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JetBlue led off the latest round of bag fee increases last month. Not too long ago, JetBlue was one of the few airlines offering free checked bags. Those days are long gone as they are now a leader in making it more and more expensive to check baggage. The most recent increase made bag fees $35 for the first bag and $45 for the second bag. They offer a $5 discount on each bag if you pay for them more than 24 hours before departure.
United has now matched JetBlue’s new rates at $35 for the first bag and $45 for the second bag. They too will offer a $5 discount on each bag if you pay for them more than 24 hours before departure.
The new rates apply to flights within the United States and on short-haul flights to the Caribbean and Latin America. It goes into effect for flights as of 3/6/20 that are purchased as of today.
I’d guess that Alaska, American, and Delta are sure to follow. The only question is how long can Southwest avoid charging or baggage?
The higher fees make the case for having an airline credit card that waives baggage fees even stronger:
- The Chase United Explorer card or the Chase United Business Card offers a free carry-on bag, a free checked bag, priority boarding, and online checkin, even on a basic economy ticket. The United Club Card (Click on United Explorer Card) and the United Business Club Card (Click on United Business Card) offers 2 free checked bags. It’s worth noting that United requires that the ticket be purchased on the card, while other airlines don’t have or don’t enforce that requirement.
- The Citi AA card or Citi AA Business Card offers a free checked bag and priority boarding, even on a basic economy ticket. It’s worth noting that AA only offers the free bag on domestic flights, while other airlines offer it worldwide.
- The Delta Business Gold, Delta Business Platinum, Delta Business Reserve, Delta Consumer Gold, Delta Consumer Platinum, and Delta Consumer Reserve offer a free checked bag and priority boarding, even on a basic economy ticket.
- The JetBlue Plus or Business Card offer a free checked bag even on a basic economy ticket. However it does not offer priority boarding on a basic economy fare.
- The Alaska Airlines Consumer or Business card offer a free checked bag even on a basic economy ticket. However it does not offer priority boarding on a basic economy fare.
Do you keep airline cards just to waive checked baggage fees?
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18 Comments On "United Matches JetBlue Bag Fee Increase; Roundup Of Credit Cards That Waive Bag Fees"
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Yes. JB and Delta cards pay for themselves with one round trip flight with family annually.
why not the reserve?
Its too expensive with so many useless benefits.
Great post as always Dan, thanks
Thank you for correctly and clearly pointing out that AA bag fee waiver ONLY applies to domestic flights. Trip to Aruba few years back, found out at check in bags were not free. Agent told me after i questioned it, yeah we get that alot. Just dont understand why AA hates its customers.
Why not list Barclays AA cards (personal and business)? They also offer free bags.
Is United free for all travellers on reservation or only cardholder +1? Also, can one split payment between United Card and CSR to get the benefits of bags from UA, and the points and better insurance on the CSR? or does entire ticket need to be purchased on united card?
United offers free carry-on and free first checked bag only to. primary cardholder and one companion traveling together on the same
United flight.
This is true for first checked bag. Free carry on is for anyone on the same reservation
All international passengers ( any airline, any card) receive one free checked bag. If you book an international flight on United using your United card, you get two free checked bags.
1. Most airlines now have basic economy for international as well. No free checked bag there.
2. Using United card does not give you 2 free bags in my experience
Nope
Are diff in price bet basic and economy tickets getting larger as fees rise?
If you buy a two basic economy tickets, can you pick your seats together when you have the credit card?
no but your both on the same reservation they will generally sit you together
JetBlue card only offers free bags if you pay for the ticket on the card.
So if you use points on something like Chase UR, the JetBlue card will not give you free bags.
The same with united
Does Citi AA get free luggage from USA to Canada?
Do you get free bags when booking with United club card if you book travel for a family member or friend but are not traveling yourself?