Allegiant Air 2026 Baggage Allowance: A Simple Guide to Hand & Hold Limits
Allegiant can be a brilliant deal, right up until your “free carry-on” turns into a fee and you’re doing suitcase maths in the airport queue. Their model is simple: keep base fares low, then charge for the extras, especially overhead space. The trick is knowing what you can bring for free, what counts as a carry-on, and when buying bags is cheapest (hint: not at the airport).
This guide breaks it all down in plain English: personal item vs carry-on vs checked, the fee traps that catch most people, and a calm packing plan that keeps you out of the gate-check chaos. If you’ve booked the cheapest fare and now you’re feeling slightly haunted by the word “baggage,” you’re in the right place. 🧳✈️
Allegiant Air Baggage Allowance: Quick Facts at a Glance
✅ 1 free personal item per passenger, must fit under the seat (8 x 14 x 18 in / 20 x 35 x 45 cm)
✅ Carry-on goes in the overhead bin and usually costs extra (10 x 16 x 22 in / 25 x 40 x 55 cm)
✅ Allegiant’s cabin setup is basically personal item + carry-on (carry-on fees apply)
✅ You can pre-buy up to 4 checked bags per passenger (standard allowance)
✅ Standard checked bag limit is 50 lb / 22 kg and 80 linear inches / 203 cm (L+W+H)
✅ Carry-on pricing varies, but the official range is $10 to $75 (route + timing matter)
✅ Buying bags at booking is usually cheapest
✅ Fees are often per segment (connections can double-dip your wallet)
✅ Fastest way to get stung: airport purchase + overweight + oversize stacking up
✅ This guide is built for budget-first travellers doing US domestic hops, weekend breaks, and family trips
🤚 Must-do: Measure your bag including wheels/handles, then decide early: under-seat only, or pay for overhead now, not later.
Quick Allegiant Air Baggage Allowance Q&As
What is Allegiant Air baggage allowance?
You get one free personal item under the seat. Carry-ons and checked bags cost extra, and prices vary by route and when you add them.
What size personal item is free on Allegiant?
Up to 8 x 14 x 18 in (20 x 35 x 45 cm), and it has to fit fully under the seat.
What size carry-on does Allegiant allow?
Up to 10 x 16 x 22 in (25 x 40 x 55 cm), designed for the overhead bin.
How much is a carry-on on Allegiant?
Officially it ranges $10 to $75 per segment, depending on route and when you buy it.
What are Allegiant’s checked bag limits?
Standard is 50 lb (22 kg) and 80 linear inches (203 cm), with extra charges for heavier or bigger bags.
What happens if my bag is overweight or oversized?
You can get add-on fees like $50 (51–70 lb), $75 (71–100 lb), and $75 for oversize over 80 linear inches.
When is it cheapest to add baggage on Allegiant?
Typically at booking. Adding later costs more, and the airport is usually the priciest.
Can an oversized personal item be treated as a carry-on?
Yes. If it doesn’t fit under the seat, it can be treated as a carry-on and you’ll be charged accordingly.
👉 Good to know: Allegiant pricing can be per segment, so a connection can mean paying the same bag fee twice.
Allegiant Air baggage allowance: the quick answer (free vs paid, in plain English)
If you remember nothing else, remember this: Allegiant’s freebie is the under-seat personal item. Everything that wants overhead space is basically “cool story, that’ll be extra.” That’s not a moral judgement, it’s just their pricing structure, and once you plan around it, Allegiant can still be a bargain.
Think of it like a three-lane road:
- Lane 1 (free): personal item under the seat
- Lane 2 (paid): carry-on overhead bin
- Lane 3 (paid): checked bag in the hold
Where people get caught is assuming a normal airline carry-on is included, then turning up with a roll-aboard and getting forced into an expensive last-minute add-on. Your goal is to choose your lane early, then commit like a grown-up.
- Under-seat only travellers: pick a backpack that truly fits.
- Overhead travellers: pay ahead, not at the airport.
- Checked-bag travellers: keep it under 50 lb and under 80 linear inches.
💡 Fact: Allegiant charges for carry-ons to manage overhead space and speed up boarding.
✈️ Official Allegiant Air Cabin Bag Sizes and faqs
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Personal item rules: what counts, what fits, and what gets flagged at the gate
Your personal item is your free golden ticket, but it’s only free if it behaves. It has to fit completely under the seat, not “mostly under the seat with a corner sticking out like a rebellious baguette.” The max size is 8 x 14 x 18 inches, and Allegiant explicitly tells you to measure including wheels, handles, pockets, and decorations (yes, even that chunky zipper pull).
The safest personal items are soft-sided and squishable. The risky ones are rigid, overstuffed, or shaped like a small fridge.
Usually safe:
- Small backpack (not packed to the brim)
- Handbag, tote, laptop bag
- Small camera bag
- A “personal item” duffel that stays genuinely compact
Usually risky:
- Big structured tote that bulges
- School backpacks packed like you’re moving house
- Hard-shell “underseat” cases that are actually overhead size
If it doesn’t fit under the seat, it can be treated as a carry-on and charged accordingly, and that’s where the surprise fees love to hang out.
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Pack your personal item, then slide it under a chair at home. If it fights back, it’s too big.
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Carry-on rules: sizes, overhead bins, and why Allegiant charges for it
Allegiant’s carry-on allowance is simple: you can bring one carry-on bag, it must fit in the overhead bin, and you pay for it. The size limit is 10 x 16 x 22 inches, and the fee range officially runs $10 to $75 depending on route and when you add it.
The reason they charge is also pretty straightforward: fewer people bringing overhead bags means less boarding chaos and less “bin Tetris” on a tight turnaround. If you’re used to airlines where a carry-on is part of the deal, this is the mental adjustment moment.
Practical reality check: overhead space is limited, and if you show up without a pre-paid carry-on and your personal item is too big, the airport fee world is not a cosy place. If you truly need overhead space, paying in advance is usually the cheapest and least stressful route.
- If your carry-on is borderline, don’t gamble.
- If your bag is hard-sided and maxed out, measure it properly.
- If you’re tall and hate legroom, the under-seat-only strategy can feel like self-sabotage, so plan a paid option early.
🤚 Must-do: If you need overhead, add the carry-on during booking so you lock in the lowest likely price.
Checked bags: limits, how many you can add, and why weight matters
Checked bags are where Allegiant can still be decent value, especially for longer trips or family travel, but the limits matter. Standard checked bag rules: 50 lb (22 kg) max weight and 80 linear inches (L+W+H) max size. Allegiant’s baggage policy says you can pre-purchase up to 4 checked bags per passenger, and their broader terms also mention a max checked bag count that can go up to 5 per passenger depending on circumstances.
Here’s the key: overweight and oversize fees stack fast, and they’re usually charged per segment. So if you’re connecting, a heavy bag can turn into a “why is my baggage fee bigger than my flight” situation, twice.
What helps most is deciding upfront what you’re checking and packing to hit the limit cleanly. A 49 lb bag is boring. A 51 lb bag is expensive.
- Aim for 48–49 lb to give yourself wiggle room.
- Use a luggage scale at home.
- Keep dense items (shoes, toiletries, chargers) spread across bags.
- Keep essentials in your personal item in case your checked bag is delayed.
👉 Good to know: Allegiant’s maximum allowable checked bag weight is stated as 99 lb, but overweight fees kick in well before that, so don’t treat 99 lb as a goal.
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Baggage fees: what you’ll pay and what changes the price
Allegiant fees are variable by route and timing, so there’s no single magic number, but the pattern is consistent: earlier is cheaper, airport is pricier, and connections can mean paying per segment. Officially, carry-on fees can range $10 to $75, and Allegiant also flags that airport bag fees can be $75 each way per bag for a carry-on and for the first five checked bags, depending on the situation.
Using current mid-market conversions for context:
- $10 ≈ £7 / €9
- $50 ≈ £37 / €43
- $75 ≈ £56 / €65
Fees at a glance (required
| Scenario | Typical fee range | Who can avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Carry-on added early | $10–$75 | Under-seat only travellers |
| Checked bag added early | Route-dependent | Light packers, short trips |
| Airport bag fee | Up to $75 each way | Anyone who buys online early |
| Overweight 51–70 lb | +$50 | People who weigh at home |
| Overweight 71–100 lb | +$75 | People who split heavy items |
| Oversize over 80 linear in | +$75 | People who measure big cases |
When to buy bags (required)
| When you add bags | Typical cost level | Best for | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| At booking | Lowest | Most travellers | “I’ll do it later” |
| Pre-departure online | Medium | If plans change | Waiting until check-in day |
| At the airport | Highest | Emergencies only | Turning up with an unplanned carry-on |
💡 Fact: Fees are often charged per segment, so two flights can mean two bag charges.
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Overweight and oversize: the fee bands that bite
This is the section that saves people the most money, because the add-ons are brutally straightforward. If your checked bag crosses the standard limits, you pay extra. Allegiant’s published fee bands include:
- 51–70 lb: add $50 (≈ £37 / €43)
- 71–100 lb: add $75 (≈ £56 / €65)
- Oversize over 80 linear inches: add $75 (≈ £56 / €65)
The sneaky part is that these are add-ons on top of any base checked bag fee, and they can apply per segment. So that “just a bit heavy” bag can turn into a proper wallet-kick.
Easy fixes that actually work:
- Split dense items across two bags (shoes, liquids, electronics).
- Wear your heaviest layers on travel day.
- Move toiletries to your personal item if TSA rules allow.
- Use a small luggage scale. It’s cheaper than one overweight fee.
Also note that Allegiant’s rules mention hard limits, and bags above certain weights can be refused, with only specific exceptions.
🤚 Must-do: Pack to 48–49 lb. “Exactly 50” is living dangerously.
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Bundles and add-ons: when they’re actually worth it
Allegiant bundles exist because most people buy the same extras: a bag, a seat, maybe priority boarding. Bundles can save money, but only if you actually want the items inside. The important rules are the boring ones: bundles can only be purchased at the time of original booking, they are non-refundable, and you can’t unbundle them later. Also, inclusions can vary by route or flight, so always read the bundle contents on your exact itinerary screen.
Bundling is usually worth a look if:
- You know you’ll pay for a carry-on anyway.
- You want seat selection (especially with kids).
- You want to streamline the booking and avoid forgetting add-ons.
Bundling is usually not worth it if:
- You’re truly travelling under-seat only.
- You don’t care where you sit.
- You only need one specific add-on and the bundle includes extra stuff you won’t use.
If you’re comparing options, do the simple maths: price of individual add-ons vs bundle total. If the difference is small, pick the option that reduces stress.
👉 Good to know: You can’t upgrade or change your bundle after booking, so choose carefully at checkout.
Gate checks and sizers: how to avoid last-minute fees
Gate-check drama usually starts the same way: a bag that was “totally a personal item” suddenly doesn’t fit under the seat, or the overhead bins fill up fast and someone gets tagged. Allegiant notes that baggage dimensions can be verified before boarding, and if your personal item doesn’t fit fully under the seat, it may be treated as a carry-on and charged.
There are also situations where gate-checking happens even without you doing anything wrong, like limited overhead space. The difference is: if you planned properly, it’s inconvenient. If you didn’t, it’s expensive and emotionally loud.
How to make gate-checking less awful:
- Keep essentials in your personal item: meds, charger, documents, a layer, valuables.
- Avoid packing fragile items in anything that might end up in the hold.
- Don’t overstuff your “personal item” until it becomes a cube.
- Leave a little slack space so it can squish under the seat if needed.
Also note: car seats, strollers, and assistive devices have special handling and often aren’t charged the same way as normal baggage.
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Pack your personal item like it’s the only bag that matters. Because at the gate, it often is.
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Flying with kids: what’s free, what’s allowed, what helps on airport day
Family travel on Allegiant is completely doable, but it rewards planning. Allegiant’s baggage FAQs note that passengers can bring one carry-on and one personal item plus certain extra items like a coat, small umbrella, food for the flight, and a diaper bag. They also outline stroller and car seat options, including checking at the counter or gate-checking for pickup on arrival in some cases.
Practical parent reality: the worst airport moments happen when you’re trying to juggle a child, documents, and bags that don’t fit the rules. So build your system.
Helpful approach:
- Use the personal item for kid essentials: wipes, snacks, spare outfit, meds.
- If you’re bringing a stroller, decide: check at counter or gate-check.
- If you’re using a car seat onboard, check sizing and seat rules early.
- If you want to sit together, reserve seats early because adjacent seating isn’t guaranteed.
If you’re landing late or doing an early departure, consider booking an airport-area hotel via Booking.com so you’re not adding “tired child” to the fee-avoidance mission.
🤚 Must-do: Treat your diaper bag like your sanity bag. Pack it first, then pack everything else.
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Sports gear and awkward items (golf, skis, instruments)
This is where people panic, because sports equipment rarely fits inside “normal suitcase” rules. Allegiant’s terms mention that checked bags over 50 lb or over 80 linear inches get extra charges, but they also carve out specific exceptions for sports equipment and musical instruments. Sports equipment up to 126 linear inches may avoid oversize charges, sports equipment up to 70 lb may avoid excess weight fees, and musical instruments up to 165 lb may avoid excess weight fees. There’s also a stated hard limit where baggage over 99 lb isn’t accepted except certain categories like sports equipment and instruments.
So yes, it can be workable, but it’s not “show up and hope.”
Best moves:
- Pack gear in a proper protective case, not a soft bag you regret later.
- Measure total linear inches before you leave home.
- Keep straps secured so nothing catches on conveyor belts.
- Add the item early in your booking if the website allows it.
If you’re flying into a smaller airport and heading straight to a resort or national park, it can be easier to grab car hire so you’re not wrestling ski bags onto local transport.
Avoiding fees: the real-world packing plan (step-by-step)
This is the part where we turn panic into a system. Allegiant fees are easiest to avoid when you decide your bag strategy early, then pack to match it. Your choices are simple, but your packing has to be honest.
Step-by-step
- Pick your bag lane: under-seat only, overhead (paid), or checked.
- Choose a bag that fits the lane: don’t try to “willpower” a big bag into a small category.
- Weigh at home: aim under 50 lb, ideally 48–49 lb.
- Pack essentials in the personal item: meds, chargers, documents, one spare outfit.
- Add bags early online: don’t wait for the airport price.
| Bag type | Best for | Common mistake | Easy fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal item | Weekend trips, light packers | Overstuffing so it won’t fit under-seat | Use a soft backpack and leave slack space |
| Carry-on | 3–5 day trips | Buying late and paying more | Add it at booking |
| Checked bag | Longer trips, families | Hitting 51 lb | Pack to 48–49 lb and use a scale |
🤚 Must-do: Pack your personal item as if your other bag might be separated from you for a day. It’s boring advice that saves trips.
Common Allegiant baggage mistakes (and easy fixes)
Most Allegiant “I got stung” stories come from the same handful of mistakes, so let’s call them out before they happen.
The classics
- Assuming carry-on is included
Fix: treat the personal item as your free allowance, plan overhead as paid. - Buying bags at the airport
Fix: add bags at booking or at least online pre-departure. - Overstuffing the personal item
Fix: choose a soft bag and pack with slack so it fits under-seat. - Packing to exactly 50 lb
Fix: aim 48–49 lb to allow for scale differences and last-minute items. - Forgetting per-segment pricing
Fix: if you have a connection, budget for the fee twice unless your itinerary clearly shows otherwise. - Putting valuables in checked baggage
Fix: keep valuables and essentials on you, then relax.
If you’re doing an early morning flight, another sneaky “fee” is a bad night’s sleep and an expensive airport breakfast.
A simple “carry-on vs checked bag” decision guide for weekend trips
Weekend trips are where Allegiant shines, but it’s also where people overpack and accidentally turn a cheap flight into a pricey one. Use this quick decision guide and save yourself the drama.
Choose personal item only if:
- Trip is 1–3 nights
- You can do repeat outfits
- You’re not bringing bulky shoes or liquids
- You’re happy to travel light and fast
Choose a paid carry-on if:
- You need extra outfits or work gear
- You’re bringing bulky items but can keep weight down
- You want everything with you, no baggage claim wait
Choose a checked bag if:
- You’re travelling with kids, gear, or longer stays
- You’re bringing liquids, gifts, or bulky items
- You can keep the bag under 50 lb and within size
The real cost isn’t only money, it’s time. If a checked bag means waiting at baggage claim and carrying less through the airport, that might still be worth it.
💡 Fact: The cheapest flight often stays cheap only if you commit to the under-seat plan from the start.
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If your bags are delayed or damaged: what to do fast
If your bag goes missing or turns up looking like it survived a wrestling match with a baggage belt, speed matters. Allegiant’s baggage FAQs state that to report damaged baggage you should visit the airport’s Allegiant Baggage Service Office to complete a Mishandled Baggage Report, and that the report must be submitted within 12 hours of arrival. That’s a tight window, so don’t leave the airport thinking you’ll do it later from your hotel bed.
A calm checklist that works:
- Take photos immediately (bag exterior, damage, baggage tag).
- Report it at the airport office before you leave.
- Keep receipts for essential replacement purchases if your bag is delayed.
- Keep your booking details and confirmation number handy.
Also, Allegiant’s liability limitations list categories of items they don’t accept liability for in checked baggage (like valuables and certain electronics), which is why keeping essentials in your personal item is such a big deal.
If you travel a lot, travel insurance can be worth it for baggage delay cover and disruption, especially if you’re carrying gear, medication, or expensive essentials. And if the mess started with a delay or cancellation, it’s also worth checking flight compensation eligibility, because sometimes the flight problem is the real money leak.
FAQs about Allegiant Baggage Allowance
Is a carry-on free on Allegiant?
No. You get one free personal item under the seat. A carry-on for the overhead bin typically costs extra and pricing depends on route and when you add it.
What size personal item is free on Allegiant?
Up to 8 x 14 x 18 inches (20 x 35 x 45 cm). It must fit fully underneath the seat in front of you.
What size carry-on is allowed on Allegiant?
Up to 10 x 16 x 22 inches (25 x 40 x 55 cm). That bag is designed for the overhead bin and usually has a fee.
What are Allegiant’s checked bag limits?
Standard checked bags are up to 50 lb (22 kg) and up to 80 linear inches (203 cm) total dimensions. Extra charges apply for overweight or oversize bags.
How do I avoid baggage fees on Allegiant?
Use an under-seat personal item that fits the size limit, measure and weigh at home, and add any carry-on or checked bags during booking instead of waiting until the airport.
Final Thoughts
Allegiant is easiest when you treat the personal item like your free golden ticket: make it fit, keep it sensible, and you’ll dodge most of the “surprise fee” nonsense. If you need overhead or checked baggage, buy it early online, keep checked bags under 50 lb, and don’t flirt with oversize dimensions. That’s the whole game.
If you want, tell me your route, trip length, and the bags you’re planning to bring (backpack size, suitcase type, any awkward gear) and I’ll sanity-check your setup. And if you’re building out your travel toolbox, there are more airline and packing guides waiting on TheTravelTinker.com. 👇🗣️
Adventure on,
The Travel Tinker Crew 🌍✨
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Author
Christine Choi
I’m Christine Choi, a Chinese travel writer and lifelong wanderer who loves trips that mix iconic sights with the small, unexpected moments you remember way longer. I’m all about chasing great food, local stories, and those “how did we end up here?” detours that turn a normal day into the best one of the week.
Growing up in China, I was surrounded by huge contrasts, buzzing cities one minute and quiet mountain towns the next. That’s probably why I travel the way I do now: I’ll happily spend a morning in a museum or temple, then finish the day elbow-deep in a night market, taste-testing everything that smells good (and occasionally something that looks suspiciously spicy). I’m especially drawn to places with strong culture, beautiful landscapes, and public transport that lets you actually relax and watch the world roll by.
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