Budget airlines can be incredibly tempting. The lure of ultra-low fares often sparks dreams of affordable getaways. Allegiant Air, headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, is a prominent player in this market, known for its focus on leisure travelers and point-to-point routes within the U.S. You might have seen those eye-catching headlines advertising flights for as little as $39. But before you jump on those deals, it’s crucial to understand the full picture. Allegiant operates on an à la carte model, meaning those rock-bottom prices come with a catch: almost everything beyond the basic seat costs extra. From choosing your seat to bringing a carry-on bag, fees can quickly add up.
To help you make an informed decision, we’ve delved into the details of flying with Allegiant Air. We’ve analyzed the ins and outs of their services and scoured numerous Allegiant Travel Reviews to bring you a comprehensive guide. This is your essential read before booking your next flight with Allegiant.
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Alt text: Allegiant Air Boeing 757 taking off at sunset from Las Vegas McCarran International Airport, highlighting budget travel options.
Navigating Fare Classes and Bundles: What You Need to Know
Allegiant’s ticketing process is fairly simple, but understanding the nuances can save you money and frustration. The base fare is designed to be as low as possible, and it comes with a randomly assigned seat at check-in. If you prefer to choose your seat, you’ll need to pay extra. Seat selection fees vary depending on the location within the aircraft. For travelers wanting more legroom, “Allegiant Extra” seats are available on select planes, offering an additional six inches of space.
To simplify the process of adding extras, Allegiant offers bundle options. These bundles combine popular add-ons at a potentially discounted rate compared to purchasing them individually. However, you are not obligated to purchase a bundle; you can opt to fly with just a personal item and a randomly assigned seat if you wish. Here’s a breakdown of the bundle classes:
- Allegiant Basic: This bundle includes seat selection, one personal item, and one carry-on bag. It’s a good option for travelers who want to choose their seat and bring a carry-on.
- Allegiant Bonus: Stepping up to the Bonus bundle gets you seat selection, priority boarding, one personal item, and one checked bag. Priority boarding can be beneficial for ensuring overhead bin space for your carry-on (if you choose to bring one in addition to your checked bag).
- Allegiant Total: The most comprehensive bundle, Total includes seat selection, priority boarding, one personal item, one carry-on bag, and one checked bag. This is ideal for travelers who want maximum flexibility and convenience.
All bundle classes include “Trip Flex,” a valuable feature that allows you to change or cancel your flights without incurring change fees.
Change and Cancellation Flexibility: Understanding Allegiant’s Policies
Life happens, and travel plans sometimes need to change. Allegiant’s change and cancellation policies are important to consider, especially when comparing them to other airlines.
If you don’t purchase Trip Flex and need to make changes to your Allegiant flight, a standard fee of $25 per segment applies. This means if you have a round-trip flight, you’ll be charged $25 for each direction, totaling $50. This fee is relatively low compared to some legacy carriers, but it’s crucial to be aware of it. Keep in mind that you’ll also be responsible for any fare difference if your new flight is more expensive. Changes or cancellations must be made at least seven days before your scheduled departure to avoid forfeiting your ticket entirely.
The $25 change fee was initially introduced as a temporary measure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a reduction from the previous $75 fee. While it remains in place currently, there’s no guarantee it will stay at this level permanently.
For maximum flexibility, purchasing Trip Flex is recommended. It allows you to change or cancel your flight without fees up to one hour before departure. As mentioned earlier, Trip Flex is automatically included in all bundle purchases, making bundles an attractive option if you value flexibility.
Baggage Fees and Policies: Packing Smart to Avoid Extra Costs
Baggage fees are a significant aspect of flying with Allegiant and are a common point of discussion in Allegiant travel reviews. Understanding their baggage policy is key to avoiding unexpected expenses at the airport.
Every Allegiant passenger is allowed one free personal item. This is defined as a purse, briefcase, or small backpack that can fit under the seat in front of you and must not exceed 8 x 14 x 18 inches. Think very small backpack or laptop bag – a standard-size backpack or small roller bag will likely not qualify as a personal item.
For anything larger, you’ll need to pay. Allegiant charges fees for both carry-on bags (stowed in overhead bins) and checked bags. Carry-on bag dimensions are slightly larger than personal items at 10 x 16 x 22 inches. Checked bags can weigh up to 50 pounds and measure up to 80 linear inches. You can purchase up to four checked bags per passenger.
Baggage fees vary depending on when you purchase them. The cheapest way to add baggage is during the initial booking process online. Fees increase if you add bags closer to your departure date, and they are most expensive if purchased at the airport. Carry-on bag fees can range from $10 to $75, while checked bag fees are in a similar range, often between $20 and $35 when purchased during booking, but can rise to $50 or more at the airport.
Be mindful of weight and size limits for checked baggage. Overweight (over 50 pounds) or oversized (over 80 linear inches) bags incur additional fees of $50 or $75, respectively. If you are forced to check a carry-on bag at the gate due to space limitations or size issues, you could face fees up to $75. However, car seats, strollers, mobility aids, and other assistance devices are exempt from these baggage fees.
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Boarding Procedure: Zones and Priority Access
Allegiant Air employs a zone boarding system to manage the boarding process. They utilize four pre-boarding zones followed by six general boarding zones.
Pre-boarding zones are as follows:
- Pre-boarding: For passengers requiring extra time or assistance, such as those with disabilities or mobility issues.
- Priority boarding: Available to passengers who have pre-purchased Priority Access or hold an Allegiant World Mastercard. This allows you to board earlier and potentially secure better overhead bin space.
- Military boarding: A gesture of appreciation, active military personnel are invited to board during this zone.
- Family boarding: Designed for families traveling with young children, particularly those needing to set up car seats or strollers.
Following pre-boarding, general boarding commences with six zones. Zone 1 is designated for exit row seating. Zones 2 through 6 are associated with different rows on the aircraft, typically boarded in numerical order from the back of the plane forward.
Seat Comfort and Legroom: What to Expect
Seat comfort is a common concern for travelers, and Allegiant Air reviews often mention the seating experience. Standard seats on Allegiant aircraft are known for having a tighter seat pitch, typically less than 30 inches. This can translate to limited legroom, especially for taller passengers.
However, Allegiant does offer “Allegiant Extra” seats, which provide a more generous six inches of additional legroom, bringing the total seat pitch to approximately 34 inches. These seats are usually located towards the front of the aircraft. To secure an Allegiant Extra seat, you must select it and pay the associated fee when booking your ticket.
According to Scott of Sanspotter, the width of Allegiant Air seats is around 17 inches, which is fairly standard for economy class. While the extra legroom seats offer improvement, Scott concludes that for overall seat comfort, legacy carriers like Delta, American, or United might be preferable, albeit at a higher price point.
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Alt text: Airport ground crew directing Allegiant Air plane on the tarmac at Punta Cana Airport, Dominican Republic, illustrating international destinations and airport operations.
Amenities and Onboard Experience: Keep Expectations in Check
When flying Allegiant, it’s important to have realistic expectations regarding onboard amenities and entertainment. As a budget airline, their focus is on providing affordable transportation, and extras are kept to a minimum.
Food and Beverage Service
Allegiant Air offers food and beverages for purchase during flights. Don’t expect complimentary snacks or drinks. Water and sodas are available for around $3, while beers and hard seltzers range from $4 to $9. Iced coffees from brands like La Colombe and Dunkin Donuts are also offered for approximately $5. Snack packs with a mix of items are available starting at $11. It’s advisable to bring your own snacks and drinks if you want to save money and have specific preferences.
Customer Service
Customer service is a mixed bag in Allegiant travel reviews. While in-flight staff are generally reported to be pleasant and efficient, pre-flight customer service (phone or online) can be challenging. Many reviewers report long wait times, difficulty reaching agents, and slow response times to emails. As Martin B. on TripAdvisor notes, “Allegiant’s online chat and phone number are always busy. They have failed to answer multiple emails. I finally decided to book the return flight with another airline.” If you anticipate needing pre-flight customer service assistance, be prepared for potential delays and frustrations.
Wi-Fi and In-flight Entertainment
Currently, Wi-Fi is not available on Allegiant Air flights. Furthermore, there is no in-flight entertainment system. You won’t find seatback screens, magazines, or streaming entertainment options. It’s essential to bring your own entertainment, such as downloaded movies, e-books, or music, to keep yourself occupied during your flight.
Allegiant World Mastercard: Loyalty and Rewards
Allegiant Air partners with Bank of America to offer the Allegiant World Mastercard. This credit card is designed for frequent Allegiant flyers and offers several benefits. Cardholders earn points on purchases that can be redeemed for Allegiant Air flights. Perks also include priority boarding on Allegiant flights and one complimentary beverage per flight. The card has an annual fee of $59. Upon signing up and meeting initial spending requirements, cardholders typically receive a bonus of 15,000 points, equivalent to $150 in Allegiant travel credit. If you fly Allegiant regularly and can utilize the benefits, the credit card might be a worthwhile option.
Final Verdict: Is Allegiant Air Right for You?
Allegiant Air offers undeniably low base fares, making air travel accessible to budget-conscious travelers. They can be an excellent choice for short, direct flights when you’re willing to forgo frills and pay only for the services you need. However, it’s crucial to go into the booking process with eyes wide open regarding potential extra costs.
Allegiant travel reviews consistently highlight the importance of carefully considering baggage fees, seat selection charges, and the lack of complimentary amenities. If you pack light, are flexible with seating, bring your own entertainment and refreshments, and are primarily focused on getting from point A to point B affordably, Allegiant can be a smart choice.
However, if you value comfort, convenience, and included amenities, or if you anticipate needing checked baggage or flight changes, the total cost of flying Allegiant might become less competitive compared to airlines with more inclusive fares. Always compare the total cost, including all anticipated extras, before making your final booking decision.
