Worth the price? Trying out Alaska Airlines' new digital bag tags
It may actually be time to say goodbye to paper luggage tags. When we heard about Alaska Airlines' new bag tags (made by a company called Bagtag), we wanted to test them out in real life.
In a bid to help passengers save time at the airport and cut down on wasted paper, Alaska is now selling the electronic bag tags for $89.
It’s a marvelous new technology — and although so far I'm not finding them 100% ready for prime time, they do work.
Alaska digital bag tags
The $89 price tag could be worth the investment for serious Alaska flyers. You buy the bag tags online, and then they mail them directly to you, as you can see in the photos below.
You can use them for flights on Alaska Airlines, SkyWest flights operated by Alaska, Oneworld partner Qatar Airways and Alaska partner Icelandair.
Merger partner Hawaiian Airlines flights will eventually also be eligible for electronic bag tag use once the systems are more fully integrated.
Qatar and Icelandair have their own versions of electronic bag tags, as do several other international carriers. For example, Lufthansa has been using them for years.
How to use the new Alaska bag tags
Add a bag to your flight and then use the Alaska app to check into your flight; you’ll see an “Electronic bag tag” button in your app.
Once that is done, you simply use your phone to scan the bag tag.
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Once the two devices have an electronic connection, a digital version of your luggage bar codes will show up on the screen.
Loyalty update: Alaska Airlines unveils 4 major changes to MVP elite status
It took some time to form a tight e-connection, but eventually, a digital version of a paper bag tag appeared on the screen.
I first used my tag on a recent flight from Newark to San Francisco. The Alaska agent at the ticket counter hadn’t seen one of the bag tags before, but she got help from another agent who knew how they worked. They actually added a traditional paper tag to my luggage anyway to show I had priority bag handling — so much for not wasting paper.
Honestly, despite that, it was pretty cool to see it in action.
Unfortunately, the tale took a darker turn in San Francisco. When I got to baggage claim, my bag was there, but my digital bag tag face had been marked with green marker; the tag had apparently come off during handling because the tag was taped to the top of my luggage handle.
It would have been a problem if that tag had separated from the luggage, since there would have been no way to identify which bag was supposed to be with the digital tag.
My biggest fear is that these tags won’t last through frequent travel, as the connecter strap seems flimsy.
I have since checked that same bag four more times, though, and it has gone through several more check-ins and multiple connections without coming off. However, I do have it very tightly attached to the suitcase now.
Overall, pretty impressive.
I'll also give a shout-out to the new Travelpro Versapack suitcase I've been using. It has held up remarkably well despite the abuse I've been putting it through in all my travels.
Bottom line
The bag tags were a fun experiment for a traveler who doesn't normally check bags. While the trial got off on a rough note, the bag tags did work. My biggest piece of advice if you are investing in this bag tag: Make sure it is attached super tightly to your bag.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.