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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
These 28 credit cards can get you free checked bags on your next flight
Augusta Stone is a credit cards writer for TPG. She joined the TPG team in 2023 and is excited to take points and miles beginners with her on a journey toward maximizing rewards.
also contributed to this story
April 10, 2026 • 14 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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Quick summary
Checked bag fees are rising across major U.S. airlines, making it important to find ways to avoid these extra costs.
Many airline-affiliated cards provide a free checked bag for the cardholder and, in some cases, several companions on the same reservation.
Some cards with general travel benefits can reimburse checked bag charges across multiple airlines, offering flexibility for those who fly with different carriers.
Eligibility for free checked bags often depends on booking requirements, such as using the right card or adding your frequent flyer number to the reservation.
What to consider
Free checked bag benefits typically do not stack with other allowances from elite status, fare class or international itineraries.
Certain airlines require you to purchase tickets with a specific card to activate the checked bag benefit, while others only require your loyalty number on the reservation.
Booking group travel may result in higher ticket prices for all travelers if the lowest fare class is not available for the entire group.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of which cards and strategies best match your travel patterns and how to maximize checked bag savings for yourself and companions.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
Checked bag fees have become a routine part of flying, and the cost can climb fast if you travel often or with companions. One of the easiest ways to avoid these charges is by having the right credit card in your wallet. Plus, with some airlines such as JetBlue, United and Delta hiking checked bag fees amid rising oil prices worldwide, it's worth looking into methods for avoiding these fees.
Luckily, many airline-branded cards include a free checked bag benefit for the cardholder and, in some cases, several companions on the same reservation.
Let's break down the credit cards that can help you skip checked bag fees, how these benefits typically work and what to keep in mind before booking your next flight.
*The information for the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard, the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard, the JetBlue Plus Card, the JetBlue Premier Card, the JetBlue Business Card, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card and the United Club Business Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuers.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines' first checked bag fee starts at $35.
Note, however, that you must purchase your Alaska or Hawaiian flight with your Atmos card in order to receive this benefit.
American Airlines
American Airlines charges $35 if purchased online ($40 if purchased at the airport) for a first checked bag on domestic itineraries and flights to neighboring countries like Canada and Mexico.
AMERICAN AIRLINES
There are three cobranded options that offer a first free checked bag on domestic itineraries:
Citi / AAdvantage Business ($99 annual fee; $0 introductory annual fee)
The Platinum Select and Business cards extend this free checked baggage benefit to you and up to four traveling companions on your reservation.
Meanwhile, the Globe and Executive World Legend cards offer the same free checked bag benefit, but it extends to up to eight traveling companions on the same reservation.
Keep in mind that there are route restrictions on these baggage benefits.
Delta charges $45 each way for a first checked bag on flights within the U.S.
DELTA AIR LINES
However, most of the carrier's consumer and business credit cards offer two free checked bags: first checked bag free for the cardmember (and up to eight companions) traveling on the same reservation, and a second checked bag free for the cardmember (and up to eight eligible Delta card-carrying companions) traveling on the same reservation for a domestic U.S. flight. To use this benefit, just attach your Delta SkyMiles number to your reservation.
Frontier Airlines charges varying prices for checked bags depending on how and when you buy them. It is generally cheapest to prepay for checked baggage at the time of booking.
Here is an example of Frontier checked bag fees on a flight from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in early August, starting at $44 each:
FRONTIER AIRLINES
Luckily, if you hold the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard ($99 annual fee), you'll receive two free checked bags on all Frontier Airlines-operated flights when you pay with your card. Checking a bag on just one round-trip itinerary can cover the card's annual fee.
Hawaiian charges $40 for the first checked bag on flights between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii and $30 for interisland travel.
HAWAIIAN AIRLINES
Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard holders receive two free checked bags (when they use the card to purchase tickets directly from Hawaiian Airlines); however, travel companions aren't included in this benefit. The card comes with a $99 annual fee. This card also provides free checked bags on Alaska Airlines flights.
Checked bags on JetBlue start at $39 for domestic flights and $64 for transatlantic flights. These prices can vary depending on whether the flight is during off-peak or peak season.
The free first-checked-bag benefit extends to you and up to three travel companions on your reservation. Keep in mind, the flight must be booked on your eligible JetBlue card to receive this benefit.
Southwest, once famously known for its "bags fly free" policy, now charges $35 for the first checked bag.
A-List elite status members receive one complimentary checked bag, and A-List Preferred members, Business Select passengers and those traveling on Choice Extra fares receive two complimentary checked bags.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
If you hold any of the following five cards, you and up to eight traveling companions on the same reservation will receive one free checked bag each:
United Explorer ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150) and United Business ($150 annual fee): One bag for you and a companion on your reservation
United Quest ($350 annual fee), United Club and United Club Business (both with a $695 annual fee): Two bags for you and a companion on your reservation
However, there's a big caveat here: For the perk to apply, you must have your MileagePlus number on your reservation and purchase your ticket with the applicable card. So, if you use a different card with a better earning rate on airfare, you may miss out on the free checked bags.
While opening any of the airline credit cards above is a great way to save on checked bag fees, what happens if you fly with multiple carriers throughout the year?
If you prioritize price or convenience over sticking with one particular airline, it may not be worth applying for a cobranded credit card that offers perks solely on that one carrier.
D3SIGN/GETTY IMAGES
An alternative is to apply for a credit card that comes with more general travel benefits and can reimburse you for checked bag charges:
There's a myth that your credit card will offer an additional free checked bag because of elite status, your ticket class or an international itinerary. Unfortunately, these cards' fee waivers don't usually apply if you already get a free checked bag due to your elite status, class of service or travel to an overseas destination.
Therefore, you will not receive an additional free checked bag beyond your existing allowance just for holding a credit card that offers this benefit. Some airlines make exceptions, but check your airline's policy before assuming an additional bag will be covered.
Use the right card to purchase your flight
With most of these offers, you only need to add your frequent flyer number to your reservation to receive the free checked bag benefit.
IAM ANUPONG/GETTY IMAGES
The exceptions are Alaska and United, which require that you purchase your ticket (or pay taxes and fees on an award ticket) using your airline credit card in order to get free checked bags.
Be careful when booking large groups
Some credit cards offer free checked bags for multiple companions. This sounds great, but there’s a potential downside.
When you search for flights, airlines usually show one fare class for the entire reservation, not a mix of cheaper and more expensive seats. That means if only three seats are available at $300 and the next fare is $400, booking four people on one reservation will price all four tickets at $400.
In that scenario, paying an extra $100 per person just to save $70 per round-trip checked bag clearly isn’t worth it.
Before booking group travel, compare prices by searching individually or in smaller groups and weigh the savings against any baggage benefits.
Book this Southwest fare
If you book a Choice Extra fare flight on Southwest Airlines, you will get two free checked bags. Any other fare class will charge you for bags, unless you have a Southwest card or elite status.
Bottom line
Flights can be costly on their own, not to mention when checked bag fees are added.
Thankfully, there are several ways to avoid these costs. In fact, many of the cards on this list that offer a free checked bag carry annual fees under $100.
Even if you fly with a specific airline just a few times a year, it can be easy to justify paying the ongoing annual fee, and that's not even factoring in any welcome bonuses or other perks the cards offer.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Gold, click .
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business, click . For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum, click . For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business, click . For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve, click . For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business, click .
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click .
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click .
