Airline Bag Fees Are Up. Skip Them With These Cards.

Airline baggage fees are climbing quickly. So far in 2026, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Frontier Airlines and JetBlue Airways have raised their bag fees due to rising operational costs.

Generally, active duty military members and travelers with airline elite status get at least one complimentary checked bag. Premium cabin tickets often include free checked bags, too, though this can vary by airline and fare type. But for most people, carrying the right credit card is the easiest way to skip those fees when you travel with more stuff than fits in a carry-on.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines

First checked bag: $45 (or $30 for flights within Hawaii).

Second checked bag: $55 (or $40 for flights within Hawaii).

Overweight bag: $100 for bags between 51 and 70 lbs, $200 for 71 to 100 lbs.

Oversized bag: $200.

The easiest way to avoid those bag fees is with one of these Atmos Rewards credit cards.

» Learn more: Should I get an airline credit card?

American Airlines

First checked bag fee: $45 if you pay online; $50 at the airport.

Second checked bag fee: $55 if you pay online; $60 at the airport.

Overweight bag fee: Between $30 and $450, depending on the bag's weight and final destination.

Oversized bag fee: Between $30 and $200, depending on the bag's size and final destination.

Unless you have elite status with American Airlines or the OneWorld Alliance, holding one of these cards is the easiest way to get a free checked bag.

Delta Air Lines

First checked bag fee: $45.

Second checked bag fee: $55.

Overweight bag fee: $100 for bags between 51 and 70 lbs, $200 for 71 to <100 lbs.

Oversized bag fee: $200.

If you don't have Delta Medallion status, grab one of these cards to get a free checked bag (or two).

Frontier Airlines

First checked bag fee: $69 during booking, or $79.

Second checked bag fee: $79 during booking, or $89.

Overweight bag fee: $75 for 41 to 50 lbs, $129 for 51 to 100 lbs.

Oversized bag fee: $75.

Frontier has a lower threshold for overweight bags (starting at 41 pounds) than any other major airline.

The easiest way to avoid that fee is through the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard®, which gives the primary cardholder two free checked bags when using the card to pay for a flight.

JetBlue Airways

First checked bag fee: $49 if paid more than 24 hours before departure, or $59 within 24 hours of departure.

Second checked bag fee: $69 if paid more than 24 hours before departure, or $79 within 24 hours of departure.

Overweight bag fee: $150 for bags between 51 and 99 lbs.

Oversized bag fee: $150.

Passengers on JetBlue can avoid bag fees with these credit cards.

Southwest Airlines

First checked bag fee: $45.

Second checked bag fee: $55.

Overweight bag fee: $100 for bags between 51 and 70 lbs, $200 for 71 to 100 lbs.

Oversized bag fee: $200.

Gone are the days of free checked bags on Southwest. Now, one of these credit cards is your best bet for avoiding those extra checked bag fees.

United Airlines

First checked bag fee: $45 if prepaid, $50 at the airport.

Second checked bag fee: $55 if prepaid, $60 at the airport.

Overweight bag fee: $100 for bags between 51 and 70 lbs, $200 for 71 to 100 lbs.

Oversized bag fee: $200.

United Airlines offers three consumer credit cards that can help take the sting out of checked bag fees.