Which U.S. airline has the most customer-friendly bag policies? For years, it’s been an easy question to answer: Southwest Airlines, with two free bags for every traveler on every fare.
But that’s set to change May 28, when the Dallas-based carrier begins charging most customers for checked baggage, all but ending a customer-friendly policy that stood as one of Southwest’s most defining attributes — along with its open-seating policy that will also end in the coming months.
Beyond Frontier Airlines’ not-yet-permanent push to woo disillusioned Southwest flyers with free bags, there’s no longer a clear-cut, go-to airline for flyers who prefer to err on the side of packing heavy.
Put another way: Figuring out which airline is best if you don’t want to pay bag fees just got a lot more complicated.
Here are some things to consider as you make your decision.
Bag fees at the largest US airlines
Ever since U.S. airlines began instituting fees for travelers’ first checked bags in the late 2000s, there’s been remarkable uniformity among carriers. That’s especially true today, after a slew of airlines hiked fees over a matter of weeks last year.
Generally speaking, your first checked bag on the largest U.S. airlines will cost you around $35 — though you may need to pay for it in advance to avoid paying an even higher price.
Prices go up for second and third bags.
Another common thread: At each of these carriers, flyers with elite status and travelers who carry one of the airline’s credit cards can check at least one bag for free.
Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
Here are the baggage policies at five of the largest U.S. airlines — and the cheapest credit card at each that can help you skirt the bag fees.
The information for the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select, AAdvantage Aviator Red and JetBlue Plus cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
It’s not clear where Southwest’s policies will fit in. While the carrier said it will start charging customers for baggage starting May 28, it did not elaborate on pricing — or on any potential changes to its carry-on baggage policies.
Southwest did say its credit card holders will get one free bag, but didn’t share whether its suite of cards will see a shift in annual fees; the company recently reached an amended card deal with Chase, its issuer.
Stay tuned.
‘Wanna Get Away,’ no more: Southwest Airlines to ditch hallmark fare, revamp benefits as part of shake-up
What about budget airlines?
Baggage policies are far less tidy at the budget carriers.
Some — like Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines and Breeze Airways — offer a menu of fare bundles that include (or don’t include) bags and other services, with varied prices based on what you select.
If you’re traveling on a cheap, slimmed-down “basic” fare, several of the ultra-low-cost carriers use dynamic pricing for their bag fees — meaning, what you’ll pay depends on the flight.
Most budget carriers’ cobranded credit cards don’t offer a free checked bag, but a key exception is the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® ($99 annual fee), which does offer cardholders two free checked bags on eligible flights.
The information for the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
So, which airline is best for avoiding bag fees?
It depends.
Setting aside Frontier’s current free-bag promotion, all U.S. carriers now charge for checked bags, save for “special circumstances” like carrying a credit card, earning elite status or purchasing a higher-caliber fare that includes free bags.
Here’s how we’d recommend thinking about your decision based on your go-to strategy for evading these pesky fees:
Going carry-on only
One tried-and-true way to avoid paying checked-bag fees is to go carry-on only. Just remember: You’ll have to comply with the Transportation Security Administration’s 3-1-1 policy for liquids. And a handful of airlines won’t let you bring a full-size carry-on bag on board if you’re flying on their cheapest, most basic fare.
Also, be sure to check your airline’s specific size restrictions for carry-on bags.
Which airline to fly: Four airlines will allow full-size carry-ons for basic economy flyers: American, Delta, Alaska and JetBlue.
You may face other restrictions, though (think seat selection and limits on how many miles you’ll earn).
Tread carefully: United is the only large network carrier to ban overhead bin access for its basic economy passengers. Budget carriers do the same for their slimmed-down fares.
Credit cards and elite status
One of the best ways to avoid paying a checked-bag fee is to open an airline credit card that includes a free checked bag (often for you and a certain number of traveling companions flying with you). Generally, cards that offer such a perk carry annual fees starting at just under $100.
While that may sound steep, the card could pay for itself in two trips if you’re checking bags — or one trip if you have a companion flying on the same reservation.
Today, many airline credit cards can also give you a lift toward elite status — which itself often brings free bag(s) as an entry-level perk.
Which airline, and card, is best? Your best bet may ultimately be the airline with the biggest presence in your home city — or the one you’ll fly the most.
Case in point: I fly out of Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), where American has a sizable presence. I’ve carried the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard, which includes a free checked bag on domestic American Airlines flights. The card also helped boost me to AAdvantage Platinum status, which now affords me two free bags on every flight.
Tread carefully: Here at TPG, we generally recommend also carrying a travel credit card that earns points you can transfer to a wider range of airline and hotel partners, so your proverbial eggs (points) aren’t all in the basket (loyalty program) of one airline.
Fortunately, some of these cards can also help in your quest to offset pesky baggage fees. The Platinum Card® from American Express ($695 annual fee; see rates and fees) includes up to $200 in annual statement credits for airline incidental fees, like baggage fees. Enrollment is required.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® ($550 annual fee) features a highly flexible $300 credit annually for travel expenses.
Read more: The best credit card welcome bonuses right now
Don’t forget: Higher fares help, too
Purchasing a higher-fare ticket that includes a bag can also help you avoid bag fees, since first-class, business-class and premium economy tickets typically include baggage.
The same is true, on some airlines, for certain higher-caliber coach fares.
Plus, some airlines offer free checked bags on long-haul main cabin fares, so if you’re planning a transatlantic flight to Europe this summer, you may be in luck even if you don’t have elite status. Check with your airline before booking to see what’s included on intercontinental flights.
For rates and fees of the Amex Delta Gold card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here.
Related reading:
ADVERTISEMENT:
Hello, sobat pengemar slot! Pernah mendengar istilah “slot demo”? Kalau tidak, siap-siap jatuh hati sama program ini. slot gaco merupakan mesin slot yang sering kasih win. Ya, mesin-mesin ini bisa disebut adalah andalannya buat membawa pulang cuan. tapi, cemana sih caranya nemuin raja lot yang benar? Santai Bro and Sis, kita beri santai saja di tempat ini
Game terpercaya waktu sekarang satu-satunya di Indonesia hanya di akan menyediakan return terbaik
Daftarkanlah dengan di :
Informasi mengenai KING SLOT, Segera Daftar Bersama king selot terbaik dan terpercaya no satu di Indonesia. Boleh mendaftar melalui sini king slot serta memberikan hasil kembali yang paling tinggi saat sekarang ini hanyalah KING SLOT atau Raja slot paling gacor, gilak dan gaco saat sekarang di Indonesia melalui program return tinggi di kingselot serta pg king slot
slot demo gacor
slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kdwapp.com
akun demo slot gacor
akun demo slot gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kdwapp.com
akun slot demo gacor
akun slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kdwapp.com
akun demo slot pragmatic
akun demo slot pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kdwapp.com
akun slot demo pragmatic
akun slot demo pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kdwapp.com
akun slot demo
akun slot demo permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kdwapp.com
akun demo slot
akun demo slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kdwapp.com
slot demo gacor
slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jebswagstore.com
akun demo slot gacor
akun demo slot gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jebswagstore.com
akun slot demo gacor
akun slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jebswagstore.com
akun demo slot pragmatic
akun demo slot pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jebswagstore.com
akun slot demo pragmatic
akun slot demo pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jebswagstore.com
akun slot demo
akun slot demo permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jebswagstore.com
akun demo slot
akun demo slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jebswagstore.com
slot demo gacor
slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama demoslotgacor.pro
akun demo slot gacor
akun demo slot gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama demoslotgacor.pro
akun slot demo gacor
akun slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama demoslotgacor.pro
akun demo slot pragmatic
akun demo slot pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama demoslotgacor.pro
akun slot demo pragmatic
akun slot demo pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama demoslotgacor.pro
akun slot demo
akun slot demo permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama demoslotgacor.pro
akun demo slot
akun demo slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama demoslotgacor.pro
slot demo gacor
slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
akun demo slot gacor
akun demo slot gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
akun slot demo gacor
akun slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
akun demo slot pragmatic
akun demo slot pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
akun slot demo pragmatic
akun slot demo pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
akun slot demo
akun slot demo permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
akun demo slot
akun demo slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
situs slot terbaru
situs slot terbaru permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
slot terbaru
slot terbaru permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
elangwin88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama elangwin88.me
eyangslot88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama eyangslot88.biz
fendi88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama fendi88.asia
gaco888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gaco888.net
gacoan888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gacoan888.biz
gacor666 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gacor666.biz
gambar88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gambar88.org
gameboy777 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gameboy777.com
ganas88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama ganas88.me
gasing77 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gasing77.asia
gasing88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gasing88.info
geber888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama geber888.net
gemoy77 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gemoy77.live
gercep888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gercep888.asia
giga333 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama giga333.live
happybet88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama happybet88.asia
harum88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama harum88.live
heroslot888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama heroslot888.info
jejuslot88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jejuslot88.co
kenzo88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kenzo88.me
kerangwin88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kerangwin88.com
kijangwin88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kijangwin88.asia
kingdomtoto4d permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kingdomtoto4d.asia
kingdomtoto77 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kingdomtoto77.asia
king selot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kingselot.com
king slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kingslot.bio
king slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kingslot.com
kingselot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kingselot.com
kuta88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kuta88.asia
ladangtoto88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama ladangtoto88.asia
ligaciputra88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama ligaciputra88.asia
mabar888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama mabar888.info
mamen88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama mamen88.info
mami88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama mami88.live
maniaslot88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama maniaslot88.pro
mantra888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama mantra888.asia
mawartoto4d permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama mawartoto4d.pro
maxwin888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama maxwin888.pro
mega88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama mega88.org
mekar999 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama mekar999.asia
milan96 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama milan96.asia
olxtoto77 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama olxtoto77.asia
olxtoto88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama olxtoto88.life
panen4d permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama panen4d.asia
pisang88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama pisang88.org
planet7777 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama planet7777.com
prediksi777 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama prediksi777.live
prediksi88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama prediksi88.asia
preman88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama preman88.asia
preman96 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama preman96.asia
premium88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama premium88.asia
prima88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama prima88.live
kingselot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kingselot.com
rajaslotjp88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama rajaslotjp88.com
roma88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama roma88.asia
salju888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama salju888.asia
semutwin88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama semutwin88.info
king slot.com permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kingselot.com
sultan777 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama sultan777.asia
sultan888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama sultan888.asia
sultan99 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama sultan99.asia
super333 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama super333.live
suster12 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama suster12.com
tokekwin88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama tokekwin88.info
tokyo777 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama tokyo777.info
tumi88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama tumi88.live
vioslot88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama vioslot88.asia
dora777 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama dora777.asia
dp88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama dp88.biz
fila888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama fila888.org
gaco888slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gaco888slot.com
gadunslot88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gadunslot88.asia
gagah88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gagah88.info
gaskan888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gaskan888.biz
gatotkaca88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gatotkaca88.info
gemoy888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gemoy888.biz
gemoy888slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gemoy888slot.info
gocap888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gocap888.net
god777 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama god777.biz
hari888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama hari888.biz
hermes88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama hermes88.biz
holywin999 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama holywin999.com
indojaya88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama indojaya88.org
indomaster88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama indomaster88.asia
jablay88slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jablay88slot.net
janjigacor88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama janjigacor88.net
jeniustoto88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jeniustoto88.com
jeniustoto88slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jeniustoto88slot.com
juara88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama juara88.info
juara88slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama juara88slot.org
jwtogel88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jwtogel88.net
kasih88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kasih88.info
kawantogel88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kawantogel88.com
kawantogel88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kawantogel88.net
kedai88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kedai88.asia
king9999 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama king9999.org
kkslot88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kkslot88.info
kongsi888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kongsi888.com
kutu88slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kutu88slot.com
liga899 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama liga899.org
lisboa777slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama lisboa777slot.com
