If you’ve flown recently, you know the drill: Buy your ticket, pick your seat, and then get hit with a surprise $35 fee just to check a bag. Do that round-trip for two people, and suddenly you’ve spent $140 just to bring along clothing.
But here’s the good news: Some premium travel credit cards can make that cost disappear. A handful of cards offer free checked bags as part of their perks.
If you travel even once or twice a year, these cards can save you serious money. Below are three of the best credit cards that offer free checked bags in 2025 — and a few other high-end travel perks worth considering.
1. The Platinum Card® from American Express
This card doesn’t offer free checked bags directly — but it does come with a $200 annual airline fee credit, which can be used for baggage fees on one airline of your choice. Just pick your preferred airline, and the statement credits will apply automatically to eligible charges. Terms apply.
Other premium perks:
- Access to more than 1,400 airport lounges worldwide
- Up to $189 credit for CLEAR® Plus
- 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year
- Terms apply; enrollment may be required
Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Don’t pay to bring your clothes on your next trip. Check out our list of the best credit cards that offer free checked bags.
2. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card (see rates and fees) doesn’t offer free bags through airline partnerships — but it gives you something even more flexible: a $300 annual travel credit. That credit can be applied to virtually any travel expense, including baggage fees on any airline.
Other top-tier perks include:
- Priority Pass™ Select airport lounge access
- 3x-10x total points on travel and dining
- 50% more value when redeeming points through Chase Travel℠
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. (Worth up to $900 in travel when booked through Chase.)
3. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
Southwest stands out for its passenger-friendly policies, and this card helps you make the most of them. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (see rates and fees) gives you access to the airline’s biggest perk: two free checked bags for every flyer, every time you fly.
Note: Southwest’s policy changes slightly beginning May 28, and going forward will include one free checked bag for cardmembers and up to eight additional passengers on the same reservation.
Other perks include:
- $75 annual Southwest travel credit
- 7,500 anniversary points each year
- 25% back on in-flight purchases
Welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
How much can you really save?
Let’s say you take two round-trip flights per year and usually check a bag. At $35 each way, that’s $140 per year. Travel with a companion? Double it.
That means one of these travel credit cards could help you save $280 or more every year — just on luggage. Add in additional perks like travel credits, airport lounge access, and discounts on in-flight purchases, and these cards can more than pay for themselves for most travelers.
