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Flying with just a carry-on bag is convenient, but many times, you need to pack a lot more than that. And these days, all major airlines charge for checked bags. Even Southwest Airlines has ditched its free bag policy.
But there are still ways that you can get around paying those annoying checked bag fees. The easiest workaround: Apply for an airline credit card that comes with free checked bag benefits. Sometimes, these perks will apply to everyone in your reservation.
» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now
Alaska Airlines
Bag fees on Alaska Airlines are $35 for your first checked bag and $45 for your second. If you want to add any more, count on paying another $150 per bag. Overweight (51-100 pounds) or oversized (63-115 inches) luggage gets a $100-150 per bag surcharge.
You can get free checked bag benefits with these cards.
Annual fee
- $95
- $395
- $70 for the company and $25 per card
Still not sure?
Atmos elite status members and active duty military members also get checked bags comped.
Other waivers include traveling with certain oversized sporting equipment, cases of wine when traveling from certain destinations (Atmos members only) and a box of pineapples when departing Hawaii for the continental U.S.
» Learn more: Should I get an airline credit card?
American Airlines
Unless you have elite status with American or the Oneworld alliance, expect to pay $35 for your first checked bag and $45 for the second. Overweight (51-100 lbs) and oversized (62-115 inches) bags tack on even more fees: between $30 and $450 depending on size, weight and destination. These cards also offer free checked bag perks.
American Airlines cards
Custom Title
- $99, waived for the first 12 months
- $350
- $595
Still not sure?
Delta Air Lines
Travelers with Medallion elite status and premium cabin tickets receive complimentary checked bags. Everyone else pays $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second one. The following three credit cards (as well as their corresponding business credit cards) offer a first free checked bag on Delta flights for you and up to eight passengers traveling on the same reservation. Terms apply.
Delta cards
Annual fee
- $0 intro for the first year, then $150
- $350
- $650
Still not sure?
Frontier Airlines
Frontier often charges extra fees for both checked and carry-on bags, but there are ways around it. These include buying certain fare bundles, being an active duty military member or having Frontier elite status. Otherwise, you could be faced with all kinds of fees that vary based on the flight, fare type and destination.
In fact, Frontier has a lower threshold for overweight bags (starting at 41 pounds adding on a $75 fee) and goes up to $100 for bags weighing between 51 and 100 pounds. Oversized bags measuring between 63 and 110 inches have a $75 fee.
The airline has a fee calculator on its website that helps to summarize the charges for your ticket, and there are discounts for buying bag fees online. Frontier can raise the bag fees as departure time nears.
Another way to get around bag fees on Frontier is by signing up for its credit card:
- The primary cardholder receives two free checked bags when using this card to pay for a flight.
- The annual fee for this card is $99.
JetBlue Airways
Depending on the fare class you buy or your elite status with JetBlue, you might not have to pay for a checked bag. Active duty military members are also not charged for a bag. Everyone else will pay $35-40 each way for your first bag and $50-60 for the second, depending on whether the airline classifies your flight as either off-peak or peak.
Third and fourth bags will triple or quadruple the cost at between $125-160 per bag. If your bag is too heavy (between 51-99 pounds) or oversized (63-80 inches), expect to pay $150. Luckily, you get out of some of these fees with a JetBlue credit card. Cardholders get the first checked bag free; up to three companions on the same ticket do too as long as they pay for the trip with this card.
JetBlue cards
Annual fee
- $99
- $499
- $99
Still not sure?
Southwest Airlines
In a controversial move, Southwest has ditched its “bags fly free” offering and now charges for checked bags on its flights. Travelers now have to pay $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second. If you bring an oversized (63-80 inches) or overweight (51-100 pounds) bag, expect to pay between $100-200 more.
Special waivers are in place to avoid basic bag fees for active duty military members, elite status flyers and those who purchase certain fare classes. And if you have a Southwest co-branded credit card, you don’t have to pay the fee, either.
Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card members can check their first bag free for themselves as well as up to eight companions traveling in the same reservation.
Southwest cards
Annual fee
$229.
$99.
Learn more
United Airlines
United’s online baggage calculator can be a helpful tool when determining how much you will pay in fees based on what you’re traveling with and where. But for domestic travel, fees are higher than competitors at $40 each way for your first bag (discounted to $35 if you prepay online) and $50 for a second bag ($45 if prepaid online).
Overweight (51-100 lbs) and oversized (63-115 inches) bags carry surcharges as high as $200 per bag, but there are carveouts for premium cabin travelers, United elite status members and Star Alliance elite members. Depending on your elite tier, you can check between one and three additional bags, and United’s elite and premium cabin travelers can check a bag up to 70 lbs (compared to 50 lbs for most other travelers). Active duty military members and their dependents enjoy free checked bags on their travels with United. And United co-branded credit cards offer baggage perks and waivers, too.
United cards
Annual fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $150.
$350.
$695.
Still not sure?
To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, see this page.
To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, see this page.
To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, see this page.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:
- Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
- Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card®
- Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Explore more on
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