Let’s be sincere—baggage charges are the worst!
You’ve already paid on your flight, and now you need to cough up one other $35 or extra simply to carry your suitcase alongside? We might as soon as depend on airways like Southwest having our backs right here, however even that’s altering!
Whether you’re flying with a serious airline like Delta or United or a price range service like Spirit, there are methods to dodge these charges.
In this information, we’ll break it down by airline, conserving it easy and simple to observe.
1. Delta Air Lines: Multiple Ways to Check a Bag for Free
Delta gives a number of methods to keep away from baggage charges:
Credit Cards: If you may have a Delta SkyMiles American Express Card (Gold, Platinum, or Reserve), you get one free checked bag. This additionally applies to as much as eight folks touring with you on the identical reservation.
Elite Status: Frequent flyers with Medallion standing (Silver, Gold, Platinum, or Diamond) can test baggage without spending a dime. The larger your standing, the extra free baggage you get.
Fare Class: If you’re flying in Delta Comfort+ or Main Cabin (home), you get one free checked bag. Premium cabins like Delta One or First Class embrace free baggage with a better weight allowance.
Military: Active-duty army personnel additionally get free checked baggage.
Certain Routes: Flights to Panama City and San Salvador from the U.S. and Canada embrace a free checked bag—until you’re in Basic Economy.
✅ Best Tip: If you fly Delta usually, their SkyMiles bank card is a no brainer without spending a dime checked baggage.
2. American Airlines: Elite Members and Credit Cards Win
American Airlines provides you many choices to test baggage without spending a dime:
Credit Cards: If you may have an American Airlines AAdvantage bank card, you get your first checked bag free on home flights.
Elite Status: AAdvantage elite members get free baggage primarily based on their tier:
Gold → 1 free bag
Platinum → 2 free baggage
Platinum Pro & Executive Platinum → 3 free baggage
Fare Class: Premium Economy, Business, and First Class fares embrace free checked baggage.
Military: Active-duty army personnel and their dependents stand up to five free baggage when touring on orders and three free baggage for private journey.
Oneworld Status: Emerald members get 3 free baggage, Sapphire will get 2, and Ruby will get 1.
✅ Best Tip: If you fly American commonly, getting an AAdvantage bank card will prevent on baggage charges each time.
3. Southwest Airlines: The Former Free-Bag King
Southwest Airlines was well-known for its “bags fly free” coverage, however beginning May 28, 2025, they’re introducing baggage charges for many prospects.
However, some vacationers will nonetheless get free baggage:
Business Select Fares: Still embrace two free checked baggage.
Rapid Rewards Elite: A-List Preferred members get two free baggage, whereas A-List members get one free bag.
Credit Card Holders: If you may have a Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card, you’ll get one free checked bag.
✅ Best Tip: If you’re a loyal Southwest flyer, the Rapid Rewards bank card will allow you to maintain onto that free-bag perk.
4. United Airlines: Loyalty Pays Off
United additionally gives a number of methods to keep away from baggage charges:
Credit Cards: United gives a number of bank cards (just like the United℠ Explorer Card) that offer you and a companion one free checked bag.
Elite Status: United MileagePlus members with Premier Silver, Gold, Platinum, or Premier 1K standing get free baggage. The larger your standing, the extra free baggage you get.
International Flights: On many worldwide routes, the primary checked bag is free (corresponding to flights over the Pacific, excluding China and Tahiti).
Military: Active-duty army personnel and dependents touring on orders get free checked baggage.
✅ Best Tip: The United Explorer Card is value it if you happen to incessantly test baggage—it covers you and one journey companion.
5. Alaska Airlines: Loyalty and Credit Cards Are Key
Alaska Airlines gives a number of methods to test baggage without spending a dime:
Credit Cards: Alaska Airlines Visa cardholders get their first checked bag free—plus as much as six journey companions on the identical reservation.
Elite Status: Mileage Plan elite members get between one and three free checked baggage, relying on their tier.
First Class: If you’re flying First Class, your checked baggage are free.
Military: Active-duty army members additionally get free baggage.
✅ Best Tip: If you journey to Alaska or the West Coast usually, the Alaska Visa card gives nice baggage perks.
6. JetBlue Airways: Pick the Right Fare or Card
JetBlue gives just a few easy methods to keep away from baggage charges:
Fare Class: If you purchase a Blue Plus or Mint fare, you’ll get free checked baggage (1 for Blue Plus, 2 for Mint).
Loyalty Program: Mosaic members get free checked baggage.
Credit Cards: If you maintain the JetBlue Plus or JetBlue Premier Card, you get one free checked bag.
✅ Best Tip: If you’re a frequent JetBlue flyer, getting their co-branded bank card simply pays for itself with free baggage.
7. Hawaiian Airlines: Free Bags for Premium and Loyalty Flyers
Flying to Hawaii? You may have the ability to test your bag without spending a dime with Hawaiian Airlines:
Credit Card: The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard gives two free checked baggage on flights booked immediately with the airline.
Elite Status: Pualani Gold and Platinum members get 2-3 free checked baggage.
Fare Class: First Class consists of free checked baggage.
Military: Active-duty army and their dependents get two free baggage for private journey and 5 free baggage when touring on orders.
✅ Best Tip: If you fly to Hawaii incessantly, the Hawaiian Airlines Mastercard gives stable baggage perks.
8. Budget Carriers: Not So Free
Spirit, Frontier, Allegiant, and Sun Country are ultra-low-cost carriers (ULCCs), which implies you’ll not often discover free baggage perks. However, there are just a few exceptions:
Spirit Airlines: Free Spirit Gold members get one free checked bag.
Other Budget Airlines: You’ll should pay for each bag, together with carry-ons, until you may have elite standing or particular gives.
✅ Best Tip: Always pay on your baggage prematurely with price range carriers—it’s cheaper than paying on the airport.
Final Tips to Avoid Baggage Fees
Use a journey bank card
Fly mild: Stick to carry-ons to keep away from baggage charges altogether.
Sign up for airline loyalty packages: Even low-tier standing can generally earn you free checked baggage.
Check routes and promotions: Some airways provide free baggage on particular worldwide routes or throughout particular promotions.
Bottom Line
You don’t should pay for checked baggage if you happen to’re strategic.
Airline bank cards, elite standing, and even sure routes or fare courses can assist you dodge these pesky charges.
Whether you’re a frequent flyer or simply need to save a couple of dollars, realizing the methods of the commerce could make your journey expertise an entire lot cheaper.
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This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
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