If you don't have AwardWallet yet, sign up for free<\/a> to start tracking your travel plans.<\/p>\n
How the Alaska and Hawaiian Baggage Guarantee Works<\/span><\/h2>\nSimply put: If your bag doesn\u2019t show up at the carousel within 20 minutes of your flight reaching the gate, you can visit the Alaska or Hawaiian baggage office to claim your compensation. Unfortunately, claims must be made in person — within two hours of arrival — as there\u2019s no online form option (like there is with Delta Air Lines<\/a>).<\/p>\nThere are a few limitations to be aware of. This policy applies to eligible domestic Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines flights. It doesn\u2019t apply to international flights requiring customs clearance, and the airlines can suspend the guarantee during severe weather, system issues, or other operational disruptions.<\/p>\n
Also, compensation is capped at one delayed checked bag per passenger, regardless of how many bags are affected.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\")
Credit: Alaska Airlines<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\nShould You Take the Atmos Rewards Points or the Discount?<\/span><\/h2>\nApproved claims earn either 2,500 Atmos points or a $25 discount code toward a future Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines flight. So, which option offers more value?<\/p>\n
Personally, I\u2019d lean toward the points. Atmos Rewards points can be valuable, especially if redeemed for premium award flights. AwardWallet users redeem Atmos points for an average of 2.22\u00a2 apiece<\/a>, making 2,500 points worth roughly $53 \u2014 or potentially much more if used toward international premium cabin travel.<\/p>\nAtmos points can also stretch surprisingly far on shorter partner award flights. For example, I recently found an American Airlines flight from Albany to Chicago for just 4,500 Atmos points. In a case like that, 2,500 Atmos points could cover more than half the cost of an award ticket.<\/p>\n
That said, the $25 discount shouldn\u2019t be dismissed. If you plan to book a paid Alaska or Hawaiian flight soon, the voucher offers immediate savings. Plus, because paid tickets earn points, you\u2019ll still be adding to your Atmos Rewards balance.<\/p>\n
In general, travelers who know how to maximize Atmos points<\/a> will likely get more value from the points. But if you don\u2019t collect Atmos points or expect to book a paid Alaska or Hawaiian flight soon, the $25 voucher could be a practical choice.<\/p>\nRelated: Guide to Alaska's New Atmos Rewards Points Expiration Policy<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nTake Advantage of Credit Card Benefits on Longer Delays<\/span><\/h2>\nA short delay might score you a few points, but what about longer delays \u2014 or worse, a lost bag?<\/p>\n
Many travel rewards credit cards<\/a> offer baggage delay protection<\/a>, which reimburses you for essentials like clothing and toiletries if your bag is late by more than six hours. This coverage can even apply to award flights, as long as the taxes and fees were paid with the eligible card<\/a> (but check your card's Guide to Benefits to confirm).<\/p>\nIf you find yourself in this situation, check your credit card benefits and keep your receipts. You may be able to get reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses.<\/p>\nPhoto credit: Alaska Airlines<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\nRelated:\u00a0Best Credit Cards With Free Travel Insurance<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nOther Ways to Earn Atmos Points<\/span><\/h2>\nBeyond flying (and waiting for your delayed bags), there are several ways to rack up Atmos points.<\/p>\n
Using an Atmos Rewards credit card is one of the easiest. Both the Atmos\u2122 Rewards Ascent Visa Signature\u00ae<\/sup> card<\/a> and the Atmos\u2122 Rewards Visa Business Card<\/a> offer perks like a free checked bag and extra points on eligible Alaska and Hawaiian purchases.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>Atmos\u2122 Rewards Ascent Visa Signature\u00ae<\/sup> card<\/div>Limited-Time Online Offer:<\/strong>\r\nEarn 50,000 bonus miles plus buy one, get one ticket for just the taxes and fees ($0 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, spend $2,000 or more on purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.<\/div><\/div><\/div>Annual Fee<\/strong>$95<\/p><\/div>
Credit Score<\/strong>Excellent\/Good<\/p><\/div><\/div>
\r\n- Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases<\/li>\r\n
- Earn unlimited 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging stations, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases<\/li>\r\n
- Earn unlimited 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Atmos\u2122 Rewards Visa Business Card<\/div>Welcome Bonus<\/strong>\r\nGet 80,000 bonus miles and Alaska's Famous Companion Fare\u2122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after you make $5,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.<\/div><\/div><\/div>Annual Fee<\/strong>
$70 for the company and $25 per card<\/p><\/div>
There are a few limitations to be aware of. This policy applies to eligible domestic Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines flights. It doesn\u2019t apply to international flights requiring customs clearance, and the airlines can suspend the guarantee during severe weather, system issues, or other operational disruptions.<\/p>\n
Also, compensation is capped at one delayed checked bag per passenger, regardless of how many bags are affected.<\/p>\n Approved claims earn either 2,500 Atmos points or a $25 discount code toward a future Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines flight. So, which option offers more value?<\/p>\n Personally, I\u2019d lean toward the points. Atmos Rewards points can be valuable, especially if redeemed for premium award flights. AwardWallet users redeem Atmos points for an average of 2.22\u00a2 apiece<\/a>, making 2,500 points worth roughly $53 \u2014 or potentially much more if used toward international premium cabin travel.<\/p>\n Atmos points can also stretch surprisingly far on shorter partner award flights. For example, I recently found an American Airlines flight from Albany to Chicago for just 4,500 Atmos points. In a case like that, 2,500 Atmos points could cover more than half the cost of an award ticket.<\/p>\n That said, the $25 discount shouldn\u2019t be dismissed. If you plan to book a paid Alaska or Hawaiian flight soon, the voucher offers immediate savings. Plus, because paid tickets earn points, you\u2019ll still be adding to your Atmos Rewards balance.<\/p>\n In general, travelers who know how to maximize Atmos points<\/a> will likely get more value from the points. But if you don\u2019t collect Atmos points or expect to book a paid Alaska or Hawaiian flight soon, the $25 voucher could be a practical choice.<\/p>\n Related: Guide to Alaska's New Atmos Rewards Points Expiration Policy<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n A short delay might score you a few points, but what about longer delays \u2014 or worse, a lost bag?<\/p>\n Many travel rewards credit cards<\/a> offer baggage delay protection<\/a>, which reimburses you for essentials like clothing and toiletries if your bag is late by more than six hours. This coverage can even apply to award flights, as long as the taxes and fees were paid with the eligible card<\/a> (but check your card's Guide to Benefits to confirm).<\/p>\n If you find yourself in this situation, check your credit card benefits and keep your receipts. You may be able to get reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses.<\/p>\n Related:\u00a0Best Credit Cards With Free Travel Insurance<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Beyond flying (and waiting for your delayed bags), there are several ways to rack up Atmos points.<\/p>\n Using an Atmos Rewards credit card is one of the easiest. Both the Atmos\u2122 Rewards Ascent Visa Signature\u00ae<\/sup> card<\/a> and the Atmos\u2122 Rewards Visa Business Card<\/a> offer perks like a free checked bag and extra points on eligible Alaska and Hawaiian purchases.<\/p>\n $95<\/p><\/div> Excellent\/Good<\/p><\/div><\/div> $70 for the company and $25 per card<\/p><\/div>![\"A](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/bagage-policy-1.png\")
Should You Take the Atmos Rewards Points or the Discount?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Take Advantage of Credit Card Benefits on Longer Delays<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/alaska-luggage-photo.png\")
Other Ways to Earn Atmos Points<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Atmos\u2122](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/CardArt-AtmosRewardsAscent.png\")
<\/div><\/div>\r\n
![\"Atmos\u2122](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/CardArt-AtmosRewardsSignatureBusiness.png\")
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