Believe it or not, there was once a time when checked baggage fees were not the norm. In fact, they’re a fairly recent development as airlines have turned to ancillary fees as a way to generate more revenue from flyers.
While checked baggage fees have largely been deemed a success for the airlines’ bottom line, of course, they come at the expense of the passenger’s wallet. The federal Bureau of Transportation reported that airlines generated a staggering $5.8 billion from baggage fees alone in 2019.
While these fees have been a windfall for airlines, they understandably have been a source of frustration for flyers who have had to swallow the reality of travel getting more expensive.
Luckily, though, there are plenty of ways to get around the pesky baggage fees that have become the norm over the past several years. Before diving into those tips, keep in mind that if you’re flying on a long-haul international flight with any airline, check directly with the carrier to see whether you’ll have to pay for checked baggage. Some airlines charge for checked luggage with all basic economy fares, while some charge based on the region to which you’re flying. It pays to do your research ahead of time.
Before you book your next flight, here are five of the easiest ways you can avoid paying those pesky extra fees.
Soon after airlines began charging for checked bags, credit card issuers began revamping the benefits of airline-branded cards to include a free checked bag for the card holder (and in some cases, their traveling companions). To this day, this benefit is quite common across airline-branded cards — and can ultimately save you plenty of money, especially if you travel more than a couple of times per year.
Here’s a look at some of the co-branded offerings from major US airlines that entitle you to a free checked bag when you fly.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card: First checked bag free for you and up to six companions on the same itinerary. This card has an annual fee of $75.
American Airlines
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®: First checked bag free for you and up to four companions traveling on the same domestic itinerary. This card charges a $99 annual fee, which is waived for the first year.
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®: First checked bag free for you and up to four companions traveling on the same domestic itinerary. This card charges a $99 annual fee.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®: First checked bag free for you and up to eight companions traveling on the same domestic itinerary. This card charges a $595 annual fee.
Delta Air Lines
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: First checked bag free for you and up to eight companions traveling on the same itinerary. This card charges no annual fee for the first year, then $150 each subsequent year (see rates and fees).
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: First checked bag free for you and up to eight companions traveling on the same itinerary. This card charges a $350 annual fee (see rates and fees).
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: First checked bag free for you and up to eight companions traveling on the same itinerary. This card charges a $650 annual fee (see rates and fees).
Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®: First two checked bags free for the primary card holder when you use the card to purchase your ticket directly from Hawaiian Airlines. This card charges a $99 annual fee.
JetBlue Airways
JetBlue Plus Card: First checked bag free for you and up to three companions on the same itinerary when you use the card to purchase the tickets. This card charges a $99 annual fee.
United Airlines
United℠ Explorer Card: First checked bag free for you and one companion on the same itinerary when you use the card to purchase the tickets. This card doesn’t charge an annual fee for the first year, then $95 each subsequent year.
United Quest℠ Card: First and second checked bags are free for you and one companion on the same itinerary when you use the card to purchase the tickets. This card charges a $250 annual fee.
United Club℠ Infinite Card: First and second checked bags are free for you and one companion on the same itinerary when you use the card to purchase the tickets. This card charges a $525 annual fee
Other credit card options for free checked bags
Airline-branded credit cards aren’t the only way to ensure your bags fly for free. Some non-branded premium travel rewards credit cards come with annual travel credits that can be used to cover the cost of a checked bag.
Airlines reward their most loyal flyers with unique perks like early boarding, preferential access to better seats (or even free upgrades), airport lounge access and more — including more generous checked bag allowances.
If you fly enough to earn elite status with a major US carrier, you won’t have to worry about paying to check your bags. And once you reach higher levels of elite status, you’ll be able to check more — and heavier — bags without incurring extra charges.
Let’s take a look at the various allowances for elite members across the major US airlines.