6 Best Airline Credit Cards with Free Checked Bags and Travel Perks

You know what’s a great deal? Paying $99 a year to save $400.

That’s not a hypothetical. That’s the math on a mid-tier co-branded credit card for a family of four who check a bag on a round-trip flight, at current bag-fee rates, which aren’t getting any cheaper.

Airlines have been raising checked bag fees over the past couple of years. Recent bumps haven’t been small, either. Some carriers went up $10 to $15 per bag, a 20-30% jump. Southwest went from “bags fly free,” their actual marketing slogan for decades, to charging $35 when they introduced fees in May 2025. Then it was raised to $45 less than a year later.

The result: one round-trip with a checked bag, for two people, now costs anywhere from $180 to $200 in bag fees alone, depending on the airline.

Here’s where the six major domestic airlines stand right now on first checked bag fees (per person, each way):

Each of the airline cards below eliminates that checked baggage fee entirely. Coverage extends to at least one travel companion, for an annual fee that the bag savings alone can cover.

Before you jump to the card list, though, a few things worth thinking through first.

Before You Pick a Card, Read This

Start with Your Airline, Not the Card

The most common mistake people make with airline cards is picking the card before picking the airline. Then they end up with miles they can’t easily use because the flights aren’t there.

Start with your home airport. Which airlines use it as a hub, or run high-frequency routes to the places you actually go? That’s your airline. Hub carriers give you better route access, more schedule flexibility, and more chances to earn status. An airline that barely touches your city is going to frustrate you no matter how good the card is.

Once you know your airline, the card choice becomes obvious.

Build the Right Points Foundation First

Airline cards are powerful, but they shouldn’t be your first card. Transferable points programs, where your points can move to multiple airlines and hotels, should be your foundation. The reason is flexibility. You’re not betting everything on one airline’s availability or pricing. And your transferable points program should ideally partner with your chosen airline, so everyday spending feeds the same ecosystem. Here’s how the programs line up:

JetBlue partners with every major transferable program. Almost any transferable points card works as a complement. For Delta flyers, the Amex card lineup is the natural starting point.

The Ideal Setup

Once you’ve identified your airline and your transferable points program, the ideal wallet looks like this: a transferable points card as your everyday workhorse for earning, paired with your airline’s co-branded card for the perks that usually require status or higher spending: free checked bags, priority boarding, companion fares, lounge passes.

Two cards. One airline program. And because your transferable points stay flexible, you’re never locked in. If a better redemption opportunity comes up somewhere else, your points can be used there instead.

Best Credit Cards for Free Checked Bags

Each airline offers a range of personal and business cards. In this article, I am featuring entry- to mid-tier personal cards. Low annual fees, practical checked bag benefits, and a straightforward value proposition: fly the airline a few times a year, check a bag, and the card pays for itself before you even think about the points.

Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards Ascent

Annual fee: $95

The Alaska card has always been one of the better value plays in the airline card world. The rebrand to Atmos Rewards, following Alaska’s acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, has only expanded what it covers.

• Free first checked bag: You + 6 companions on the same reservation, on Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines flights purchased with the card. At $45 per bag each way, one round-trip for you and one companion saves $180. The card pays for itself before you land.
• Priority boarding: You + 6 companions on Alaska and Hawaiian flights when you pay with the card, early enough to claim overhead bin space for your carry-on bag.
• $99 Companion Fare: Spend $6,000 on the card in a card year and earn a Companion Fare: your companion pays just $99 plus taxes and fees on any Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines flight, both ways. Valid within North America, including Hawaii.
• Miles earning: 3x on Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines purchases, 2x on gas, EV charging, rideshare, cable, and streaming services, 1x on everything else.
• 20% back on inflight purchases: Applies to eligible Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines inflight purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees.

Current card offer: 80,000 bonus points + 50% fare discount + a $99 Companion Fare after spending $4,500 in the first 120 days.

Terms apply. Offers subject to change. Refer to card issuer for full details.

American Airlines Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select

Annual fee: $0 first year, then $99

American’s first bag fee is $45 each way. One round-trip for you and a travel companion saves $180 in bag fees on a $99 annual fee. You don’t need to think hard about this one.

• First checked bag free: You + 4 companions on domestic American itineraries on the same reservation.
• Priority boarding: You + 4 companions board earlier and get access to overhead bins for your carry-on bags sooner.
• Miles earning: 2x on eligible American Airlines purchases, restaurants, and gas stations. 1x on everything else. Earn 1 Loyalty Point per eligible mile earned from card purchases, counting toward AAdvantage elite status.
• 25% inflight savings: Use your card on American flights and get 25% back on food and beverage purchases as a statement credit.
• No foreign transaction fees.

Current card offer: 80,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months. This is an in-flight offer accessible to anyone.

Terms apply. Offers subject to change. Refer to card issuer for full details.

Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card

Annual fee: $0 first year, then $150

The Delta SkyMiles Gold is an American Express card with Amex’s purchase protections baked in alongside the airline perks. Delta’s first checked bag fee is $45 each way. Two people, one round-trip = $180 in bag savings on a $150 annual fee.

• Free checked bag benefit: You + 8 companions on the same reservation on Delta flights. One of the largest group coverages on this list, particularly useful for families.
• Priority boarding: Zone 5 boarding on Delta flights, early enough to find overhead bin space.
• Miles earning: 2x on Delta purchases, dining worldwide, and U.S. supermarkets. 1x on everything else.
• 20% inflight savings: Use your card on eligible Delta in-flight purchases (food, beverages, audio headsets) and get 20% back as a statement credit. Note: Wi-Fi is not included.
• 15% award booking discount: Book award flights on Delta through delta.com or the Fly Delta app and get 15% off the miles required.
• No foreign transaction fees.

Current card offer: As high as 80,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months.

Terms apply. Offers subject to change. Refer to card issuer for full details.

JetBlue Plus Card

Annual fee: $99

JetBlue’s bag fees are on the higher end at $49 each way. The Plus card covers them. But one thing to know upfront: the JetBlue Plus Card does not include priority boarding. If boarding position matters to you, that’s the trade-off with this card.

• Free bags: Get a free checked bag for you + 3 companions on the same reservation, on JetBlue-operated flights.
• Miles earning: 6x on JetBlue purchases (strong for a mid-tier card), 2x at restaurants and grocery stores, 1x on everything else.
• 50% inflight discount: Use your card on eligible JetBlue in-flight purchases and get 50% back. Notably better than the 20-25% most other airline cards offer.
• 10% points rebate: Redeem TrueBlue points for a JetBlue award flight and get 10% of those points back to your account.
• 5,000 anniversary bonus points: Earned every year on your card anniversary, worth roughly $68 toward flights.
• $100 JetBlue Vacations credit: Book a JetBlue Vacations package of $100 or more with your card and get a $100 statement credit, once per year.
• No foreign transaction fees.

Current card offer: 70,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 and paying the annual fee in full within the first 90 days.

Terms apply. Offers subject to change. Refer to card issuer for full details.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

Annual fee: $99

Southwest introduced bag fees in May 2025 after years of “bags fly free.” Rapid Rewards credit cardholders inherited the free checked baggage benefit. If you fly Southwest and don’t have their card, the math got a lot easier.

• Free bags: You + 8 companions on the same reservation. One of the broadest group coverages on this list, and one of the few cards that still offers free checked bags after Southwest ended the perk for general passengers.
• Points earning: 2x on Southwest purchases. 2x on gas stations and grocery stores (up to $5,000 in combined spend per anniversary year). 1x on everything else.
• 25% back on in-flight purchases: Applies to Southwest in-flight food, drinks, and Wi-Fi when you pay with your card.
• 3,000 anniversary bonus points: Earned every year on your card anniversary, worth around $45 in travel.
• 10% flight discount: Earn a 10% cash booking discount code each card anniversary for a base fare (not valid on Basic fares).
• 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost: Every year, your card adds 10,000 qualifying points toward the Southwest Companion Pass, reducing the earning threshold from 135,000 to 125,000. The Companion Pass lets your companion fly with you free (just taxes and fees) every time you fly Southwest.
• No foreign transaction fees.

Current card offer: 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months. Watch for limited-time Companion Pass offers or higher bonus points offers.

Terms apply. Offers subject to change. Refer to card issuer for full details.

United Airlines Explorer Card

Annual fee: $0 first year, then $150

United’s bag fees are the highest on this list at $50 each way. Two people, one round-trip = $200 in bag savings on a $150 annual fee (waived the first year). The two United Club passes add another $70+ in value before you count anything else.

• Free checked bag: You + 1 companion on the same reservation on United-operated flights. Narrower coverage than most cards here, but the other perks compensate.
• Priority boarding: You + companion board early on United flights.
• 2 United Club passes per year: Single-use lounge passes worth ~$35 each. That’s ~$70 in value annually.
• Cardholder discount: 10% off award bookings.
• Miles earning: 9x total on eligible United flights (6x as a MileagePlus member + 3x from the card), 2x on dining and hotel stays booked directly with hotels, 1x on everything else.
• 25% in-flight discount: Use your card on United inflight and United Club premium drink purchases and get 25% back.
• Global Entry / TSA PreCheck: Up to $120 every 4 years for your application fee.
• No foreign transaction fees.

Current card offer: Up to 80,000 bonus miles (70,000 + 10,000 for adding an authorized user) after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. The annual fee is waived in year one.

Terms apply. Offers subject to change. Refer to card issuer for full details.

Free Checked Baggage Fees: Does the Annual Fee Actually Pay Off?

The savings from checked baggage fees justify most of these cards on their own. Here’s a quick framework:

Note: most of these cards cover only the first bag. If you regularly need two free checked bags per person, step-up cards like the United Quest are worth a look, though the annual fees reflect that added benefit.

Scenario B — Two people traveling together, 2 round-trips with checked bags: Every card on this list covers at least you and your companion. Your bag savings double. At that point, you’re looking at $320-$400 in savings vs. a $95-$150 fee. Every card clears comfortably.

And that’s before counting the sign-up bonus, in-flight discounts, anniversary bonuses, lounge passes, companion fares, or anything else.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do any airlines offer free checked bags? Yes, but only in certain circumstances. Most major U.S. airlines now charge for checked bags on standard economy fares. The exception: elite status members, premium cabin passengers, certain fare types, and co-branded credit card holders. All six airlines in this article offer free checked bags to their co-branded cardholders.

Do I need to pay for my flight with the card to get free checked bags? It depends on the airline. This is one of the most important fine-print details to know. Here’s how each card works:

• Alaska (Atmos Ascent): Yes, must purchase the flight with the card. Cardholder must be traveling.
• American (AAdvantage Platinum Select): No, just need your AAdvantage number in the reservation at least 7 days before travel.
• Delta (SkyMiles Gold Amex): No, just need your SkyMiles number linked to your card and included in the reservation. Pay with any card.
• JetBlue Plus: Yes, must pay with the card. On award tickets, paying taxes and fees with the card typically satisfies the requirement.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus: No, but your Rapid Rewards number must be in the reservation. Authorized users are not eligible.
• United Explorer: Yes, must purchase the ticket with the card. On award tickets, paying taxes and fees with the card satisfies the requirement.

Can I get free checked bags if I pay for my flight with miles? For cards requiring payment with the card (Alaska, JetBlue, United), pay the award ticket taxes and fees with your airline card — that typically satisfies the requirement. For cards that don’t require it (American, Delta, Southwest), miles bookings don’t affect eligibility at all. Your loyalty number in the reservation is all that’s needed.

Can authorized users get free checked bags? Generally yes, with exceptions. Alaska, JetBlue, and United authorized users can get the benefit when they pay with their authorized user card. American and Delta require the primary cardholder to be on the same reservation. Southwest explicitly excludes authorized users from this benefit regardless of circumstances.

Does the free checked bag perk cover oversized or overweight luggage? No. Standard bags only, typically under 50 lbs and within 62 inches total linear dimensions. Oversized and overweight fees apply regardless of card status.

Are there general travel cards that offer free checked bags? Almost never. This benefit is almost exclusively a co-branded airline card perk. General travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Amex Gold earn transferable points but don’t waive bag fees directly.

Wrap-up: Credit Cards With Free Checked Bag Fees

Checked baggage fees just got more expensive. The airline credit cards that offer free checked bags just got more valuable. Travelers who are still paying full checked bag fees on airlines that offer a card, even though the first bag alone might cover the fee on a round-trip, are throwing money away.

Among the best travel credit cards you can add to your wallet, these rank at the top for sheer practical value. If you travel frequently, you might consider a premium version with added benefits and status-boosting features. Or you might decide you want to focus on multiple airlines. You can always target multiple programs to build your setup.

The annual fee is the price of admission. The free checked bag is the return on investment. Everything else is a bonus.

Editor’s note: Opinions shared in this article are solely the author’s and do not represent the views of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other organization. The content has not been evaluated, approved, or endorsed by any of the mentioned entities. These are our recommendations but it isn’t financial advice. We may receive a commission if you click through any of the links in this article.

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