To offset rising fuel surcharges, U.S. airways have not too long ago raised checked bag fees. So now, for a round-trip flight, you possibly can count on to pay about $100 additional per individual for every checked bag.
As somebody who would not have elite standing from staying loyal to a particular airline and likes to guide primary financial system for the least costly flight itineraries, I can say from expertise that paying nearly $100 in bag charges — if no more — can actually dampen a traveler’s cost-saving plans.
Whereas I do know you is perhaps considering, “Simply do not examine a bag,” it is not a possible resolution for each getaway. Plus, as a factors and miles fanatic, I am additionally now weighing the truth that some airways have positioned restrictions on incomes rewards on primary financial system flights.
Mainly, I need to have my cake and eat it too — with out paying a ton of additional money.
That is why I’ve invested in a number of cobranded playing cards, and when you plan to journey not less than twice a 12 months — particularly with one or two particular airways that function out of your hometown airport — it might make sense for you, too.
Listed here are the lowest-annual-fee airline cards that embrace a checked bag that could be value contemplating.
Associated: Higher fares are here: What it means for booking spring, summer flights
Save on American Airways checked bag charges
American bag charges for traditional fares:
- $50 on your first checked bag ($45 if pay as you go on-line)
- $60 on your second checked bag ($55 if pay as you go on-line)
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American bag charges for primary financial system:
- $55 on your first checked bag ($50 if pay as you go on-line)
- $65 on your second checked bag ($60 if pay as you go on-line)
Advice: Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
- Annual price: $0 introductory annual price for the primary 12 months, then $99 thereafter
- Checked bag perk with card: First checked bag free for you and as much as 4 journey companions; solely on home flights
- Fundamental financial system fare incomes fee: Earn 0 AAdvantage miles
- Fundamental financial system fare incomes fee with the AAdvantage Platinum Choose: 2 miles per $1 spent on eligible American flights
- Predominant cabin fare incomes fee for non-elite members: 5 miles per $1 spent on American flights
Closing ideas: In case you fly round-trip not less than as soon as per 12 months, you’ll pay $100 per individual to examine your bag if you guide a primary financial system fare ($100 if pay as you go on-line). This card has an annual price of $99 (beginning in your second cardholder 12 months), which is lower than the price of checking your bag. Plus, you possibly can get pleasure from further journey perks, comparable to incomes 2 miles per $1 spent on American flights in primary financial system, Most well-liked boarding and extra.
To study extra, take a look at our review of the AAdvantage Platinum Select card.
The knowledge for the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Choose has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Save on United Airways checked bag charges
United bag charges:
- $50 on your first checked bag ($45 if pay as you go on-line)
- $60 on your second checked bag ($55 if pay as you go on-line)
Advice: United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees):
- Annual price: $0 introductory annual price for the primary 12 months, then $150 thereafter
- Checked bag perk with card: Main cardmember plus one companion can every examine a bag totally free
- Fundamental financial system fare incomes fee: Earn 0 United MileagePlus miles
- Fundamental financial system fare incomes fee with the United Explorer card: 3 miles per $1 spent on United flights
- Customary fare mileage incomes for non-elite members: 3 miles per $1 spent
Closing ideas: In case you plan to fly with United not less than two instances per 12 months (round-trip) and examine a bag, which might price $200 or $180 when you prepay on-line, the United Explorer Card might be an excellent match for you. Plus, as a cardholder, you may earn the identical variety of miles (3 miles per $1 spent on United flights) when reserving primary financial system with this card as vacationers who’re reserving commonplace fares with no MileagePlus standing. Moreover, you possibly can get pleasure from different journey perks, comparable to two United Membership lounge passes per 12 months.
To study extra, take a look at our review of the United Explorer Card.
Save on Delta Air Traces checked bag charges
Delta bag charges:
- $45 on your first checked bag
- $55 on your second checked bag
Advice: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
- Annual price: $0 introductory annual price for the primary 12 months, then $150 thereafter (see rates and fees)
- Checked bag perk with card: First checked bag free on Delta flights for you and as much as eight journey companions (should be on the identical cardmember’s reservation)
- Fundamental financial system fare incomes fee: 0 Delta SkyMiles
- Fundamental financial system fare incomes fee with the Delta SkyMiles Gold card: 2 miles per $1 spent on Delta flights
- Customary fare (Predominant Basic) mileage incomes for non-elite members: 5 miles per $1 spent on Delta flights
Closing ideas: In case you fly round-trip not less than two instances a 12 months with Delta, this card will offset the $180 checked bag charges. Plus, you may earn 2 miles per $1 spent on primary financial system Delta flights versus incomes 0 Delta SkyMiles when reserving this fare. Cardholders additionally obtain different perks, comparable to 15% off award flights and as much as $100 in assertion credit score each calendar 12 months for Delta Stays (the airline’s resort journey portal; you could use your card to guide).
To study extra, take a look at our review of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex Card.
Save on Southwest Airways checked bag charges
Southwest Bag charges:
- $45 on your first checked bag
- $55 on your second checked bag
Advice: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card (see rates and fees)
- Annual price: $99
- Checked bag perk with card: First checked bag free on Southwest flights for you and as much as eight journey companions (should be on the identical cardmember’s reservation)
- Fundamental fare incomes fee: 2 Speedy Rewards factors per $1 spent on Southwest flights
- Fundamental fare incomes fee with the Southwest Speedy Rewards Plus Card: 4 factors per $1 spent on Southwest flights
Closing ideas: Southwest’s former “two checked luggage fly free” coverage is lengthy gone. So, when you plan to take not less than two round-trip flights per 12 months with the airline, investing within the $99 annual price card could also be value it. Except for the free checked bag profit (for as much as eight journey companions), cardholders additionally get to pick out their seat as much as 48 hours previous to departure. With deciding on a seat now costing additional, a new-ish coverage (and a sizzling subject for the airline), Southwest flyers might discover worth with this card.
To study extra, take a look at our overview of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card.
Save on Alaska Airways checked bag charges
Alaska bag charges:
- $45 on your first checked bag
- $55 on your second checked bag
Advice: Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card
- Annual price: $95
- Checked bag perk with card: First free checked bag for cardholder and as much as six journey companions (should be on the identical cardmember’s reservation)
- Fundamental fare (Saver) incomes fee: 30% of miles flown (variety of Atmos Rewards factors you may earn)
- Fundamental fare incomes fee with the Atmos Rewards Ascent bank card: 3 factors per $1 spent on Alaska and Hawaiian flights
- Customary fare (Predominant cabin) mileage incomes for non-elite members: 1 level per 1 mile flown (distanced-based)*
*Coming later in 2026, Atmos Rewards will be changing the best way members earn factors.
Closing ideas: In case you plan to examine a bag with Alaska or Hawaiian Airways not less than twice a 12 months, this card can pay for itself. Except for the free checked bag, cardholders will earn 3 Atmos Rewards factors per $1 spent on Alaska and Hawaiian Airways flights and might get pleasure from journey perks comparable to most well-liked boarding and 20% again on eligible inflight purchases.
To study extra, take a look at our overview of the Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature credit card.
Backside line
Not even making an allowance for all the playing cards’ further journey advantages and their welcome bonus offers, these low-annual-fee cobranded playing cards can prevent cash when you plan to fly with a provider and examine a bag not less than a couple of times a 12 months. And, when you’re at all times touring with a companion, cobranded airline playing cards can prevent vital cash when you and your companion each plan to examine luggage.
Even when gasoline surcharges do ultimately go down, do not count on airways to decrease their checked bag costs. This, sadly, has grow to be the brand new journey norm.
As an everyday traveler, I personally have Southwest, American Airways, Delta and Atmos bank cards (United is just not a significant operator at my hometown airport). Although I do not use every of those playing cards repeatedly, they keep tucked away in my pockets, primarily for when I’ve to guide a flight and need to make the most of the cardboard perks, like a free checked bag for my associate and me.
To study extra about how you can save on further charges, take a look at our full record of credit cards that offer a free bag as a perk.
For charges and costs of the Delta Gold Amex, click on here.
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