Credit Cards That Offer Free Checked Bags
Going has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Going and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses, and recommendations are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. Some of all of the card offers that appear on this page are from advertisers; compensation may affect how and where the cards appear on the site; and Going does not include all card companies are all available card offers.
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Several airlines recently raised the cost to check a bag on a domestic flight. While it's not fun paying $35 or more each way to check a bag, the good news is that several credit cards can help you get a free checked bag on your next flight.
Most of the cards that offer this perk are specific to one airline, so consider your flying habits and loyalties first. But, if you're not committed to one airline, scroll down to learn how several general purpose travel credit cards can help you cover checked baggage fees.
Some of the cards that offer free checked baggage can be applied for through Going, and some cannot. We feature application links with our partners whenever possible.
Airline cards that get you free checked bags
Alaska Airlines
Cardholders who purchase airfare with their card can get the first checked bag free for themselves and up to six additional guests on the same reservation.
- Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card
- Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card
Alaska Airlines cards are not currently available through Going's partners, but you can learn more here.
American Airlines
The following cards get you a first checked bag free, but the number of additional guests who also can get a free first checked bag varies by card.
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®: You and up to eight additional people on the same reservation.
- CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: You and up to four additional people on the same reservation.
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: You and up to four additional people on the same reservation.
- AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Red Mastercard®: You and up to four additional people on the same reservation.
American Airlines cards are not currently available through Going's partners, but you can learn more here and here.
Delta Airlines
The following cards get the first checked bag free on Delta flights.
Delta personal card options:
Delta business card options:
Delta personal cards | ||
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card_name | card_name | card_name |
Annual fee | ||
annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) | annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) | annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) |
Foreign transaction fees | ||
foreign_transaction_fee | foreign_transaction_fee | foreign_transaction_fee |
Earning rate | ||
|
|
|
Welcome offer | ||
bonus_miles_full | bonus_miles_full | bonus_miles_full |
Our take | ||
A great card option for the casual flyer who loves Delta. | A middle-of-the-road option, this card also includes an annual Companion Certificate each card anniversary. | The top-of-the-line option, this card is great for Delta flyers who love to travel in style. |
Delta business cards | ||
---|---|---|
card_name | card_name | card_name |
Annual fee | ||
annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) | annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) | annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) |
Foreign transaction fees | ||
foreign_transaction_fee | foreign_transaction_fee | foreign_transaction_fee |
Earning rate | ||
|
|
|
Welcome offer | ||
bonus_miles_full | bonus_miles_full | bonus_miles_full |
Our take | ||
This card has a pretty decent ongoing rewards earning rate. | The application fee credit for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry (which includes TSA PreCheck) is a great perk of this card. | This card offers a very attractive Companion Certificate available on each year after your card renews. |
Hawaiian Airlines
Cardholders can get two free checked bags on flights purchased with their card.
- Hawaiian World Elite Mastercard
Hawaiian Airlines cards are not currently available through Going's partners, but you can learn more.
JetBlue Airways
The amount of people on your reservation who get the first checked bag free varies based on the card.
- JetBlue Plus Card: Cardholders get the first checked bag free.
- JetBlue Business Card: Cardholders get the first checked bag free for themselves and up to three additional guests.
JetBlue Airways cards are not currently available through Going's partners, but you can learn more here.
United Airlines
Checked baggage perks vary by card.
United cards | |||
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card_name | card_name | card_name | card_name |
Annual fee | |||
annual_fees | annual_fees | annual_fees | annual_fees |
Foreign transaction fees | |||
foreign_transaction_fee | foreign_transaction_fee | foreign_transaction_fee | foreign_transaction_fee |
Earning rate | |||
|
|
|
|
Welcome offer | |||
bonus_miles_full | bonus_miles_full | bonus_miles_full | bonus_miles_full |
Our take | |||
It's rare to find an entry-level card that offers a first checked bag free. | A good option for a United loyalist. | This card is best for devoted United flyers. | In addition to its United perks, this card has a great earning rate on common spending categories. |
Card benefits | |||
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Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines allows passengers to fly with two checked bags for free to your final destination. Also, Southwest credit cards are pretty great for earning the Southwest Companion Pass.
Other cards that can help you save on checked baggage fees
All of the cards above are specific to one airline, but what if you're not loyal to flying one carrier? For those of us who are noncommittal, there are several flexible travel credit cards that could help:
- The Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card: This card has an annual travel credit of $300. You could use some of that credit to apply toward checked baggage fees.
- The Platinum Card® from American Express and its counterpart, the Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Each card offers cardholders an annual airline incidental credit worth $200. You could use this credit to cancel out baggage fees you might have. To take advantage of this credit, you’ll need to select one airline to use this with. The best way to do so is to chat with an Amex representative in the app.
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: This newly revamped card offers a new flight credit worth up to $200, spread out as $50 statement credits per quarter. This credit applies to “flight purchases made directly with an airline,” and though it’s brand new, it appears that checked baggage fees would qualify.
- The Capital One Venture Rewards® Card, Capital One Venture X Rewards® Card, and Capital One Venture X Business® Card: Each of these cards allow you to cover travel purchases, including checked baggage fees, by redeeming Miles (their term for points) as statement credit.
General travel cards that can help offset baggage fees | |||
---|---|---|---|
card_name | card_name | card_name | card_name |
Annual fee | |||
annual_fees | annual_fees | annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) | annual_fees |
Foreign transaction fees | |||
foreign_transaction_fee | foreign_transaction_fee | foreign_transaction_fee | foreign_transaction_fee |
Earning rate | |||
|
|
|
|
Welcome offer | |||
bonus_miles_full | bonus_miles_full | bonus_miles_full | bonus_miles_full |
Our take | |||
The annual travel credit is very flexible, making it useful for lots of travel expenses. | This card may have a low annual fee, but it competes with the top luxury options on the market. | The statement credits included with this card are the true showstopper. | An elevated version of its sibling, this card also offers access to some lounges. |
See Rates and Fees for the card_name
See Rates and Fees for the card_name
See Rates and Fees for the card_name
See Rates and Fees for the card_name
See Rates and Fees for the card_name
See Rates and Fees for the card_name
See Rates and Fees for the card_name
See Rates and Fees for the card_name
Going has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Going and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses, and recommendations are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. Some of all of the card offers that appear on this page are from advertisers; compensation may affect how and where the cards appear on the site; and Going does not include all card companies are all available card offers.
Published March 6, 2024
Last updated August 30, 2024
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