The Fees
Here’s a summary of baggage fees on the rest of the airlines:
First checked bag | Second checked bag | Carry-on bag | |
---|---|---|---|
Southwest | Free | Free | Free |
Alaska | $25 | $25 | Free |
Virgin America | $25 | $25 | Free |
American | $25 | $35 | Free |
United | $25 | $35 | Free |
Delta | $25 | $35 | Free |
JetBlue | $25 | $35 | Free |
Hawaiian | $25 | $35 | Free |
Sun Country | $25 | $35 | Free |
Spirit | $20 to $50 | $30 to $60 | $25 to $55 |
Frontier | $20 to $40 | $30 to $45 | $25 to $50 |
Allegiant | $15 to $75 | $15 to $75 | $10 to $75 |
How to Avoid Bag Fees
Co-Branded Airline Credit Cards
Delta:
Card | Checked Bags | Annual Fee | Sign-Up Bonus | Notable Perks |
---|---|---|---|---|
Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card | Free for cardholder and 8 companions | $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95. | 60,000 miles | $50 statement credit after first Delta purchase |
Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card | Free for cardholder and 8 companions | Annual Membership Fee of $195. | 70,000 miles and 5,000 elite qualifying miles | Annual economy companion certificate; 10,000-mile bonus annually |
Delta Reserve Credit Card | Free for cardholder and 8 companions | Annual Fee $450. | 10,000 miles and 10,000 elite qualifying miles | Free lounge access; annual first class companion certificate; 15,000-mile bonus annually |
American:
Card | Checked Bags | Annual Fee | Sign-Up Bonus | Notable Perks |
---|---|---|---|---|
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ MasterCard® | Free for cardholder and 4 companions | Annual Fee: $95 (Fee waived for the first 12 months). | 60,000 miles | |
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ MasterCard® | Free for cardholder and 8 companions | Annual Fee $450. | 50,000 miles | Free lounge access; earn elite qualifying miles |
United:
Card | Checked Bags | Annual Fee | Sign-Up Bonus | Notable Perks |
---|---|---|---|---|
United MileagePlus® Explorer Card | Free for cardholder and 1 companion | $95 Annual Fee. | 50,000 miles | 2 free lounge passes annually |
United MileagePlus® Club Card | 2 free bags for cardholder and 1 companion | $450 Annual Fee. | $100 statement credit | Free lounge access; Platinum status with Hyatt |
Many of the other airlines also offer cards that include a free checked bag. The following cards include that perk:
Card | Checked Bags | Annual Fee | Sign-Up Bonus | Notable Perks |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card | Free for cardholder and 6 companions | $75 for Visa Signature® accounts, or $50 for Platinum Plus® Visa® accounts | 30,000 miles | $121 annual companion fare |
Virgin America Visa Signature | Free for cardholder and 1 companion | $49 | 10,000 points | $150 discount on a companion ticket annually |
Virgin American Premium Visa Signature | Free for cardholder and 1 companion | $149 | 15,000 points | $150 discount on a companion ticket annually; no change or cancellation fees; 15,000 elite status points |
JetBlue Plus Card | Free for cardholder and 3 companions | $99 | 30,000 points | 5,000-point anniversary bonus |
Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite MasterCard® | Free for cardholder | Annual fee is $89/year. | 35,000 miles | $100 discount on a companion ticket annually; 5,000-mile anniversary bonus |
Sun Country Visa Signature | Free for anyone on cardholder’s reservation | $69, first year waived | 30,000 points | 10,000-point anniversary bonus |
The ultra-budget carriers also offer co-branded cards, but none of them include a free bag. Here they are:
Card | Checked Bags | Annual Fee | Sign-Up Bonus | Notable Perks |
---|---|---|---|---|
Spirit World MasterCard | None | $59, first year waived | 15,000 miles | |
No-Fee Frontier Airlines World MasterCard | None | $0 | 10,000 miles | Award redemption fee waived |
Frontier Airlines World MasterCard | None | $69 | 40,000 miles | Award redemption fee waived; $100 in-flight purchase voucher |
Allegiant World MasterCard | None | $59 | 15,000 points | Only way to join frequent flyer program; free companion airfare with vacation packages |
Travel Rewards Cards
These cards offer statement credits for airline charges, which includes bag fees:
Card | Max Annual Baggage Fee Reimbursement | Annual Fee | Sign-Up Bonus |
---|---|---|---|
Chase Sapphire Reserve℠ | $300 | Annual Fee $450. | 50,000 points |
Citi Prestige® Card | $250 | Annual Fee $450. | 40,000 points |
Premier Rewards Gold Card from American Express | $100 | $0 Intro Annual Fee for the first year of Card Membership, then $195. | 25,000 points |
Platinum Card® from American Express | $200 | Annual Fee of $550. | 60,000 points |
Elite Status
Spirit Airlines does not offer free bags with status, but you can get a discount on bag fees and flights if you join the $9 Fare Club. That costs $69.95 a year.
Allegiant does not have an elite status program.
Book the Right Fares
With the exception of Southwest, you’ll have to pay for your bags whenever you book the cheapest fare. Some airlines, though, will include a checked bag if you book the right fare class. American, Delta, United, Alaska, Hawaiian and Sun Country allow at least one free checked bag if you book a business or first class ticket.
Virgin America gives you a free bag if you book anything above the basic Main Cabin fare. That includes Main Cabin Refundable, Main Cabin Select or First Class.
This article is super helpful. Thanks so much. I just bookmarked it
Im glad it was helpful
That’s a cute family photo. Where is it taken?
Thanks, we were in Bali
How the heck do you not check any bags? It feels like half my luggage is shoes
We learned that when we were forced with a certain size, we had to make it fit. It taught us to prioritize what was important and what wasn’t.