Free Checked Bags on Airlines? Yeah, Not a Thing Anymore.

Southwest Airlines used to have a “two bags fly free” policy — but in 2025, the airline ditched it and started charging for checked bags.

Now, there are no U.S. airlines that offer free checked bags to all passengers on domestic or short-haul international itineraries. Instead, there are special carve-outs for certain premium cabins or travelers with elite status. And if you're traveling on a long-haul international itinerary, you generally get one or two checked bags for free.

Even carry-on luggage can come with an extra cost these days when booking a basic economy ticket. Still, U.S. airline travelers on most fares can bring a personal item onboard — like a bag or backpack — as long as it fits in the approved baggage sizers.

» Learn more: The main airline fees that are hard to avoid

Which airlines offer free carry-on bags?

Carry-on bags are usually free, but not always.

Often, basic economy fares don't include overhead baggage space. So that suitcase you always fly with may have to be checked when traveling on some airlines.

These airlines allow free carry-on bags, even in basic economy:

• Alaska Airlines: All travelers can travel with one carry-on bag in the cabin plus one personal item that goes under their seat for free.

• Hawaiian Airlines: All travelers can travel with one carry-on bag in the cabin plus one personal item that goes under the seat at no extra cost. Carry-on bags have a weight limit that should not exceed 25 pounds.

• Delta Air Lines: All passengers can bring one carry-on bag plus one personal item without paying extra fees. Personal items can be a purse, small backpack, briefcase, laptop bag or a bag of similar size.

• American Airlines: All passengers can bring one carry-on bag plus one personal item at no extra charge. Personal items have a particular size limit not to exceed 8 x 14 x 18 inches.

• JetBlue Airlines: All passengers can bring one carry-on bag plus one personal item at no extra cost. Personal items cannot be larger than 17 x 13 x 8 inches.

These airlines allow free carry-on bags, but with restrictions:

• United Airlines: All passengers except those booking a basic economy fare can bring one free carry-on bag on board and one personal item at no extra cost. Personal items must not exceed 17 x 10 x 9 inches; for basic economy, these items must fit underneath the seat in front of you or a $65 fee at the gate will be imposed. Basic economy passengers can, however, bring a carry-on bag when traveling “to South America, across the Atlantic or to international destinations across the Pacific.”

• Frontier Airlines. This budget airline only permits a personal item without charge. Other passengers have to purchase a carry-on bag to take into the cabin. Some of the carrier’s bundled fares include both a free carry-on bag and a free checked bag.

How to save on bags with the right credit card

One of the cheapest ways to save on checked bag fees is through the right credit card. There’s no need to buy a premium cabin ticket if what’s in your wallet can support your checked bag fees. Most major airline credit cards can get these fees waived for you and other people traveling with you on the same reservation. These are some of the most popular:

Airline elite status can also get you free bags

Buying a premium cabin ticket will often do the trick, but if you are loyal enough to the same airline or affiliated airline alliance, you can also check bags for free. These carriers have free baggage perks for elite status members, although it may vary based on elite status tier:

• Alaska: MVP, MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K and MVP Gold 100K Mileage Plan members are eligible to check either two or three bags, based on their status level. 

• Delta: Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond Medallion members get waived baggage fees on the first bag up to eight companions traveling on the same reservation.

• American: Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum AAdvantage members can check as many as three bags for free depending on membership level with American. And elite status members with a partner airline or from the Oneworld alliance have similar privileges.

• JetBlue: Mosaic TrueBlue members can check two bags on their flight for free.

• United: Premier Silver, Premier Gold, Premier Platinum and Premier 1K Mileage Plus members have excellent bag benefits (even if in basic economy) because they can check as many as three bags without charge depending upon their membership level. Star Alliance Gold members also enjoy extra baggage allowance when traveling on United.