Strain–controlled low cycle fatigue properties of Ti–6Al–2Sn–4Zr–2Mo with different thickness of alpha–case layers were investigated. Results show that at strain amplitudes 0.3 and 0.4%, the fatigue life of the alloy is reduced for the specimens with alpha–case layer compared to the ones without any alpha–case. It was noted that with a 2 μm thick alpha–case layer the low cycle fatigue life is reduced about 50% at the higher strain amplitude. The degrading effect of the alpha–case layer on fatigue life increased with increasing thickness. The alpha–case layer at the surface is enriched with oxygen making the surface harder and brittle, which results in easier crack initiation and thus decrease in fatigue life.