You’ve scored a fantastic deal on a flight, and you’re ready to book your next getaway. But then comes the moment of truth: the checkout page, where the airline adds the fees. Suddenly, your cheap flight is inflated by $70 or more for a single round-trip checked bag. It’s one of the most frustrating parts of modern travel.
In 2025, baggage fees have become an unavoidable reality for most airlines. But that doesn’t mean you have to pay them.
For the savvy traveler, there are several proven, legitimate strategies to get those pesky fees waived. If you’re wondering how to get your baggage fee waived, this guide will walk you through the six best methods to save a significant amount of money on your next trip.
1. Get an Airline Co-Branded Credit Card (The Easiest Hack)
This is the most effective and accessible strategy for the average traveler. Nearly every major airline offers a co-branded credit card, and one of their primary perks is a “first checked bag free” benefit.
- How it Works: When you hold a card like the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, the United℠ Explorer Card, or the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® card, you typically get your first checked bag free on domestic flights. This benefit often extends to at least one companion traveling on the same reservation.
- Do the Math: These cards usually have an annual fee around $95. A standard checked bag costs about $35 each way, or $70 for a round trip. This means the card pays for itself after just one and a half trips if you’re traveling solo. If you’re traveling with a partner, you save up to $140 on a single round trip, making the card profitable immediately.
- The Catch: You must book your flight with that specific credit card to activate the benefit.
2. Earn Frequent Flyer Elite Status (The Frequent Traveler’s Reward)
If you fly often and have loyalty to a particular airline, this is the most seamless way to get your fees waived. As you accumulate miles, you earn elite status (often called Silver, Gold, Platinum, etc.).
- How it Works: Even the lowest tier of elite status with an airline almost always includes at least one free checked bag as a perk. Higher status levels often grant you two or even three free checked bags, along with other benefits like priority boarding and upgrades. This is the airline’s way of rewarding its most loyal customers.
3. Fly Southwest Airlines (The “Bags Fly Free” Champion)
If you want to avoid the hassle of credit cards and status tiers, there is one simple solution.
- The Policy: Southwest Airlines is the only major U.S. airline where every passenger gets two free checked bags. This isn’t a promotion; it’s their core business model. It applies to every ticket they sell, from the cheapest to the most expensive.
- The Smart Comparison: When shopping for flights, always compare the “all-in” price. A Southwest ticket that looks $50 more expensive than a competitor’s is actually cheaper if you were planning to check a bag ($70 round-trip).
4. Purchase a Premium Class Ticket
This isn’t a money-saving tip in itself, but it’s an included perk for those who are already flying in a premium cabin. Passengers in First Class or Business Class almost always receive two or three free checked bags as part of their ticket price.
5. Look for Special Waivers and Policies
Certain groups and routes have special baggage rules.
- Active Military: All major U.S. airlines offer free checked bags (often two or more, sometimes with higher weight limits) for active-duty U.S. military personnel and their families, whether on official orders or personal travel. You just need to present your military ID at the check-in counter.
- International Flights: While the trend is changing, many traditional long-haul international flights (e.g., from the U.S. to Europe or Asia) still include at least one free checked bag in the standard Main Cabin economy fare. However, this often does not apply to the cheapest Basic Economy tickets, so be sure to check your specific fare rules.
6. The Gate-Check “Gamble” (A Risky Last Resort)
On a completely full flight, you’ll often hear a gate agent making an announcement asking for volunteers to check their carry-on bags for free to make room in the overhead bins.
- How it Works: If you have a regulation-sized carry-on, you can volunteer to have it tagged and loaded into the cargo hold at no charge.
- ⚠️ WARNING: This is not a guaranteed strategy and should not be your plan. If the flight isn’t full or if you board early, this opportunity won’t exist. Never bring a bag that must be checked to the gate and hope you get it for free. You will likely be hit with the most expensive at-gate checked bag fee. Think of this as a pleasant surprise when it happens, not a reliable method.
The Ultimate Waiver: Don’t Check a Bag at All
After all these hacks and strategies, the single most effective, 100% guaranteed way to get your baggage fee waived is to make the fee completely irrelevant.
By mastering the art of packing everything you need into a single carry-on bag, you take control of the situation. You save money, you save time by skipping the check-in counter and the baggage carousel, and you eliminate any risk of the airline losing your luggage. It’s the most empowering travel strategy of all.
Conclusion
Baggage fees don’t have to be an unavoidable tax on travel. For most travelers, an airline credit card is the easiest path to waived fees. For everyone, Southwest Airlines is a fantastic option. And for the savvy minimalist, the carry-on is king. By using one of these strategies, you can fight back against rising costs and keep more money in your pocket for your actual vacation.
