[TRAVEL] Credit Cards that give a Free Checked Bag (updated June 19, 2015)

There has been a lot of news about changes to checked bags when boarding a flight. There has also been some changes to the carry-on rules, whereby some airlines are looking at shrinking the eligible size. Of course all the changes tend to be counter customer friendly. As a result, free checked bag perks that come with a credit card has become much more valuable. Below is an update to the list of credit cards that offer a free checked bag, ranked by annual fees:

American Express AeroplanPlus Reserve Card

• $899 annual fee
• Receive up to 5 free checked bags annually

Basic and supplementary cardholders can each receive 1 complimentary checked bag (per one way) when travelling on flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express or Air Canada rouge. There is a maximum of 5 complimentary checked bags annually based on the respective cardmembership anniversary dates. Cardmembers are required to show their American Express AeroplanPlus Reserve Card to the Air Canada agent when checking in for their flight at the check-in counter. Cardmembers must also include their Aeroplan number on their reservation at the time of booking, or book their Aeroplan flight reward from their Aeroplan account.

CIBC Aerogold Visa Infinite Privilege Card

• $399 annual fee
• Receive 1 free checked bag

The primary cardholder receives 1 free checked bag on any flight operated by Air Canada, Air Canada rouge or under the Air Canada Express banner. The Primary cardholder must include their Aeroplan Number on their reservation at time of booking, or redeem their Aeroplan flight reward (defined as a ClassicFlight or Market Fare Flight Reward) using Miles from their Aeroplan Account, and must also ensure that the name on the Air Canada flight booking is identical to the name on the Aeroplan Account profile of the traveller. The Primary cardholder may be required to show their CIBC Aerogold Visa Infinite Privilege Card to the Air Canada agent.

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege

• $399 annual fee
• Receive 1 free checked bag

The primary cardholder receives 1 free checked bag on any flight operated by Air Canada, Air Canada rouge or under the Air Canada Express banner. The primary cardholder must include their Aeroplan Number on their reservation at time of booking, or redeem their Aeroplan flight reward (defined as a ClassicFlight or Market Fare Flight Reward) using Miles from their Aeroplan Account, and must also ensure that the name on the Air Canada flight booking is identical to the name on the Aeroplan Account profile of the traveller. The primary cardholder may be required to show their CIBC Aerogold Visa Infinite Privilege Card to the Air Canada agent.

CIBC Aerogold Visa Infinite Card

• $120 annual fee
• Receive 1 free checked bag

The primary cardholder receives 1 free checked bag when redeeming for an Aeroplanreward flight only, on a flight operated by Air Canada, Air Canada rouge or under the Air Canada Express banner. The primary cardholder must redeem their Aeroplan Flight Reward (defined as a ClassicFlight or Market Fare Flight Reward) with Miles from their Aeroplan Account, and must also ensure that the name on the Air Canada flight booking is identical to the name on the Aeroplan Account profile of the traveller. The primary cardholder may be required to show their CIBC Aerogold Visa Infinite Card or their CIBC Aerogold Visa Card for Business to the Air Canada agent.

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card

• $120 annual fee
• Receive 1 free checked bag

The primary cardholder receives 1 free checked bag when redeeming for an Aeroplan reward flight only, on a flight operated by Air Canada, Air Canada rouge or under the Air Canada Express banner. The primary cardholder must redeem their Aeroplan flight reward (defined as a ClassicFlight or Market Fare Flight Reward) with Miles from their Aeroplan Account and must also ensure that the name on the Air Canada flight booking is identical to the name on the Aeroplan Account profile of the traveller. The primary cardholder may be required to show their TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card to the Air Canada agent.

RBC WestJet World Elite MasterCard

• $99 annual fee
• Receive 1 free checked bag

The primary cardholder receives 1 free bag on all WestJet flights. However, the free bag does not apply in the Flex or Plus fare options or for travel to international destinations (Caribbean, Central America, Europe and Mexico).