When you’re traveling, the last thing you want to worry about is how much your checked bag is going to cost. That’s why it’s important to choose an airline credit card that offers free checked baggage—and in this guide, we’ll review the details of some of the best airline credit cards with free checked bags.
In this guide, we review the details of Best Airline Credit Card With Free Checked Bag, aa credit card free checked bag international, delta credit card free checked bag, and credit cards that offer free checked baggage.
If you’re looking for a credit card that offers free checked baggage when you fly on American Airlines, look no further than the Best Airline Credit Card With Free Checked Bag. This card offers a $200 statement credit after spending $1,000 in purchases within the first three months of opening your account, as well as a first checked bag fee waiver on all flights operated by American Airlines or its partner airlines. The Best Airline Credit Card With Free Checked Bag also gives cardholders access to priority boarding and other perks like hotel discounts, car rental savings and more.
Best Airline Credit Card With Free Checked Bag
For this summer, demand for air travel is surging and costs are already pretty high. Even so, it might just pay for your real ticket. The cost of checked bags can reach $35 one-way, which adds up quickly, especially if you are traveling with a family.
However, if you have the correct credit card with you, you might be able to get all of these fees erased, possibly even for your traveling companions.
The 27 credit cards that offer free checked luggage as a perk will be covered in this article.
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Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines charges a $30 fee for the first checked bag and $40 for the second on all its flights.
But for cardholders of the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card ($75 annual fee) and the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card ($50 annual fee), you’ll be able to check a first bag for free for you and up to six additional passengers on the same reservation. To use this benefit, just enter your Alaska Mileage Plan number in your reservation.
These annual fees are well worth the cost even if you travel with Alaska Airlines a handful of times per year.
Related: Get access to the most valuable airline miles: Review of the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card
American Airlines
American Airlines charges $30 for your first checked bag and $40 for the second bag for all domestic flights, as well as those to Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
However, the carrier offers multiple cobranded credit cards from two issuers: Citi and Barclays. Both issuers offer a free checked bag, depending on the card you carry in your wallet.
Citi AAdvantage Cards
There are three Citi cobranded options that offer a first free checked bag on domestic itineraries:
The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select and the CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select extend this free checked baggage benefit to you and up to four traveling companions on your reservation. Both cards come with $99 annual fees that are waived the first year.
The information for the CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Meanwhile, the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard offers the same free checked bag benefit, but it extends to up to eight traveling companions on the same reservation. While there’s a $450 annual fee for this card, it comes with other benefits such as Admirals Club lounge membership and a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application credit.
Barclays Aviator cards
Issued by Barclays, the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard ($99 annual fee) and the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard ($95 annual fee) both offer a first bag checked free to the primary cardholder and four companions on domestic itineraries.
The information for the Aviator Red card and Aviator 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 issuer.
Note that none of these cards will waive the fee for your first checked bag on short-haul international flights.
Delta Air Lines
Delta normally charges $30 each way for your first checked bag and $40 for your second bag on flights within the U.S.
However, through most of the carrier’s consumer and business credit cards, you’ll get one free checked bag for the cardholder and eight others traveling on the same itinerary. To utilize this benefit, be sure to have your Delta SkyMiles number attached to your reservation.
aa credit card free checked bag international
Here are the main ways to get free checked bags on American Airlines:
1. Qualify for AAdvantage elite status
You get free checked bags on American flights if you join the airline’s AAdvantage frequent flyer program and earn elite status. The program rewards members with miles when flying American, oneworld or other partner airlines.
The program has four elite tiers: Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum. The higher elite tier you reach, the more bags you can check for free. For example:
The checked-bag fee will be waived for all elite members and guests traveling on the same reservation for travel in the main cabin on flights marketed or operated by American or American Eagle.
2. Achieve oneworld elite status
American Airlines is part of the oneworld alliance, so you can get free checked bags by attaining oneworld status. For example
3. Get an AAdvantage credit card
Another way to get a free checked bag on American Airlines is to get an AAdvantage credit card. Many AAdvantage cardmembers get a free checked bag on domestic American Airlines-operated flights (more on this later).
4. Book a higher class ticket
Premium economy, business and first-class customers can get checked bag fees waived in certain instances. In many cases:
The number of free checked bags varies by destination.
5. Be active-duty military
Active-duty U.S. military and their dependents can get up to five free checked bags when they are traveling on orders and they show a military ID. Active-duty U.S. military members with ID on personal travel can get up to three free checked bags.
Do AAdvantage members get free checked bags?
Non-elite AAdvantage members do not get free checked bags, but they do earn miles and other perks. AAdvantage members who fly enough to earn elite status do get free checked bags. Depending on your elite membership tier, you can check from one to three bags for free.
Earn free checked bags with these credit cards
Here are some top credit cards that either offer a free checked bag on American Airlines or a travel credit that can reimburse you for checked bag fees you pay on any airline.
Many of these cards also offer priority boarding, in-flight purchase credits and other perks that come in handy for travel.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® gives you and up to four travel companions on your same reservation a first free checked bag on domestic American flights, plus preferred boarding and 25% on eligible in-flight food and beverages. If you spend $20,000 during your membership year, you earn a $125 American Airlines flight discount.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Earn 80,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $5,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
19.74% – 28.74% (Variable)
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® comes with one free checked bag on American for you and up to eight travel companions, priority boarding and a statement credit for either TSA Precheck or Global Entry every five years. This card also gives you an Admirals Club membership that allows you to relax in an airport lounge while waiting for your flight. This is a great option for frequent travelers who don’t mind paying a high annual fee ($450) in exchange for a host of travel benefits.
CitiBusiness®/ AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
The CitiBusiness®/ AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® offers a free checked bag on American Airlines for you and up to four companions on your same reservation, as well as preferred boarding. You’ll also get 25% off in-flight Wi-Fi, food and beverage purchases when you fly American Airlines. You could earn an American Airlines Companion Certificate for domestic travel when you spend $30,000 each year and you renew your membership. Note that redeeming this certificate costs $99 for taxes, fees and ticketing.
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® from Barclays offers a free checked bag on American for you and up to four companions. You get up to $25 in statement credits for in-flight Wi-Fi purchases, as well as a 25% reimbursement for in-flight food and drink purchases. The card also offers preferred boarding.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
The Platinum Card® from American Express offers an airline fee credit up to $200 each year for incidental fees such as checked bags and in-flight cocktails through a qualifying airline (enrollment required). Other travel perks include reimbursement for Global Entry and TSA Precheck application fees and access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection at select airports. This is a good card for big spenders who travel frequently and who also want perks for hotel stays and Uber rides.
delta credit card free checked bag
One of the perks that come with most Amex Delta co-branded credit cards is a free checked bag for the cardholder and up to eight travel companions on the same reservation when flying Delta.
Six Delta credit cards offer this benefit:
For travelers who check bags often, the savings can add up quickly. Delta charges $30 each way for a checked bag on a domestic flight. For a family of four taking a long vacation, just having the credit card can help save $240 — $30 each bag, each way would mean a total of $240 for the whole family.
Here’s how to make sure you get your free checked bag as a Delta credit card holder.
We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
Delta free checked bag: How it works
When you apply for a Delta Amex card, you’ll be prompted to enter your Delta SkyMiles number (if you don’t have one, it’s free to join). From that point on, as long as the card is open, the benefits are tied to your SkyMiles account.
There is no requirement to use your Delta card to pay for your ticket (or the taxes and fees on an award ticket) to receive your first checked bag free.
Just make sure that you’re logged in to your Delta account when booking tickets — or, if you’re booking through a third-party portal like Expedia, just enter your Delta frequent flyer number during the booking process. If you go to add a bag when checking in for your flight, you’ll see a cost of $0. The same will apply to up to eight passengers on the same reservation as you.
The key is making sure that you’re on the same reservation. If you book separately, your travel companions won’t have access to free checked bags unless they have their own Delta credit card (or hold elite Medallion status).
There’s no limit to the number of times you can use the free checked bag benefit, so cardholders who fly Delta frequently can get a value that far exceeds the card’s annual fee with this perk.
Which Amex credit cards qualify for the Delta free checked bag?
The only Amex Delta credit card that doesn’t offer a free checked bag is the no-annual-fee Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card. Otherwise, the other Delta cards all come with the benefit:
Delta free checked bag frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Only itineraries that start with a Delta or Delta Connection flight qualify for this benefit. You must check in with Delta and the flight must be marketed and operated by Delta — partner flights aren’t eligible.
The Delta free checked bag benefit applies only to the primary cardholder, and not authorized users. However, if an authorized user is traveling on the same reservation as the primary cardholder, they’ll be eligible for the free bag.
The free checked bag benefit only applies to normal bags. If your bag is overweight or oversized, you’ll still have to pay the appropriate fee.
If you forget to add your SkyMiles number when you booked your reservation, all is not lost. You can add your frequent flyer number to your itinerary by going to the “My Trips” section of the Delta website and searching for your reservation.
Alternatively, you can call Delta reservations and have an agent add your SkyMiles number, but keep in mind that hold times these days can be very long.
In economy class on flights in the US, Delta normally charges $30 for the first checked bag, as long as it’s not oversize or overweight. To qualify for a free checked bag from your Delta credit card, your bag must weigh under 50 pounds and not exceed 62 inches when you total length + width + height.
If you have a second bag to check, you’ll be charged a fee of $40 (assuming it’s not oversize/overweight).
Other Delta baggage fees vary by route and class of service. You can find out the fees for your specific ticket by entering your flight details on Delta’s baggage website.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards.Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they’re subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.**Enrollment required.
credit cards that offer free checked baggage
When you take that vacation you’ve been daydreaming about for months, you want to be prepared. If your trip is a week or more, that prep could mean you aren’t exactly packing light. The problem is that most airlines charge you to check a bag (and more for a second bag). So, you might think your best bet is to carry on a single pair of pants and hope they miraculously don’t get stained during your trip.
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Fortunately, you have other options. One of the simplest ways to avoid baggage fees is by flying with Southwest Airlines. That’s because Southwest lets you check two bags completely free, regardless of your booking method. But if Southwest isn’t your preferred airline, or doesn’t have flights that will work for you, another option is to use a travel credit card that includes free checked bags.
Keep in mind that these credit cards generally have annual fees. However, some of them allow one free checked bag for multiple travel companions, so the fees quickly become worth it.
Alaska Airlines Visa Business Card
If you are a business traveler who frequently flies on Alaska Airlines, this card is a natural choice. It includes the same benefits as the consumer card, which means you and up to six companions get your first bag free. According to Alaska Air, that’s up to $60 in savings per person, per round trip. The annual fee is just $50 for this card.
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card
The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card has several benefits, one of which is the possibility to check bags for free. It also has a low annual fee of $75. Not only can you check your first bag free with this card, but up to six travel companions can get the same benefit. Just be sure to enter your Alaska Air Mileage Plan number when booking your reservation.
Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select
The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card is a branded credit card from Citibank for American Airlines passengers. The card has a $99 annual fee, but you and up to four travel companions can get free checked bags with this card. Plus, the annual fee is waived for the first year.
Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard
If you frequently fly Hawaiian Airlines, this credit card could be the right choice. It’s not as generous as some of the other cards on this list, though, because it doesn’t let travel companions check bags for free.
However, it does let the primary cardholder check their first bag for free when booking travel directly through Hawaiian. Plus, it includes some nice companion benefits, such as a one-time 50% companion ticket discount. Note that this travel credit card has a $99 annual fee.
JetBlue Plus Mastercard
The JetBlue Plus Mastercard from Barclays comes with several perks, including a free checked bag. Up to three travel companions on your reservation can check their first bag free, too. The card includes other perks, such as a 50% discount on in-flight purchases. There is an annual fee of $99 for this travel credit card.
If you’re a business traveler, the JetBlue Business Card includes the same benefits for the same annual fee.
United Club Business Card
If you are a frequent business traveler, this premium credit card could be worth the $450 annual fee. While the other credit cards on this list only include one free checked bag, the United Business Card lets you check two bags free. According to United, that could save you as much as $320 per round trip. The card also includes priority check-in, security screening, baggage handling and boarding.
United Explorer Card
The United Explorer Card from Chase is one of the best travel cards for free checked bags. Not only do you get your first bag free, but your travel companion can do the same. “The best legacy airline credit card for getting a free checked bag worldwide is United’s through Chase because it covers domestic and international flights,” says Tim Leffel, editor and author at Al Centro Media.
Leffel notes that other airlines, such as American and Delta, have similar options, but they are more restrictive than what you get from United. The card has no annual fee the first year, then $95.
Other Options
While the above credit cards include checked bag credits, they aren’t the only way to have these fees reimbursed. Here are a few other choices to consider:
All information about American Express card offers have been collected independently by GOBankingRates and have not been reviewed or approved by American Express. These offers are not available through GOBankingRates.