Does Southwest still let bags fly free?

No. Southwest ended its "Bags Fly Free" policy and now charges $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second, similar to other major airlines. Rapid Rewards credit card holders and higher-tier frequent flyers still get free bags.

What's the cheapest way to check a bag?

Prepay online at least 24 hours before your flight. American and United offer discounts of about $5 per bag for online prepayment. The most expensive option is paying at the gate, which some budget airlines charge a premium for.

Do airline credit cards really save money on baggage?

Yes. Most airline credit cards include a free first checked bag for you and companions on your booking. If you fly three or more round-trips a year, the baggage fee savings typically exceed the card's annual fee.

Do budget airlines charge for carry-on bags?

Spirit and Frontier only include a small personal item (under-seat bag) for free. A full-size overhead bin carry-on costs extra, typically $35-$65 depending on when you purchase it. Buying during initial booking is cheapest; paying at the gate is most expensive.

Are there any hidden ways to get free checked bags?

Yes. International tickets often include a free checked bag even in economy. Car seats and strollers always fly free when traveling with a child. Some codeshare bookings apply the more generous baggage policy. And active-duty military members get multiple free checked bags on most airlines.

How to Avoid Baggage Fees

The Baggage Fee Landscape Right Now

Checked bag fees have climbed steadily, and there's no sign of them coming back down. Here's what major US airlines currently charge:

American Airlines - $35 first bag, $45 second bag (each way)
Delta Air Lines - $35 first bag, $45 second bag
United Airlines - $35 first bag, $45 second bag
JetBlue - $35 first bag (free on Blue Extra and above)
Alaska Airlines - $35 first bag, $45 second bag
Southwest Airlines - $35 first bag, $45 second bag
Spirit Airlines - $31-$65+ depending on when you buy
Frontier Airlines - $39-$64+ depending on when you buy

That's up to $70+ for a single checked bag round-trip. For a family of four, you're looking at nearly $300 in baggage fees alone. It adds up fast.

The biggest recent change: Southwest ended its legendary "Bags Fly Free" policy. After 54 years of free checked bags, Southwest now charges fees similar to every other major carrier. That era is over.

Get an Airline Credit Card

This is the single most effective way to avoid baggage fees if you fly the same airline regularly. Most airline-branded credit cards include a free first checked bag for you and companions on your reservation.

Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex - Free first checked bag for you and up to 8 companions
United Explorer Card - Free first checked bag for you and a companion
American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp - Free first checked bag (no annual fee)
Alaska Airlines Visa - Free first checked bag for you and up to 6 companions
Southwest Rapid Rewards cards - Free first checked bag for cardholders

The math works out quickly. If you fly three or more round-trips a year, the baggage fee savings alone cover the card's annual fee. The Delta Gold card costs $150/year but saves you $70 per round-trip. Three trips and you're ahead $60.

Important: you typically need to use the credit card to purchase the ticket to get the free bag benefit. Just having the card isn't always enough.

Pack Carry-On Only

The most reliable way to avoid baggage fees is to not check a bag at all. Every major airline gives you a free carry-on bag (overhead bin) and a free personal item (under the seat). That's a surprising amount of space if you pack smart.

Tips for carry-on-only travel:

Roll your clothes instead of folding. Uses less space and reduces wrinkles
Use packing cubes to organize and compress your clothing
Wear your bulkiest items on the plane (jacket, boots, hoodie)
Skip the "just in case" items - You probably don't need five outfit options for a three-day trip
Use solid toiletries - Shampoo bars, solid deodorant, and toothpaste tablets save space and bypass the TSA liquids rule
Do laundry on longer trips - A sink wash or hotel laundry service means packing fewer clothes

One exception: Spirit and Frontier charge for overhead bin carry-ons. On those airlines, your only free bag is the personal item that fits under the seat. If you fly budget carriers regularly, invest in a maximized personal item bag (roughly 18 x 14 x 8 inches) designed to hold as much as possible within the size limit.

Earn Elite Status

Airline loyalty programs reward frequent flyers with free checked bags at various status levels. You don't need to be a road warrior to reach the lowest tier:

Delta Silver Medallion and above - Free first checked bag
United Silver and above - Free first checked bag
American Gold and above - Free first checked bag
Alaska MVP and above - Free first checked bag

Most airlines also offer status through credit card spending, so you can sometimes earn status without flying enough to qualify on flights alone.

Book a Higher Fare Class

Before automatically clicking the cheapest basic economy fare, compare the total cost with baggage fees included. Often the next fare tier up includes a free checked bag, and the price difference is less than the bag fee.

Example: A basic economy ticket at $200 plus a $35 bag fee equals $235. If main cabin costs $225 and includes a free bag, you're saving $10 by upgrading. Always do this comparison during booking.

Fare classes that typically include free checked bags:

Main Cabin / Economy on most airlines (first bag free)
Premium Economy (1-2 bags free)
Business and First Class (2-3 bags free)

Note: Basic Economy fares on American, Delta, and United do NOT include a free checked bag. That's the tradeoff for the lower price.

Prepay Online for a Discount

If you do need to check a bag, at least save on the fee. Several airlines offer a $5 discount per bag when you pay online at least 24 hours before your flight instead of paying at the airport counter.

American Airlines - Save by paying online during booking or check-in
United Airlines - Lower fee when purchased online in advance

It's not a huge savings, but $10 round-trip is $10 you didn't need to spend.

Use Military or Government Travel Benefits

Active-duty military members and their dependents get free checked bags on most US airlines. The number of free bags varies, but it's typically 2-5 bags at no charge. Bring your military ID to the check-in counter.

Ship Your Luggage Instead

This sounds counterintuitive, but for some travelers it makes financial sense. Services like Lugless, ShipGo, or even FedEx/UPS can ship your bags to your hotel or destination. Prices start around $30 for lighter packages, which is competitive with checked bag fees.

Where this really pays off: if you're traveling with bulky or heavy items (ski gear, golf clubs, surfboards) that would incur oversized/overweight baggage surcharges. Airlines charge $100-$200+ for oversized items. Shipping can be cheaper.

Know the Hidden Free Bag Rules

A few situations get you free checked bags that aren't widely advertised:

International itineraries - Many international fares include at least one free checked bag, even in economy
Codeshare flights - If your ticket is issued by an airline that includes free bags, their policy may apply even on a partner airline's plane
Car seat or stroller - Airlines must allow these for free when traveling with a child, and they don't count against your bag allowance