Frequent Miler's latest team challenge, Million Mile Madness, is happening now! Follow us as Greg, Nick, and Stephen compete to earn 1 Million SAS miles by flying 15 airlines before November 23rd. Who will complete the challenge with the most Speed, Affordability, and Style?
Many airline credit cards offer free checked bags to cardholders. However, the details vary a lot by airline. Are international flights included? How about the bags of companions on the same reservation? Do you have to pay for the flight with the airline credit card? Find answers about free checked bags via credit card below…
General Info, Common Across Credit Cards
In all cases that I’ve found, baggage fee waivers are only for normal bag fees and do not include oversized bags or pets. Most credit cards allow a maximum of 1 free checked bag per person, but usually cover a free bag for at least one companion as well. Additionally, when you get free bags through other means (such as elite status), the baggage allowance is not cumulative. In other words, if your elite status allows 2 checked bags, you do not get 3 free checked bags. One exception is with the Hawaiian Airlines card which gives elite members one additional free checked bag. In all cases, free checked bags are available only to primary cardholders. Those with authorized user cards do not get this benefit.
Strategy for getting free checked bags
If you have a flight coming up where you plan to check bags, it can make sense to apply for an airline credit card to save some money. Ideally, you would be eligible for both a big welcome bonus and free checked bags for your flight. This strategy can be especially beneficial when traveling with a family since one card may cover a free checked bag for everyone traveling together (depending upon how many are traveling). For example, Delta Gold, Platinum, and Reserve cards offer free checked bags for the cardholder plus up to 8 companions traveling together. That can amount to huge savings.
The combination of checked bag savings and the value of points earned from a welcome bonus should easily make up for the airline card’s first year annual fee. When the second year annual fee comes due, if you don’t have a near term need for the card’s benefits, you can either cancel the card or, better yet, in some cases you can downgrade to a fee-free card which doesn’t offer free checked bags. Then, when you fly that airline again in the future, you may be able to upgrade before the flight in order to avoid paying for checked bags again. In that case, you’ll usually pay a prorated annual fee for the card.
Free Checked Bags via Credit Card Comparison Chart
| AA | Delta | Frontier | United | Alaska | JetBlue | Hawaiian | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Must pay with card to get free bag? | No | No | Yes | Yes5 | Yes | No1 | Yes6 |
| Max # companions that get free first bag | 4 or 82 | 8 | 0 | 1 or 23 | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Free bags on international flights? | No4 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| # of days before flight that loyalty number must be attached to reservation | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
|
|||||||
Alaska Airlines
Summary Info
- Eligible credit cards: Alaska Airlines Visa Signature, Alaska Airlines Visa Business, and Alaska Airlines World Elite Mastercard.
- Prerequisites: Airfare must be purchased with your card and your Mileage Plan number must be on the reservation to qualify for this benefit. With Canadian credit cards, the primary cardholder must be traveling. With US-based credit cards, an eligible primary cardholder, authorized user or co-applicant of the card must be traveling to qualify for the first checked bag free benefit.
- Eligible flights:If you’re flying on Alaska Airlines operated and ticketed flights, including flights operated for Alaska by Horizon, SkyWest, or PenAir (AS 001-999, 1000-1999, 2000-2999, 3300-3499), you are eligible for the first checked bag free benefit. If your flight connects to or from another airline, standard baggage fees will apply.
- Other restrictions: For reservations made with group booking codes or through the group desk, you’re not eligible for receiving a free checked bag. This appears to only be the case for consumer cardholders; business cardholders don’t seem to have that restriction listed.
- Official info: Alaska Airlines FAQ – First checked bag free benefit.
Alaska Credit Card Offers
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
Up to 75K miles + Companion Fare ⓘ Non-Affiliate 70k miles + Companion Fare ($99 fare + taxes) after $3K spend in 90 days + additional 5K if you apply with an Alaska employee's name and id number.$95 Annual Fee Alternate Offer: There are usually better in-flight offers available that require the name and id number of an Alaska employee. Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: Alaska miles are quite valuable so this offer is better than it appears Earning rate: 3X Alaska Airlines ✦ 2x gas, EV charging, local transit, rideshare, cable, and select streaming services purchases ✦ 1X elsewhere Card Info: Visa Signature issued by BOA. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: $121 companion pass every year after $6K spend. Noteworthy perks: ✦ Free first checked bag for you and up to six other passengers on your reservation ✦ Priority Boarding ✦ 10% bonus on earned miles with eligible BOA account ✦ During 2024, earn 4K EQMs/$10K spend, up to a maximum of 20K EQMs. |
50K miles + Companion Fare ⓘ Non-Affiliate 50K miles + Companion Fare ($99 fare + taxes) after $3K spend in 3 months $95 Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. Recent better offer: 70K after $4K in 3 months [Expired 4/23] FM Mini Review: Alaska miles are quite valuable so this offer is better than it appears Earning rate: 3X Alaska Airlines ✦ 2x gas, EV charging, shipping and local transit ✦ 1X elsewhere Card Info: Visa issued by BOA. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: $121 companion pass every year after $6K spend. Noteworthy perks: ✦ Free first checked bag for you and up to six other passengers on your reservation ✦ 10% bonus on earned miles with eligible BOA business account ✦ During 2024, earn 4K EQMs/$10K spend, up to a maximum of 20K EQMs. |
American Airlines
Summary Info
- Eligible credit cards: Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard (8 companions), Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select Card (4 companions), CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select Card (4 companions), AAdvantage Aviator Silver World Elite Mastercard (8 companions), AAdvantage Aviator Red MasterCard (4 companions), AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard (4 companions)
- Prerequisites: The terms state that the account must be open 7 days prior to air travel AND Reservation must include the primary cardmember’s AAdvantage number 7 days prior to air travel. However, despite these terms a reader reports signing up for a card the day before his flight while in the process of checking in online and he immediately received the free bag benefit.
- Eligible flights: Domestic itineraries marketed and operated by American Airlines, or on itineraries marketed by American Airlines and operated as American Eagle flights by Envoy Air Inc., Republic Airways Inc., SkyWest Airlines, Inc., Mesa Airlines, Inc., PSA Airlines, Inc., or Piedmont Airlines, Inc. All flights on the itinerary must be domestic flights marketed by American Airlines and operated by American Airlines or American Eagle. This benefit will not be available for travel on codeshare flights booked with an American Airlines flight number but operated by another airline.
- Official info: AA Checked Bag Policy.
Free checked bags on AA international flights
The AA credit card free checked bag benefit is limited to domestic American Airlines operated itineraries. This is not as bad as it sounds. Even without an AA credit card, AA automatically allows a free checked bag for each passenger for most international flights as long as you’re not flying Basic Economy. Here are the flight destinations where AA offers a free checked bag:
- All Transatlantic Flights (e.g. flights between North America and Europe, Africa, or the Middle East)
- Argentina
- Australia
- Brazil
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Cuba
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Haiti
- Hong Kong
- India
- Israel
- Japan
- New Zealand
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Qatar
- South Korea
- Uruguay
If you are flying AA on an international flight that is not listed above, then you will have to pay for checked bags even if you are a cardholder.
AA Credit Card Offers
All current AA credit card offers are shown below. Please note that the AAdvantage MileUp Card, which has no annual fee, does not provide free checked bags.
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
70K Miles ⓘ Non-Affiliate 70K miles after 1st purchase and paying the annual fee within 90 days $99 Annual Fee Recent better offer: Up to 75K: 60K miles after first purchase and 15K after adding an authorized user and making one purchase on that card [Expired 2/24/24] Earning rate: 2X AA ✦ 1X everywhere else Card Info: Mastercard World Elite issued by Barclays. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn $99 + tax domestic companion certificate with $20K membership year spend. Noteworthy perks: First checked bag free ✦ Preferred boarding for the primary cardmember and up to 4 companions traveling on the same reservation ✦ 25% off in-flight purchases ✦ $25 wifi credit per membership year ✦ Flight cents: round up purchases to earn more miles |
50K Miles ⓘ Non-Affiliate 50K miles after $2,500 spend in first 3 months $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99 Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. Recent better offer: 75K miles after $3,500 spend in 3 months (ended 10/14/24) FM Mini Review: Excellent choice for a great intro bonus. Plus it offers the usual collection of perks for flying AA (free checked bag, priority boarding, etc.) Earning rate: 2X restaurants ✦ 2X gas ✦ 2X AA Card Info: Mastercard World Elite issued by Citi. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: $125 AA Flight Discount with $20K membership year spend Noteworthy perks: ✦ First checked bag free ✦ Priority Boarding ✦ Save 25% on inflight food and beverage purchases |
15K miles ⓘ Non-Affiliate Earn 15K AA miles after $500 spend in 3 monthsNo Annual Fee FM Mini Review: Not bad for grocery spend if you highly value AA miles Earning rate: 2X grocery ✦ 2X AA ✦ 1X everywhere else Card Info: Mastercard World Elite issued by Citi. This card imposes foreign transaction fees. Noteworthy perks: Save 25% on inflight food and beverage purchases |
75K miles ⓘ Non-Affiliate 75K miles after $5K spend in first 5 months$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99 Alternate Offer: There is an alternative offer of 30K + $400 credit that can be found when doing a dummy booking on aa.com. Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: This card usually has a great welcome bonus, but if you're looking for a card to keep long term, you'll find better options. Earning rate: ✦ 2X AA ✦ 2X certain telecommunications merchants ✦ 2X car rental merchants ✦ 2X gas Card Info: Mastercard World issued by Citi. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn $99 plus taxes domestic companion certificate after $30K spend Noteworthy perks: ✦ First checked bag free ✦ Priority Boarding ✦ Save 25% on inflight purchases |
75K miles ⓘ Non-Affiliate 75K miles after $7,500 spend in first 3 months$595 Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: Good choice for those who need Admirals Club® access and those who value the Loyalty Points boosts at 50K and 90K Loyalty Points earned. Plus, it offers the usual collection of perks for flying AA (free checked bag, priority boarding, etc.) and some handy credits for Avis or Budget rentals and GrubHub. Earning rate: 4X AA ✦ 10X hotels booked through AA.com/Hotels ✦ 10X car rentals booked through AA.com/Cars ✦ 1X everywhere else Card Info: Mastercard World Elite issued by Citi. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Noteworthy perks: ✦ First Checked Bag Free ✦ Admirals Club® access for both primary and authorized users ✦ Up to $120 per 12 monthly billing cycles for GrubHub purchases (up to $10 per monthly billing cycle) ✦ Up to $120 back on eligible Avis or Budget prepaid car rentals every calendar year ✦ $10 monthly Lyft credit after you take 3 Lyft rides that calendar month ✦ 10K bonus Loyaty Points after earning 50K Loyalty points through all channels and another 10K bonus Loyalty Points after earning 90K Loyalty Points through all channels ✦ 25% savings on eligible in-flight purchases on American Airlines flights ✦ Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit every 4 years |
Delta
Summary Info
- Eligible credit cards: Delta SkyMiles Gold, Delta SkyMiles Gold Business, Delta SkyMiles Platinum, Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business, Delta SkyMiles Reserve, Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business.
- Prerequisites: New Card Members and Card Members upgrading from another Delta SkyMiles Credit Card product will be eligible for the checked baggage fee waiver benefit after receiving their Card from American Express.
- Eligible flights: Delta or Delta Connection when you check-in with Delta for both a Delta marketed and Delta operated flight. Codeshare flights are not eligible.
- Other restrictions: Reservation must include the Basic Card Member’s SkyMiles number.
- Official info: First Checked Bag Free.
Delta Credit Card Offers
All current Delta credit card offers are shown below. Please note that the Delta SkyMiles Blue Card, which has no annual fee, does not provide free checked bags.
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
70K miles ⓘ Affiliate 70K after $6K spend in first 6 months. Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees)$350 Annual Fee FM Mini Review: Good choice for frequent Delta flyers who can make use of annual companion certificate Earning rate: 3X Delta ✦ 3X purchases made directly with hotels ✦ 1.5X on transit, eligible U.S. shipping, and purchases of $5K or more (up to $100K per year) Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn 1 Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) per $20 spent Noteworthy perks: 15% off when using miles to book an award flight (Delta metal only) ✦ Annual $2,500 MQD Headstart ✦ Domestic, Caribbean, or Central American economy companion certificate (subject to taxes & fees) each year upon card renewal ✦ Earn up to $200 as a statement credit each year after booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals with your Card through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays ✦ Up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants ✦ Up to $10 per month in statement credits for purchases with select rideshare service providers [enrollment required] ✦ Priority boarding ✦ First checked bag free on Delta flights ✦ Complimentary Upgrade list: get added to the complimentary upgrade list after Delta elite members and Reserve cardmembers✦ Terms and Limitations Apply. (Rates & Fees) |
60K miles ⓘ Affiliate 60K miles after $3K spend in 6 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees)$350 Annual Fee FM Mini Review: Good choice for frequent Delta flyers who can make use of annual companion certificate Earning rate: 3X Delta ✦ 3X purchases made directly with hotels ✦ 2X restaurants ✦ 2X US Supermarkets Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn 1 Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) per $20 spent Noteworthy perks: 15% off when using miles to book an award flight (Delta metal only) ✦ Annual $2,500 MQD Headstart ✦ US, Caribbean, or Central American economy companion certificate (subject to taxes & fees) each year upon card renewal ✦ Earn up to $150 as a statement credit each year after booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals with your Card through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays ✦ Up to $10 per month in statement credits for purchases with select rideshare service providers [enrollment required] ✦ Up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants [enrollment required] ✦ Priority boarding ✦ First checked bag free on Delta flights ✦ Complimentary Upgrade list: get added to the complimentary upgrade list after Delta elite members and Reserve cardmembers ✦ Cell phone protection ✦ Terms and Limitations Apply. (Rates & Fees) |
80K miles ⓘ Affiliate 80k after $10K spend in first 6 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees)$650 Annual Fee FM Mini Review: Excellent choice for frequent Delta flyers who can make use of SkyClub access and companion certificate. Also a good choice for big spenders seeking Delta elite status. Earning rate: 3X Delta ✦ 1.5X on eligible transit, U.S. shipping & office supply store purchases Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn 1 Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) per $10 spent Noteworthy perks: 15% off when using miles to book an award flight (Delta metal only) ✦ Domestic, Caribbean, or Central American economy or first class companion certificate (subject to taxes & fees) after card renewal ✦ SkyClub access (starting 2/1/25, 15 visits per year (after 15 visits have been used, additional visits can be purchased for $50 each) or earn unlimited visits after spending $75K/calendar year on the card ✦ 4 Delta SkyClub one-time guest passes ✦ Centurion Lounge access when you book your Delta flight with your Reserve card ✦ Earn up to $250 as a statement credit each year after booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals with your Card through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays ✦ Up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants ✦ Up to $10 per month in statement credits for purchases with select rideshare service providers [enrollment required] ✦ Complimentary upgrades ✦ $120 Global Entry fee credit every 4 years (or 4.5 years for TSA Precheck) ✦ Priority boarding ✦ First checked bag free on Delta flights. ✦ Hertz President's Circle Status ✦ Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees) See also: Delta Reserve complete guide |
70K Miles ⓘ Affiliate Earn 70K miles after $5K spend in first 6 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees)$650 Annual Fee FM Mini Review: Excellent choice for frequent Delta flyers who can make use of SkyClub access and companion certificate. Also a good choice for big spenders seeking Delta elite status. Earning rate: 3X Delta Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn 1 Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) per $10 spent Noteworthy perks: 15% off when using miles to book an award flight (Delta metal only) ✦ Annual $2,500 MQD Headstart ✦ US, Caribbean, Mexico or Central America roundtrip main cabin companion certificate (subject to taxes & fees) after card renewal ✦ SkyClub access (starting 2/1/25, 15 visits per year (after 15 visits have been used, additional visits can be purchased for $50 each) or to earn an unlimited number of visits each year starting on 2/1/25, spend $75K or more on eligible purchases between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter. ✦ 4 Delta SkyClub one-time guest passes ✦ Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta ✦ Earn up to $200 as a statement credit each year after booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals with your Card through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays ✦ Up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants [enrollment required] ✦ Up to $10 per month in statement credits for purchases with select rideshare service providers [enrollment required] ✦ Complimentary upgrades ✦ One statement credit every 4 years for the $120 Global Entry application fee or one statement credit every 4.5 years for the $85 TSA Precheck application fee ✦ Priority boarding ✦ First checked bag free on Delta flights. ✦ Hertz President's Circle Status ✦ Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees) See also: Delta Reserve complete guide |
60k miles ⓘ Affiliate 60K after $4K spend in first 6 months. Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees)$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 FM Mini Review: Priority boarding and first checked bag free make this a reasonably good option for Delta flyers who do not have elite status. However, those who can make use of an annual companion certificate would do better with the Delta Platinum card. Earning rate: 2X Delta ✦ 2X U.S. purchases for advertising in select media and U.S. shipping purchases (capped at $50k per year) ✦ 2x restaurants worldwide and US takeout & delivery Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: $200 Delta flight credit after $10K in purchases in a calendar year Noteworthy perks: 15% off when using miles to book an award flight (Delta metal only) ✦ Get up to $150 back per year as a statement credit for prepaid hotels or vacation rentals booked through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays ✦ Priority boarding, and first checked bag free on Delta flights. Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees) |
50K miles ⓘ Affiliate 50K miles after $2K spend in first 6 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees)$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 FM Mini Review: Priority boarding, and free checked bag make this a reasonably good option for Delta flyers who do not have elite status. However, those who can make use of an annual companion certificate would do better with the Delta Platinum card. Earning rate: 2X Delta ✦ 2x restaurants worldwide ✦ 2x US supermarkets Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: $200 Delta flight credit after $10K in purchases in a calendar year Noteworthy perks: 15% off when using miles to book an award flight (Delta metal only) ✦ Get up to $100 back per year as a statement credit for prepaid hotels or vacation rentals booked through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays ✦ Priority boarding and first checked bag free on Delta flights. Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees) |
10K miles ⓘ Affiliate 10K miles after $1000 spend in the first 6 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees)No Annual Fee Note an unusual restriction: Welcome bonus not available if you've had another Delta consumer card in the past 90 days. FM Mini Review: This card offers an OK welcome offer for a no annual fee card, but many/most other cards offer better return for spend. Earning rate: 2X restaurants worldwide ✦ 2X Delta ✦ 1X on all other eligible purchases Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Noteworthy perks: 20% statement credit on in-flight purchases of food, beverages, and headsets Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees) |
![](http://cdn.nextinsure.com/imaging/opt/47dd49f9-d80b-4251-aa8e-2fbf313e6402.jpg?w=300" alt="Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card" />)
Frontier
Summary Info
- Eligible credit cards: Frontier World Mastercard
- Prerequisites: Must be primary cardholder, buy ticket directly from Frontier and use your Frontier Mastercard to pay for the flight.
- Eligible flights: All Frontier flights.
- Other restrictions: Primary cardmembers must provide their Frontier cccount number associated with the card Account on their reservation prior to check-in.
- Official info: First Two Checked Bags Free.
Frontier Credit Card Offer
The current offer for the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard is show below:
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
50k miles ⓘ Non-Affiliate 50K miles after $500 in purchases in the first 90 days + instant Gold status with account opening & first purchae; maintain Gold status for 12 months with $3,000 in purchases within first 90 days$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99 Earning rate: 5X at FlyFrontier.com ✦ 3X restaurants Card Info: Mastercard World issued by Barclays. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: $100 discount voucher after $2,500 in annual spend. Noteworthy perks: ✦ 2 free checked bags for primary cardholder only ✦Keep miles from expiring with one purchase every six months. ✦ Earn 1 elite qualifying mile per dollar spent ✦ No award redemption fee when taxes/fees are paid for with the card. |
Hawaiian
Summary Info
The Hawaiian Airlines consumer card from Barclays now offers 2 free checked bags, but only to the primary cardholder. Companions on the same ticket do not get free checked bags.
- Eligible credit cards: The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite MasterCard® issued by Barclays (the Hawaiian business card does not offer free checked bags)
- Prerequisites: Must book directly through Hawaiian Airlines and must pay with your Hawaiian Airlines card.
- Eligible flights: This is only for travel between North America and Hawaii and between Neighbor Islands (interisland). International flights are excluded. Offer is not valid on codeshare flight segments operated by Hawaiian Airlines and marketed by other airline partners.
- Other restrictions: N/A
- Official info: Click here and scroll down to the section titled “Baggage Fee Waiver”
Hawaiian Credit Card Offers
All current Hawaiian Airlines credit card offers are shown below. Please note that the business card does not provide free checked bags.
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
50k Miles ⓘ Non-Affiliate 50k miles after spending $4,000 within the first 90 days$99 Annual Fee Recent better offer: Expired 9/11/22: 80K + $99 statement credit after $2K spend in first 90 days Earning rate: 3X Hawaiian Airlines ✦ 2x gas, dining, and office supply stores ✦ 1x everywhere else Card Info: Mastercard World Elite issued by Barclays. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn up to 40,000 annual bonus miles — 20k miles with $50-$99k annual spend or 40k miles with $100k or more annual spend; Noteworthy perks: One-time 50% off a companion discount on roundtrip coach travel between Hawaii and North America on Hawaiian Airlines |
70K Miles ⓘ Non-Affiliate 70K miles after one purchase within first 90 days. Use code 000150 for this offer$99 Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. Earning rate: 3X Hawaiian Airlines ✦ 2x gas, dining, and grocery stores ✦ 1x everywhere else Card Info: Mastercard World Elite issued by Barclays. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Noteworthy perks: Two free checked bags when flight is booked through Hawaiian Airlines ✦ One time 50% off companion ticket ✦ $100 off a companion ticket for roundtrip coach travel between Hawaii and North America on Hawaiian Airlines at each account anniversary |
JetBlue
Summary Info
- Eligible credit cards: JetBlue Plus Card and JetBlue Business Card.
- Prerequisites: The terms state that all ticket purchases (original and exchanges) must be made with the JetBlue account and the cardmember’s TrueBlue member number must be entered at the time of booking. Additionally, the account must be open 7 days prior to air travel AND, reservation must include the primary cardmember’s TrueBlue member number 7 days prior to air travel. However, readers have reported that the previous sentence is not true in practice. In their experience, the bag waiver becomes available immediately upon approval of the card and you do not have to pay for your flight with the card.
- Eligible flights: All JetBlue operated flights. Not available for travel on codeshare flights booked with a JetBlue flight number but operated by another airline.
- Other restrictions: Perk only applies to “Blue” fares (since other fares include free checked bags)
- Official info: Click here and scroll down to the section titled “Free First Checked Bag”
JetBlue Credit Card Offers
All current JetBlue credit card offers are shown below. Please note that the JetBlue Card, which has no annual fee, does not provide free checked bags.
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
80K Miles ⓘ Non-Affiliate 80K miles after $1K in spend in 90 days and payment of annual fee. $99 Annual Fee Note that the landing page prompts you to enter a mobile phone number to continue the application, but you can click "no thanks" to continue the application on your desktop device. FM Mini Review: Frequent JetBlue travelers should seriously consider this card for its terrific perks. The combination of the 10% rebate on awards and the annual 5,000 point bonus make this card a keeper. Earning rate: 2X restaurants and grocery ✦ 6X JetBlue ✦ 1X everywhere else Card Info: Mastercard World Elite issued by Barclays. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn 1 tile for every $1,000 in purchases. Noteworthy perks: ✦ Free checked bag ✦ 5000 bonus points every anniversary ✦ 10% point rebate on awards ✦ $100 statement credit w/ purchase of travel package ✦ 50% savings on in-flight purchases |
Up to 60K Miles ⓘ Non-Affiliate Up to 60K miles: 50K bonus miles after spending $4K in first 90 days + additional 10K miles after a purchase is made on an employee card in the first 90 days$99 Annual Fee FM Mini Review: This card is almost identical to the JetBlue Plus card except that this one offers Group A boarding and earns 2X at office supply stores rather than grocery stores. Both cards are great choices for JetBlue flyers. Earning rate: ✦ 2X restaurants and office supply stores ✦ 6X JetBlue ✦ 1X everywhere else Card Info: Mastercard issued by Barclays. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn 1 tile for every $1,000 in purchases. Noteworthy perks: ✦ Free checked bag ✦ Group A boarding ✦ 5000 bonus points every anniversary ✦ 10% point rebate on awards ✦ $100 statement credit w/ purchase of travel package ✦ 50% savings on in-flight purchases |
10K miles ⓘ Non-Affiliate 10K points after $1K spend in 90 days. No Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: Not bad for a fee-free airline card. Earning rate: ✦ 2X restaurants and grocery ✦ 3X JetBlue ✦ 1X everywhere else✦ Card Info: Mastercard World issued by Barclays. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn 1 tile for every $1,000 in purchases. Noteworthy perks: 50% savings on eligible inflight purchases including cocktails, food and movies. |
United Airlines
Summary Info
- Credit cards eligible for 1 checked bag: United Explorer Card, United Business Card, United Explorer Business Card (no longer available).
- Credit cards eligible for 2 checked bags: United Quest Card, United Club Infinite Card, United Club Business Card, United Club Card (no longer available new), Presidential Plus Card (no longer available new), and Presidential Plus Business Card (no longer available new).
- Prerequisites:
- The primary cardmember must include their MileagePlus number in the reservation and purchase the tickets with their United MileagePlus Chase Card.
- The requirement of purchasing tickets with your card does not apply to new cardmembers traveling on flights within the first 90 days of the account open date. In other words, new cardmembers get the free checked bag benefit for 90 days even for flights that were not paid for with their United card.
- Some readers have reported success getting free checked bags even without paying for the flight with their United credit card by haggling at the check-in counter, but others have reported the opposite.
- The Primary Cardmember may use miles to book award travel on United-operated flights, as long as they pay for their award ticket taxes and service charges with their qualifying Card (or are within 90 days of opening a new United card) and include their MileagePlus account number in their reservation.
- The primary cardmember must include their MileagePlus number in the reservation and purchase the tickets with their United MileagePlus Chase Card.
- Eligible flights: United- and United Express-operated flights
- Other restrictions: Unpublished fares, such as those purchased on priceline.com and Hotwire, are not eligible.
- See also: How to get free checked bags on United flights booked with partner miles.
- Official info: Free checked bags for United Cardmembers
United Credit Card Offers
All current United credit card offers are shown below. Please note that the United Gateway Card, which has no annual fee, does not provide free checked bags.
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
75K Miles ⓘ Affiliate 75K miles after $5K spend in first 3 months.$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99 After clicking through, be sure to click the link at the top that says, "Are you a small business owner?" to see the business card offers that include this card. You are not eligible for the bonus if you have received the bonus on this card within the past 24 months. Please note that the United EXPLORER Business card (no longer available) is a different product and does not affect your ability to get the bonus on this card. FM Mini Review: Decent perks such as enhanced access to United saver level economy awards makes this a keeper for some. Earning rate: 2X at restaurants including eligible delivery services , gas stations, and office supply stores ✦ 2X United ✦ 2X on local transit and commuting, including taxicabs, mass transit, tolls, and ride share services Card Info: Visa Signature issued by Chase. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: $100 annual United travel credit after 7 United flight purchases greater than $100 ✦ Earn up to 1,000 PQPs per year: 25 PQPs per $500 spend Noteworthy perks: ✦ Improved economy saver award availability ✦ Unlocks complimentary elite upgrades on award tickets ✦ Free first checked bag ✦ Priority boarding ✦ No foreign exchange fees ✦ 2 United Club passes per year at anniversary ✦ Free DashPass for one year (must activate by 12/31/27) ✦ Primary auto rental collision damage waiver ✦ 5,000 bonus miles at anniversary when you have this card and also a personal Chase United credit card. ✦ 25% back as a statement credit on United in-flight and Club Premium drink purchases |
Limited Time Offer: 90K Miles ⓘ Affiliate 90k miles after $5k spend in first 3 months (Offer Expires 1/29/2025)$525 Annual Fee This card is available to you if you do not have any United Club card and have not received a new Cardmember bonus for any United Club card in the past 24 months. Recent better offer: Expired 1/27/23: 100K after $5K spend FM Mini Review: While pricey, the Chase United Club Infinite Card is a great choice for those who want a United club membership and other perks like a 10% discount on saver awards. . Earning rate: ✦ 4X United ✦ 2X dining & travel Card Info: Visa Signature issued by Chase. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn up to 10,000 PQPs per calendar year: 25 PQPs per $500 spend Noteworthy perks: ✦ United Club membership ✦ Unlocks complimentary elite upgrades on award tickets, including companions on the same reservation ✦ 10% discount on saver level economy awards within the continental US and Canada ✦ Up to $100 for Global Entry, TSA Precheck or Nexus fee credit ✦ Priority check-in, security screening, baggage handling, and boarding ✦ Free 1st and 2nd checked bags ✦ Hertz President's Circle Elite Status ✦ Primary auto rental collision damage waiver |
50K Miles + 1,000 PQP ⓘ Non-Affiliate 50K miles + 1,000 Premier Qualifying Points after $5K spend in first 3 months.$450 Annual Fee This card is subject to Chase's 5/24 rule (click here for details). Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: While pricey, the Chase United MileagePlus® Club Business Card is a great choice for those who want a United club membership Earning rate: ✦ 2X United ✦ 1.5X everywhere else Card Info: Visa Signature issued by Chase. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn up to 1,000 PQPs per calendar year: 25 PQPs per $500 spend Noteworthy perks: United Club membership ✦ Unlocks complimentary elite upgrades on award tickets ✦ Priority check-in, security screening, baggage handling, and boarding ✦ Get one year of complimentary Dash Pass (Must activate by 12/31/27) ✦ Free 1st and 2nd checked bags ✦ Primary auto rental collision damage waiver ✦ Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® President's Circle® |
Limited Time Offer: 60k miles ⓘ Affiliate 60K miles after $3K spend in 3 months (Offer Expires 1/29/2025)$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 This card is subject to Chase's 5/24 rule (click here for details). Recent better offer: Expired 8/11/22: 70K after $3K spend FM Mini Review: Decent perks such as enhanced access to United saver level economy awards makes this a keeper for some. Earning rate: 2X United ✦ 2X restaurants ✦ 2X on hotel stays Card Info: Visa Signature issued by Chase. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn up to 1,000 PQPs per calendar year: 25 PQPs per $500 spend Noteworthy perks: ✦ Improved economy saver award availability ✦ Free first checked bag for primary cardholder and one travel companion when you pay with the card ✦ Unlocks complimentary elite upgrades on award tickets ✦ Priority boarding ✦ No foreign exchange fees ✦ 2 United Club passes per year on you anniversary ✦ One year of complimentary Dash Pass (Must activate by 12/31/27) ✦ Primary auto rental collision damage waiver ✦ Up to $100 Global Entry,TSA Pre-check or Nexus credit ✦ 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Explorer Card |
Limited Time Offer: 70K Miles + 500 PQPs ⓘ Affiliate 70K miles and 500 PQPs after $4K spend in the first 3 months (Offer Expires 1/29/2025)$250 Annual Fee This card is subject to Chase's 5/24 rule (click here for details). Earning rate: 3X United ✦ 2X restaurants including eligible delivery services ✦ 2X on all other travel ✦ 2X select streaming Card Info: Visa Signature issued by Chase. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn up to 6,000 PQPs per calendar year: 25 PQPs per $500 spend Noteworthy perks: Up to $125 in statement credits for United purchases each cardmember year - terms apply ✦ Two 5K award flight rebates per cardmember year ✦ First and second checked bag free for cardholder and one companion when you purchase your tickets with the card and include your Mileage Plus number ✦ Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus reimbursement ✦ 25% back on United inflight or Club Premium drink purchases |
Limited Time Offer: 30K Miles ⓘ Affiliate 30K miles after $1K spend in first 3 months (Offer Expires 1/29/2025)No Annual Fee This card is subject to Chase's 5/24 rule (click here for details). Recent better offer: Expired 8/11/22: 30K after $1K spend Earning rate: 2X United ✦ 2X gas stations ✦ 2X local transit and commuting Card Info: Visa Signature issued by Chase. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Noteworthy perks: Improved economy saver award availability (only when downgraded from a card with an annual fee) ✦ No foreign exchange fees ✦ 25% back on United in-flight and Club Premium drink purchases |
Want to learn more about miles and points? Subscribe to email updates or check out our podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
For AA, if you fly Basic Economy transpacific, regardless of what card(s) you hold, you’ll pay $75 for a bag. Can’t pick your seats either, and you’ll board last. Plus, if you cancel, you get nothing. In my case, Main Cabin was only $40 more after considering one checked bag and seat selection. Plus, it was refundable (via flight credit) and you boarded with group 5. It was an easy choice: pay that extra $40. I think the ultra-low Basic Econ fares are just a lure.
If I have a United Explorer credit card, it gives me a free checked bag as long as I at least pay for taxes and fees with the credit card. What if I book a United flight through my Amex account because of the Biz Plat 35% rebate. Can I still get the free checked bag? I did add my United frequent flyer # to the Amex reservation.
I don’t know for sure but I wouldn’t count on that working.
For the “unpublished fares” of United, this also includes group tickets. When my ski club uses UA, card holders do not get a free checked bag though they do when flying AA.
Do you know if any cards give similar benefits to European airlines? I’m an American living in Portugal, using mostly the EU airlines.. Thanks!
Not that I’m aware of
JetBlue flights have worked for me several times with free baggage with paying via CSR not the JetBlue card.
That’s great
Had an intresting one on Alaska this past weekend.
We flew from Fiji to HNL on Fiji (easy day flight) .
Used our annual AS CP to book NS flight HNL-PDX.
Online check-in the AS app was showing fee for two checked bags (new fee not the old fee to boot).
Called CS – said to choose no bags/pay at airport and they can manually overide bag fee at check-in (we also had two boxes of Pineapples (no baggage fee -like wine from certain west coast cities on AS).
At check-in the counter rep said that you dont get free bags with CP – but they would take care of it.
Agent said That it was in the T&C of the CC. Couldn’t find anything remotely close to this online. (I know Delta CP you have to live In Hawai’i/PR to fly to/from)
Great page. Suggest you improve it by adding details for free bags for additional people on a reservation (I didn’t review everything but these are missing in the United section). Note that at the moment, United Explorer and Business cards both provide one free checked bag for the primary card holder plus one on the same reservation. “The primary Cardmember and one traveling companion on the same reservation are each eligible to receive their first standard checked bag free.”
[…] In case you were wondering about free bags with plastic: Free Checked Bags via Credit Card Complete Guide. […]
Thank you for clearly showing the aa policy on checked bags with the cc. Was quite a surprise a few years back checking a bag to Aruba and being told that a fee was required. I questioned the rep about having the cc. Told me only on domestic flights-we get this alot.
so if i want to book a united flight with aeroplan points, is there any way i can get a free checked bag based on my Chase United card?
No.
Is there a tax or fee you pay as part of the booking? If so, and you pay that with your Chase, wouldn’t that qualify you?
Rule #1: NEVER check bags
I know a lot of frequent travelers live by that mantra, but it’s not realistic in my household. My wife would never travel carry on only by herself, never mind with all the stuff we also need for the kids. When I travel by myself, I rarely ever check a back. When I travel with my wife / family, we’ve never not checked a bag.
In almost 20 years of traveling together, the airline has only once ever lost a bag on us (and it was a drawstring bag we checked with sunscreen in it, I wasn’t exactly surprised it didn’t make it home lol). Actually, they also misplaced a gate-checked stroller on us, but I’m not counting that since even if you’re team carry on only, you may have to gate check something and as that proves, your carry on stuff can still get lost.
So anyway, my point is that we don’t all live by that mantra.
We have flown on 32 flights so far in 2024 (most were outside the US) we have spent 42 days traveling Asia/Ocenia.
We started out with four checked bags at ±68 pounds. We each had a backpack and roll-on.
We slimmed down to 23Kg (51#) in New Zealand (we flew our daughter in for 8 days and sent her home with a very heavy roll-on that she checked).
That said we srill overpacked for the trip – but it worked out because one of the places we booked that had W/D (guest house) in Legazpi the washer died the day before we arrived (they used the W/D to wash linens/towels for the rooms).
Last year our checked bags were delayed in the Philippines we were flying from Boracay to Laoag with a 3hr layover in MNL on PAL. This has been our only issue with checked bags that I can recall.
We do use Samsung Smarttag2 to track our bags (they handshake with android phones – more people use these than apple in developing nations) We also have Airtags in outluggage but we they are connected to our youngest daughters Apple.
But most of our trips are less than a week and we tend to stick to carry-on.
Alaska website says airfare must be purchased with credit card for free checked bag.
That baby would fit in that bag. Not suggesting you do it.
That was my son. Pretty sure we also got a pic of him in it 🙂
For Alaska card holders — Are Saver (basic economy) fares eligible for the free checked bag? I still won’t get a carry-on in cabin, right? I only get a small personal item in cabin?
It was for me to Hawaii. Both people on the reservation got luggage.
AA is the most variable on CC free bags. We have been charged for bags when another family member paid for our tickets. They have the Citi AA Platinum CC and so do we. They charged our tickets on their card. This has happened twice. Agents at check-in, stated the computer said no free bags. I even wrote AA and they agreed that we should not have been charged. They said they would refund and we received not a cent back.
We now avoid AA like the plague