Find cheap Allegiant Air flights

Allegiant is an ultra-low-cost carrier based in Las Vegas, providing nonstop, scheduled service from over 110 U.S. cities. The airline keeps base fares low by charging fees for extras like bags, seat selection and onboard purchases. Being based in California and New York, I’ve learned to rely on Allegiant as a no-fuss option for reaching smaller American towns. For short flights with no bags, it feels hassle-free.

Fare classes and seats

Allegiant operates an all-economy configuration with no business or first class. Unless you purchase a specific seat, the airline assigns one at random. Two upgrade options exist on select routes: Allegiant Extra offers 18 extra cm of legroom with priority check-in and boarding, plus reserved overhead bin space, while Legroom+ includes both exit rows and front-of-plane seats.

Legroom+ includes both the exit rows and the front of the plane (again, only on select routes). When I get the chance, I always select the Legroom+ option because it gives me extra space and allows me to deplane faster, all while staying within my budget.

Note that on some flights the extra space seats are in the exit rows, which means you need to be willing and able to operate emergency procedures if necessary. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has various rules on who can sit in an exit row. For example, nobody under the age of 15 can sit there.

Bundles

Allegiant offers three bundle tiers that package popular add-on services at a discount: Basic, Bonus and Total. Each bundle includes different combinations of bags, seat selection and flexibility options. I always go with Bonus for the bag option and seat selection. Services can be added after booking through Manage Travel, though I prefer to bundle everything upfront.

• Basic: Personal item only

• Bonus: Personal item, either a carry-on or checked bag (depending on route), seat selection and Trip Flex for change flexibility

• Total: Personal item, carry-on, checked bag, seat selection, priority access and Trip Flex

Being able to board early with my bag makes bundling worthwhile for me. If I need both carry-on and checked bags, I go with Total, but Bonus remains my top pick when I can choose between bag types.

Check-in and boarding

Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure and closes 45 minutes before your flight. At the airport, the Total bundle includes priority boarding access. Printing a boarding pass at the desk costs U.S. $5 extra so I recommend using the Allegiant app for a mobile boarding pass instead. The app works at all destinations and saves you the printing fee.

While Allegiant doesn’t offer self-service kiosks, they do have an express bag drop lane for passengers who’ve already checked in online. I’m an on-the-phone-only kind of traveller who rarely prints things out. Luckily, the Allegiant app is easy to navigate and they accept in-app boarding passes at all their destinations. If you’re like me, you’ll love this option.

Allegiant has various boarding zones and I find them better organized than many other airlines. They start with pre-boarding, which includes passengers who need additional assistance, followed by priority access passengers. This option is for those who purchase priority access in advance, have Allegiant Extra or Legroom+ seats, or have the Allegiant credit card.

Next are active military personnel through the Allegiant Honors program. Once they have done pre-boarding, they move to the first zone, which includes passengers in exit rows (as part of the priority boarding group), and then they operate by row number.

Onboard experience

You’ll find food and beverages for sale on Allegiant flights. Your choices include brand-name snacks like Lay’s chips, Cheez-It crackers, cookies and chocolate. When it comes to non-alcoholic drinks they offer the usual sodas like Sprite Zero, water, tea and coffee, plus some interesting zero-proof cocktails like their grapefruit squeeze.

In terms of alcohol, you’ll find everything from premium spirits like Don Julio Reposado Tequila to wine and beer. They also offer fun signature cocktails. From time to time, I enjoy their espresso martini. Since I am always after a good deal, I choose from special snack packs like their Deluxe Wingz Snack Pack for $10.99 (around C$ 15) where $1 from each purchase benefits Make-A-Wish.

Allegiant doesn’t offer Wi-Fi or in-flight entertainment, keeping costs down for their short-haul focus. Download whatever you need onto your phone or tablet before boarding and make sure they’re fully charged. The seats don’t recline either, which is why I stick with Allegiant for shorter flights where these amenities matter less.

Changes and cancellations

Allegiant has an option called Trip Flex, which can be applied during the booking process. Trip Flex does come at a fee, but offers the ability to change or postpone your flight once without the standard change fee (you must make changes at least 1 hour before departure). If you cancel with Trip Flex, the cancellation fee is waived and you’ll receive a credit voucher for future travel minus carrier charges and booking fees. Without Trip Flex, there is a $25 (~ C$ 34) fee per passenger per segment for cancellations.

I like Trip Flex, as it allows me to stay flexible, even if I have to pay a little more. It balances my expenses. That being said, if you don’t travel often and don’t need to change your plans, they do offer a standard option to cancel your entire itinerary without penalty within 24 hours of booking, as long as your departure is at least 7 days away.

Allegiant Air loyalty program

Allegiant has a loyalty program called ‘Allways Rewards’, which uses Allways Rewards points. It’s free to join. The partnership with Sunseeker resorts has ended, so members can no longer earn or redeem points there. Though it doesn’t offer much unless partnered with their credit card, they’ve kept the process fairly simple.

If you spend under $500 (~ C$ 682) on flights you get one point for each dollar; spend $500 or more on your itinerary and you’ll earn two points per U.S. dollar Again, if you’re a frequent flyer, it might be worth joining. Plus, the points don’t expire, as long as you have had some activity on your account in the last 24 months (activity includes making a booking while logged in or holding an open Allways Rewards Visa card).

The official Allegiant credit card

The Allegiant Allways Rewards Visa Card is a solid option as it has no blackout dates, no restrictions on destination or even minimum point redemption. It comes with multiple benefits, starting with a free drink, and priority boarding for you and everyone on your itinerary (just present your card at the gate). You’ll also get priority check-in at the airport.

If you’re a frequent Allegiant flier, these perks are worth it. They often have special deals for credit card holders, including a Buy One, Get One Free airfare benefit when you purchase a qualifying vacation package with at least four hotel nights or seven rental car days. I advise always checking the destination offers, as they have saved me a lot over the years.

Pet policy

I was happy when I found out that with Allegiant, you can bring your dog or cat with you in the cabin. Keep in mind that you should keep them in a hard or soft carrier that meets the size requirements set by the airline. They charge $50 (~ C$ 68) per segment for this service, and since I sometimes like to fly with my pup, I often take advantage of it. Note that this service only includes travel within the 48 contiguous states.