Do I Need To Pay With My Airline Credit Card To Get Free Checked Bags and Perks?

Co-branded airline credit cards can be a fantastic option for frequent travelers who are loyal to a specific airline, or those who find themselves in a hub city. With many airline card options offering free checked bags, priority boarding, inflight discounts, and other perks, it can often feel equivalent to holding low-level elite status with an airline.

But a question that comes up often is whether or not these perks are guaranteed – and if cardholders are required to pay for their flight with the card to receive the benefits?

This post will answer those questions for the top airline credit cards for each of the major North American airlines, along with their various rules and exclusions to be aware of.

Credit Cards That Offer Free Checked Bags (And Other Perks)

Air Canada

Aeroplan^® Credit Card

• 3x points per $1 on Air Canada flights
• Free first checked bag for you and up to 8 travel companions on the same reservation
• Preferred pricing for Aeroplan award tickets

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

In order to receive the free checked baggage benefits or preferred pricing on Aeroplan award tickets, you do not have to pay for any part of your flight with the Aeroplan card.

Alaska Airlines

Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature^® card

• 3x points per $1 on purchases with Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines
• First free checked bag on Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines flights for you and up to 6 other guests on the same reservation
• 20% back on all Alaska Airlines inflight purchases
• $100 off an Alaska Lounge membership

Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite^® card 

• 3x points per $1 on purchases with Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines
• First free checked bag on Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines flights for you and up to 6 other guests on the same reservation
• 20% back on all Alaska Airlines inflight purchases
• 8 Alaska Lounge passes and 8 Wi-Fi passes every year (2 per quarter)

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

You have to pay for your airfare with the Alaska card to receive the free checked bag benefit. Keep in mind that if you’re a new cardholder, you’ll begin to receive this benefit approximately within 2 to 3 weeks after your account opening.

Atmos™ Rewards Visa^® Business Card

• 3x points per $1 on purchases with Alaska Airlines
• First free checked bag on Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines flights for you and up to 6 other guests on the same reservation
• 20% back on all Alaska Airlines inflight purchases
• 10% rewards bonus on all points earned from card purchases with an eligible Bank of America account.

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

Just like with the personal Alaska Signature card, you will need to pay with the credit card to receive free checked bags.

Allegiant Airlines

Allegiant World Mastercard^®

• 3x points per $1 on purchases with Allegiant Airlines, 2x points per $1 on dining purchases
• Priority boarding and 1 free beverage every time you fly Allegiant

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

You do not have to pay for your flight with the Allegiant World card in order to receive these benefits. Simply show your card to the gate agent upon boarding and/or the flight attendant upon ordering a beverage.

American Airlines

American Airlines AAdvantage^® MileUp^®

• 2x miles per $1 on purchases with American Airlines and grocery stores
• 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

Yes, in order to receive the 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases, you must pay with the card.

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® World Elite™ Mastercard^®

• 2x miles per $1 on purchases with American Airlines, restaurants, and gas stations
• First checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 4 travel companions
• Preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
• 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

In order to receive the checked baggage and priority boarding benefit, you do not need to pay with your credit card. However, your credit card account must be open 7 days prior to air travel, and your reservation must include your American Airlines AAdvantage number 7 days prior to air travel.

Up to 4 companions traveling with the primary credit cardmember will also get their first checked bag free of charge if they are listed in the same reservation. Keep in mind that the checked baggage benefit is limited to domestic flights and only on flights serviced by American Airlines.

In order to receive the 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases, you must pay with your credit card.

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Globe™ Mastercard^®

• 3x miles per $1 on purchases with American Airlines
• First checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 8 travel companions
• Preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
• 4 Admirals Club Globe passes every year
• Up to $100 back in statement credits on inflight purchases annually
• 1 Companion Certificate every year (starting in the second year of card membership)

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

To receive the checked baggage and preferred boarding in Group 5, you do not need to pay for your ticket with the AAdvantage Globe card, but your credit card account must be open 7 days prior to air travel, and you must include your American Airlines AAdvantage number on your reservation at least 7 days before your flight.

For the Companion Certificate, you earn it by renewing your card each year — there is no minimum spend required on the card to obtain it. To use the 4 Admirals Club Globe passes, you must be present and show your pass (located in your AAdvantage Wallet in the American Airlines Mobile App) or your same-day travel boarding pass with your AAdvantage number and a government-issued ID at the door. You must be traveling on an American Airlines, Oneworld partner, or Alaska Airlines flight to use your pass.

To receive up to $100 in statement credits for American Airlines inflight purchases, you must pay with the AAdvantage Globe card.

Citi^®/AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^®

• 4x miles per $1 on purchases with American Airlines
• First checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 8 travel companions
• Preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
• 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights
• Priority check-in and priority airport screening (where available) for you and up to 8 travel companions
• Admirals Club membership

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

As with other Citi co-branded cards, you do not need to pay with your credit card to receive the checked baggage, priority boarding, or priority check-in and priority screening benefits. Your credit card account must be open 7 days prior to air travel, and your reservation must include your American Airlines AAdvantage number 7 days prior to air travel.

Up to 8 companions traveling with the primary credit cardmember will also get their first checked bag free of charge (on domestic flights) if they are listed in the same reservation.

In order to receive the 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases, you must pay with your credit card. In order to access an Admirals Club, you must present your card upon entry and be traveling with American Airlines, a Oneworld partner, or Alaska Airlines.

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Business™ World Elite Mastercard^®

• 2x miles per $1 on purchases with American Airlines, gas stations, car rentals, cable, satellite, and phone service providers
• First checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 4 travel companions
• Preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
• 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights
• 25% savings on American Airlines inflight Wi-Fi purchases

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

You do not have to pay with your credit card to receive the checked baggage and priority boarding benefit. Your credit card account must be open 7 days prior to air travel, and your reservation must include your American Airlines AAdvantage number 7 days prior to air travel.

You must pay with your credit card to receive the 25% savings on inflight food, beverages, and Wi-Fi purchases.

AAdvantage^® Aviator^® Red World Elite Mastercard^® (closed to new applicants)

• 2x miles per $1 on purchases with American Airlines
• First checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 4 travel companions
• Preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
• 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights
• Up to $25 back in statement credits on inflight Wi-Fi purchases each year on American Airlines flights

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

You are not required to pay with your credit card to receive the checked baggage and priority boarding benefit. Your credit card account must be open 7 days prior to air travel, and your reservation must include your American Airlines AAdvantage number 7 days prior to air travel.

You must pay with your credit card to receive the 25% savings on inflight food and beverages and $25 in statement credits for Wi-Fi purchases.

AAdvantage^® Aviator^® World Elite Business Mastercard^® (closed to new applicants)

• 2x miles per $1 on purchases with American Airlines, telecom services, office supply stores, and car rentals
• First checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 4 travel companions
• Preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
• 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

Like all of the other American Airlines credit cards we’ve discussed, you are not required to pay with your credit card to receive the checked baggage and priority boarding benefit, but your credit card account must be open 7 days prior to air travel, and your reservation must include your American Airlines AAdvantage number 7 days prior to air travel.

In order to receive the 25% savings on inflight food and beverages, you do need to pay with the credit card.

Bottom Line: When it comes to American Airlines co-branded cards, you are not required to pay with the card to receive elite-type benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding, but you will need to use the card for inflight discounts.

Delta Air Lines

Delta SkyMiles^® Blue American Express Card

• 2x miles per $1 on Delta purchases and restaurants
• 20% savings on certain inflight purchases with Delta

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

Yes, in order to receive the 20% savings on inflight purchases, you must pay with the credit card.

Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card

• First checked bag free on Delta flights for you and up to 8 travel companions
• Zone 5 priority boarding for you and up to 8 travel companions
• 20% savings on inflight purchases with Delta

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

In order to receive the checked baggage and priority boarding benefit, you do not need to pay with your credit card, but the card must be attached to your Delta SkyMiles number in order to receive the benefits.

You will need to pay with your card in order to receive the 20% savings on inflight purchases.

Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card

• First checked bag free on Delta flights for you and up to 8 travel companions
• Zone 5 priority boarding for you and up to 8 travel companions
• 20% savings on inflight purchases with Delta

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

You are not required to pay with the card in order to receive the checked bag and priority boarding benefits, but the card must be attached to your Delta SkyMiles account.

Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card

• Delta Reserve Card Members receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more each calendar year.
• Access to complimentary upgrades

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

Cardholders are not required to pay with their credit card in order to receive the free checked bag, priority boarding, and complimentary upgrade benefits. All that is required is for your card to be attached to your Delta SkyMiles account.

You will, however, have to pay with your card in order to receive the discount on inflight purchases. You also must show your Delta Reserve card in order to access a Delta Sky Club or American Express Centurion Lounge, along with a boarding pass for travel with Delta Air Lines.

Delta SkyMiles^® Gold Business American Express Card

• First checked bag free for you and up to 8 travel companions
• Zone 5 priority boarding on Delta flights for you and up to 8 travel companions
• 20% savings on inflight purchases with Delta

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

You are not required to pay with the Delta Gold Business card for the checked bag and priority boarding benefits.

You will be required to pay with your card in order to receive the 20% savings on inflight purchases.

Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum Business American Express Card

• First checked bag free for you and up to 8 travel companions
• Zone 5 priority boarding on Delta flights for you and up to 8 travel companions
• 20% savings on inflight purchases with Delta

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

You are not required to pay with the card in order to receive the checked bag and priority boarding benefits, but the card must be attached to your Delta SkyMiles account.

Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card

• First checked bag free for you and up to 8 travel companions
• Zone 5 priority boarding for you and up to 8 travel companions
• 15 visits to Delta Sky Club and complimentary American Express Centurion Lounge access. To earn an unlimited number of Visits each year to Delta SkyClub, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more each calendar year.

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

In order to receive the free checked bag priority boarding and complimentary upgrade benefits, all that is required is for your card to be attached to your Delta SkyMiles account. You do not need to pay for your flight with the card.

In order to receive the discount on inflight purchases, you must pay with your Delta Reserve Business card. You also must show your Delta Reserve Business card in order to access a Delta Sky Club or American Express Centurion Lounge, along with a boarding pass for travel with Delta Air Lines.

Bottom Line: All Delta Air Lines co-branded cards do not require you to pay with your card to receive benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding, but you will need to use your card for inflight discounts.  

Frontier Airlines

Frontier Airlines World Mastercard^®

• 5x miles per $1 on Frontier purchases; 3x miles per $1 at restaurants
• Primary cardmembers receive priority boarding in Zone 2

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

While the Frontier Airlines World card doesn’t offer many perks or any free baggage benefits, cardmembers will receive boarding priority and “ZONE 2” will be displayed on the member’s boarding pass as long as they are logged into their account when booking their flight, or had their membership number added to their reservation. You do not need to pay with the card to receive this perk.

Hot Tip: While airline credit cards are a great way to get free checked bags and perks, there are times that you actually won’t want to use them for purchases since they can often earn fewer points than other cards.

Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines^® World Elite Mastercard^®

• 3x miles per $1 on Hawaiian Airlines purchases; 2x miles per $1 on gas, dining, and grocery store purchases
• 2 checked bags free on Hawaiian Airlines-operated flights and Alaska Airlines-operated flights for the primary cardholder
• $100 companion discount annually for roundtrip travel between Hawaii and North America on Hawaiian Airlines

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

Unlike many of the other cards we’ve discussed thus far, you are required to pay with your Hawaiian Airlines World Elite card in order to receive both the free checked bag and the $100 companion discount benefit.

JetBlue Airways

The JetBlue Card

• 3x points on JetBlue purchases; 2x points at restaurants and grocery stores
• 50% inflight savings on cocktails and food purchases

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

Yes, in order to receive the 50% inflight savings on cocktails and food purchases, you must pay with The JetBlue card.

The JetBlue Plus Card

• 6x points on JetBlue purchases; 2x points at restaurants and grocery stores
• 50% inflight savings on cocktails and food purchases
• Free first checked bag for you and up to 3 companions on the same reservation

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

Yes, in order to receive the 50% inflight savings on cocktails and food purchases and the free checked bag, you must pay for your flight with The JetBlue Plus card.

The JetBlue Business Card

• 6x points on JetBlue purchases; 2x points at restaurants and office supply stores
• 50% inflight savings on cocktails and food purchases
• Free first checked bag for you and up to 3 companions on the same reservation

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

Like with The JetBlue Plus card, you are required to pay with The JetBlue Business card in order to receive the 50% inflight savings and free checked bag benefit.

Bottom Line: JetBlue, and the previously mentioned Hawaiian Airlines, are 2 of the few airlines whose credit cards require you to pay for your flight with the card in order to receive the free checked bag.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Priority Credit Card

• 4x points per $1 on Southwest Airlines eligible purchases
• 2x points per $1 at gas stations and restaurants, with no annual cap
• 2x points per $1 on local transit and commuting, including rideshare purchases (through December 31, 2025)
• 2x points per $1 on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming purchases (through December 31, 2025)
• 2x points per $1 on Rapid Rewards Hotels and Car Rental Partners (through December 31, 2025)
• 4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available (for flights in 2025)
• 25% back on inflight drinks and Wi-Fi
• $75 annual Southwest travel credit (ends December 31, 2025)
• 1 free checked bag (for you and up to 8 companions on your reservation)

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

Yes, all 3 benefits — the Upgraded Boardings, $75 travel credit, and 25% back on inflight purchases — require you to pay with your Southwest Priority card.

Hot Tip: Starting in 2026, the Southwest Priority card will deliver even greater benefits to frequent fliers. They include Preferred or Standard seat selection at booking with no additional charge (when available), free unlimited upgrades to an Extra Legroom seat within 48 hours prior to departure (when available), and Group 5 boarding for earlier access to overhead bin space. Find out more about the changes Southwest is making to its air travel experience here.

Southwest^® Rapid Rewards^® Performance Business Credit Card

• 4x points per $1 on Southwest purchases
• 4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available (for flights in 2025)
• 365 $8 inflight Wi-Fi credits per year (ends December 31, 2025)
• 1 free checked bag (for you and up to 8 companions on your reservation)

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

Yes, both the Upgraded Boardings and inflight Wi-Fi credits require you to pay with your Southwest Performance Business card.

Hot Tip: Starting in 2026, the Southwest Performance Business card will deliver even greater benefits to frequent fliers. They include selecting a Preferred seat at booking for free (when available), unlimited upgrades to an Extra Legroom seat within 48 hours prior to departure at no charge (when available), and Group 5 boarding, so you get earlier access to overhead bin space. Find out more about the changes Southwest is making to its air travel experience here.

Spirit Airlines

Free Spirit^® Travel More World Elite Mastercard^®

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

Cardmembers can receive priority boarding by either using their Free Spirit World Elite card to purchase tickets directly from Spirit or by showing their Free Spirit World Elite card to the gate agent upon boarding. The inflight food and beverage rebate is only available when you pay with your card.

Free Spirit^® Travel Mastercard^®

• Earn 2x points on Spirit purchases and 1x point per $1 on all other purchases
• Cardholders receive Zone 2 Shortcut Boarding on all flights
• Access to Points Pooling to combine your points with up to 8 friends and family members
• 25% rebate on all inflight food and beverage purchases when you pay with your card

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

Like the Free Spirit World Elite card, you can either pay for your tickets with the card or show it to the gate agent upon boarding. The inflight food and beverage rebate is only available when you pay with your card.

United Airlines

The New United Gateway℠ Card

• 2x miles per $1 spent on United purchases, gas, local transit, and commuting; 1x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• Earn 2 checked bags after you spend $10,000 in a calendar year
• 25% back on United inflight purchases

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

Yes, you must pay with the card to receive the 25% back on in-flight purchases. The $10,000 spending requirement must also be paid with the card to earn the 2 free checked bags.

The New United℠ Explorer Card

• 2x miles per $1 spent on United purchases; 2x miles per $1 at restaurants and hotels
• First checked bag free for cardmember and 1 traveling companion
• Priority boarding for cardmember and any traveling companions
• 25% back on United inflight purchases

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

In order to receive the checked baggage and 25% off inflight purchases, you must pay for your ticket with the United Explorer card.

However, you do not need to pay with the card to receive the priority boarding benefit as long as you include your MileagePlus number in the reservation.

The New United Club℠ Card

• 2x miles per $1 spent on United purchases; 1.5x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• Complimentary United Club membership
• 25% back on United inflight purchases
• Premier Access for cardmember and any traveling companions (includes designated check-in lines, priority security lanes, priority boarding, and priority baggage handling)
• First and second checked bags free for cardmember and 1 traveling companion

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

In order to receive the checked baggage benefit and 25% off inflight purchases, you must pay for your ticket with the United Club card.

On the other hand, receiving the Premier Access benefits does not require paying with the United Club card as long as you include your MileagePlus number in the reservation. Similarly, accessing a United Club does not require presenting your card as you will be mailed a separate United Club membership card 6 weeks after your account open date.

The New United℠ Business Card

• 2x miles per $1 spent on United purchases; 2x miles per $1 at restaurants, gas stations, office supply stores, and local transit and commuting
• First checked bag free for cardmember and 1 traveling companion
• Priority boarding for cardmember and any traveling companions

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

Just like with the personal version of the card, you must pay with your United Business card in order to receive the free checked bag benefit. You do not need to pay with your card to receive priority boarding.

The New United Club℠ Business Card

• 2x miles per $1 spent on United purchases; 1.5x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• Complimentary United Club membership
• Premier Access for cardmember and any traveling companions (includes designated check-in lines, priority security lanes, priority boarding, and priority baggage handling)
• First and second checked bags free for cardmember and 1 traveling companion

Do You Have To Pay With the Card To Receive These Perks?

Again, just like the personal version of the card, you must pay with the card in order to receive the free checked baggage benefit. You are not required to pay with the card to receive the Premier Access benefit or United Club access.

Bottom Line: Unlike the co-branded credit cards from the other “Big 3” airlines, Delta and American, United requires its cardholders to pay for their flights with the card in order to receive free bags.

Exclusions and Other Rules

There are, of course, certain exclusions and rules that may apply to your credit card’s baggage fee waiver. Here are a few things that you will want to be aware of before booking your ticket.

1. Bringing Overweight Bags

It goes without saying, but you will not receive the free baggage benefit if your bag is overweight or oversized. Be sure that your bag fits the airline’s size and weight requirements before arriving at the airport.

2. Flying With Airline Partners

In almost all circumstances, the perks received from airline credit cards apply exclusively to that given airline. This means that, unless otherwise stated, airline partnerships or codeshares do not count. For example, if you hold the United Explorer card, you will not receive free checked bags or priority boarding with Air Canada.

3. Being an Authorized User

If you’re an authorized user on an airline credit card traveling by yourself then you likely won’t receive any of the benefits that come along with the card. Typically you need to be traveling on the same reservation with the primary cardholder in order to receive benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding.

4. Booking on an Ineligible Website

This is a special one to pay attention to, as it can be a bit confusing, but flight tickets purchased from what an airline deems as an “ineligible website” usually will not receive free baggage or other benefits. What types of websites are ineligible? According to the United terms and conditions, “Unpublished fares, such as those purchased on priceline.com and Hotwire, are not eligible.” However, a publicly-disclosed fare from a website like Expedia would be eligible for your credit card benefits.

Generally speaking, unless the discount you’re receiving from a third-party website is really significant, you might be better off making your booking directly with the airline. If you’re not sure if your benefits will apply, just ask the airline before completing your purchase.

5. Elite Status Stacking

With the exception of Delta, most airlines will not allow you to receive the checked baggage benefit from your credit card if you already receive a free checked bag as a benefit of your elite status. For example, if you have American Airlines Gold status, which offers your first checked bag free, you cannot also get a second checked bag free for holding the AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite card.

6. International Tickets

As you can tell, the baggage benefits for all of these cards predominately apply to domestic tickets. So what does that mean for international tickets? Well, most international flights already allow you to bring a checked bag for no extra charge. In this case, much like elite status stacking, holding an airline credit card will not entitle you to a second free checked bag.

7. Award Tickets

If you pay for your ticket with points then the same policies still apply. If you have an airline card like the Delta Gold card, the AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite card, or any other card that doesn’t require you to pay with the card to receive the benefit, you will still receive a free checked bag.

If you pay for your ticket with points but hold a card like the United Explorer card, The Jetblue Plus card, or any other card that requires you to pay with the card to receive the benefits, you will not receive a free checked bag. However, an easy way to get around that is by paying the award ticket taxes and fees on your card! Just be certain that you’re getting the best value out of doing so and not overlooking better travel protections that you could receive by using another card.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, airline co-branded cards can provide great value to cardholders, and many of them (with the exception of Hawaiian, JetBlue, and United) do not actually require you to pay with the card in order to receive the card benefits — unless it’s an inflight benefit like a discount on food or Wi-Fi.

As always, make sure you know the rules and exclusions as they apply to your airline credit card, or you might be left holding the bag… the baggage fee, that is!