#
The Rising Cost of Checking Bags
Let’s face it, nobody enjoys paying extra for checked baggage. I certainly don’t! Airlines are constantly finding ways to increase revenue, and checked bag fees are a prime target. These fees can easily add $30 or more per bag, per flight, making family travel significantly more expensive. Southwest Airlines, once a bastion of free baggage, will soon be joining the ranks of airlines charging for checked bags, eliminating one of the few remaining options for avoiding these fees. Fortunately, there’s a smart way to bypass these charges. Credit cards that offer free checked baggage are the perfect solution!
#
Airline Credit Cards: A First-Class Ticket to Savings
One of the easiest ways to avoid checked baggage fees is by carrying a co-branded airline credit card. If you’re loyal to a particular airline, this can be a fantastic strategy. Generally, if an airline credit card has an annual fee of around $100 and you check bags on at least three round-trip flights per year with that airline, you’ll more than recoup the cost in savings. I’ve personally found this to be true! Plus, these cards often come with additional perks like priority boarding and bonus miles, making them even more valuable. Let’s take a look at the best airline credit cards for free checked bags.
#
Credit Cards by Airline and Benefits
| Airline | Credit Cards | Free Checked Bag Benefit | |——————-|———————————————————————————————————–|———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————| | Alaska Airlines | Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card, Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card | First checked bag free for the cardholder and up to six additional passengers on the same reservation. Note: You must purchase the flight with the card to receive this benefit. | | American Airlines| Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®, Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®, Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® | First checked bag free on domestic itineraries. Platinum Select and Business cards extend the benefit to the cardholder and up to four travel companions on the same reservation. The Executive card extends it to the cardholder and up to eight travel companions. | | Delta Air Lines | Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card | First checked bag free for the cardholder and up to eight others traveling on the same itinerary. Attach your Delta SkyMiles number to your reservation to utilize this benefit. | | Frontier Airlines| Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® | Two free checked bags for the cardholder. | | Hawaiian Airlines| Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® | Two free checked bags for the cardholder only; travel companions are not included. | | JetBlue | JetBlue Plus Card, JetBlue Premier Card, JetBlue Business Card | First checked bag free for the cardholder and up to three travel companions on the same reservation. | | Southwest Airlines | Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card, Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card, Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card | One free checked bag each for the cardholder and up to eight traveling companions on the same reservation. | | United Airlines | United℠ Explorer Card, United Quest℠ Card, United℠ Club Card, United℠ Business Card, United Club Business Card | Explorer and Business cards: One bag free for the cardholder and one companion on the same reservation. Quest, Club, and Club Business cards: Two bags free for the cardholder and one companion on the same reservation. Note: You must have your MileagePlus number on your reservation and purchase the ticket with the applicable card. |
#
Digging Deeper: Specific Airline Card Recommendations
Now, let’s delve into some specific card recommendations based on airline.
##
Alaska Airlines
For those of you who frequently fly Alaska Airlines, the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card is a no-brainer. Not only do you get the first checked bag free for yourself and up to six travel companions on the same reservation, but you also get a valuable companion fare each year. This companion fare alone can save you hundreds of dollars! Remember, you must purchase your flight with the card to unlock the free baggage perk. I often use this card for family trips to the Pacific Northwest, and the savings on baggage fees, coupled with the companion fare, make it an invaluable asset.
##
American Airlines
If American Airlines is your airline of choice, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® offers a compelling value proposition. The annual fee is reasonable, and the free checked bag benefit extends to you and up to four companions. I find this card particularly useful for shorter domestic trips where I want to avoid gate-checking my bag.
##
Delta Air Lines
For Delta loyalists, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a great starting point. The annual fee is relatively low (and often waived the first year), and you get the first checked bag free for yourself and eight other people on your itinerary! This is fantastic for family travel or group trips. I personally like the Gold card as a good entry point, but if you’re a frequent Delta flyer, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card might offer more value with their additional perks like Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) boosts and lounge access.
##
Frontier Airlines
Okay, let’s be honest, Frontier isn’t always the most luxurious flying experience. But if you’re looking for the absolute cheapest fares, the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® can make sense, especially given their high baggage fees. The card grants you two free checked bags, which can easily offset the annual fee with just one round trip.
##
Hawaiian Airlines
Dreaming of a trip to the islands? If you fly Hawaiian Airlines, the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® can help you save on baggage fees. You’ll receive two free checked bags, but this benefit only applies to the cardholder, not travel companions.
##
JetBlue
JetBlue offers a great flying experience, and the JetBlue Plus Card makes it even better. With this card, you and up to three travel companions get a free checked bag. The card has a reasonable annual fee and also earns bonus points on JetBlue purchases, making it a worthwhile option for frequent JetBlue flyers.
##
Southwest Airlines
Even with Southwest’s upcoming change to start charging for checked bags, having a Southwest Rapid Rewards® card can be valuable, especially if you often travel with family or friends. The card provides one free checked bag for you and up to eight travel companions on the same reservation. Choosing the right Southwest card depends on how much you travel with the airline and which perks are most valuable to you.
##
United Airlines
For United flyers, the United℠ Explorer Card is a solid choice. It provides one free checked bag for you and one companion on the same reservation. However, remember the caveat: you must purchase your ticket with the card. For more benefits, like United Club access and more free bags, consider the United Quest℠ Card or the United℠ Club Card, but be prepared for higher annual fees.
#
General Travel Cards: Flexibility and Freedom
While airline credit cards are great for airline loyalists, what if you fly with multiple airlines throughout the year? That’s where general travel credit cards come in handy. Some of these cards offer annual travel credits or allow you to redeem points to cover travel purchases, including baggage fees.
##
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium travel card that comes with a high annual fee, but it also offers a plethora of benefits, including a $300 annual travel credit. You can use this credit to offset baggage fees, and the card also earns valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points that can be redeemed for travel or transferred to airline and hotel partners.
##
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Similarly, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a $200 airline fee credit that can be used for incidental airline charges, including checked baggage fees. However, you must designate one qualifying airline each year to receive this benefit. The Amex Platinum card also grants access to a lot of airport lounges as well!
##
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is another strong contender. While it doesn’t offer a direct credit for airline fees, you can redeem your Capital One miles at a rate of 1 cent per mile to cover travel purchases, including baggage fees.
#
Important Considerations: Maximizing Your Benefits
Before you rush out and apply for a new credit card, there are a few important things to keep in mind.
Free Baggage Benefits Don’t Stack: Don’t assume that you’ll get additional* free bags on top of existing elite status benefits. Typically, these credit card waivers only apply if you don’t already receive a free checked bag. * Use the Right Card to Purchase Your Flight: As mentioned earlier, airlines such as Alaska and United require you to purchase your ticket with the eligible card to receive the free checked bag benefit. * Be Careful When Booking Large Groups: When booking flights for large groups, airlines might only display a single fare class that applies to all tickets. This could mean paying a higher price per ticket to ensure everyone is on the same reservation. It’s worth comparing prices for individual tickets or smaller groups to see if you can save money. * Understand Each Airline’s Specific Rules: Some airlines have specific rules about how the baggage benefit is applied, such as the number of companions covered or whether the primary cardholder needs to be traveling on the itinerary.
#
The Bottom Line: Travel Smarter, Not Harder
Checked baggage fees can significantly increase the cost of travel. But with the right credit card, you can avoid these fees and save money on your next trip. By choosing a co-branded airline credit card or a general travel card with flexible redemption options, you can tailor your strategy to your specific travel needs and habits. Whether you’re a frequent flyer on a particular airline or prefer to hop between carriers, there’s a credit card out there that can help you travel smarter and save money. So, do your research, compare your options, and choose the card that best fits your travel style. Happy travels!
