Best Credit Cards with Free Checked Bags In Canada for May 2026

What to Look for in Best Credit Cards with Free Checked Bags

When choosing from the best credit cards with free checked bags in Canada, focus on the airline you fly, the annual fee, and the travel benefits that matter to you.

Airline Benefits

Free checked bag benefits are airline-specific. You should also consider other airline benefits provided with the card.

Aeroplan cards apply only to Air Canada flights, while WestJet cards apply to WestJet flights.

You’ll only get value from this benefit if you’re flying with that airline at least a couple of times a year.

Annual Fee

You should weigh the annual fee against how often you check a bag.

Most airlines charge $30 to $35 per checked bag per person, per direction.

With just a few round trips per year, this benefit alone can easily outweigh the annual fee.

Flight and Baggage Delay

Travel insurance is especially valuable during flight delays and cancellations.

While airlines have limited obligations for weather issues, your credit card’s trip delay benefit will reimburse you for food and hotels.

This keeps your out-of-pocket costs at zero while you wait for your next connection.

Additional Airline Benefits

These cards often include more than just a free checked bag.

Some Aeroplan cards can include priority check-in, priority boarding, preferred pricing on reward flights, and annual companion vouchers.

Some WestJet cards can include an annual companion voucher and status lift through spending.

These additional benefits can significantly increase the overall value of the card beyond baggage savings.