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Best Free Checked Bags Credit Cards in Canada For 2024
Kevin Shahnazari
Author5 min read
Paying for bags when travelling is not fun! Especially if you are travelling with family, for which you would probably need to spend over a few hundred dollars to cover the fees on Canadian Airlines.
If same as me, you are the type that doesn’t like paying these fees, this article is for you! The good news is that there are credit cards that allow you to get free check-in bags without paying for them! But the number of cards with this benefit is very limited, and they don’t cover all airlines. We will go into the details of each card so that you can decide which card is better for you.
Different Airlines that have Credit cards to get free checked bags
When you get the free checked baggage benefit from a credit card, it is specific to one airline. This means you can't use that benefit on any other airline, so you are somewhat restricted in your airline choice if you want to use this benefit every time. There are two airlines for which you can use this benefit: Aeroplan and WestJet. The Aeroplan cards give free checked-in bags ONLY when travelling with AirCanada, and the WestJet card also only provides that benefit for flights with WestJet.
We will cover WestJet cards in detail first, and then discuss Aeroplan cards after.
Westjet Cards
For Westjet, things are simple because there is only one card offers the benefit of the first free checked-in bags: The Westjet RBC World Elite MasterCard.
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
4
Finly Rating
Welcome Bonus
Up to $450 WestJet Dollars
Annual Fee
$119
Interest Rates
20.99% / 22.99%
Why we like it
Why we like it
If you travel frequently with WestJet, you must get this card because you are missing out on many benefits, even if you don't use this card for rewards. The round-trip companion voucher, status lift, and free checked bag benefits alone more than make up for the annual fee. For WestJet purchases, this card is great for earning rewards, but for all other categories, we recommend pairing it with another card.
Pros & Cons
Pros & Cons
Pros
- A no-brainer if you are a frequent WestJet traveler. The first free checked bag, annual companion pass, and status lift benefits alone make up more than the amount paid for the annual fee.
- A very good list of travel insurance in addition to WestJet-specific benefits.
Cons
- Not the best card for rewards accumulation, so it's better if paired with another card that offers higher rewards on non-WestJet purchases.
- Rewards can only be used on WestJet, making them less flexible.
Product Details
Product Details
Rewards
- 2% back in WestJet dollars on WestJet flights or WestJet Vacations packages
- 1.5% back in WestJet dollars on other purchases
Insurance
Coverage
Emergency Out of province Medical
15 daysEmergency Medical Over 65
3 days
Travel Accident
$500K.svg)
Car Rental Damage & Theft
$65K up to 48 days
Trip Interruption
$5K/person, $25K/trip
Flight Delay
$250/person, $500/occurrenceBaggage Delay
$500/person, $2500/occurrence
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
1 year
Benefits
Details
Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass
Pass only, complimentary visits not included! Companion Voucher can be exchanged for 4 visits.
Companion Voucher
Travel within Canada or to the continental U.S. (excluding Hawaii), from $119 CAD, Travel to Hawaii or Mexico from $399 CAD, Travel to the rest of the WestJet network from $399 CAD.svg)
Status lift
Eern $500 in tier qualifying spend which applies towards achieving the next WestJet Rewards tier for every $15,000 CAD in Eligible Purchases on your WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard (up to a maximum of $1,500 in tier qualifying spend in a qualifying year).svg)
Free first checked bag
First checked bag is free for primary cardholder on WestJet flight and up to 8 guests
Discount
Member Exclusive fares: Exclusive discounts when you pay the full base fare with WestJet dollars
Boingo Wi-Fi hotspot
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Gas Discount
save 3¢/L on fuel and always earn 20% more Petro-Points at Petro-Canada
Extra points
50 Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible products at Rexall
Eligibility
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
$80,000 personal or $150,000 household
To use this benefit you need to be the primary cardholder of a Westjet credit card; you can take up to 8 guests along with you who can use this offer provided that they are travelling with you on the same flight reserved with Westjet. Also, The benefit is valid only for the flights reserved with Westjet.
The fee for a checked-in bag on Westjet flights is between $30-$36 for US, Canada, Latin Caribbean & Mexico flights and between $70-$83. So, with a single round-trip flight for a couple, the card fee will be more than covered. (More details on the fees here).
Aeroplan Cards
Aeroplan is the loyalty program for AirCanada. With Aeroplan cards, you can gather Aeroplan points to buy tickets or reserve vacation packages.
Out of the Aeroplan cards, this is the full list of all the cards that have the benefits of the free checked bag:
- TD Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Card ($139/year, the first year waived)
- CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Card ($139/year)
- American Express® Aeroplan® Card ($120/year)
- TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege ($599/year)
- CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* ($599/year)
- American Express® Aeroplan® Reserve Card ($599/year)
The free checked bags benefit is identical between these cards. Whether you are a primary cardholder, an additional cardholder, or have a primary business card, you will be deemed eligible for this offer. Not only that, but you can also redeem this offer for up to 8 travelling companions who are travelling with you, and they are on the same reservation.
This benefit is valid when checking in with Air Canada for a flight operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge or under the Air Canada Express brand. The offer is also valid for all flight categories. Whether you have a basic (or standard), Flex (or comfort), or latitude ticket, you will be offered a free checked bag if you are travelling on an Air Canada flight booked with an Aeroplan credit card.
To check in a bag with AirCanada, you need to pay around $30; for international flights, it’s roughly $75 (Check here for the latest details). You can see how easily, with a single round trip for a couple, the cost you saved covers the card fee. If you travel multiple times a year or have a bigger family, this benefit would cover the card fee by a fewfold.
To decide which one of those cards to go for, you need to look at the other details of those cards.
These cards could be grouped into two main categories:
The first group is the non-private and reserve cards, which are more affordable. Here is our view on the cards in this group:
The rewards for TD Aeroplan® Visa Infinite*, CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card, and American Express® Aeroplan®* are very similar. In terms of additional benefits, each has a benefit that is unique to their own, so it’s good to review their benefits in detail. If we were to rate one to be the best among three, we would rate the TD Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card to be the best among this group because it has a few more unique benefits compared to the other two (e.g. Nexus app fee waiver), the first-year annual fee is waived and compared to the American Express card it’s accepted at more merchants.
TD Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
3.5
Finly Rating
Welcome Bonus
Up to 40,000 Aeroplan® points
Annual Fee
$139
Interest Rates
20.99% / 22.99%
Why we like it
Why we like it
The TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Card* is an excellent choice for frequent Air Canada travelers looking to maximize their rewards with Aeroplan points. With perks like free checked bags, Preferred Pricing, and a first-year fee waiver, it’s ideal for users who value Air Canada-specific benefits. However, the card’s high income requirement and limited non-Air Canada redemption options may not appeal to everyone.
Pros & Cons
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Earn up to 40,000 Aeroplan points (welcome bonus offer ends January 6, 2025).
- 1.5 points per $1 on gas, groceries, and Air Canada purchases.
- Free checked bags and Preferred Pricing on Air Canada rewards flights.
- Extensive insurance coverage with 12 types of insurance.
Cons
- The rewards rate on this card is not that high. There are non-Aeroplan cards with much better reward programs, and their points can later be transferred to this card, making them better options if you are looking to gather Aeroplan points.
- You lose the flexibility to use other airlines if you want to take advantage of the benefits of this card.
Product Details
Product Details
Rewards
- 1.5x Aeroplan points per $1 spent on gas, groceries, Air Canada and Air Canada vacations (maximum 120,000 points annually)
- 1x Aeroplan point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
Insurance
Coverage
Emergency Out of province Medical
21 daysEmergency Medical Over 65
4 days
Trip Cancellation
$1,500Trip Interruption
$5,000Flight Delay
$500Baggage Delay
$1,000
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1,000Travel Accident
$500,000Car Rental Damage & Theft
yes
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$2500Purchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
1 year
Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Benefits
Details
Free first checked bag
First checked bag is free for primary cardholder on Aircanada flights and up to 8 guests
Nexus Program Rebate
$100 every 4 years
Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits
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Concierge Services
Golf Benefit
Troon Rewards Golf benefits like discounts at over 95 resorts and courses around the world plus access to select private clubs across the U.SExtra points
Earn 50% more Stars and 50% more Aeroplan points at participating Starbucks storesExtra points
Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and over 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStoreStatus lift
Reach Aeroplan Elite™ Status sooner by earning 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles and one (1) Status Qualifying Segment for every $10,000 of net purchases
Car Rental Discount
10% off base rate of Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car
Trip and legal Assistance
Eligibility
Credit Score
Very GoodAnnual Income
$60,000 personal or $100,000 household
For the second group the difference between the privilege and reserve cards and those we discussed is that they come with some luxury benefits like access to the Airport lounge, priority check-in, etc. It’s up to you whether you think the $599 price tag is worth those benefits, but the free checked bag benefit is identical to the more affordable cards; if we were to choose one of these cards, we would have selected the American Express Aeroplan Reserve card.
American Express® Aeroplan®* Card
3.4
Finly Rating
Welcome Bonus*
Up to 40,000 Aeroplan® Points (30,000 in 1st year)
Annual Fee*
$120
Interest Rates*
30% Annual / 30% Annual
Why we like it
Why we like it
This card comes with the free checked bag benefit, which can save hundreds on a single trip for you and your family, more than making up for the annual fee of the card. In addition, the card helps you reach the next Aeroplan Status faster with spending on the card. However, if you don't have a specific use for these two benefits, there are many better cards in terms of benefits and rewards.
Pros & Cons
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free checked bag benefit: Every checked bag might cost you $60 - $100 per person on a round trip. The amount you can save in a year if you travel a few times or travel with a few companions can easily be much higher than the annual fee of the card.
- If you are interested in a higher Aeroplan Status, the card helps you get there faster.
Cons
- The main reward category is only for Air Canada purchases. Unless you are a frequent Air Canada traveler, this reward category is not useful to most people.
- The only other rewards category offered is for food, and it doesn't offer that high of a reward rate either.
- In terms of insurance benefits, the types and coverage amounts provided are lower compared to other cards with a similar annual fee.
Product Details
Product Details
Rewards*
- 2x Aeroplan® points on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada®* and Air Canada vacations®*
- 1.5x Aeroplan® points on eligible Dining and Food Delivery purchases in Canada
- 1x Aeroplan® point on everything else
Insurance*
Coverage*
Flight Delay
$500 (Aggregated with Baggage Delay)Baggage Delay
$500 (Aggregated with Flight Delay)Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500Travel Accident
$500,000Car Rental Damage & Theft
$85K, up to 48 daysPurchase Protection
90 days, $1,000 per occurrenceExtended Warranty
1 year
Benefits*
Details*
Free first checked bag
Enjoy your first checked bag free (up to 23kg/50lb) for up to 9 people travelling on the same reservation on Air Canada®* flightsStatus lift
Reach Aeroplan Elite™ Status sooner by earning Status Qualifying Miles and Status Qualifying Segments with purchases made on your account
Free Extra Night at Hotels
Receive an extra night free for every 3 hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan points
Amex Experiences™
Amex Experiences™: From music and movies, to specially curated dining and online shopping opportunities, stay connected with all that we have to offer from the comfort of your own homeExtra points
Earn points twice at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands
Eligibility*
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
N/A
Conclusion
If you frequently travel with AirCanada and Westjet, getting Credit cards to get free checked bags benefits is a great idea because even though you are paying a fee, you can save much more than the fee you have paid with this benefit. These cards don’t have the highest rewards, so you could get these cards solely for the benefit and use other cards to accumulate rewards.
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