Credit cards that offer you a free checked bag

The best card for a free check bag

*Citi/Aadvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard, Frontier Airlines World Mastercard, Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard, JetBlue Plus Card, JetBlue Premier Card, The Southwest Rapid Rapid Premier Credier Card, and United Club Bunices Card have been collected from Points. The card details on this page are not reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines charges $35 for the first check bag on every flight.

American Airlines

American Airlines charges $35 for the first check bag of domestic itineraries and flights to neighboring countries such as Canada and Mexico.

There are three Citi Cobranded options that offer the first free check bag on your domestic itinerary.

Platinum choice and business cards will extend the profits of this free checked baggage to you, extending to up to four travel companions for booking.

Meanwhile, Executive World Elite offers the advantages of the same free check bag, but can range from up to 8 travel companions with the same booking.

Delta Air Lines

Delta charges $35 one-way $35 for the first checked bag on flights in the US

However, most carrier consumers and business credit cards offer card members one free check bag and eight people traveling on the same itinerary. To take advantage of this benefit, attach your Delta Sky Mile number to your booking.

Here are six delta cards that offer this perk:

Frontier Airlines

Frontier Airlines charges various check bag prices depending on how you purchase it and when it comes to it. In general, prepaid for packages checked at the time of booking is the cheapest.

Here is an example of frontier check bag fees for a flight from Atlanta to Las Vegas in mid-June. It starts at $66 each.

Luckily, if you hold a Frontier Airlines World MasterCard ($99 per year), you will receive two free check bags. You can cover the annual membership fee for your card in just one time.

Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiians charge $40 for their first check bag on flights between the mainland and Hawaii and $30 for an island trip.

Jet Blue

JetBlue check bags start at $35 for domestic flights and $65 for transatlantic flights.

Thankfully, you can avoid these fees if you carry JetBlue Plus or JetBlue Business (annual fee of $99) or JetBlue Premier that charges $499.

Free first check bag perks range from up to 3 travel companions on your booking.

Southwest Airlines

United Airlines

United will charge at least $35 for the first check bag on all domestic flights.

Other cards worth considering

Opening one of the above airline credit cards is a great way to save on check bag fees, but what happens when you fly with multiple carriers throughout the year?

If you tend to prioritize price or convenience over sticking to a particular airline, it may not be worth applying for a Cobranded credit card that offers perks to only that one carrier.

Another option is to apply for a credit card with more general travel perks and Checked bag fees can be refunded:

Things you need to know about check bags

Don’t stack free baggage perks

There is a myth that credit cards offer additional free check bags rather than the first free check bag. Unfortunately, these cards “fee waiver” does not apply if you have already received a free check bag for your elite status, class of service, or travel to overseas destinations.

Therefore, you will not receive an additional free check bag beyond your existing allowance just to hold a credit card that offers this advantage. Some airlines will make exceptions, but please check your airline’s policies before assuming additional bags are covered.

Use the appropriate card to buy your flight

With most of these offers, you simply attach your frequent flyer numbers to your booking, as you will be given the free check bag perks.

The exceptions are Alaska and United, which require you to use your airline credit card to purchase tickets (or pay taxes and fees on your award ticket).

Be careful when booking large groups

It’s great that some of these credit cards offer free packages to multiple companions, but there are potential catches.

When searching for flights, the airline displays a single fare class that applies to all tickets, rather than offering low fares for some passengers.

So, if you only get 3 seats for $300 each and your next best fare is $400, booking four people with one reservation costs $400 each. Obviously, paying the extra $300 isn’t worth receiving a free bag worth $70 each round trip.

So when booking flights for a group, compare pricing individually or in larger groups and larger groups.

Book flights in the Southwest

Conclusion

Flights can be costly on their own, but the checked bag fees can be added immediately, especially if you are traveling with a large group.