No matter how you slice it, travel can be expensive. While we are big advocates for using miles and points to reduce travel costs and travel better, simply holding credit cards can improve your travel experience. Many Canadian credit cards offer travel-related benefits that can meaningfully impact your travel, whether it results in an elevated experience or reduced costs.
One of the biggest credit card benefits that many Canadians could utilize better is free checked luggage. Checked luggage fees can add up when traveling since they are charged per bag and per direction. However, many credit cards offer free checked baggage or present redemption opportunities to wipe these costs away.
Let’s take a look at which credit cards you can utilize to receive free checked baggage on the most popular airlines in Canada.
The Best Credit Cards for Free Checked Baggage on Air Canada
With Air Canada being the flagship carrier of Canada, many Canadians focus on flying Air Canada as a result of their widespread flight coverage or as a result of chasing valuable Aeroplan Elite status.
Interestingly enough, saving money on Air Canada baggage fees has never been easier, as there are many credit cards that offer the first piece of checked baggage for free as a benefit. This benefit applies not only to the cardholder but also up to eight guests on the same itinerary.
The most accessible credit card that offers this benefit is the American Express Aeroplan card, as it has a lower annual fee of $120 and has no minimum personal or household income requirements.
The American Express® Aeroplan®* Card offers a free first checked bag on Air Canada flights for the cardholder and up to eight guests on the same itinerary.
40,000 Aeroplan points
$4,000
$840+
$120
Yes
–
If you are interested in a slightly elevated Aeroplan card, the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card also offers the first checked bag free for the cardholder, in addition to a $100 credit towards NEXUS Membership or renewal.
This card does have an annual fee of $139 and does have a minimum personal income requirement of $60,000 or a minimum household income requirement of $100,000.
The TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card offers benefits that include a free first checked bag on Air Canada flights and a $100 NEXUS membership credit.
40,000 Aeroplan points
$12,000
$840+
$139 (FYF)
Yes
–
Finally, if you are ok with a higher annual fee and want a premium Aeroplan credit card, the American Express Aeroplan Reserve card is the best option on the market if you want free checked baggage and even more Air Canada benefits.
Not only does this card offer a hefty welcome bonus of up to 85,000 Aeroplan points and the first piece of checked luggage for free, but it also offers priority Air Canada services, access to Maple Leaf airport lounges, and more. It is also the most accessible premium Aeroplan card, as it does not have any minimum income requirements.
The American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve card offers Air Canada benefits including Priority Airport Services, Eligible free first checked bags, and access to Maple Leaf Lounges™* across North America.
Check out our American Express Aeroplan Reserve card review for more details.
85,000 Aeroplan points
$10,000
$1,785+
$599
Yes
–
If you are interested in seeing all personal credit cards that offer the first piece of checked baggage for free on Air Canada flights, we’ve captured them in the table below:
| Credit Card | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
85,000 Aeroplan points Estimated value: $1,785 |
|
 |
85,000 Aeroplan points Estimated value: $1,785 |
|
 |
85,000 Aeroplan points Estimated value: $1,785 |
|
 |
45,000 Aeroplan points Estimated value: $945 |
|
 |
40,000 Aeroplan points Estimated value: $840 |
|
 |
40,000 Aeroplan points Estimated value: $840 |
|
On the flip side, if you are eligible for a small business credit card, there are several options that include the first piece of checked baggage for free on Air Canada flights as a benefit:
| Credit Card | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
100,000 Aeroplan points Estimated value: $2,100 |
|
 |
100,000 Aeroplan points Estimated value: $2,100 |
|
 |
90,000 Aeroplan points Estimated value: $1,890 |
|
 |
60,000 Aeroplan points Estimated value: $1,260 |
|
The Best Credit Card for Free Checked Baggage on WestJet
If you are located in Western Canada, chances are you find yourself needing to fly WestJet fairly frequently. While there are several ways to save on WestJet baggage fees, the most straightforward option is to add the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard to your wallet.
The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard offers a WestJet companion voucher on approval (with the ability to earn one each anniversary year through spending), plus a first free checked bag on WestJet flights.
Check out our WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard review for more details.
70,000 WestJet points
$5,000
$700+
$139
Yes
Feb 4, 2026
WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard cardholders will receive their first checked bag for free on all WestJet flights. Even better, this benefit is passed on to up to eight guests on the same itinerary, meaning an entire family can check luggage for free if only one person holds this credit card.
Passengers will automatically receive the free checked baggage allowance when checking in for their flight, provided they have linked their WestJet Rewards number to their name on the flight booking. They must have also paid for their flight with their WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard to be eligible.
This benefit can result in significant savings, considering a checked bag will cost you a minimum of $35 CAD per direction, per bag.
If you are a family of four who travels with two checked bags, a round trip that would otherwise cost you at least $140 CAD in checked bags fees can be wiped to zero, with the only requirement being that you need to hold the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard which does have an annual fee of $139.
The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard also offers a welcome bonus of up to 70,000 WestJet points plus an annual WestJet companion voucher.
When combined, the welcome bonus of WestJet points and a companion voucher can result in significant savings on your next flight booking, so if you fly on WestJet at least once per year, this is a credit card that is worth keeping in your wallet.
The Best Credit Card for Free Checked Baggage on Porter Airlines
While Porter Airlines continues to grow, the airline is already favored by many members of the Frugal Flyer team. Recently, the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard was launched, and it features a benefit that is one of the best ways to save on Porter baggage fees.
The BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard offers benefits including VIPorter Venture membership and the opportunity to earn an annual round-trip companion pass through spending.
Earn when you apply through Frugal Flyer.
70,000 VIPorter points
$18,000
$1,175+
$199 (FYF)
Yes
Jan 31, 2026
BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard cardholders receive complimentary Venture Membership status within the VIPorter loyalty program. Most notably, this status includes a free checked bag on Porter Airlines flights for the cardholder and up to eight guests on the same itinerary.
However, this isn’t the only valuable benefit offered by Venture Membership status. Cardholders will also receive a free carry-on bag on all Porter fare classes, free PorterClassic seat selection, priority re-accommodation for flight delays, and priority check-in, security, and early boarding. And yes, all of these benefits also apply to up to eight guests on the same itinerary.
While it can be tough to put a dollar amount on the other benefits, the free checked baggage benefit can save $35 CAD per bag, per direction. If you check luggage and fly Porter Airlines a few times a year, the savings from this benefit can add up quickly. Plus, when you include all of the additional benefits, the impact on your Porter Airlines experience from adding just one credit card is significant.
While the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard does have a higher annual fee of $199, it does tend to offer the first year free as part of the welcome bonus. Plus, eligible new applicants can earn up to 70,000 VIPorter points, which can further help reduce travel costs.
The Best Credit Cards for Free Checked Baggage on All Other Airlines
While there are co-branded cards for the three major airlines in Canada that can help you save on checked luggage fees, these aren’t the only airlines you’ll find yourself flying. Whether you plan on flying on a budget carrier like Flair Airlines, or any of the other airlines worldwide, there are still opportunities to save on the cost of checked luggage.
One way to do this is to earn and redeem points on a card that allows flexible travel redemptions. For this use, we are big advocates for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card as one of the best overall travel credit cards in Canada.
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card offers benefits such as no foreign transaction fees and six annual complimentary airport lounge access passes.
Check out our Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card review for more details.
Earn when you apply through Frugal Flyer.
60,000 Scene+ points
$40,000
$750+
$150
No
Jul 1, 2026
Not only does it offer a welcome bonus of up to 60,000 Scene+ points for an annual fee of $150, but it also offers six complimentary airport lounges passes, no foreign currency transaction fees, and the flexibility that are Scene+ points.
Scene+ points can be redeemed against any purchases that code as travel, at a rate of 100 Scene+ points for $1 CAD. This means that you can charge your checked luggage fees directly to your credit card that earns Scene+ points and then redeem points directly against the charge, wiping out the cost.
However, there are a plethora of credit cards that earn Scene+ points if you are interested in utilizing their flexible redemption opportunities. For reference, we’ve captured all credit cards that earn Scene+ points below if you are interested in seeing what other options are available:
| Credit Card | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
100,000 Scene+ points and $200 FlyerFunds Estimated value: $1,200 Ends Apr 30, 2026 |
|
 |
80,000 Scene+ points and $200 FlyerFunds Estimated value: $1,000 Ends Jul 1, 2026 |
|
 |
60,000 Scene+ points and $150 FlyerFunds Estimated value: $750 Ends Jul 1, 2026 |
|
 |
45,000 Scene+ points and $150 FlyerFunds Estimated value: $600 Ends Jul 1, 2026 |
|
 |
40,000 Scene+ points Estimated value: $400 Ends Oct 31, 2026 |
|
 |
10,000 Scene+ points and $60 FlyerFunds Estimated value: $160 Ends Jul 1, 2026 |
|
 |
5,000 Scene+ points and $60 FlyerFunds Estimated value: $110 Ends Apr 30, 2026 |
|
 |
7,500 Scene+ points Estimated value: $75 Ends Apr 30, 2026 |
|
Another great credit card you can use to wipe out checked luggage fees is the National Bank World Elite Mastercard, as it offers an annual $150 travel credit usable per calendar year.
The National Bank World Elite Mastercard offers benefits that include an annual $150 travel credit and access to the National Bank VIP airport lounge in the Montreal Airport International terminal.
Check out our National Bank World Elite Mastercard review for more details.
0 À la carte Rewards
$0
$0+
$150
Yes
–
Cardholders simply need to make an eligible travel purchase on their card, which can include checked baggage fees and more, and then redeem their credit towards the purchase on the National Bank website.
While the card does have an annual fee of $150, this travel credit effectively makes this card a net zero cost to hold for the long-term. Plus, you can also benefit from the amazing travel insurance on the National Bank World Elite Mastercard.
Conclusion
The fact that you can wipe out checked baggage fees that can add up to hundreds of dollars, simply by utilizing a credit card benefit, is incredibly powerful. Yet this benefit is very accessible for the everyday Canadian who wants to save on their travel costs.
If you have a Canadian airline that you tend to favor that offers a co-branded airline credit card with this benefit, it is absolutely worth adding one of these cards to your wallet.
Josh Bandura
Latest posts by Josh Bandura (see all)
- Frugal Flyer Presents: Best Bank Account Awards (2026) - Jan 16, 2026
- AIR MILES Card-Linked Offers: What You Need to Know - Jan 9, 2026
- New Scotiabank Credit Card Offers (January 2026) - Jan 2, 2026
- Best Credit Cards in Canada (January 2026) - Jan 1, 2026
- Best Bank Accounts in Canada (January 2026) - Jan 1, 2026