No — carry-on bags on Allegiant cost extra; one small personal item is the only free cabin bag if it fits under the seat.
Here’s the short version. Allegiant lets every traveler bring a free personal item that slides under the seat. Any larger bag that goes in the overhead bin counts as a carry‑on, and that bag comes with a fee that varies by route and timing. Buy the carry‑on early and you’ll pay the lowest price. Wait until the airport and you’ll pay the flat airport rate.
Allegiant Bags At A Glance
| Bag Type | Size/Weight Limits | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Personal item (under‑seat) | Max 8 × 14 × 18 in; must fit under seat | Free when within size rules |
| Carry‑on bag (overhead) | Max 10 × 16 × 22 in; overhead bin | Priced by route; lowest at booking, highest at airport |
| Checked bag | Up to 50 lb and 80 linear inches | Priced by route; overweight/oversize add‑ons apply |
| Stroller / car seat | Gate‑check allowed | Free |
Those size limits are straight from Allegiant. Measure wheels, handles, and bulging pockets because staff can check the fit at the gate.
Is A Carry-On Free On Allegiant Air? The Short Answer
No. Only the under‑seat personal item is free. The overhead carry‑on always carries a fee on Allegiant, and the price changes based on where and when you add it to your trip.
What Counts As A Personal Item On Allegiant
Think small and slim. Allegiant lists purses, briefcases, laptops, compact backpacks, camera bags, and lunch boxes as examples that qualify as the free personal item. The bag must slide fully under the seat in front of you.
Size Rules That Matter
The personal item cap is 8 × 14 × 18 inches. The carry‑on cap is 10 × 16 × 22 inches. Those measurements include wheels, handles, pockets, and decoration. If your “personal item” can’t go under the seat, staff can reclassify it as a paid carry‑on at the gate.
Common Under‑Seat Winners
- 13–14″ laptop sleeve in a slim tote
- Compact daypack that compresses flat
- Camera sling or small messenger bag
- Soft duffel under 18″ on the long side
Allegiant Carry On Bag Price: What You’ll Pay
Carry‑on pricing is dynamic. Allegiant posts a route‑based range of $10–$75 when you add a carry‑on during booking. Add it later through Manage Trip or online check‑in and the price is usually higher than the at‑booking price. Pay at the counter and you’ll see the flat airport fee of $75 each way.
Why Buying Early Saves Money
Allegiant’s own guidance says baggage fees are lower online and higher at the airport. That’s not marketing fluff; it’s how the fee table is built. Add what you need during booking and move on.
Does A Carry‑On Include Priority Boarding?
No. Priority Access is a separate add‑on. If early boarding matters to you, buy it alongside your bag.
Checked Bag Or Carry‑On: Pick The Better Fit
Both options cost money on Allegiant, so pick based on your loadout and airport plan. If you’re packing liquids, sharp items, or big toiletries, a checked bag may be the smoother play. If you want to skip the carousel and keep fragile gear close, a carry‑on plus a tight personal item works well.
Weight And Oversize Traps
Checked bags over 50 lb draw extra charges, and oversize bags above 80 linear inches get hit as well. A cheap hand scale at home saves stress and cash.
Smart Bags, Batteries, And Liquids
Smart luggage with built‑in batteries is fine as a carry‑on when it meets Allegiant’s size box and the battery rating rules. If you need to check a smart bag, you must remove the battery first.
Spare Lithium Batteries
Spare lithium batteries and power banks go in carry‑on bags only. If a full flight forces a gate‑check, take those spares out before handing over your bag. That’s FAA guidance, and it applies on every U.S. airline.
Liquids In The Security Line
The TSA 3‑1‑1 rule still applies: each liquid container up to 3.4 oz (100 ml), all in one quart‑size bag. Pack larger liquids in a checked bag or buy at your destination. You can read the agency rule here: TSA 3‑1‑1 liquids rule.
Families: Strollers, Car Seats, And Diaper Bags
Strollers and car seats can be gate‑checked for free and brought back to the jetway on arrival. Allegiant also lists diaper bags, coats, and assistive devices as items that don’t count against your one‑plus‑one cabin allowance.
Military And Veterans: Baggage Benefits
Active duty, reserve, and National Guard members get standout perks on Allegiant: up to two checked bags free (a much higher allowance than standard), one free carry‑on, and one free personal item. Family members on the same itinerary can benefit too. Bring your military ID to the counter. Details live on Allegiant’s military page.
Where And When To Buy Your Carry‑On
| When You Add It | Typical Price | How To Do It |
|---|---|---|
| During initial booking | $10–$75 (lowest) | Add carry‑on while you pick seats |
| Pre‑departure / online check‑in | Usually higher than booking | Use “Manage Trip” or the Allegiant app |
| At the airport | $75 each way (flat) | Pay at the counter; expect the highest price |
That spread isn’t random. Allegiant also falls under the U.S. DOT fee‑transparency rule, which requires airlines to disclose bag fees up front during shopping. The airline still sets the numbers, but you get to see them before you click buy.
Packing Tactics That Cut Allegiant Bag Costs
Build Around The Free Personal Item
Pick a soft under‑seat bag with straight sides. Roll clothes tight. Use packing cubes as drawers. A pair of slim sneakers clipped outside can save room inside.
Wear The Bulky Stuff
Travel in your heaviest shoes and a zip‑up layer. Pockets carry chargers, cords, and a spare tee with no complaint from the scale.
Split The Load
Traveling with a partner? Two free personal items can cover a weekend. Share chargers and toiletries and you may dodge paid bags entirely.
Measure And Weigh Before You Leave
Check the inches against Allegiant’s limits, including wheels and handles. Weigh checked luggage for the 50 lb line. Being ready at home beats haggling at the counter.
Buy What You Need Early
Lock in bags during booking, especially for peak dates. Fares and fees move as flights fill. The airport rate never blinks: it’s $75.
Smart Ways To Pack A Carry‑On For Allegiant
Keep Valuables And Meds With You
Laptops, cameras, passports, cash, and prescriptions ride in the personal item. If a flight attendant asks to gate‑check your carry‑on, you’ll still have the items that matter most.
Plan For A Gate‑Check
Overhead bins fill up on full flights. If your bag gets tagged, pull out power banks and spare lithium batteries before handing it over. That keeps you aligned with FAA rules and saves the crew extra steps.
Liquids Strategy
Put your quart bag where you can grab it fast at security. If you need full‑size items, toss a small refill bottle in the quart bag and buy the rest after screening. TSA spells out the limits here and updates them as needed. Read the rule.
Scenarios And Straight Answers
“I only have a tote that’s a hair too tall.”
If it won’t slide fully under the seat, it’s not a personal item. You may be asked to pay the carry‑on fee or check it. Staff use sizers and visual checks.
“My backpack fits, but I also want a small roller.”
That’s two bags. On Allegiant the backpack counts as your free personal item and the roller is the paid carry‑on.
“I forgot to add my carry‑on online.”
Add it in the app before you reach the counter. If you wait, the $75 airport bag fee kicks in.
“Does Allegiant ever waive carry‑on fees?”
Only for qualifying military travelers and certain dependents. Everyone else pays for an overhead bag.
How To See Your Exact Carry‑On Price
Step‑By‑Step In The Booking Flow
- Start a new search on Allegiant’s site or app.
- Pick flights, then continue to seats and bags.
- On the bags screen, select “Carry‑on bag.” You’ll see the price for that route and date before you pay.
- If your dates are flexible, back up one step and try another day to compare totals.
Allegiant must display bag fees during shopping under the DOT fee‑transparency rule. If you use a third‑party site, look for the same disclosures or go straight to Allegiant to confirm.
Already Booked?
Use “Manage Trip,” add the carry‑on, and check out. Prices here can be a bit higher than the at‑booking number, but still better than paying at the counter.
Bundles, Trip Flex, And What They Do
Allegiant sells seat, bag, and change‑flexibility add‑ons a la carte or as bundles. A bundle can include a carry‑on, a checked bag, seat selection, and Trip Flex. If those are items you planned to buy anyway, the bundle can be a clean way to keep the price down and the receipt tidy. If you only need a single carry‑on, buying just that bag is often cheaper.
Under‑Seat Packing: A Three‑Day Template
This setup fits the under‑seat box on Allegiant when you choose slim gear and leave the “just in case” items at home:
- Clothes: two tees, one light sweater, one pair of pants or leggings, three pairs of socks and underwear, one packable rain shell.
- Toiletries: solids where possible (bar soap, bar shampoo), a 1‑quart bag with travel tubes for anything liquid.
- Tech: laptop or tablet, charger, small power bank within TSA limits, noise‑blocking earbuds.
- Misc: flat tote for souvenirs, empty water bottle for post‑security fill‑up, tiny laundry soap sheet.
Swap items to match your trip, but keep the shape tight and the bag soft so it slides under the seat without drama.
Measure Right So You Don’t Pay At The Gate
The Quick Home Test
Stack two pieces of tape on the floor to mark 10 × 16 × 22 inches for a carry‑on or 8 × 14 × 18 inches for a personal item. Fill your bag, zip every pocket, then drop it into the taped rectangle. If it spills beyond the lines, it may be tagged. Remember to include handles, wheels, and any side pockets that bulge once the bag is full.
Gate Reality
Agents use metal sizers and common sense. If you can place the bag in the sizer without force and lift it safely into the bin, you’re good. If not, plan on a fee and a gate‑check. Pull valuables and the lithium power bank first.
Policy Pitfalls To Avoid
- Oversized “personal items.” If a backpack looks like a teenager’s school pack, it may not pass as free. Keep it low‑profile.
- Late add‑ons. Waiting until the airport turns a cheap carry‑on into a $75 charge.
- Heavy checked bags. Crossing the 50 lb line adds a surcharge that stings. Split weight across two bags if you already planned to check more than one.
- Gate‑checking a bag with spares inside. Power banks or extra camera batteries belong in your smaller bag when the tag comes out.
If Your Bag Is Delayed Or Lost
Allegiant refunds the bag fee when a checked bag is mishandled. Keep your receipts for essentials and contact System Baggage per the instructions on Allegiant’s baggage page. File the paperwork promptly so the claim can process.
Carry‑On Etiquette That Helps Everyone Board Faster
- Place the personal item under the seat before you reach for the overhead.
- Turn the carry‑on on its side so the wheels face out; that makes room for one more bag.
- Keep the aisle clear while you stow the bag; step into your row to buckle up.
Resources You’ll Use Again
Bookmark these for trip planning: Allegiant baggage policy, Allegiant fees, TSA 3‑1‑1, and the FAA’s PackSafe battery page. For fee disclosure policy, see the DOT ancillary fee rule.