Pack Up and Drink Up: Alaska Airlines to Check Wine for Free

(Jaunted) - Vineyards and wineries just haven’t been the same ever since liquids at the airport became illegal contraband. Sure you could always check your souvenir bottles, but there are always those pesky baggage fees—not to mention you need to pack it up all snug and tight. Alaska Airlines isn’t going to pack your bags for you, but if you’re flying out of certain cities they’ll be happy to check all your wine bottles and they’ll do it for free.

As part of a clever tourism campaign known as “Taste and Tote,” Alaska Airlines will be offering to check one case of wine at no charge to its passengers. Participating airports are in Washington State and include spots like Walla Walla, Yakima, and Pasco/Tri-Cities.

The promotion includes up to twelve standard bottles of wine—that’s what they mean by a case—so stock up. In addition, Alaska Airlines passengers can even score complimentary wine tastings at participating locations just by flashing their boarding pass.

For those trying to do a little more exploring, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is also getting in on the fun. The rental car company will waive drop-off fees for those renting a car at one of the three airports we mentioned above and dropping it off at another. You’ll need an Alaska Airlines boarding pass to prove you’re coming in from Yakima but heading out from Walla Walla, so just be sure to hold onto your paperwork.

All this sounds fine and dandy, but what’s even better is that this isn’t a limited time offer. The partnership and perks begin September 1, and it looks like this promotion will continue for at least two years—free checked wine for everyone!