For the baggage issue, I can understand why some would initially view this as a favor, because most airlines have a very different policy than AS. However, it's pretty clear that AS will take care of 'connections' even if on a separate ticket, which kind of blows my mind:
When making international connections on a separate ticket to other airlines within twelve (12) hours of arriving in the connection city, you may follow the baggage allowance and weight restrictions of the international airline - provided a ticketing and baggage agreement is in place between Alaska Airlines and the other carrier.
Based on how that's worded, I wonder what airlines AS actually has a baggage agreement with? Just partners?