Airlines with free checked bags

Here’s how to avoid paying for checked luggage on every major US airline — so you can bring along that extra outfit without being dinged for it.

Which airlines have free checked bags?

Southwest is the only airline in the US that gives you two free checked bags with every ticket — whether you’re in coach or first class. Otherwise, checked baggage fees are standard across the airline industry. However, there are usually ways to get these fees exempted, like having a branded credit card or upgrading your seat to first class.

4 ways to get free checked bags

If you’re flying with an airline other than Southwest, you’ll need our pro tips to avoid checked baggage fees.

1. Get an airline credit card

Many cobranded airline credit cards let you check one or two bags for free. This type of card is typically sponsored by an airline and a financial institution, like Delta and American Express. Another example is the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®, which is sponsored by Citi and American Airlines.

2. Use a travel credit card

This type of card is usually more flexible than a cobranded card. You’ll earn points or miles that you can use for a variety of travel redemptions, such as flights, hotels and car rentals. If the card has travel credits, you can use them to offset different travel expenses: baggage fees, in-flight purchases, airport lounge access and more.

3. Earn elite status

Airlines have loyalty programs in which you can earn elite status. You’ll reach higher status tiers based on how frequently you fly.

Elite status may afford you privileges such as free checked baggage, priority boarding and fare upgrades.

4. Upgrade your ticket

The quickest way to get a free checked bag is usually by upgrading your fare class. When you fly premium classes, you can often check two to three bags free.

For example, you can check two bags free when flying Premium Economy or Business on American Airlines. And you can check three bags free when you fly First Class on a three-cabin American Airlines aircraft.

Airline credit cards that get you free checked bags

Compare credit cards with checked bag perks

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Name	Product	Welcome Offer	Rewards	Annual fee	Filter values
United℠ Explorer Card		Earn 50,000 miles after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months	2x miles on dining, hotel stays and United® purchases and 1x miles on all other purchases	$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($95 thereafter)		Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.	See offer View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
United Club℠ Infinite Card		Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.	Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and dining and 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.	$525		Get United Club membership with access for you and two guests at any United Club or Star Alliance lounge -- a value of up to $650 annually.	See offer View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card		70,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ from $121 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $22) after you make $4,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.	3 miles per $1 on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases and 1 miles per $1 on all other purchases	$50		Get 70,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ from $121 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $22) after you make $4,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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How much does it normally cost?

Every airline has its own checked baggage fees. Typically, you’ll pay around $30 for your first checked bag and around $40 for your second.

Here are one-way baggage fees for a few major US airlines:

9 tricks to getting free checked bags

Unfortunately, just because your credit card offers free checked baggage doesn’t mean you automatically get the benefit. There are certain rules to follow beforehand, and the list is rather long:

1. Open your card well in advance.

You might not get your free checked bags if you open your credit card too soon before your flight. For some airlines with free baggage, you must open your card a certain number of days before takeoff — usually seven. United says you should wait at least two weeks after account opening before using your checked-bag benefit.

2. You may need to book your flight with your cobranded airline card.

While most airlines don’t have this requirement, some do — such as United, JetBlue and Hawaiian. Read your card’s fine print to make sure.

Booking an award flight with miles? Use your cobranded card to pay for the fees and taxes.

3. Add your frequent flyer number while booking your flight.

Most airlines will require this. Because you’ll need to link your frequent flyer number to your cobranded credit card, adding this information lets your airline know you’re a cardholder. If you forget to add your frequent flyer number, add it to your reservation before you check in for your flight.

4. The benefit usually doesn’t apply to codeshare flights.

Codeshare means an airline sells tickets for a flight that is operated by another carrier. If you buy one of these flights, your card’s checked-baggage benefit probably won’t apply. Instead, you’ll need to follow the baggage policy of the operating carrier.

5. Your card account may need to be active at the time of check-in.

If you’re thinking about booking your flight with your credit card and then canceling the card, beware: You might later find you’re not eligible for free baggage. Many airlines require an active card at check-in to receive the bag benefit, including Alaska, American, Delta and United.

6. Book published fares.

According to United’s terms, you won’t be eligible for free checked baggage from your card if you buy unpublished fares — for example, those you might find on sites like Hotwire and Priceline.

If you have the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®, you’ll receive the free checked baggage benefit only if you buy your flight directly from the airline. This includes the airline’s website, reservations department and ticket counters.

7. Your credit card usually doesn’t give you additional bags on top of your elite-status benefit.

If your elite status gives you two free checked bags, for example, you typically won’t get another waiver from your credit card.

There’s a notable exception if you’re a Silver Medallion member in Delta SkyMiles. While typically your status gives you just one free checked bag, an eligible Delta credit card will give you a second bag free.

8. The benefit is usually limited to the primary cardholder.

The checked-bag benefit usually goes to the primary cardholder and companions on their flight reservation. The waiver typically isn’t available to authorized users.

9. Know your airline’s baggage policies.

Typically, you’ll be charged extra if you bring oversized or overweight bags. Also, the free checked bag benefit usually doesn’t include pets.

Bottom line

Most airlines charge checked baggage fees. Luckily, there are ways to get around these costs — including travel and airline credit cards, elite status and fare upgrades.