{"id":185571,"date":"2025-08-07T17:30:57","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T17:30:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/07\/credit-cards-that-offer-you-a-free-checked-bag-the-points-guy-2\/"},"modified":"2025-08-07T17:30:57","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T17:30:57","slug":"credit-cards-that-offer-you-a-free-checked-bag-the-points-guy-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/07\/credit-cards-that-offer-you-a-free-checked-bag-the-points-guy-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Credit cards that offer you a free checked bag – The Points Guy"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Checked bag fees typically cost $35 or more. That can add up quickly, especially if you travel with your family. Even Southwest Airlines<\/a>, long famed for its two free checked bag policy, started charging for bags<\/a> in late May.<\/p>\n

But by carrying the right credit card, you may be able to get these charges waived completely<\/a>, possibly even for the people you’re traveling with, too.<\/p>\n

If you get an airline cobranded card<\/a> that has an annual fee of $100 and check a bag on at least three flights with that airline each year, you’ll come out ahead, as an example.<\/p>\n

In this guide, we’ll go over the credit cards that feature free checked baggage as a benefit.<\/p>\n

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The best cards for free checked bags<\/h2>\n

*The information for the AAdvantage Aviator Red Mastercard, Citi \/ AAdvantage Platinum Select, Frontier Airlines World Mastercard, the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard, the JetBlue Plus Card, the JetBlue Premier Card, the JetBlue Business Card, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card and the United Club Business Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuers.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Alaska Airlines<\/h2>\n

Alaska Airlines charges $35 for the first checked bag on all its flights.<\/p>\n

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<\/div>
CHAD SLATTERY\/ALASKA AIRLINES<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But if you have the Alaska Airlines Visa<\/a><\/span> ($95 annual fee) or the Alaska Airlines Business<\/a><\/span> ($70 for the company and $25 per card in annual fees), you’re in luck. You can check the first bag for free for yourself and up to six additional passengers on the same reservation on both Alaska and Hawaiian flights.<\/p>\n

Note, however, that you must purchase their flight with your card in order to receive this benefit.<\/p>\n

Related: How to save hundreds on flights with the Alaska Airlines Companion Fare<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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American Airlines<\/h2>\n

American Airlines charges $35 if purchased online ($40 if purchased at the airport) for a first checked bag on domestic itineraries and flights to neighboring countries like Canada and Mexico.<\/p>\n

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\"American<\/div>
AMERICAN AIRLINES<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There are four cobranded options<\/a> that offer a first free checked bag on domestic itineraries:<\/p>\n

The Platinum Select and Business cards extend this free checked baggage benefit to you and up to four traveling companions on your reservation.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Executive World Elite offers the same free checked bag benefit, but it extends to up to eight traveling companions on the same reservation.<\/p>\n

Related: Best credit cards for American Airlines flyers<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Delta Air Lines<\/h2>\n

Delta charges $35 each way for a first checked bag on flights within the U.S.<\/p>\n

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\"Delta<\/div>
DELTA AIR LINES<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

However, most of the carrier’s consumer and business credit cards offer one free checked bag for the cardmember and eight others traveling on the same itinerary. To use this benefit, just attach your Delta SkyMiles number to your reservation.<\/p>\n

Here are the six Delta cards<\/a> that offer this perk:<\/p>\n

Related: Best Delta credit cards<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Frontier Airlines<\/h2>\n

Frontier Airlines charges varying prices for checked bags depending on how and when you buy them. It is generally cheapest to prepay for checked baggage at the time of booking.<\/p>\n

Here is an example of Frontier checked bag fees on a flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to [LAX] in early August, starting at $44 each:<\/p>\n

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\"Screenshot<\/div>
FRONTIER AIRLINES<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Luckily, if you hold the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard<\/a> ($99 annual fee, $0 introductory annual fee), you’ll receive two free checked bags. Checking a bag on just one round-trip itinerary alone can cover the card’s annual fee.<\/p>\n

Related: Why the Frontier Airlines Mastercard became the newest credit card in my wallet<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Hawaiian Airlines<\/h2>\n

Hawaiian charges $40 for the first checked bag on flights between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii and $30 for interisland travel.<\/p>\n

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\"Hawaiian<\/div>
HAWAIIAN AIRLINES<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard<\/a> holders receive two free checked bags; however, travel companions aren’t included in this benefit. The card comes with a $99 annual fee.<\/p>\n

Note that the business version of this card<\/a> does not come with free checked bags.<\/p>\n

Related: Aloha to more $99 flights to Hawaii: Alaska Airlines’ Companion Fare can be used on Hawaiian Airlines flights<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

JetBlue<\/h2>\n

Checked bags on JetBlue start at $35 for domestic flights and $60 for transatlantic flights. These prices can vary depending on whether the flight is during off-peak or peak season.<\/p>\n

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\"JetBlue<\/div>
JETBLUE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Thankfully, you can avoid these charges if you carry the JetBlue Plus<\/a> or the JetBlue Business<\/a> \u2014 both with a $99 annual fee \u2014 or the JetBlue Premier<\/a>, which charges $499.<\/p>\n

The free first-checked-bag benefit extends to you and up to three travel companions on your reservation.<\/p>\n

Related: The best credit cards for JetBlue flyers<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Southwest Airlines<\/h2>\n

Southwest, once famously known for its “bags fly free” policy, has started charging for checked bags. They now charge $35<\/a> for the first checked bag.<\/p>\n

A-List elite status members<\/a> and those traveling on Choice Extra fares will receive complimentary checked bags.<\/p>\n

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\"Southwest<\/div>
ZACH GRIFF\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you hold any of the following five cards<\/a>, you and up to eight traveling companions on the same reservation will receive one free checked bag each:<\/p>\n

Related: Southwest unveils big credit card refresh: 50% fee hikes, but new seating and boarding perks<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

United Airlines<\/h2>\n

United charges at least $35 for the first checked bag on all domestic flights.<\/p>\n

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\"United<\/div>
UNITED AIRLINES<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

However, you can apply for one of five Chase cards<\/a> to avoid checked bag fees<\/a>:<\/p>\n