Best credit cards that offer free checked baggage

Airlines used to include checked bags in the price of your ticket, but those times are mostly gone. These days, your choices are packing light with only a carry-on or paying a fee to have all you need while traveling.

Fortunately, there are credit cards that offer free checked baggage as a benefit. These cards almost always carry annual fees, but the amount you save on checked bag fees can offset the recurring cost of card membership. We’ve picked several co-branded airline cards with comparable annual fees that you should consider if you travel often and want to avoid pesky airline fees.

Comparing the best cards that offer free checked baggage

Save on your next vacation

Explore Bankrate’s picks of travel cards to help you earn points and miles for your next trip View all travel cards

Top cards for free checked baggage

Best for American Airlines loyalists

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5

4.6

• Bankrate’s view

  This card is ideal for the American Airlines loyalist who may not fly too often. While you will earn a competitive rewards rate on eligible American Airlines purchases, you’ll also earn decent rewards in top everyday spending categories like gas and restaurants.

• Pros and cons

  

  Pros

  • The current welcome offer is generous, with the potential to cover at least one round-trip domestic flight.
  • Citi waives the annual fee on this card for the first year ($99 after).
  • Each year you renew your card and spend at least $20,000, you’ll get a $125 flight discount.

  

  Cons

  • You won’t get a break on interest, since there are no intro APR offers on this card.
  • Points and miles for other airline cards may have more value.
  • This card can be inflexible due to blackout dates.

Best Delta card for value travelers

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

4

• Bankrate’s view

  Foodies and Delta loyalists alike could find their match with this airline card. Your highest earning categories include purchases at restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.), U.S. supermarkets and Delta, making this an ideal choice if you want to stockpile Delta miles when dining out or in.

• Pros and cons

  

  Pros

  • The first-checked-bag-free benefit is valid for you and up to eight traveling companions on the same reservation.
  • You’ll get Zone 5 priority boarding on Delta flights just for holding the card.
  • After spending $10,000 or more in a calendar year with your card, you could earn a $200 Delta flight credit.

  

  Cons

  • The annual fee is $150 after the first year ($0 intro annual fee).
  • This card is less flexible than a general purpose travel card because it’s co-branded with an airline.
  • There’s less opportunity to save on interest charges if you carry a balance because there are no intro APR offers.

Best for cost-conscious United loyalists

United℠ Explorer Card

Rating: 3.9 stars out of 5

3.9

• Bankrate’s view

  Out of all of United Airlines’ travel cards, this one is likely the most cost-effective. While there’s still an annual fee ($0 intro for the first year, then $95) it’s much lower compared to many you’d find on other airline cards. You’ll also get several valuable statement credits that could offset this cost.

• Pros and cons

  

  Pros

  • Includes an up to $100 statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS application fees (every four years).
  • Offers two United Club one-time passes after account opening and on each account anniversary.
  • Enjoy priority boarding on your United flights as a cardholder, adding a layer of comfort to your airport experience.

  

  Cons

  • You must purchase airfare with the card and include your United MileagePlus number in your reservation for the free checked bag perk to apply.
  • The first-checked-bag-free benefit is only valid for you and one traveling companion, whereas other cards allow the perk for up to eight people on a single reservation.
  • Your redemption options are more limited than what you could get with a general purpose card.

Best for frequent JetBlue flyers

JetBlue Plus Card

Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5

4.6

• Bankrate’s view

  The JetBlue Plus card’s rewards program boasts some of the most competitive rates available on airline cards and comes with an array of valuable perks and discounts. Although JetBlue isn’t as large of an airline as Delta, United or American, cardholders can expect solid value in exchange for a modest annual fee.

• Pros and cons

  

  Pros

  • This card has an intro APR offer on balance transfers, which could help you save on interest costs if you want to transfer a balance.
  • You could earn 50 percent back (as statement credits) on eligible in-flight food and beverages you purchase with your card.

  

  Cons

  • Unlike a few other airline cards, JetBlue doesn’t waive the annual fee for the first year.
  • The JetBlue network is fairly limited, so getting this card may not be worth it if JetBlue isn’t your primary airline.
  • The intro APR offer doesn’t apply to new purchases.

How to choose a card that offers free checked bags

When deciding on the best travel card for your needs, you’ll want to consider a few things. Here are three main steps we recommend for choosing the best card for free checked bags:

1. Find out what airlines fly from your home airport. Go to the website for the airport you use the most to find a list of its airlines. If you live in a large metropolitan area served by several major airlines, you’ll have more options to choose from.
2. Pick your preferred airline. If you primarily fly United, there’s no reason to apply for a non-United card, no matter how enticing a card’s benefits are. If you value certain things, like a comfortable seat, you might want to explore the experiences offered by other airlines. For instance, JetBlue typically has the best legroom in coach.
3. Establish what card or airline benefits you want most. After you identify the airlines that fly from your home airport to destinations you frequent, choosing an airline card with a free-checked-bag benefit becomes as simple as a matter of personal preference. Think about the card or airline benefits you’re looking for, and compare co-branded airline cards to find the best fit for you.

The bottom line

Quite a few airlines offer co-branded credit cards, and many of them offer a first-checked-bag-free benefit. These cards can save you a great deal of money if you have a preferred airline and fly at least a few times a year. However, not everyone checks bags (or checks a bag every time), so consider your travel habits first.

*The information about the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®, United℠ Explorer Card and JetBlue Plus Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.