These 28 credit cards can get you free checked bags on your next flight

Checked bag fees can add up quickly, especially if you travel frequently or with companions.

Fortunately, many airline credit cards offer a free checked bag for the primary cardholder and, in some cases, several travelers on the same reservation.

Here's a look at the cards that can help you avoid checked bag fees, how their benefits work and what to know before booking your next flight.

The best cards for free checked bags

*The information for the 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.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines' first checked bag fee starts at $45. A second checked bag costs $55.

But if you have the Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite credit card ($395 annual fee), Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature credit card ($95 annual fee) or the Atmos Rewards Visa Signature Business Card ($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 (seven people total) on the same reservation on flights marketed by Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.

Note, however, that you must purchase your Alaska or Hawaiian flight with your Atmos card in order to receive this benefit.

American Airlines

American Airlines charges $45 for a first checked bag when purchased online ($50 at the airport) on domestic itineraries and flights to neighboring countries like Canada and Mexico. The second checked bag is $55 if purchased online ($60 at the airport).

There are four cobranded options that offer a first free checked bag on domestic American Airlines itineraries:

• Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select ($99 annual fee; $0 introductory annual fee)
• Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard ($350 annual fee)
• Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Legend ($695 annual fee)
• Citi / AAdvantage Business ($99 annual fee; $0 introductory annual fee)

The Platinum Select and Business cards extend this free checked baggage benefit to you and up to four traveling companions on your reservation.

Meanwhile, the Globe and Executive World Legend cards offer the same free checked bag benefit, but it extends to up to eight traveling companions on the same reservation.

Keep in mind that there are route restrictions on these baggage benefits.

Related: Best credit cards for American Airlines flyers

Delta Air Lines

Delta charges $45 each way for a first checked bag on flights within the U.S. A second checked bag costs $55.

However, most of the carrier's consumer and business credit cards offer two free checked bags on eligible flights.

Eligible Delta cardholders receive a free first checked bag for themselves and up to eight companions on the same reservation.

On domestic U.S. flights, primary cardholders also receive a free second checked bag. However, companions only receive this benefit if they hold their own eligible Delta credit card as a primary cardholder.

To receive these benefits, make sure your Delta SkyMiles number is included in your reservation.

Here are the six Delta cards that offer this perk:

• Delta Gold ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150; see rates and fees)
• Delta Gold Business ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150; see rates and fees)
• Delta Platinum ($350 annual fee; see rates and fees)
• Delta Platinum Business ($350 annual fee; see rates and fees)
• Delta Reserve ($650 annual fee; see rates and fees)
• Delta Reserve Business ($650 annual fee; see rates and fees)

Related: Best Delta credit cards

Frontier Airlines

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.

Here is an example of Frontier checked bag fees on a flight from Denver International Airport (DEN) to Washington National Airport (DCA) in mid-January, starting at $69 each:

Luckily, if you hold the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard ($99 annual fee), you'll receive two free checked bags on all Frontier Airlines-operated flights when you pay with your card. Checking a bag on just one round-trip itinerary can cover the card's annual fee.

Related: Why the Frontier Airlines Mastercard became the newest credit card in my wallet

Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian charges $45 for the first checked bag and $55 for the second checked bag on flights between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii. For interisland travel, the first checked bag is $30 and the second checked bag is $40.

Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard holders receive two free checked bags (when they use the card to purchase tickets directly from Hawaiian Airlines or Alaska Airlines); however, travel companions aren't included in this benefit. The card comes with a $99 annual fee.

Note that the business version of this card does not come with free checked bags.

Eligible Atmos Rewards cardholders may also receive a free first checked bag on Hawaiian Airlines flights, as outlined above.

JetBlue

First checked bags on JetBlue start at $39 for the first bag and $59 for the second bag on domestic flights. For transatlantic flights, first checked bags start at $64 and second checked bags start at $109. These prices can vary depending on whether the flight is during off-peak or peak season.

Thankfully, you get a free first checked bag with the JetBlue Plus or JetBlue Business (both with a $99 annual fee) when flying on JetBlue-operated flights. You can also receive this benefit with the JetBlue Premier, which charges an annual fee of $499.

The free first-checked-bag benefit extends to you and up to three travel companions on your reservation. Keep in mind, the flight must be booked on your eligible JetBlue card to receive this benefit.

Related: The best credit cards for JetBlue flyers

Southwest Airlines

Southwest, once famously known for its "bags fly free" policy, now charges $35 for the first checked bag. A second bag will cost $45.

A-List elite status members receive one complimentary checked bag, and A-List Preferred members, Business Select passengers and those traveling on Choice Extra fares receive two complimentary checked bags.

If you hold any of the following five cards, you and up to eight traveling companions on the same reservation will receive one free checked bag each:

• Southwest Plus ($99 annual fee)
• Southwest Premier ($149 annual fee)
• Southwest Premier Business ($149 annual fee)
• Southwest Priority ($229 annual fee)
• Southwest Performance Business ($299 annual fee)

Related: Southwest announces major loyalty shake-up, new elite tiers

United Airlines

United charges at least $50 for the first checked bag on all domestic flights and $60 ($55 if prepaid) for the second checked bag.

However, you can apply for one of five Chase cards to avoid checked bag fees:

• United Explorer ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150) and United Business ($150 annual fee): One bag for you and a companion on your reservation
• United Quest ($350 annual fee), United Club and United Club Business (both with a $695 annual fee): Two bags for you and a companion on your reservation

However, there's a big caveat here: For the perk to apply, you must have your MileagePlus number on your reservation and purchase your ticket with the applicable card. So, if you use a different card with a better earning rate on airfare, you may miss out on the free checked bags.

Related: Best United Airlines credit cards

Other cards worth considering

While opening any of the airline credit cards above is a great way to save on checked bag fees, what happens if you fly with multiple carriers throughout the year?

If you prioritize price or convenience over sticking with one particular airline, it may not be worth applying for a cobranded credit card that offers perks solely on that one carrier.

An alternative is to apply for a credit card that comes with more general travel benefits and can offset your checked bag charges:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve® ($795 annual fee; see rates and fees): Receive up to $300 in statement credits for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• American Express Platinum Card® and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express ($895 annual fee for each; see rates and fees for the Platinum and the Business Platinum): Receive up to $200 in statement credits for incidental charges on one selected qualifying airline (enrollment is required; terms apply).
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ($395 annual fee), Capital One Venture X Business ($395 annual fee), Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card ($95 annual fee) and Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card (no annual fee): Cover recent travel purchases on your statement by using your miles at a rate of 1 cent each.

What you should know about checked bags

Free baggage benefits don't stack

A common misconception is that your credit card will offer an additional free checked bag because of elite status, your ticket class or an international itinerary. Unfortunately, these cards' fee waivers don't usually apply if you already get a free checked bag due to your elite status, class of service or travel to an overseas destination.

Therefore, you will not receive an additional free checked bag beyond your existing allowance just for holding a credit card that offers this benefit. Some airlines make exceptions, but check your airline's policy before assuming an additional bag will be covered.

Be careful when booking large groups

Some credit cards offer free checked bags for multiple companions. This sounds great, but there's a potential downside.

When you search for flights, airlines usually show one fare class for the entire reservation, not a mix of cheaper and more expensive seats. That means if only three seats are available at $300 and the next fare is $400, booking four people on one reservation will price all four tickets at $400.

In that scenario, paying an extra $100 per person just to save $70 per round-trip checked bag clearly isn't worth it.

Before booking group travel, compare prices by searching individually or in smaller groups and weigh the savings against any baggage benefits.

Bottom line

Flights can be costly on their own, not to mention when checked bag fees are added.

Thankfully, there are several ways to avoid these costs. In fact, some of the cards on this list that offer a free checked bag carry annual fees under $100.

Even if you fly with a specific airline just a few times a year, it can be easy to justify paying the ongoing annual fee, and that's not even factoring in any welcome bonuses or other perks the cards offer.

Related: How to choose an airline credit card

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Gold, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here.