JetBlue Airways was the primary airline to increase checked baggage charges in response to rising gas costs. Now, almost all the largest U.S.-based carriers have adopted go well with.
Carriers have raised the price of a first checked bag by as much as $10 every means. With most airways, you will pay not less than $90 to examine a bag in your subsequent round-trip home flight.
As unhealthy as that is, it is an oblique increase to co-branded airline bank cards, the perfect of which provide a free checked bag for the first cardholder and their companions (usually three to eight journey companions, to be particular).
Under, CNBC Choose particulars every main U.S. airline’s checked bag value enhance and probably the most reasonably priced playing cards to contemplate if you wish to get rid of these charges.
Airways which have raised checked bag charges
JetBlue Airways
JetBlue has elevated baggage charges by $4–$9 per bag. The precise value of a checked bag varies by route, journey dates, the fare class of your ticket and your elite standing degree. You need to use the JetBlue bag calculator to see your baggage charges.
The price to your first checked bag every means inside the U.S., Latin America, Caribbean and Canada is:
- $39 ($4 enhance) to your first checked bag added 24+ hours from departure
- $59 to your second checked bag added 24+ hours from departure
Peak pricing has additionally elevated by $9. JetBlue prices $10 extra every means per checked bag on peak journey dates for these flights and $10 extra per bag every means when you pay to your checked bag inside 24 hours of departure.
Find out how to get free checked luggage with JetBlue
Blue Plus (first checked bag is included) and Mint (first and second checked luggage are included) fares embrace complimentary checked luggage. JetBlue TrueBlue Mosaic 1 elite standing members obtain one free checked bag, and better ranges (Mosaic 2–4) obtain two free checked luggage. Energetic-duty navy members obtain two free checked luggage for themselves and dependents.
The most cost effective card that has a checked-bag profit for JetBlue is the JetBlue Plus Card. For a $99 annual price, you will get a free checked bag on JetBlue flights for your self and as much as three companions.
JetBlue Plus Card
Details about the JetBlue Plus Card has been collected independently by CNBC Choose and has not been reviewed or supplied by the issuer previous to publication.
Rewards
6X factors on eligible JetBlue purchases; 2X factors at eating places and eligible grocery shops; 1X factors on all different purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 70,000 bonus factors after you spend $1,000 on the cardboard and pay the annual price within the first 90 days.
Annual price
Intro APR
0% APR on eligible steadiness transfers that publish to account inside 45 days of account opening, for the primary 12 billing cycles; 19.49% to 29.49% variable thereafter relying on creditworthiness
Common APR
19.49% to 29.49% variable
Steadiness switch price
Both $5 or 5%, whichever is larger.
International transaction charges
Credit score wanted
Execs
- 5,000 bonus factors in your account anniversary
- 10% rebate on JetBlue award flight redemptions
- First checked bag free for you and as much as three companions
- 50% off in-flight purchases
Cons
- $99 annual price
- Restricted bonus spending classes
United Airways
For tickets bought on or after April 3, 2026, your first or second checked bag will value $10 extra ($50 extra for a 3rd checked bag). You need to use United’s baggage price calculator to see the precise price you will pay for a selected route, fare class and elite standing degree.
For flights inside the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Latin America, you will pay:
- $45 for a primary bag paid 24+ hours earlier than departure ($10 enhance)
- $55 for a second bag paid 24+ hours earlier than departure ($10 enhance)
- $200 for a 3rd bag paid 24+ hours earlier than departure ($50 enhance)
When you pay to your checked luggage inside 24 hours of departure, the primary and second luggage will incur an extra $5 cost every (the value for a 3rd bag stays the identical).
Find out how to get free checked luggage with United
United MileagePlus Premier members obtain one to a few free checked luggage, relying on their elite standing degree. Checked luggage are additionally included with costlier premium economic system, enterprise class and top notch fares.
When you’re an active-duty member of the U.S. navy, you will obtain three free checked luggage for private journey and 5 free checked luggage when touring on navy orders. Dependents obtain two free checked luggage when touring on orders.
The United℠ Explorer Card (see charges and costs) is probably the most reasonably priced United bank card to open if you need free checked luggage. It has a $0 intro annual price for the primary 12 months (then $150), and the first cardholder and a companion get their first checked luggage free on United flights (if you pay for the flight along with your Explorer Card).
The United℠ Explorer Card is value it even when you solely fly with United Airways a couple of times a 12 months as a result of you’ll be able to benefit from two United Membership℠ passes per 12 months when the first cardmember or approved consumer is touring and you may obtain free checked luggage.
- No annual price for the primary 12 months
- Unlocks upgrades for elite members on award flights
- Two free United Membership airport lounge passes yearly
- Priceless United Airways perks, equivalent to in-flight buy reductions and the power to earn elite standing credit score by way of bank card spending
- First checked bag free profit requires you to pay for the flight with the cardboard
- United Airways has a dynamic award chart which might restrict the worth and adaptability of your miles
Highlights
Highlights proven listed below are supplied by the issuer and haven’t been reviewed by CNBC Choose’s editorial employees.
- Earn as much as 80,000 bonus miles
- $0 introductory annual price for the primary 12 months, then $150
- NEW! 9x complete miles on eligible United flights and 3x miles on all different eligible United® purchases
- 2x miles on eating and resort stays when booked with the resort. 1x mile on all different purchases.
- Free first checked bag – a financial savings of as much as $160 per roundtrip. Phrases Apply. Plus, precedence boarding on United® flights.
- 2 United Membership one-time passes per 12 months – over a $100 worth
- Over $500 in companion credit every year
- NEW! Save not less than 10% when reserving flights with miles. Premier members earn much more.
- Member FDIC
Delta Air Traces
For tickets bought after April 8, 2026, checked luggage value $10 to $50 extra. For home flights, you will pay:
- $45 every means per bag to your first checked bag ($10 enhance)
- $55 every means per bag to your second checked bag ($10 enhance)
- $200 every means per bag to your third checked bag ($50 enhance)
Find out how to get free checked luggage with Delta
Delta SkyMiles Medallion® members obtain one to a few free checked luggage, relying on their standing degree. Checked luggage are included for no extra value when you ebook a premium fare, equivalent to Premium Choose or Delta First. Energetic-duty members of the navy obtain free checked luggage.
With the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Specific Card, you and as much as eight folks touring on the identical reservation get your first checked bag free. It has a $0 intro annual price for the primary 12 months, then $150 (see charges and costs). That makes it the most cost effective Delta card for getting free checked luggage on Delta flights.
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Specific Card has the right combination of advantages when you sometimes fly with Delta, equivalent to free checked luggage, precedence boarding and reductions.
- Earn as much as $300 in journey credit score yearly
- First checked bag free for you and as much as eight companions on eligible flights
- Reductions on eligible in-flight purchases and on Delta award flights (Not relevant to partner-operated flights or to taxes and costs).
- Annual price after the primary 12 months
- Delta flight credit score profit has a excessive spending requirement to earn
Highlights
Highlights proven listed below are supplied by the issuer and haven’t been reviewed by CNBC Choose’s editorial employees.
- You might be eligible for as excessive as 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases in your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome presents differ and also you is probably not eligible for a suggestion. Apply to know when you’re permitted and discover out your actual welcome provide quantity – all with no credit score rating influence. When you’re permitted and select to just accept the Card, your rating could also be impacted.
- Get pleasure from a $0 introductory annual price for the primary 12 months, then $150.
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Specific Card Members get 15% off when utilizing miles to ebook Award Journey on Delta flights by way of delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Low cost not relevant to partner-operated flights or to taxes and costs.
- $200 Delta Flight Credit score: After you spend $10,000 in purchases in your Card in a calendar 12 months, you’ll be able to obtain a $200 Delta Flight Credit score to make use of towards future journey.
- If you use your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Specific Card, you’ll be able to earn: 2X miles on Delta Purchases, 2X miles at eating places, 2X miles at U.S. supermarkets, 1X miles on all different eligible purchases. Each mile you earn brings you nearer to the locations you wish to go. Flip them into your subsequent journey, use them for seat upgrades, and extra.
- Get pleasure from your first checked bag free on Delta flights and save as much as $70 per individual on a round-trip Delta flight.
- Obtain Zone 5 Precedence Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
- $100 Delta Stays Credit score: Rise up to $100 again per 12 months as an announcement credit score after utilizing your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Specific Card to ebook pay as you go inns or trip leases by way of Delta Stays on delta.com.
- Need much more flexibility? Take as much as $50 off the price of your flight for each 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles if you ebook on delta.com.
- Obtain a 20% financial savings within the type of an announcement credit score on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after utilizing your Card.
- No International Transaction Charges. Get pleasure from worldwide journey with out extra charges on purchases made overseas.
- With Ship & Break up®, you’ll be able to ship cash and break up your Card purchases with every other Venmo or PayPal consumer, instantly from the Amex App. Enroll at the moment.
- Phrases Apply.
- See Charges & Charges.
Southwest Airways
Previous to 2025, Southwest was the one main airline to supply free checked luggage for everybody. Now it has elevated charges by $10 (for first and second checked luggage) to match its opponents.
For U.S. mainland flights, all tickets bought after April 9, 2026, have checked bag charges as follows:
- $45 first checked bag
- $55 second checked bag
- $150 third checked bag
Find out how to get free checked luggage with Southwest
Dearer Selection Further Fares embrace two complimentary checked luggage. Southwest Speedy Rewards® A-Checklist members obtain one free checked bag, and Speedy Rewards® A-Checklist Most popular members obtain two free checked luggage. Energetic-duty navy members additionally obtain free checked luggage and do not pay extra charges for obese or outsized baggage.
Checked bag charges are additionally rising for interisland Hawaii flights booked after April 9, 2026, and are doubling in sure instances. You’ll be able to assessment the precise up to date prices right here.
The Southwest Speedy Rewards® Plus Credit score Card (see charges and costs) comes with a free first checked bag on Southwest flights for the cardholder and as much as eight folks on the identical reservation. It has a $99 annual price, so if you need a card that will get you free checked luggage on Southwest, that is the bottom value choice.
The Southwest Speedy Rewards® Plus Credit score Card is an reasonably priced card that is smart for the occasional Southwest traveler.
- Priceless welcome bonus
- 3,000 bonus factors each card member anniversary
- Not particularly rewarding for frequent bills equivalent to groceries or eating
Highlights
Highlights proven listed below are supplied by the issuer and haven’t been reviewed by CNBC Choose’s editorial employees.
- Earn 50,000 bonus factors after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
- 3,000 anniversary factors every year.
- Earn 2 factors per $1 spent on Southwest Airways® purchases
- Earn 2 factors for each $1 you spend at fuel stations and grocery shops on the primary $5,000 in mixed purchases per anniversary 12 months
- Cardmembers and as much as 8 extra passengers in the identical reservation can examine their first bag at no extra value.
- Choose a Commonplace seat inside 48 hours previous to departure, when out there.
- Earn 1 level for each $1 spent on all different purchases.
- No overseas transaction charges.
- Member FDIC
Steadiness switch price
Both $5 or 5% of the quantity of every switch, whichever is larger
American Airways
As of April 9, 2026, American Airways can be elevating sure checked bag charges by $10 to $50. For many flights inside or between the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean, you will pay the next for checked luggage bought on-line:
- $45 every means per bag to your first checked bag ($10 enhance)
- $55 every means per bag to your second checked bag ($10 enhance)
- $200 every means per bag to your third checked bag ($50 enhance)
Your first and second checked luggage value $5 extra if you don’t prepay on-line.
Whereas the value enhance aligns with its opponents, American goes a step additional by introducing extra restrictions on Primary Economic system tickets bought on or after Could 18, 2026. Primary Economic system ticket holders can pay $5 additional every means per bag. Moreover, AAdvantage elite standing members will lose their seat choice and improve privileges on Primary Economic system fares.
Find out how to get free checked luggage with American Airways
AAdvantage elite standing members obtain one to a few free checked luggage relying on their standing degree. When you pay for a costlier ticket, equivalent to a premium economic system, enterprise class or top notch ticket, checked luggage are included at no additional value. Energetic-duty navy members obtain as much as three free checked luggage for private journey and as much as 5 free checked luggage when touring on orders.
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Choose® World Elite Mastercard® has a $0 intro annual price for the primary 12 months (then $99). It grants cardholders and as much as 4 companions touring on the identical reservation a primary checked bag without spending a dime on American Airways flights. Whereas different American Airways bank cards provide an identical perk, that is the most cost effective American Airways playing cards without spending a dime checked luggage.
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Choose® World Elite Mastercard® is value contemplating when you fly with American Airways a couple of times a 12 months since you’ll get your first checked bag free on home American Airways itineraries.
- First checked bag free on eligible American Airways flights for the cardholder and as much as 4 journey companions on the identical reservation
- No overseas transaction charges
- Most popular boarding
- American Airways Flight Low cost has a excessive spending requirement
- Has an annual price
Alaska Airways and Hawaiian Airways
For flights booked on or after April 10, 2026, you will pay $5 extra to your first checked bag, $10 extra to your second and $50 extra for a 3rd. Beforehand, you’d pay $5 much less if you pay as you go to your checked baggage, so that is successfully a $10–$15 enhance for a lot of vacationers.
Worldwide flights embrace one or two free checked luggage, however for flights inside North America, you will pay:
- $45 for a primary checked bag
- $55 for a second checked bag
The checked bag charges for flights between Hawaiian islands stay the identical at $30 for the primary bag and $40 for the second.
Find out how to get free checked luggage with Alaska and Hawaiian Airways
Checked luggage are free for Atmos standing members, members of the U.S. navy and anybody who books a enterprise or first-class fare.
The Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® Card presents a free checked bag on Alaska Airways and Hawaiian Airways flights for the cardholder and as much as six folks on the identical reservation. It has a $95 annual price.
- Annual companion fare
- Lounge membership low cost
- Earns beneficial miles
- Annual price
- Restricted bonus spending classes
Details about the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® Card playing cards has been collected independently by CNBC Choose and has not been reviewed or supplied by the issuer previous to publication.
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For charges and costs for the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Specific Card, click on right here.
Editorial Observe: Opinions, analyses, critiques or suggestions expressed on this article are these of the Choose editorial employees’s alone, and haven’t been reviewed, permitted or in any other case endorsed by any third celebration.