Pack Smart, Save More: Credit Cards with Free Checked Bags

Checked bag fees can be a significant travel expense, often reaching up to $35 for a one-way trip. This cost can accumulate rapidly, especially when you're traveling with your family.

However, there is a way to avoid these fees entirely - and potentially extend this benefit to your fellow travelers. Simply by choosing the right credit cards with free checked bags!

In our comprehensive guide to which credit cards give free baggage, we will delve into credit card options that offer this valuable perk. By applying for one of these credit cards, you can not only save on checked bag fees for yourself but also for your travel companions, making your future journeys more economical and hassle-free.

Alaska Airlines Credit Card Free Checked Baggage

Get Your First bag Checked for Free with the Alaska Airlines Visa Card or Alaska Airlines Visa Business Card.

Alaska Airlines imposes a $30 fee for the initial checked bag and $40 for the second bag on every flight it operates.

However, there's a money-saving opportunity for those holding the Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card (with an annual fee of $95) and the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card (with a $70 company fee and an additional $25 per card annual fee). When you use either of these cards to book your flight, you and up to six companions on the same reservation can enjoy the privilege of checking your first bag for free.

These annual fees are a wise investment, particularly if you find yourself flying with Alaska Airlines several times throughout the year. They can result in substantial savings and enhanced travel convenience for both you and your fellow travelers.

American Airlines Free Checked Bag Credit Cards

· Access a complimentary first-checked bag with the Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard, Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard, and the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard.

American Airlines imposes a $30 charge for the initial checked bag and a $40 fee for the second checked bag on all domestic flights, including those heading to Canada, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.

However, American Airlines also collaborates with the credit card issuer Citi, to offer a complimentary checked bag benefit depending on the specific card you possess.

Among the Citi AAdvantage Cards, there are three credit cards with free checked bags on domestic flights:

• Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
• Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
• CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Mastercard

Both the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select and the CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select extend this valuable perk not only to you but also to up to four companions traveling on your reservation. Both cards come with a $99 annual fee, which is waived for your first year.

Additionally, the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard offers the same credit card free checked bag benefit, but it goes even further by covering up to eight companions on the same reservation. This card also includes other attractive features such as Admirals Club lounge membership and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck statement credit.

Delta Airlines – Which Credit Cards Give Free Baggage?

• Delta Airlines free checked bag credit cards are the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card, Gold Business American Express Card, Platinum American Express Card, Platinum Business American Express Card, Reserve American Express Card, and Reserve Business American Express Card.

Delta Air Lines typically charges $30 each way for your first checked bag and $40 for the second bag on domestic flights in the United States.

However, Delta offers a valuable benefit through most of its consumer and business credit cards that allow you to check one bag for free, not only for the primary cardholder but also for up to eight other individuals traveling on the same flight. To take advantage of this perk, you simply need to link your Delta SkyMiles number to your reservation.

Six Delta SkyMiles credit cards provide this valuable benefit:

• Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card (introductory annual fee is waived for the first year, then charged at $150 afterward).
• Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express Card (Introductory annual fee waived for the first year, then $150 afterward).
• Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card (Annual fee of $350).
• Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card (Annual fee of $350).
• Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card (Annual fee of $650).
• Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card (Annual fee of $650.)

These cards not only help you save on checked bag fees but also offer additional benefits and perks that enhance your travel experience.

Hawaiian Airlines – Credit Card Free Checked Baggage Benefits

• Enjoy 2 free checked bags when you have the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard from Barclays.

Hawaiian Airlines currently imposes a $30 fee for the initial checked bag and a $40 charge for the second checked bag on flights originating from North America.

However, individuals holding the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard from Barclays can enjoy the perk of having their first two checked bag fees waived. It's important to note that this benefit applies solely to the cardholder and does not extend to travel companions. The card does come with an annual fee of $99.

JetBlue Airways – Credit Cards With Free Checked Bags

Free checked bags for you and up to three companions when you have the JetBlue Plus or JetBlue Business Card.

JetBlue's standard baggage fees include a $35 charge for your initial checked bag and a $45 fee for your second checked bag.

Fortunately, there is a cost-effective solution to sidestep these fees by applying for one of two credit cards with free checked bags for this airline. By becoming a cardholder of either the JetBlue Plus card or the JetBlue Business Card, both of which require an annual fee of $99, you gain access to a valuable privilege: complimentary checked bags.

This benefit is not limited to just the primary cardholder; it generously extends to include up to three travel companions listed on your reservation.

United Airlines – Which Credit Cards Give Free Baggage?

Free checked bag/s with the United Explorer Card, United Business Card, United Club Infinite Card, and the United Quest Card.

United Airlines imposes a $35 fee for the first checked bag and a $45 charge for the second bag on all domestic flights. However, there are four different credit card options available for travelers looking to avoid these checked-bag fees.

The United Explorer Card, which comes with a $95 annual fee (not applied on your first year), and the United Business Card, which has a $99 annual fee (also not charged until your 2nd year), offer the advantage of allowing you to check your first bag for free. This benefit applies not only to you, the primary cardholder, but also extends to a companion on your reservation.

On the other hand, the United Club Infinite Card, with an annual fee of $525, and the United Quest Card, which carries a $250 annual fee, grant an even more generous baggage benefit. With these cards, the primary cardholder and one companion on the same reservation can check two bags for free.

To qualify for the waived checked bag fees, you must ensure that your MileagePlus number is linked to your reservation. You must also make your ticket purchase with the respective credit card offering the benefit. If you opt to use a different card that provides a better points-earning rate on your booking, you may be forfeiting your free checked bags perk.

Which Credit Cards Give Free Baggage Benefits for Multiple Airlines?

Applying for any of the airline-specific credit cards mentioned above can undoubtedly be a savvy move to trim down your checked bag expenses. But what should you do if you find yourself flying with multiple carriers throughout the year?

If your travel booking habits are decided more by price, flexibility, and convenience rather than a steadfast commitment to a single air carrier, it might be more beneficial to apply for a co-branded credit card that offers perks that can be used with more than one airline.

Here are some more flexible credit-card-free checked baggage options:

Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550 annual fee)

This card offers up to $300 in statement credits for travel purchases using your card for each account anniversary year, which can encompass a wide range of travel expenses, including checked bag fees.

American Express Platinum Card ($695 annual fee) and Amex Business Platinum Card ($695 annual fee)

Both of these cards provide up to $200 in statement credits for charges from one qualifying airline, that can be applied to checked bag fees among other expenses.

Hilton Honors Aspire American Express Card ($450 annual fee)

With this card, you can receive up to $250 in statement credits for charges from one qualifying airline, which can include checked bag fees for your travels.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ( with a $395 annual fee), Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card ($95 annual fee), and Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card (no annual fee.)

These Capital One cards allow you to cover travel purchases on your statement credit by spending your miles at a rate of 1 cent each, offering flexibility in how you offset various travel expenses, including checked bag fees.

By opting for one of these more versatile travel credit cards, you gain the flexibility to manage your checked bag fees across multiple airlines. So, if you regularly book with different carriers, they may align better with your dynamic travel preferences.

Keep in mind that the specific benefits and fees associated with these cards may vary. So, it's crucial to review the terms and conditions and additional benefits of each card to determine which one suits your travel needs best.

Takeaway - The Best Credit Cards with Free Checked Bags Benefits

The expense of airfare can be a significant budget consideration if you travel often. And when you factor in additional baggage fees, total costs can escalate rapidly, particularly when traveling with a family.

Fortunately, the airline-affiliated credit cards and travel cards we have included in this article will allow you to access complimentary checked bags o statement credit, and many come with annual fees that are less than $100.

Even if you find yourself flying with the same airline multiple times within a single year, applying for an airline-branded credit card can be worth the ongoing annual fee, given the potential savings on baggage fees alone!