luggage costs of the company and more expensive - which come into force during the new year.

In relation: The travel expert reveals the Sneaky Reason Airlines made you check your hand luggage .

Currently, Alaska passengers pay $ 30 for their first checked bag. But on January 2, 2024, travelers will be billed $ 35 for their first checkered baggage. The cost of a second checked bag will also increase by $ 5, from $ 40 to $ 45.

The costs for additional tile bags, as well as oversized / overweight luggage, will remain the same. In addition, first -class ticket holders and the Visa Ainka Airlines credit card and users of the Alaska Airlines visa business will always get free verified baggage. If you have MVP, MVP Gold or MVP Gold 75K or 100K, you can also check your bags at no cost.

A spokesperson for the airline based in Seattle confirmed the increase in costs in an email to Economical traveler : "While we sail on the increase in operating costs, including high fuel prices - we sometimes have to adjust our cost structure to maintain a high level of excellence in the service we provide."

For many leaflets, however, the price increase is not again. In 2020, High jet His luggage fees recorded at $ 35 and $ 45, respectively, for the first and second bags, but the latter is now $ 60, by the Airline website . Earlier this year, American Airlines started to load All holders of basic economy tickets on a transoceanic flight $ 75 for their first recorded bag; It was previously free. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

However, compared to other large American airlines such as Southwest and Delta, which still charge $ 30 for your first standard verified bag, the price increase is surprising. In fact, experts warn that new Alaska luggage costs can rush certain feathers and inspire other airlines to do the same.

"I would not be surprised to see other carriers increase their luggage costs in due course", " Tim Jue , an aviation and travel journalist based in San Francisco, said The point guy . "The air transport industry likes to act in unison, and if there is an opportunity to increase income somewhere, it is a safe bet that airlines will capitalize on it. Immediately after."

JUE added that it would not be surprised to see an increase in luggage costs in most of the main airlines "in the coming days or weeks."

"The cost of business for most airlines increases, and we will start to see the carriers seeking to extract more money from their customers," said Jue. "I think that luggage costs are only the beginning of this effort, and I expected that other carriers are quietly increasing their bag costs recorded in the coming days or weeks."

Brian Stern , an expert in plane trips and writer in the airline newsletter, argues that the increase in luggage costs could encourage passengers to open a new credit card provided with free checkered luggage as a bonus advantage.

"By increasing their luggage costs, airlines can try to recover money from consumers in the form of costs. But just as likely, they try to love certain travelers to get a new credit card, which, you have guessed it - gets with free luggage.