No one likes paying for checked baggage when flying, but fortunately, with the right credit card, you don’t have to. The best credit card to avoid baggage fees is the National Bank World Elite Mastercard, though there are a few other excellent options available.
Several top cards offer checked bags or include travel credits that offset baggage fees. Some cards offer status in rewards programs, giving you free checked bags (and many other perks).
We’ve listed your options, so you can find a card you qualify for that avoids checked baggage fees. In some cases, you might have to sign up for a rewards program, but we’ve covered those, too.
Key Takeaways
- The National Bank World Elite Mastercard has a $150 travel credit that reimburses you for checked bags.
- Aeroplan credit cards include free checked bags for you and companions when flying Air Canada
- The BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard gives you one free checked bag through the VIPorter Rewards program.
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Best credit cards to avoid baggage fees
You’ve got options when it comes to finding a card that comes with no baggage fees.
| Card | Welcome bonus | Rewards | Annual fee/income requirements | Apply Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Bank World Elite Mastercard | None | * 5 points per $1 spent on groceries and restaurants * 2 points per $1 spent on gas, electric vehicle charging, recurring bills, and travel booked through À La Carte Rewards * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | * $150 * $80,000 personal, $150,000 household | Apply Now |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card | 45,000 points | * 1.5 points per $1 spent on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, grocery and direct through Air Canada purchases * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | * $139 * $60,000 personal, $100,000 household | Apply Now |
| American Express Aeroplan Card | 40,000 points | * 2 points per $1 spent on Air Canada * 1.5 points per $1 spent on restaurants * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | * $120 * No income requirements | Apply Now |
| American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card | 85,000 points | * 3 points per $1 spent on Air Canada * 2 points per $1 spent on dining and food delivery purchases in Canada * 1.25 points per $1 spent on all other purchases | * $599 * No income requirements | Apply Now |
| WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard | 45,000 points | * 2 WestJet points per $1 spent on WestJet or WestJet Vacations purchases * 1.5 WestJet point per $1 spent on all other everyday purchases | * $119 * $80,000 personal, $150,000 household | Apply Now |
| BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard | 70,000 points | * 3 points per $1 spent on Porter * 2 point per $1 spent on gas, transit, groceries, restaurants, and hotels * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | * $199 * $80,000 personal, $150,000 household | Apply Now |
National Bank World Elite Mastercard
The first card on our list, the National Bank World Elite Mastercard, doesn’t actually boast free checked bags, but it does come with a $150 annual travel credit. You can use this credit to be reimbursed for checked bags or other pesky airline fees like seat selection fees, ticket upgrades, airport parking, and airport lounge access.
Pros:
- High earn rate of up to 5 points per $1 spent
- Unlimited access to the National Bank lounge at the Montreal airport
- Comprehensive insurance coverage
- Includes World Elite Mastercard benefits
Cons:
- No welcome bonus
- High income requirements
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
Air Canada travellers take note—the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card is a mid-tier Aeroplan card that immediately gives you free checked bags on Air Canada flights. Specifically, primary or supplemental cardholders and up to eight travel companions on the same reservation will all get their first checked bag free (up to 23kg/50lb) when your travel originates on an Air Canada flight.
You'll also get preferred pricing on Aeroplan reward flights and the ability to earn Elite Status Qualifying miles.
Pros:
- Up to 45,000 bonus Aeroplan points
- Annual fee rebate (first year)
- 12 types of insurance coverage
- $100 NEXUS rebate every 48 months
- Includes Visa Infinite benefits
Cons:
- High income requirements
- Air Canada flights are the only high-value option for redeeming rewards
American Express Aeroplan Card
As another Aeroplan credit card, the American Express Aeroplan Card comes with the same checked baggage perks. You or a supplemental cardholder and up to eight travel companions on the same reservation will all get their first checked bag free (up to 23kg/50lb) when your travel originates on an Air Canada flight.
Although the insurance coverage isn’t as impressive, the annual fee is lower, so more of the rewards end up in your pocket.
Pros:
- Get up to 40,000 welcome bonus Aeroplan points.
- Earn up to 2 Aeroplan points per $1 spent on purchases
- Preferred pricing on Aeroplan reward flights
Cons:
- Lower acceptance as an American Express
- Air Canada flights are the only high-value option for redeeming rewards
American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
Again, with the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card you or a supplemental cardholder and up to eight travel companions on the same reservation will all get their first checked bag free (up to 23kg/50lb) when your travel originates on an Air Canada flight.
This card’s high annual fee might be a turn-off to some, but it has a fantastic 2.79% return on purchases and great perks like priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling; access to select Maple Leaf lounges; travellers to Toronto-Pearson will also enjoy free valet parking, priority security, and a discount on car rentals.
Pros:
- Get up to 130,000 welcome bonus Aeroplan points
- 11 types of insurance included
- Earn up to 3 Aeroplan points per $1 spent on purchases
- No income requirements
Cons:
- Lower acceptance as an American Express
- Air Canada flights are the only high-value option for redeeming rewards
- High annual fee
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
Probably the best-known card for free bags, the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard offers free bags anywhere WestJet flies.
You’ll get the first checked bag free for yourself and up to eight others travelling on the same reservation. Just make sure your WestJet ID is on your reservation before you travel.
WestJet offers "coast to coast" coverage in Canada, and as long as WestJet flies there, you’ll be able to get free bags as well. Plus, WestJet has its own companion voucher for WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard cardholders. Book a flight for yourself, and you’ll be able to bring someone else. The cost of your companion starts from $119 within Canada and the continental U.S. and from $399 for all other flights (plus taxes and fees).
Pros:
- Up to 45,000 bonus WestJet points
- 2 points per $1 spent on WestJet purchases
- Save 3 cents per litre on fuel at Petro-Canada
Cons:
- High income requirements
- Rewards limited to WestJet flights and the WestJet rewards e-store
BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard
$150 GeniusCash + Earn up to 70,000 bonus points + Automatic VIPorter Venture membership.*
GC: $150
The elite BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard is similar to its basic counterpart, but is one of two BMO cards that participate in the VIPorter rewards program. While the card itself doesn’t offer free checked bags as a benefit, the card gives you Venture status in the VIPorter Rewards program, which means you get one free checked bag.
Unfortunately, the free checked bag benefits don’t extend to people travelling with you.
Pros:
- Up to 70,000 bonus points
- Up to 3 points per $1 spent on purchases
- Includes 11 types of insurance
- Annual companion pass
Cons:
- High annual fee
- High income requirements
- Points can only be used for flights on Porter, Air Transat, and Alaska Airlines
Airlines offering credit cards with free baggage perks
You’ve got a few airline options when it comes to getting free baggage:
WestJet
WestJet gives you a single credit card option for earning a free checked bag. You’re limited to the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard, which we included in our list, and its business counterpart, the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard for Business.
It’s important to point out that your flight reservation must include the WestJet Rewards ID associated with the credit card, and your flight must be operated by WestJet.
Porter (VIPorter)
There’s really only one way to get free checked bags when flying Porter—reaching Venture, Ascent, or First membership levels in the VIPorter rewards program. As we mentioned earlier, the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard grants you Venture traveller status. This means you’ll earn one free checked bag.
To qualify for Venture status (and get one free checked bag), you’ll need to spend at least $3,000 per year on Porter flights. For Ascent (and two free checked bags), that amount climbs to $6,000 per year, and First status members must spend $10,000.
Air Canada (Aeroplan)
If you’ve got an Aeroplan-branded credit card, chances are, you’ve got free checked bags. You can choose from two Amex Aeroplan credit cards:
Two CIBC Aeroplan Visa cards:
And two TD Aeroplan Visa cards:
How do free baggage perks work?
If you see the words "free bags" listed as a perk or benefit, hold up. You must follow up on the asterisk that’s almost guaranteed to be next to the claim.
These terms usually spell out how many checked bags are free and who gets them. For instance, with Aeroplan credit cards, you or the supplemental cardholder and up to eight companions travelling on the same reservation each get one free checked bag.
The other cards on our list don’t give free checked bags to companions. Instead, the cardholder alone gets a travel credit that reimburses their checked bag fee, or they have elite status in a rewards program that gives them one free checked bag.
We should also note that if you check more than one bag, only the first will be free. You will be charged for additional luggage (or if your first bag is over the airline’s weight limit).
To access your free checked bag benefit, charge your travel to a qualifying card. If you’re getting a fee reimbursement, simply charge these fees to your card and submit a claim to National Bank within 60 days of the purchase, with the receipts.
If you’re booking an Air Canada flight with your Aeroplan card, just log into your account, and the free checked bag will automatically be applied when you select your travel.
FAQ
Which Canadian credit card has free checked baggage?
Aeroplan credit cards give you free checked bags, while the National Bank World Elite Mastercard reimburses the fee with a travel credit. WestJet and BMO VIPorter cards also come with free checked bags.
Does Amex give you a free checked bag?
If you have the American Express Aeroplan Card or American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card card, you or a supplemental cardholder and up to eight travel companions will get their first checked bag free when your travel originates on an Air Canada flight.
Can you tell me how to avoid WestJet baggage fees?
Your first bag is free if you use a WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard or you have an EconoFlex, Premium or Business fare. Silver, Gold, and Platinum WestJet Rewards members also get free checked bags.
How much is the bag check fee for Air Canada?
The Air Canada checked baggage fee depends on fare, destination, date of ticket purchase, and loyalty program status. Generally, you’ll pay $0–$90 for a single checked bag, with international flights charging the most.
How much does WestJet charge for check-in baggage?
The WestJet checked baggage fees depend on where you’re flying, how many bags you’re checking, when you pay for checked bags, and your ticket’s fare class. The price you pay for a single checked bag ranges from $0 - $77.
Which airline gives a free checked bag?
WestJet and Air Canada both give free checked bags on qualifying flights. To learn more, check each airline’s baggage fee page before booking travel. You may need to fly within a specific region or have a certain fare type to qualify.
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