Best Credit Cards With Free Checked Bags
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The best credit cards that offer free checked bags
Insider's experts choose the best products and services to help make smart decisions with your money (here’s how). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners, however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.
Nobody likes paying checked bag fees. Originally introduced in 2008 during the height of the recession, they quickly became standard procedure and have stuck around since. Most domestic airlines charge $35 for the first checked bag, so the cost can add up fast, especially if you're traveling with others.
Fortunately for travelers, there are plenty of ways to avoid checked bag fees. One of the easiest methods is by getting a credit card that offers free checked bags — and many of these will also waive the bag fee for your companions on the same reservation, too.
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Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
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Citi Premier® Card
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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Whether you're a business traveler or only make one family pilgrimage a year, the money you'll save can make these cards more than worth it.
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.
Airline credit cards with free checked bags
Plenty of airlines offer credit cards with a free checked bag, but those cards often offer other benefits too. These include priority boarding, discounts on inflight purchases, and even a fast track to elite status.
American Airlines credit cards
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Insider’s Take
Details
Pros & Cons
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Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Additional Reading
Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.American Airlines AAdvantage is partnered with two different banks to offer co-branded American Airlines credit cards for every type of traveler.
To get a free first checked bag with American Airlines credit cards, you don't need to pay for your flight with the card, but it must have been opened (and your AAdvantage number attached to your reservation) at least seven days prior to departure.
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® — One free checked bag for you and up to four companions on the same reservation (read our Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select review)
- CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® — One free checked bag for you and up to four companions on the same reservation (read our CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select review)
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® — One free checked bag for you and up to eight travel companions on the same reservation (read our Citi AAdvantage Executive review)
- AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard® — One free checked bag for you and up to four companions on the same reservation (read our AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard review)
- AAdvantage® Aviator® Red Mastercard® — One free checked bag for you and up to four companions on the same reservation (read our AAdvantage Aviator Red card review)
- Barclays AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver Mastercard® (not open to new applicants) — One free checked bag for you and up to eight travel companions on the same reservation
American Airlines' free checked bag benefit only applies to domestic itineraries — though that list includes the US, Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, and the US Virgin Islands.
Delta credit cards
American Express offers several different Delta credit cards for both personal and business customers. There's no need to pay for your ticket with your card to get your free checked bag; you'll just need to have your Delta SkyMiles number attached to your reservation.
Delta's free checked bag is good for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation, no matter which credit card you have. This benefit is available on Delta and Delta Connection flights.
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card (read our Delta SkyMiles Gold review)
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (read our Delta SkyMiles Platinum review)
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (read our Delta SkyMiles Reserve review)
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card (read our Delta Gold Business Card review)
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card (read our Delta Platinum Business review)
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card (read our Delta Reserve Business review)
United Airlines credit cards
There are five different United credit cards available that offer free checked bags. Unlike Delta and American airlines, you do have to pay for your ticket (or the taxes and fees on an award ticket) with your credit card in order to get a United free checked bag.
This benefit applies to flights operated by United and United Express.
- United℠ Explorer Card — One free checked bag for you and one companion (read our United Explorer review)
- United Club℠ Infinite Card — Two free checked bags for you and one companion (read our United Club Infinite review)
- United Quest℠ Card — Two free checked bags for you and one companion (read our United Quest Card review)
- United℠ Business Card — One free checked bag for you and one companion (read our United Business Card review)
- United Club℠ Business Card — Two free checked bags for you and one companion
Other airline credit cards
If your domestic travel is frequently on airlines other than the "big three" above, you can still manage free checked bags with the following airline cards:
- Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card : One free checked bag for you and up to six companions on your reservation (read our Alaska Airlines Signature Visa Card review)
- JetBlue Plus Card — One free checked bag for you and up to three companions (read our JetBlue Plus credit card review)
- Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® — One free checked bag for the primary cardholder
Credit cards with annual travel credits
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Details
Pros & Cons
Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Highlights
Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Additional Reading
Chevron iconIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.If you're not especially loyal to any one airline, it may make more sense for you to get a card that offers annual travel credits instead of a co-branded airline credit card.
Some, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, offer a broad credit that can be applied across most travel purchases, including airline fees. Others, like The Platinum Card® from American Express , require you to choose a specific airline each year in order to receive your fee reimbursement**.
- The Platinum Card® from American Express — Up to $200 in airline incidental fee credits on your selected airline each calendar year (read our Amex Platinum review)
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express — Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for checked baggage fees, lounge day passes, and more at one selected airline (read our Amex Business Platinum review)
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card — Up to $250 in airline incidental fee credits on your selected airline each calendar year (read our Amex Hilton Aspire review)
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® — Up to $300 in travel credits each cardmember year, which you can apply to any airline (read our Chase Sapphire Reserve review)
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card : Up to $100 in annual airline incidental fee credits, which you can apply to any airline (read our Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card review)
- U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card — Up to $325 in annual credits that reimburse travel and dining purchases (read our US Bank Altitude Reserve review)
Credit cards with free checked bags frequently asked questions (FAQ)
There are a handful of ways to get free checked bags. The easiest way is by opening a credit card that reimburses or waives these charges. You can also buy a business or first-class seat, which often comes with free checked bags.
You'll usually receive a free checked bag with US airlines when flying internationally, but not domestically or to areas like the Caribbean. However, you can receive at least one free checked bag by holding various airline credit cards which waive this fee.
Southwest is famous for offering two free checked bags for all passengers. However, it's possible to get up to two free checked bags with other airlines, as well. For example, if you pay for your United Airlines flight with a card like the United Quest℠ Card, you and one companion on your reservation will each get your first and second checked bags for free.
With most airlines, you will receive free checked bags just for holding a qualifying cobranded credit card. However, United Airlines will not waive your checked bag fees unless you pay for the cash portion of your ticket with a qualifying United Airlines card.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
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.
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