Airlines with free checked bags

Baggage fees are one of the annoying extra costs that come with flying on most major US airlines. But there are a few ways to get around those fees, including using credit cards, elite status and fare upgrades.

What are the airlines with free checked bags?

Checked baggage fees are standard across the airline industry — except for with Southwest — where you can check two bags free. But for every other airline, you can get the fees waived.

How to get a free checked bag with a credit card

There are two types of credit cards that can get you a free checked bag:

• A cobranded airline card.
  This type of card is sponsored by two entities. An example is the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard®, which is sponsored by Citi and American Airlines. An airline card may let you check one or two bags for free on flights operated by the cobranded carrier.
• A general travel card with travel credits.
  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.

Recommended airlines with free baggage

Compare credit cards with checked bag perks

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Name	Product	Welcome offer	Rewards	Annual fee	Filter values
United℠ Explorer Card		60,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months	2x miles at restaurants, hotels and United and 1x miles on all other purchases	$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($95 thereafter)		60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.	See offer View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
United Club℠ Infinite Card		100,000 miles after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months	4x miles on United purchases, 2x miles on travel and dining and 1x miles 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...
CardMatch™ from creditcards.com		See terms	See terms	See terms		Use the CardMatch tool to find cards you're likely to qualify for with your credit score, without a hard pull on your credit.	See offer View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card		35,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months	2x miles on Delta purchases, restaurants and at US supermarkets and 1x miles on all other purchases	$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($99 thereafter)		With a welcome offer worth up to $490, plus rewards on everyday purchases and Delta flights, this card offers value even for occasional flyers. Rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card		40,000 miles and 5,000 MQMs after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months plus $100 after making a Delta purchase in the first 3 months	3x miles on Delta and direct hotel purchases, 2x miles at restaurants and US supermarkets and 1x miles for all other purchases	$250		Earn 40,000 miles and 5,000 MQMs after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months, plus $100 after making a Delta purchase in the first 3 months. Rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card		40,000 miles and 10,000 MQMs after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months	3x miles on direct Delta purchases and 1x miles on all other purchases	$550		Earn 40,000 miles and 10,000 MQMs after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. Rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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How to get a free checked bag with airline 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.

How to get a free checked bag with a premium 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.

How much does it normally cost to check baggage?

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:

The fine print: Things to remember to get your free checked baggage

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 credit cards, elite status and fare upgrades.

For help finding the right airline credit card, check out our guide on the topic.

Frequently asked questions

• How heavy can my checked baggage be?

  Airlines have different checked baggage policies, but typically your checked bag can weigh a maximum of 50 pounds. You may be allowed a heavier bag in certain instances, such as if you have elite status.

• How big can my checked baggage be?

  Most airlines set the maximum linear dimensions of checked baggage at 62 inches.

• What happens if my checked baggage exceeds the maximum weight or dimensions?

  You’ll pay extra fees. Many airlines charge around $100 per overweight bag and around $200 per oversized bag.