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Checked bag fee credits are one of the most valuable benefits of an airline credit card. This perk can easily offset the annual fee after a single round-trip when you’re traveling with at least one companion. There are many options with this benefit, and today, we’ll look at the best credit cards for free checked bags.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Credit Cards That Come With Checked Bag Fee Credits
We’ll break it down by which card works with different airlines. Some cards are co-brand airline cards, while others are ones with more flexibility. If you fly with one airline often, then it makes sense to consider that airline-specific card.
Related: Are Airline Credit Cards Worth It? Pros, Cons, and Tips
American Airlines
The information for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® offers is the best overall option. It has the most generous American Airlines free checked bag benefits. Additionally, you can also visit airport lounges at no extra cost:
- Free first checked bag for the primary cardmember and up to 8 companions
- Enhanced airport experience for the primary member and up to 8 companions
- Complimentary visits to Admirals Club lounges for the cardholder and up to 2 guests or immediate family members.
- Earn 4x AAdvantage miles on American Airlines purchases (5x after $150,000 in combined annual purchases)
- Receive 1 Loyalty Point per AAdvantage miles earned from purchases
- 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases
The annual fee is $595. Additionally, there is no foreign transaction fee.
There are also American Airlines business credit cards with checked bag fee credits to serve up affordable business travel.
Delta Air Lines
For most passengers, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is the best option. It has a reasonable annual fee. The introductory annual fee of $0 for the first year, then $150 (See Rates & Fees).
The Delta SkyMiles Gold benefits include:
- Free first checked bag for the basic cardmember and up to 8 companions
- 15% award travel discount on Delta-operated flights
- Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding
- Earn up to 2x SkyMiles on purchases
- 20% back on in-flight purchases
Plus, Gold card members will receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use for future travel after spending $10,000 in purchases on their card in a calendar year. Additionally, enjoy up to $100 back annually on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings on delta.com.
The various Delta SkyMiles Credit Cards with an annual fee waive the checked bag fees on domestic itineraries. You may prefer a more expensive option if you want luxury travel perks and additional benefits from Delta.
Like the other airlines, travel companions and authorized users must be traveling with the primary card member to get a free checked bag.
For instance, RaplhKramden was subject to a fee for not traveling with the primary cardholder who booked the flight with their Gold card but wasn’t going to travel, too.
Related: Do Delta SkyMiles Expire? The Answer May Surprise You
United Airlines
United Airlines has the least extensive fee credits of the legacy airlines, as the benefits typically only apply to the primary card member and one companion. In comparison, other cards usually waive the fees for up to 8 companions.
Consider the United Quest℠ Card, as it has a generous checked bag allowance plus a few additional award travel benefits:
- Free first and second-checked bags for the primary member and one companion
- Up to $125 in statement credits for United purchases each calendar year
- Two 5,000-mile anniversary award flight credits
- Priority boarding on United-operated flights
- Earn up to 3x United miles on purchases
- 25% back on in-flight and Club premium drink purchases
You can view the other United Quest Card benefits that can be more valuable than the card’s $250 annual fee.
JetBlue
The information for the JetBlue Plus Card has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The JetBlue Plus Card waives the first checked bag fee for the primary card member and up to three companions. Other cardholder benefits include:
- Earn up to 6x points on purchases
- Each purchase counts towards Mosaic status
- $100 statement credit after purchasing $100 or more in JetBlue Vacations packages
- 5,000 bonus points each year after each account anniversary
- 50% savings on eligible in-flight purchases
- Get 10% of your points back redeemed for JetBlue-operated award flights
The annual fee is $99, and there is no foreign transaction fee.
Hawaiian Airlines
The information for the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® provides two free checked bags for the primary cardholder but not for travel companions.
Other card benefits include:
- Earn up to 3x miles on purchases
- Discounted award flights on Hawaiian Airlines
- $100 companion discount annually
- One-time 50% off companion discount between North America and Hawaii
The annual fee is $99, and there is no foreign transaction fee.
Related: What Miles Are Best For Flights To Hawaii?
The Platinum Card from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express is a good option when you want a flexible rewards program. Each year, you receive up to a $200 airline fee credit that offsets incidental expenses such as checked bags or seat upgrades with one airline of choice. You can select which airline is eligible for the savings once a year.
Other travel benefits include:
- 5x Membership Rewards® on flights booked directly from airlines or on amextravel.com (on up to $500,000 in qualifying purchases)
- 5x points on prepaid hotels through amextravel.com
- Global Lounge Collection (complimentary airport lounge access)
- Discounts on private jet charters
- Up to $200 in Uber Cash per year
- 1:1 point transfers to airlines and hotels
You may also get discounts on qualifying international flights in premium economy, business class, or first class with up to eight companions.
The annual fee is $695 for the primary card, and there is no foreign transaction fee (See Rates & Fees).
Related: Is the Amex Platinum Card Worth the Annual Fee?
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers an annual $300 travel credit. Cardholders can get reimbursed on their travel-related purchases whether paying through the travel provider or a third-party booking site. Unfortunately, these reimbursed purchases won’t earn bonus points.
Other travel benefits include:
- Priority Pass Select airport lounge access
- Earn 10x Ultimate Rewards® on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase Travel℠
- 5x on flights booked through Chase Travel℠
- 3x on all remaining travel purchases
- Points are worth 50% more for award travel redemptions (1.5 cents each)
- 1:1 point transfers
You can also earn 10x points on Chase Dining purchases and 3x on all remaining dining and eligible delivery services.
This premium credit card has an annual fee of $550 for the primary card and $75 for each authorized user.
And yes, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is worth it.
Summary of Credit Cards That Come With Checked Bag Fee Credits
In conclusion, a co-brand airline credit card is the easiest way to consistently avoid checked-bag fees. However, you can also redeem the annual travel credit with select premium credit cards. Another option is flying on Southwest Airlines, where your first two bags always fly for free.
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For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
