How to Get a Free Checked Bag for the Holidays
Learn which Delta, United, American, and Southwest cards and status levels waive holiday bag fees.
You can get a free checked bag for holiday travel through an airline credit card or elite status that waives the standard bag fee. A standard checked bag means a bag within the airline's weight and size limits for checked luggage. Most waivers cover you plus companions on the same reservation when your loyalty number is attached.
Card perks often require paying with that card or checking in with the airline.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 02, 2026.
How do Delta cards and status help?
According to Delta Air Lines, basic Delta Gold, Platinum and Reserve cardmembers get the first standard checked-bag fee waived for themselves plus up to eight companions on the same reservation when the SkyMiles number is included and check-in is with Delta Delta's First Checked Bag Free page. That structure helps families flying together for the holidays on one booking. According to Delta Air Lines, starting June 4, 2026, those same basic cardmembers also get a second checked bag free on domestic Delta-operated flights, subject to weight and size limits and no stacking if two or more bags are already free details on Delta's second-bag benefit.
Check your itinerary to see whether your flight is Delta-operated. Medallion status adds another path. According to Delta Air Lines, Silver members generally get one free bag and Gold members get two, while Platinum and Diamond members get three, extended to up to eight companions on Delta-operated flights except ex-CDG/AMS for companions Delta's Medallion baggage allowance page.
Status and card benefits do not stack to add extra bags beyond the stated limit.
What do United cards cover?
According to United and Chase, United Explorer Card holders plus one companion on the same reservation each get the first standard checked bag free on United-operated flights when tickets are purchased with that card, worth up to $50 each way per person United Explorer Card benefits. For a round trip with a companion, that can offset two bag charges per person. Higher-tier cards cover more.
Quest, Club and other premium United cards raise the benefit to the first and second standard checked bags free for the primary cardmember plus one companion, while Explorer and Business cards cover only the first bag. Pick based on how many bags your group usually checks. The purchase rule matters for holiday planning.
Buy the ticket with the qualifying card and keep everyone on the same reservation. If you split the group across reservations, the companion benefit may not attach.
How does American handle free bags?
Primary Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select cardmembers get the first checked bag free on domestic American-marketed and operated itineraries for themselves plus up to four companions on the same reservation when the AAdvantage number is included Citi Platinum Select benefit details. This fits smaller family groups traveling together after the holidays. AAdvantage status holders get free checked bags on American-marketed and operated itineraries, generally with Gold receiving one free bag, Platinum receiving two free bags, and Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum receiving three free bags plus priority handling.
Status helps frequent flyers who already travel on American routes. Watch the itinerary wording. Both the card and status paths described here apply to American-marketed and operated trips.
Codeshare or partner-operated segments can follow different rules.
What changed at Southwest?
Southwest now charges about $45 for the first and $55 for the second checked bag one-way on Basic and Choice fares. Choice Extra fares and A-List Preferred members still get two bags free, A-List members get one bag free, and eligible Rapid Rewards cardmembers get the first bag free for themselves plus eight companions. That makes fare choice important.
A slightly higher fare with two bags included can cost less than a lower fare plus two bag fees each way. Compare the total for your dates before you book. Cardmembers should check eligibility and reservation rules.
Keep the group on the same reservation and confirm that the Rapid Rewards account is linked. Status members should confirm that their tier was active before check-in.
How do you keep the fee off at check-in?
Holiday flights leave little room to fix booking errors at the airport. Review the reservation the night before, then save the receipt if a fee still appears so you can ask for a correction.
- Book everyone who shares the benefit on one reservation.
- Add each traveler's airline loyalty number before check-in.
- Pay with the qualifying card when the benefit requires it.
- Check in with the airline that operates the flight.
- Stay within weight and size limits to avoid extra charges.