Credit Cards

Using Credit Cards to Cut Airline Luggage Fees – Five Cards That Can Save You Money and Time When Traveling

The increasing cost of air travel is sure to make you feel the pinch in your wallet. To make it worse, you now have to pay additional luggage fees. The good news is that there are some credit cards available that help eliminate or reduce airline luggage fees. Here is a look at five of those credit cards.

The United MileagePlus Explorer Card

JPMorgan Chase issues a United Airlines credit card that gives its owners an opportunity to check their first bag in for free. In addition, a companion traveling with you also has the same privilege. When opening up a new card, you can get up to 40,000 bonus miles the first year, and 25,000 miles are given after the first use of the card. Miles do not expire and users get better protection while traveling. This card will replace the Continental OnePass Plus card.

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards® Plus Card

Southwest gives its card owners the opportunity to check in the first two bags for free, but size and weight restrictions still apply. After the first purchase on your Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Plus Card, you receive 25,000 bonus points, which is enough for a free roundtrip flight. Balance transfers in the first 90 days will also earn up to 10,000 points. The points do not expire and you get 3,000 points each year on the anniversary of getting your new card. Two points are earned for each dollar spent on airline purchases, and also for hotels and car rentals. All other purchases receive one point for every dollar spent.

The Delta Gold SkyMiles

The Delta Gold SkyMiles credit card from American Express gives you the opportunity to check in your first bag for free, on every flight. This can be really good if you are not carrying extra bags with you. The card gives cardholders an earning rate of one mile for every dollar spent for everyday purchases, and two points for Delta air tickets and Delta Vacations purchases. Besides the usual benefits, you also get an Emergency Check-In which lets you even check in and charge your stay, even if you had your card stolen.

The Citi ExecutiveSM / AAdvantage® Card

Citibank offers an “Enhanced Airport Experience” with its Citi ExecutiveSM / AAdvantage® Card, for those who want to travel “on another level.” This card enables owners to go through dedicated check-in areas and lanes for airport screening, and it gives access to the Admiral’s Club. The fees for the first piece of luggage for you and up to eight companions are waived. The card gives 25,000 bonus miles after you make $1,000 in purchases within the first four months. There is no mileage cap to the miles you can earn.

The JetBlue TrueBlue Credit Card

Owners of the JetBlue TrueBlue credit card always receive their first checked bag free, and a second bag can be checked for $40 fee. New card holders receive a bonus of 10,000 points after their first purchase. Oneway Award Flights start at just 5,000 points. Points do not expire, and when using their website to make purchases (jetblue.com) you can earn six points for every dollar spent. If you use the American Express JetBlue card, you can earn two more points per dollar spent – giving you a total of eight points for each dollar spent.

If you do a lot of flying and pay normal baggage fees each time, then you are going to be paying more money than you need to. On your next flight, start keeping more money in your wallet by taking advantage of one of these credit cards.

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