The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.
Checked bag fees have become a routine part of air travel. Major U.S. airlines regularly raise checked bag fees, and when you travel a lot or with family, the cost adds up quickly.
Generally, those who travel in a premium cabin, have airline elite status, travel internationally, or are active-duty military members often can get at least one complimentary checked bag. But for most travelers, having the right credit card is the easiest way to avoid checked bag fees.
Here we break down popular airlines in North America and credit cards to help you get a better picture of how much you can save on checked bag fees and which cards can help you with that.
United Airlines
First checked bag fee: $45-$50
Second checked bag fee: $55-$60
Credit Cards with the free checked bag benefit:
United℠ Explorer Card - The primary cardmember and one companion can each check a first standard bag for free - save up to $200 per roundtrip.
United Quest℠ Card - The primary cardmember and one companion can each check a first and second standard bag for free - save up to $440 per roundtrip.
United Club℠ Card - The primary cardmember and one companion can each check a first and second standard bag for free - save up to $440 per roundtrip.
United℠ Business Card - The primary cardmember and one companion can each check a first standard bag for free - save up to $200 per roundtrip.
United Club Business Card* - The primary cardmember and one companion can each check a first and second standard bag for free - save up to $440 per roundtrip.
United Gateway℠ Card - Earn certificates for 2 checked bags on United®- or United Express®-operated flights after spending $10,000 on purchases each calendar year with your United Gateway℠ Card - a value of up to $100.
American Airlines
First checked bag fee: $50-$55 ($45-$50 if you pay online)
Second checked bag fee: $60-$65 ($55-$60 if you pay online)
Credit Cards with the free checked bag benefit:
Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® - First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for the primary cardmember and up to 8 companions traveling on the same reservation.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®* - First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for the primary cardmember and up to 4 companions traveling on the same reservation.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Legend Mastercard®* - First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for the primary cardmember and up to eight companions traveling on the same reservation, a savings of up to $900 per round trip.
Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard®* - First checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for the primary cardmember and up to 4 companions traveling on the same reservation.
Delta Air Lines
First checked bag fee: $45
Second checked bag fee: $55
Credit Cards with the free checked bag benefit:
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card* - Primary cardmembers enjoy the first checked bag free on Delta flights worldwide - and on domestic Delta flights, the second bag flies free too.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card* - Primary cardmembers enjoy the first checked bag free on Delta flights worldwide - and on domestic Delta flights, the second bag flies free too.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card* - Primary cardmembers enjoy the first checked bag free on Delta flights worldwide - and on domestic Delta flights, the second bag flies free too.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card* - The first checked bag flies free on international and domestic Delta flights. And now, the second bag flies free on domestic Delta flights too.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card* - The first checked bag flies free on international and domestic Delta flights. And now, the second bag flies free on domestic Delta flights too.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card* - The first checked bag flies free on international and domestic Delta flights. And now, the second bag flies free on domestic Delta flights too.
Southwest Airlines
First checked bag fee: $45
Second checked bag fee: $55
Credit Cards with the free checked bag benefit:
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card* - Free first checked bag for cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers on the same reservation. For a family of 4, this would be a savings of up to $360 round trip ($45 per bag per trip).
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card* - Free first checked bag for cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers on the same reservation. For a family of 4, this would be a savings of up to $360 round trip ($45 per bag per trip).
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card* - Free first checked bag for cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers on the same reservation. For a family of 4, this would be a savings of up to $360 round trip ($45 per bag per trip).
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card* - Free first checked bag for cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers on the same reservation. For a group of 4, this would be a savings of up to $360 round trip ($45 per bag per trip).
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card* - Free first checked bag for cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers on the same reservation. For a group of 4, this would be a savings of up to $360 round trip ($45 per bag per trip).
Air Canada
First checked bag fee: $45-$54
Second checked bag fee: $60-$72
Credit Cards with the free checked bag benefit:
Chase Air Canada Aeroplan® Card* - Cardmembers and up to eight people traveling on the same reservation all enjoy free first checked bags on Air Canada flights.
Alaska Airlines & Hawaiian Airlines (Alaska Air Group)
First checked bag fee: $45 (North America) ($30 within Hawaii)
Second checked bag fee: $55 (North America) ($40 within Hawaii)
Credit Cards with the free checked bag benefit:
Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® Card* - Cardmembers and up to 6 guests traveling on the same reservation get a free checked bag when purchasing Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines airfare with the card. Savings of up to $90 per person roundtrip.
Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Card* - Cardmembers and up to 6 guests traveling on the same reservation get a free checked bag when purchasing Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines airfare with your card. Savings of up to $90 per person roundtrip.
Atmos™ Rewards Visa Signature® Business Card - Cardmembers save up to $90 per person roundtrip with a free checked bag on Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines flights for any cardholder and up to six guests on the same reservation when paying for the flight with the card.
JetBlue Airways
First checked bag fee: $45-$59
Second checked bag fee: $59-$79
Credit Cards with the free checked bag benefit:
JetBlue Plus Card* - Free first checked bag for the primary cardmember and up to 3 eligible travel companions on JetBlue-operated flights.
JetBlue Premier Card* - Free first checked bag for the primary cardmember and up to 3 eligible travel companions on JetBlue-operated flights.
JetBlue Business Card* - Free first checked bag for the primary cardmember and up to 3 eligible travel companions on JetBlue-operated flights.
Frontier Airlines
First checked bag fee: $39-$99** (average)
Second checked bag fee: $49-$99** (average)
**Frontier Airlines charges varying prices for carry on and checked bags depending on how and when you buy them. It is generally cheapest to prepay for your bags at the time of booking.
Credit Cards with the free checked bag benefit:
Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® Credit Card* - The card gives two free checked bags on all Frontier Airlines-operated flights.
Sun Country Airlines
First checked bag fee: $30-$65**
Second checked bag fee: $45-$75**
**Sun Country Airlines charges varying prices for checked bags depending on how and when you buy them. It is generally cheapest to prepay for your bags at the time of booking.
Credit Cards with the free checked bag benefit:
Sun Country Visa Signature® card* - The card gives 50% off the first bag for the primary cardholder and travel companions on the same itinerary when purchasing pre-flight on SunCountry.com.
*The information for these cards has been collected independently by Credit-Land.com. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Other cards to have your checked bag fees covered
When you are loyal to a specific airline, opening an airline credit card is a great way to save on checked bag fees. But what if you always fly different airlines?
When choosing a flight, you prioritize price or convenience over sticking with one particular airline, it may not be worth having a co-branded credit card that offers perks on that carrier only. Luckily, there are travel credit cards that come with more general travel benefits and perks and can reimburse you for checked bag fees.
Here are credit cards that can help you save on checked bag charges:
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ($395 annual fee): Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses. Redemptions can be made for travel purchases within 90 days from the date the purchase posts to the account.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card ($95 annual fee): You can redeem miles for travel, cash back, gift cards, unforgettable experiences and more. To cover previous travel purchases, redemptions can be made for travel purchases within 90 days from the date the purchase posts to the account.
- Discover it® Miles ($0 annual fee): Redeem miles as a statement credit for your travel purchases. When you use miles to cover past travel purchases, these redemptions must be made within 90 days from the date your travel purchase posts to your account.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card* ($795 annual fee): Get up to $300 in statement credits for travel purchases each account anniversary year.
- The American Express Platinum Card®* ($895 annual fee): Earn up to $200 per calendar year in statement credits after incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by your one selected qualifying airline to your card.
*The information for these cards has been collected independently by Credit-Land.com. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Other ways to avoid checked bag fees
Having an airline co-branded credit card or the right travel credit card is not the only way to get free checked bags. Many airlines provide a free checked bag or two when you are flying in first or business class or pay for more expensive economy fare.
When you fly abroad on long-haul international flights, you also typically won't have to pay for checked bags.
Active-duty military personnel are usually offered from 2 to 5 free checked bags depending on whether travel is for personal reasons or official military orders.
Those who have elite status with the airline loyalty program may receive free checked bags on flights with that airline or its partners.
