Credit Cards with Free Checked Bags

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

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.

Delta Airlines

The following cards get the first checked bag free on Delta flights. 

Delta personal card options:

Delta business card options: 

Hawaiian Airlines

Cardholders can get two free checked bags on flights purchased with their card. 

• Hawaiian World Elite Mastercard 

All information about the Hawaiian World Elite Mastercard has been collected independently by Going. The Hawaiian World Elite Mastercard  is not available through Going, but you can learn more here.  

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. 

All information about the JetBlue Plus Card and JetBlue Business Card have been collected independently by Going. These cards are not  available through Going, but you can learn more here.

United Airlines

Checked baggage perks vary by card. 

Southwest Airlines

Bookings made May 28, 2025 and after, Southwest Airlines will begin charging for checked baggage. 

Holding a Southwest credit card will allow you and up to eight others on the same reservation will be able to travel with one checked bag for free. 

You can read more about the policy change at Southwest's site. 

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:

• 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 $200 Airline Fee Credit. You could use this credit to cancel out baggage fees you might have. To take advantage of this credit, select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card(R) Account. 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.