What your Alaska Airlines contract says

In short

This is a contract of carriage between you and Alaska Airlines, Inc. governed by Alaska's Contract of Carriage and (on international routes) the Montreal Convention. Alaska sells Saver, Main, Premium Class, and First Class fares; following the 2024 merger with Hawaiian Airlines, the combined carrier operates under the Alaska Mileage Plan with reciprocal benefits across the Hawaiian network. Saver is Alaska's restricted economy product (no advance seat selection (seats assigned at check-in), boarding in the last group, and no voluntary changes or refunds outside the 24-hour DOT window). Main, Premium, and First all support free same-day changes, and Alaska eliminated change fees on most fare classes (Saver excepted). Under the DOT 2024 Automatic Refund Rule (14 CFR Part 260), Alaska must automatically refund the original form of payment if Alaska cancels a flight or makes a 'significant change' (3+ hr domestic / 6+ hr international, or material airport/connection/downgrade changes) and you choose not to travel. Alaska's published Service Commitments include several voluntary remedies above DOT minimums (for example, vouchers for cancellations within Alaska's control regardless of length).

What you agree to do

• You must check in and drop bags at least 40 minutes before a domestic departure (60 minutes international) and be at the gate by the published cut-off, or Alaska may cancel your reservation as a no-show.
• You must comply with the carry-on policy (one carry-on plus one personal item on every fare class including Saver, with size and weight limits enforced at the gate).
• You must use each ticketed segment in order; Alaska treats skipped segments as voiding all downstream segments and the return.

What you can ask for

• You have the right to cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund to your original form of payment when the booking was made at least 24 hours before departure, regardless of fare class (DOT 14 CFR §259.5).
• You have the right to an automatic refund to original form of payment if Alaska cancels your flight or makes a 'significant change' (3+ hr domestic / 6+ hr international, or material airport/connection/downgrade changes) and you decline rebooking, per DOT 14 CFR Part 260.
• You have the right to deplane after 3 hours on the tarmac on a domestic flight or 4 hours on an international flight, with food and water provided within 2 hours, per DOT 14 CFR §259.4.
• You have the right to involuntary denied-boarding compensation of 200% of one-way fare (capped at $1,075) or 400% (capped at $2,150) if Alaska bumps you from an oversold flight, per DOT 14 CFR Part 250.
• You have the right to free same-day confirmed changes on Main, Premium, and First fares (Saver is excluded); free changes and cancellations apply across Main and above outside the 24-hour window for most domestic and short-haul itineraries.
• You have the right to earn Mileage Plan miles on every paid fare, including Saver, and to use those miles on Alaska, the Hawaiian Airlines network, and oneworld partners.

Points worth knowing

• Saver fares are the most restricted in Alaska's lineupSaver tickets cannot be voluntarily changed or cancelled outside the 24-hour DOT window; seats are assigned at check-in (so families may be split), and Saver passengers board last and are not eligible for complimentary upgrades.
• Schedule changes below the DOT thresholdAlaska can move a flight by up to 2 hours 59 minutes domestically or 5 hours 59 minutes internationally without triggering a mandatory refund; you must accept rebooking on the next Alaska or Hawaiian flight or absorb the disruption.
• Hawaiian merger integration frictionWhile Alaska and Hawaiian operated under a combined Mileage Plan from late 2024, full network integration (single PNR, full reciprocal status benefits) is staged through 2026. Itineraries spanning the two networks may still produce baggage-handling and change-rule edge cases.
• Checked-bag feesAlaska charges $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second on most fare classes (excluding First, Premium status flyers, and Visa Signature card holders). Saver does not include any free checked bag.
• Broad disclaimer of consequential damagesAlaska's Contract of Carriage disclaims liability for missed cruises, hotel costs, lost wages, and business losses caused by delays or cancellations. Airline Deregulation Act preemption forecloses most state-law claims for delayed or denied service.
• Mileage Plan award devaluationAlaska has historically published award charts but has periodically increased award costs on partner redemptions (notably Cathay Pacific business class in 2023) with limited notice; the Mileage Plan terms reserve the right to change rates.

Dates and deadlines

24-hour free cancellation window

Within 24 hours of booking, provided travel is at least 24 hours away

Tarmac delay deplaning rights

After 3 hours on a domestic flight or 4 hours on an international flight

Check-in / gate cut-off

Check in 40 min (domestic) / 60 min (international) before departure; be at the gate by 30 min before

Baggage claim deadline

Within 24 hours of arrival domestically; within 7 days for damage on international flights (Montreal Convention)