Never Pay for Checked Bags Again With These Airline Credit Cards

Nowadays, airlines charge between $30 and $40 for one checked bag one way. But with the right credit card, you can cut this out-of-pocket cost on your next flight. 
The right airline credit card can give you and your travel companions a free checked bag — or two — on your next flight. It’s one of the travel perks that can offset the annual fee that most airline credit card issuers charge.
For instance, you may spend $70 roundtrip for a checked bag with United Airlines. But the United℠ Explorer Card offers a free checked bag for you and one travel companion. You’ll offset the card’s $95 annual fee if you take advantage of this perk on one round trip flight with you and a friend. All you have to do is book the flight with your card and make sure your friends are on your reservation. 

If you’re planning a few flights this year, the cost of checked bags can add up quickly and an airline credit card is one way to save money. Here are cards that offer free checked bags, how much you and your family can save with free checked bags on your next flight, and what else to consider if you’re thinking about getting an airline credit card. 

Airline Credit Cards with Free Checked Bags

American Airlines 

Usually, the first checked bag costs $30 and the second bag costs $40 one way for domestic American Airlines flights. But with the right American Airlines credit card, you and your travel companions can check one bag for free if they’re listed on your reservation, and the flights are booked using your American Airlines credit card. Here’s which cards offer free checked bags and how many guests can check their bag for free: 

• Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard®: First checked bag is free for up to eight travel companions on your reservation. 
• CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®: First checked bag is free for up to four travel companions on your reservation. 
• Aviator® Silver Mastercard®: First checked bag free for up to eight travel companions on your reservation.  
• Aviator® Red Mastercard®: First checked bag free for up to four travel companions on your reservation.   
• Aviator® Business Mastercard®: First checked bag free for up to four travel companions on your reservation.

Delta Airlines 

The first checked bag for Delta Airlines costs $30 one way, and $40 for the second bag. All of Delta’s credit cards offer the first checked bag for free for cardholders and up to eight travel companions on the reservation. You must have a Delta SkyMiles account and pay for your flight using the credit card. 
Keep in mind that the annual fee for each card varies, even though the number of travel companions is the same for each. The Delta SkyMiles Gold card can be a good choice if you don’t travel as often because of its $99 annual fee after the first year, compared to Delta SkyMiles Platinum or Reserve cards that have higher annual fees. 
Here are the Delta credit cards that include free checked bags for cardholders and their travel companions: 

• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: First checked bag free for up to eight travel companions on your reservation. 
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: First checked bag free for up to eight travel companions on your reservation. 
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: First checked bag free for up to eight travel companions on your reservation. 

Southwest Airlines 

Even if you’re not a cardholder, Southwest offers two free checked bags for domestic flights. The bags must be within the size and weight limits. Each additional bag, including oversized and overweight bags, cost $75 one way. Southwest still offers several credit cards to earn rewards on everyday spending, then redeem your points towards Southwest flights and travel partners. 

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Card 
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Card 

JetBlue Airlines 

JetBlue Airlines charges $35 for the first bag and $45 for the second bag for domestic flights — depending on your travel class. The JetBlue Plus Credit Card offers the first free checked bag for you and three guests listed on your reservation. 
Free checked bags don’t apply to the JetBlue Card, but you’ll still get other airline and cardholder perks — such as discounted food and beverages.  

United Airlines

United Airlines generally charges $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second bag each way depending on your domestic flight (You can use the airline’s baggage calculator to determine your costs and see if you qualify for any discounts.) The airline also offers a baggage subscription that starts at $349, but you’ll get more travel perks and rewards with a United Airlines credit card — even with an annual fee.
Most United cardholders get their first and second checked bags free on United and United Express flights when booking with their qualifying credit card. Here’s which United credit cards offer free checked bags: 

• United℠ Explorer Card: First checked bag free for one travel companion on your reservation.   
• United Quest℠ Card: First and second checked bags are free for one travel companion on your reservation.  
• United Club℠ Infinite Card: First and second checked bags are free for one travel companion on your reservation.  
• Presidential Plus℠ Card: First and second checked bags are free for one travel companion on your reservation. 
• Presidential Plus℠ Business Card: First and second checked bags are free for one travel companion on your reservation. 
• United℠ Business Card: First checked bag free for one travel companion on your reservation 
• United Club℠ Business Card: First and second checked bags are free for one travel companion on your reservation.