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Rosemarie Clancy

Amex Platinum Credit Score + requirements for approval

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The average American Express Platinum Card applicant has a credit score of 715.
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The best credit card offers are reserved for people with the best credit scores. These are the customers that the banks and card issuers want to attract, so it makes sense that they offer big sign-up bonuses, lucrative rewards and valuable benefits to entice them.

There are also some credit cards that are more impressive to carry than others. The Platinum Card by American Express is one of those cards. 

Not only does it have a big sign-up bonus, great earning potential and top-tier benefits, but many people and merchants know that not everyone has the income and creditworthiness to get approved for this card so it’s akin to driving a luxury car for some.

You might be considering this card because you are collecting Membership Rewards for a big trip and you are interested in the current 75,000 point sign-up bonus and high points earning potential, but before you fill out that application let’s see what credit score it requires and what type of consumer(s) it is ideal for.

✈️ Looking for a new travel credit card this year? See today’s top offers below:

Who is the Amex Platinum Card For?

American Express has many charge and credit cards for personal and business use, but the Platinum card is a top-of-the-line premium card in the American Express portfolio. There is only one Amex card that is more exclusive, and that is the invitation-only Centurion Card by American Express.

The odds of you getting an invitation for the Centurion card though are small as it is designed for less than 1% of the population, and it carries a hefty annual fee of $5,000 as well as an initiation fee of $10,000. 

There is no online application for the Centurion card, as you have to be invited to apply. Keep in mind that an invitation does not mean you will be successful with your application.

The Platinum card is not quite as exclusive or as expensive to hold as the Centurion, but you need to have the Platinum card to even get invited to apply for the Centurion. The Platinum card itself is still widely respected and recognized as a status symbol, and it’s your gateway to an invitation to apply for the Centurion card if that is your aspiration.

In general, you’ll need good or excellent credit to be approved for the Platinum Card from American Express. This means you need a credit score in the range of 680 to 740. The average applicant has a score of 715 but some have been approved with a credit score in the 640’s when it’s coupled with a high income.

Amex Platinum is Good for Travelers and Business Owners

The Platinum Card by American Express is best suited for travelers because many of the benefits and statement credits offered are for travel. This card comes with automatic elite status in two hotel programs: You’ll get Gold elite status in both the Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors programs. 

You’ll also have access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes over 1,300 lounges at more than 500 airports worldwide in 140 countries.

Plus it lets you earn 5x Membership Rewards points for flights booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel. Those bonus points can be earned on up to $500,000 in airline bookings. If you fly that much, you can do the math. You’ll be sitting on a pile of points.

You can also earn 5x points on Amex Hotel Collection bookings, and you get a $100 on-site credit for prepaid hotel stays of at least two nights in one of those hotels. You can use the credit for dining, spa and other activities at the hotel or resort.

You also get access to Platinum Travel consultants and a personal concierge. That all makes this card ideal for small business owners who travel or for people who travel frequently. If you only take one or two vacations a year, you won’t be able to take advantage of all the benefits so this card may not be right for you.

If you own a small business and travel for work, consider applying for the business version of this card. It has the mostly same benefits but comes with some extra perks as well.

Membership Rewards Bonus Points

The Amex Platinum card is a great card to apply for if you are collecting or want to start building a stash of American Express Membership Rewards as it currently comes with a 75,000-point welcome offer when you spend $5,000 in the first six months of having the card, and that can really jumpstart or boost your points balance. 

The welcome offer also lets you earn 10x on purchases at gas stations and in supermarkets on up to $15,000 in purchases in the first six months, which is great for people who have not been able to travel or dine out because of the pandemic. 

That is equal to 150,000 points if you max out the offer, which will bring the total welcome bonus up to 225,000 Amex Membership Rewards points. You’ll also get 1x point per dollar on all other purchases that are not in a bonus category.

If you’re not sure if you qualify for the Platinum card, there are other Amex cards that might be a better fit for starters, and you can work your way up to applying for a more premium card. But if you’ve had a few credit cards and maintain a good credit history and score, then it might be time to pull the trigger and upgrade to the Amex Platinum card. 

Don’t upgrade one of your current Amex cards though as you will lose out on the sign-up bonus. Fill out a new application and be sure to look around for a rumored 100,000 point welcome bonus that is popping up on browsers as a limited time offer. Very limited that is. If you close your browser it will disappear.

How much does it cost?

The Amex Platinum is a premium card that comes with a $550 annual fee, but not everyone is willing to pay a yearly fee to hold a credit card and not everybody can meet the minimum spend required to get the welcome bonus.

The Amex Platinum is similar to other premium cards with fees in the $500 range like the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Citi Prestige cards, and while the costs and benefits differ the Amex Platinum is more popular, especially for status seekers and travelers.

This is generally not a good card for beginners because of its high annual fee, but if you’re interested in it for the points and perks you might want to apply for an Amex Gold card which is one level below this card and has a $250 fee and a 60,000 point welcome offer when you spend $4,000 in the first six months. 

If you don’t spend enough to earn either the Gold or Platinum sign-up bonus and you don’t need all the benefits of those cards, you can also consider the American Express Green card, which has a $150 annual fee and comes with a 45,000 point bonus after spending $2,000 in the first six months.

Is the Amex Platinum worth the $550 annual fee?

If you can meet the minimum spend to get the welcome offer on the Amex Platinum card and your credit score is good enough to qualify, the welcome bonus alone will offset the annual fee. The 75,000 points you earn for signing up are worth a minimum of $750 in travel.

Those points can be even more valuable if you transfer them to an airline frequent flyer program. Amex Membership Rewards transfer to 16 airline programs including:

  • Aer Lingus
  • Aeromexico
  • Air Canada
  • Air France/KLM
  • Alitalia
  • ANA
  • Avianca
  • British Airways
  • Cathay Pacific
  • Delta, El Al
  • Emirates
  • Etihad
  • Hawaiian
  • Iberia
  • JetBlue
  • Qantas
  • Singapore
  • Virgin Atlantic

All three airline alliances are represented in the mix, as well as a few foreign airlines that don’t belong to an alliance so there are plenty of redemption possibilities.

You can also transfer your Amex Membership Rewards points to three hotel programs including  Choice Privileges, Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy. You can also use points for gift cards or other redemptions, but those are not usually a good value.

Statement Credits for Travel

If that’s not enough, you’ll also get a $200 credit for incidentals on the airline of your choice. The credit runs on a calendar year, so it gets refreshed every January and you have until the end of January to select the airline you want to use the credit on, and then you have until the end of the year to use the credit for things like baggage check and in-flight amenities like food, beverages and entertainment. You can also use it for pet fees and overweight baggage.

The airlines you can choose from include Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Spirit, Southwest and United. You might be tempted to select the airline you fly most often, but if you already have elite status on that carrier or hold a co-branded card that gives you benefits like free checked bags, then you might be better off selecting a low-cost carrier that you fly less frequently and have to pay for bags or seat assignments.

The card also comes with Uber VIP status and a monthly Uber credit of $15 with a $20 bonus in December, so that adds up to $200 per year if you take Ubers regularly. The credit can also be used for food delivery through Uber Eats. 

You’ll also get a $100 credit every four years if you apply for Global Entry or every 4.5 years if you apply for TSA PreCheck. These expedited airport security clearances are good for five years.

Statement Credits for Shopping and other Travel Perks

You also get two semi-annual $50 credits to use at Saks Fifth Avenue, so that adds up to another $100 statement credit. One is good from January to June and the other in the second half of the year.

All together that’s $600 if you take advantage of all of these statement credits. That pays for the card itself, and you still get all the other perks like gold elite status in two hotel chains and lounge access in airports. There are also no foreign transaction fees when you use this card overseas, and those can add up so this is another consideration when deciding if the Amex Platinum card is right for you.

Additionally, you get access to Premium Global Assist, a 24/7 hotline for medical, legal and financial issues that may arise when you’re traveling. You need to be more than 100 miles from home to use this service. 

You can get a translator to help you locate services needed, they can wire you money and they can even transport you to a new hospital for free if you meet the requirements. Hopefully you won’t need help, but having these benefits offers peace of mind when traveling as emergencies do come up.

Credit Score and Income Level Requirements

If you’re sold on getting the Amex Platinum card, you might think you need a top credit score to have a successful application. You’ll be surprised to know that it only requires a score of 700 or more, which is a good to excellent credit rating.  It can even be as low as 680 if your income is high and your credit history is clean.

Obviously the higher your score is, the better your chances are of getting approved. In addition to reviewing your credit score, American Express will also look at your current income, your debt-to-income ratio and your credit card history.

Your FICO credit score looks at payment history (which makes up 35% of your score), amount owed (30%), length of credit history (14%), new credit (10%) and credit mix (10%).

To improve your chances of getting approved, we recommend having an excellent credit score over 720, an income of at least $50,000 a year and a good credit history for at least the past two years.

If you’ve got your eye on the Centurion Card by American Express, your score and income will need to be much higher. You’ll need a credit score over 800 and income in the million dollar range. Amex will also need to see spending of $100,000 or more on the card to invite you to upgrade from Platinum to Centurion.

Odds of Approval

If you’ve managed your credit well and have a sufficient income level, you have a good chance of getting approved for the Amex Platinum card. Even if your score is on the low end of the range in the high 600s, you can be approved if your income is $100,000 or more for example.

There are a few things to keep in mind though. If you applied for another Amex card recently and did not get approved, wait at least 30 days before applying again. In general, the longer you wait, the better the odds.

Check your credit report in the meantime to make sure there are no errors, and note the reasons for not getting approved. It could be that you have opened too many lines of credit recently or that you already have too many credit cards with American Express. Correct any  issues that you can before applying again, and if you get rejected again be sure to call the reconsideration line to plead your case.

Amex Rules

A number of banks and credit card issuers have come up with rules to stop people from churning cards, where they close a card after getting a bonus and then apply for the same card again to get another bonus.

American Express is no exception, and they have one of the strictest rules when it comes to sign-up bonuses. Other card issuers like Chase make you wait 48 months before you apply again and you can’t have another card in the family of cards you are applying for. 

Amex however does not allow a cardholder to get a welcome bonus twice. If you’ve held the Platinum card previously and already got a bonus, you will not be eligible for the new sign-up bonus, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get the card. It just means that you won’t get the 75,000 point bonus. So if that is why you are applying, don’t take the ding on your credit score just to find out you’re not eligible for the big welcome bonus.

Also, at Amex you can only get approved for two Amex cards every 90 days, so make sure you’ve left sufficient time in between applications. More time between applications is best.

If your company is in better financial shape than you are, then that may be the way to go to secure this card. It is sometimes easier to get the business version than the personal one, especially if you have a successful business and charge a lot of expenses.

Final Thoughts

If you’re in the market for a premium travel credit card and you pay your bills on time, have good income and a close-to-excellent or better credit score, then the American Express Platinum card is a great addition to your wallet and one that comes with a host of benefits, statement credits and Membership Rewards point earning opportunities especially for travelers.

Is it worth keeping the Amex Platinum? 

When the second year comes along, you should re-evaluate whether you want to pay $550 for the next year. Remember you won’t get that 75,000 point sign-up bonus so that will not help offset the annual fee. But the many other perks like $600 in statement credits can. But only if you use them. And elite status at Marriott and Hilton have value, but only if you plan to stay at those properties. The same goes for airport lounge access. If you don’t fly that often or there are no lounges in the network in the airports you use, then this benefit does not add much value.

If you can take advantage of many of the benefits offered it might be a good idea to hold onto the card. Also, if you do cancel the card and then reapply later because you missed the benefits, you may not be approved if your financial situation has changed. And a few last notes on cancelling a card, you will lose that line of credit in your overall credit availability and holding a card for only one year will also shorten your average length of credit so keep all this in mind before you decide to cancel the card as it can affect your credit score.

So when it’s time to renew the card, determine the value you got out of it the first year and see if your upcoming travel plans might benefit from status or lounge access. And lastly, look at the spend on the card for the past year and calculate how many Membership Rewards you earned. While other Amex cards give you 3x and 4x on travel, that extra point or two per dollar can really add up if you use the card to pay big bills.

Final though for first time applicants: If you are eligible for this card and you travel frequently enough to take advantage of the travel benefits, there is no need to worry about the cost of the card as you will more than make that back when you use your the Membership Rewards points you get just for signing up. Good luck on getting approved if you’ve made up your mind that this card is the one for you.

✈️ Looking for a new travel credit card this year? See today’s top offers below:

Differences Between Business Class and First Class – broken down by airline

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Full disclosure: We may receive financial compensation when you click on links and are approved for products from our advertising partners. Opinions and product recommendations on FlyerGeek are those of our writers and have not been influenced, reviewed or approved by any advertiser. Learn more about how we make money.

If you’re ready to take to the skies again, you might be considering booking a seat in business or first class for your next trip, especially if you are taking a long-haul flight or you need some extra legroom.

Who doesn’t need a little extra room these days with airlines packing as many seats in coach as they can? Nobody wants to get off their flight with cramped legs, and if it’s an overnight flight it’s nearly impossible to sleep comfortably in a coach seat that barely reclines no matter how good your neck pillow is.. 

The free-flowing wine, champagne and upscale menus in first or business class are also part of the fun! Exclusive lounge access before you board lets you grab a bite and sometimes even a shower before your flight to ensure you sleep well during your journey.

But what is the difference between the two classes of service, and is it worth the extra money or rewards to pay for a premium seat or upgrade your ticket? One thing to keep in mind is that rates and services will vary by carrier, route, aircraft and demand, but we can give you an idea of what the differences are so you’ll know what to look for when you’re booking.

We’ll also take a look at the three domestic legacy carriers and provide details on what they offer to passengers in first and business class cabins, and we’ll also tell you about some premium services offered in select business travel markets by the three airlines.

✈️ Looking for a new travel credit card this year? See today’s top offers below:

Key Differences for International Flights

Long international flights are a prime opportunity to try business or first class service. Flights to Europe are often scheduled overnight, and if you’re headed to Asia you could be on a plane for 15-20 hours.

Seats that lay flat in business or first class can let you get some sleep during your flight so you can land refreshed and ready to tour the destination or attend to business. In some cases, there are even private lounges for upper class passengers to use before boarding. 

But not all seats are created equal, so don’t expect a lie-flat seat on all premium bookings, and not all airports have lounge access, so depending on your departure city you may or may not be able to take advantage of that perk.

Premium cabin travel usually includes expedited security screening and check-in; two or three free checked bags depending on the carrier, ticket and your elite status; priority boarding and even quick access to your luggage when you land. And the food is definitely better than the much-maligned meals served in coach, with business and first class menus often designed by renowned chiefs. 

There are also sleep kits that are handed out in premium cabins that can include slippers, pajamas and impressive pouches filled with designer amenities. Most premium cabins also have dedicated flight attendants for personal service, and extra entertainment options and sometimes free wi-fi. But as airlines reimagine business travel, they have introduced branded products that are often more upscale than traditional first class seats, so read on to find out more.

Foreign Carriers

Foreigh carriers offer some of the most deluxe premium cabin experiences with some carriers like Lufthansa offering its first class passengers chauffeured cars to the airport. And Etihad Airways even offers suites called Apartments in the Sky to its first class passengers.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the three largest domestic carriers and their offerings to showcase the amenities for business and first class passengers and give you an idea of how the two classes of travel differ and what you can expect.

Business Class vs First Class on American Airlines

On American, premium cabins are suggested according to routes. American Airlines recommends booking business class service on its shorter international flights from the US to Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, Puerto Rico and some destinations in South America. First class is recommended for flights from the US to Asia, Australia, Europe and other parts of South America that are further away..

A business, first class or premium economy ticket will get you priority privileges before you board that include letting you speed through check-in, security and boarding, even if you arrive late. Of course, first class passengers get priority, then business, then premium economy and elite status or those who carry one of the airline’s co-branded cards that offer this benefit. You’ll also get free checked bags: two for business class travelers and three for first class passengers.

Comfortable Seats and Upscale Meals

First class service on American includes wider seats with more legroom, premium dining with menus designed by Dallas restaurateur Julian Barsotti, as well as free entertainment and wi-fi. Shorter international flights offer similar services in business class.

The airline’s most exclusive services are called Flagship First and Flagship Business. It is offered on international and transcontinental flights on its Boeing 777-300 aircraft, and is only available in five airports currently in Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami and New York’s JFK, with Philadelphia launching soon. Lounges in those cities for first and business class Flagship passengers offer chef-inspired meals, premium wine tables, specialty cocktail bars, shower suites and more. 

Business and first class seats and services can vary greatly by aircraft and route, so be sure to check this page to see what you are booking, and check what services are available in your departure city and destination.

Flagship First and Five Star Services

Flagship First Dining for example allows you to have a sit-down dining experience in the lounge before you board so you can maximize the amount of time you can sleep while flying. Dishes are designed in partnership with the James Beard Foundation, a culinary arts organization. The first class experience can also extend after you land in London for example, where American Airlines offers showers and breakfast and lunch buffets in its Arrivals Lounge.

American also offers Five Star Service at 16 US airports and four international ones to its premium class passengers, though this will cost $350 more per adult ticket and $100 for an additional adult. It includes access to Flagship First check-in and access to Admirals Club lounges. You can also use 35,000 AAdvantage miles to add this service on for the first adult and 10,000 miles for the second adult.

Business Class vs First Class on Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines premium products can be a little confusing. The carrier offers first class service on its shorter international flights and some domestic routes, but it’s most premium product is actually Delta One, which is technically a business class fare that is offered on longer flights.

Delta Airlines offers Sky Priority service to its first class passengers, which includes expedited check-in, security and boarding, and you also get your bags first when you land. First class seats offer up to 8” of extra legroom and seats that recline up to 5.4” compared to the main cabin. Food is made fresh and varies by length of flight. Flights over 900 miles include a chef-curated meal.

Delta One

Delta One passengers also get Sky Priority services, and on board there are 180-degree lie-flat seats. The airline’s A350 and A339 planes feature doors and privacy dividers between center suites for Delta One passengers. Passengers are offered TUMI amenity kits that include LE LABO lotion and lip balm. Delta One passengers also get Sky Club lounge access before their flight.

If you’re booked on Delta One, you’ll be the first to board the plane, and you’ll have an elevated dining experience on board with chef-designed meals with local, seasonal and regional offerings paired with premium wines. Top-shelf liquor choices include Grey Goose vodka and Jack Daniels Single Barrel Select.

Delta One is available primarily on long-haul routes, but is also available in some domestic markets including flights departing from LAX. First class passengers and Delta One passengers also have access to Sky Club lounges where available before their flight.

Business Class vs First Class on United Airlines

United First is the premium class of service offered on flights throughout the US including Alaska, Hawaii and Canada. If you’re booked on a United First ticket you get Premier Access benefits which include dedicated check-in and security lane access as well as priority boarding. You can also check up to two bags for free. Business class passengers also get Premier Access benefits. 

United Business is offered on flights between the US and Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as some transcontinental flights, and offers similar benefits as those offered to first class passengers. The biggest difference is in service levels when flying.

On board in first and business class you’ll get a premium leather reclining seat with a six-way adjustable headrest with a slot for your laptop in the armrest. Granite-topped tray tables offer a flip up mobile device holder and a universal power plug. Entertainment options include United Private Screening where you can stream from an extensive series of movies and TV shows as well as DirectTV.

The carrier has teamed up with Trotter Project to offer restaurant-quality dining as well as On the Rocks cocktails, a rotating craft beer selection and illy coffee for first, business and Polaris customers.

United Polaris

The real premium product on United flights is United Polaris, which is being rolled out on new and retrofitted planes. It is a business class product that is available on long-haul international flights and is replacing United first class on long flights. Seats lie flat and there are dividers between them if you are traveling alone.

The airline has teamed up with Saks Fifth Avenue to offer luxury bedding in Polaris cabins, which includes a quilted duvet or a lighter throw blanket. You can even request mattress cushions for more comfort.

Amenity kits include slippers and pajamas for flights over 12 hours and skincare items from Sunday Riley, as well as earplugs and other amenities. There are also exclusive Polaris lounges you can visit before boarding in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark and San Francisco. If there is no Polaris lounge at your departing airport, first, business and Polaris passengers can use United Club lounges before boarding.

COVID Restrictions

Some food and beverage services are currently limited on some airlines and flights due to the pandemic, so check on what the airline is offering if this is part of the experience you are looking forward to. And some lounges that provide access to first and business class passengers are currently closed, so check on that as well if you are planning to use a lounge prior to boarding.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are a lot of variables and considerations when booking a premium airline seat, and in some cases business class service is actually more premium than first class, so do your homework before booking to ensure you get the experience you want.

Many domestic flights for instance, are not that long or you have to change planes at an airline hub, so it may not be worth paying extra for a business or first class experience. Many flights don’t offer upper class services and/or there are limited seats, though it is usually an option on transcontinental flights.

Some planes are also older, and the seat configurations can vary greatly so be sure to check out the type of plane and its floor plan to get a better idea of what the actual seat you’re considering looks like, especially if the fare is lower than you expect. That may be because the plane has older seats that only recline and may not lay flat, or the seat width and pitch are not as great as you would expect.

If your company is willing to pick up the tab, then flying in a premium cabin is a no-brainer on business trips. But check out a few options for the route you are taking because it could mean the difference between having an enclosed area with a lie flat seat or just getting a wide reclining seat. Also, some carriers may have lounges in your departure city, while others don’t. It also might be of interest to find out what they’re serving and/or arrival times to make your final decision.

If you are paying for the flight or using points or miles for an award ticket, consider the value you are getting before booking a first or business class seat. For miles and points collectors, award seats in premium cabins usually offer the best value for redemptions, so if you’ve got a lot of miles and points stashed it might be time to find an award seat in a first or business class cabin to get the most value for your rewards. Shop around if you’re using miles because you can usually get a better first or business class experience with fewer miles or by transferring points if you do your research.

✈️ Looking for a new travel credit card this year? See today’s top offers below:

Travel Credit Cards: How to Choose the Right One for You

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Full disclosure: We may receive financial compensation when you click on links and are approved for products from our advertising partners. Opinions and product recommendations on FlyerGeek are those of our writers and have not been influenced, reviewed or approved by any advertiser. Learn more about how we make money.

Frequent flyer programs designed to reward loyal airline passengers have been around for over 40 years. Hotel marketers noted the popularity back then and adopted similar marketing strategies. In the early days, these programs were simple. You earned miles for taking flights on a particular airline and earned points for stays at a hotel chain, and those miles or points were redeemed for a free flight or hotel stay with the airline or hotel you earned them with.

Today, these loyalty programs are more popular than ever, largely due to an abundance of credit cards that help travelers earn bonus points and miles by signing up for a credit card and using that card to make purchases to earn more miles and points. The reward programs have also gotten more complex with most having multiple partners, especially credit card issuers, so it’s important to know how it all works.

So how do you pick the right travel rewards credit card? A lot of people that are new to travel hacking make the mistake of signing up for every shiny new credit card that has an attractive offer. 

Before you apply for a card just because it is offering a huge sign-up bonus, read on to learn more about how loyalty programs and travel rewards credit cards work so you can choose a card wisely and actually earn a free trip rather than holding a bunch of miles and points that you might not be able to use.

✈️ Looking for a new travel credit card this year? See today’s top offers below:

Most Important Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Travel Credit Card

There are a lot of things to think about before you jump on a credit card offer that you see online or get in the mail. You need to consider which travel companies you actually use or could use, and what destinations they serve. You should also be familiar with how the rewards program works since all points and miles are not created equal. And you need to keep in mind that you may or may not be eligible for a particular card based on your credit score.

Why Your Credit Score is Important

Most lucrative travel credit cards require an excellent credit score to be approved. Scores generally range from 300 to 850 depending on the scoring model, but the two most popular ones are FICO and VantageScore and an excellent score is generally 720 or higher.

If you don’t know your credit score, start by requesting a credit report from Experian, Equifax or TransUnion. Or you can use a personal finance service like creditkarma.com, which will tell you your credit score. Many banks also provide your FICO credit score through their online portals.

Most credit card issuers will tell you what score is needed to get approved for a particular credit card, but if you don’t see it on the application that information can be found online through other resources.

Evaluating Sign-up Bonuses

Most card issuers these days attract new customers with a big sign-up bonus offer. Be careful about comparing one sign-up bonus to another though. A 100,000-point sign-up bonus offered by one travel card is not the same as that same number of points or miles from another card issuer. They can vary widely in value and usability depending on redemption possibilities.

You should be familiar with how you redeem your points and miles for a particular card, and how many miles or points it will take to earn free travel. It’s a good idea to set a goal for your travel redemption and determine how the sign-up bonus will help you achieve that goal. If you don’t have a particular destination in mind, check the issuer’s site or travel rewards program to give you an idea of how much travel those points or miles will get you.

Earning Points and Miles

With most co-branded travel cards you earn one point or mile per dollar spent on purchases. But many travel cards offer double or triple points on travel depending on the card. Cards also often have other bonus categories like supermarket or gas station purchases that can earn you up to 4x points. Some cards like Chase Freedom and Discover offer rotating bonus categories that offer 5x points. There are also fixed-point value cards like Barclaycard Arrival or Capital One Venture that can earn you up to 2x on all purchases.

To pick the right card and maximize your earning ability, evaluate your spending patterns and the bonus categories offered by the cards you are considering to find the best fit. You should also evaluate the value of the benefits and perks offered to cardholders to make your final decision, but bonus earning can really boost your miles or points balance and help you achieve your travel goal sooner so it’s definitely a big consideration.

Perks and Benefits

The benefits that come with travel rewards cards can be quite enticing. Some co-branded cards come with automatic elite status in the airline or hotel program. Other benefits can include lounge access, travel insurance for missed or delayed flights, and reimbursement or compensation for lost or delayed baggage.

The list of benefits can be quite long, but be sure to review and compare them if you are considering several cards. Benefits and the cost to hold the card can vary widely so make sure the card perks are ones that you will use before making a decision. Lounge access, for example, is not worth it if you don’t travel often or there are no lounges available in the airports you use. And a co-branded card that offers elite status may not be worth it if you only use that particular hotel or airline once a year.

Credit Card Fees

Fees are another big consideration when deciding which card to apply for. Many travel credit cards carry an annual fee because they offer many benefits and bonus earning opportunities. There are some cards that don’t have an annual fee, but they also don’t offer perks during your flight or hotel stay.

Annual fees

Fees generally range from $95 to $550 or more per year for a premium travel card, while some travel credit cards don’t have an annual fee. Like most things in life, you get what you pay for. But if you are not using the extra benefits that come with those fees, then it’s not worth paying to keep the card in your wallet.

The annual fee is often waived the first year as an enticement to sign up, but not on all cards and not all the time, so be sure to check if there is a fee before hitting submit on your application. Also, most co-branded cards have benefits, so check on what you get before signing up to make sure it’s worth it.

If the fee is waived the first year, you can sign up and cancel after the year is up and reap the benefits while you hold it. Be sure to cancel the card before the fee hits or downgrade to another card in the same family to keep the credit line and some of the benefits. Some cards are worth holding as they offer a free hotel night on your anniversary, so keep this in mind when it’s time to pay the annual fee.

Foreign Transaction Fees

When you use your card for travel overseas, there are usually foreign transaction fees of about 3%. The good news with travel credit cards is that many of them waive the foreign transaction fee, but not all. If you travel beyond domestic borders those fess can add up, so this is another thing to be aware of.

Redemptions

When you are considering a new card, you should always check on the program’s redemption options to make sure the points and miles you’re earning give you good value on trade in. Also, while co-branded credit cards transfer the miles and points you earn each month to the program they are affiliated with, points in flexible redemption programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards have to be redeemed within the card issuer’s program so you need to be an active cardholder to do so.

Fixed-point value cards like Barclay Arrival and Capital One Venture cards that allow you to erase travel charges on your card by using points, also require you to be an active cardholder in order to do this so make sure you use those points before you decide to cancel the card.

Co-branded cards can only be redeemed for the airline or chain you have signed up with, but there are airline alliances that allow you to use your miles on multiple carriers, so keep that in mind when setting a travel goal. 

Availability is another issue. If you want to use the miles you earn to fly to a popular destination during spring break or the holidays, you may not be able to find an award seat or it may cost a lot more because of dynamic award pricing by the airlines. 

If you’re flexible with your award travel plans though, then award pricing might work in your favor as they often offer deals during non-peak travel periods and other times when they have excess inventory. 

If you’re not flexible with travel plans, then a flexible points program like Ultimate Rewards or Membership Rewards might be a better choice as you can buy travel through their portal using points. Fixed-point cards are also good if you’re not flexible, because there doesn’t need to be award availability to snag a seat, though you will likely pay a premium if it’s a peak travel period or popular destination.

Points can also be used for gift cards or merchandise, but this is generally not considered a good redemption value as the miles or points are usually worth a penny per point or even less.

Will Opening Multiple Travel Cards Hurt Your Credit?

There are a lot of misconceptions about how your credit score is impacted when it comes to opening a new credit card, so let’s talk about that.

You may have heard that a credit inquiry will cause your credit score to drop, and that opening too many credit cards will also have a negative effect. 

But if you use the card responsibly and don’t carry a balance by paying your card off every month, then you’ll see that applying for new lines of credit by opening up travel rewards cards can actually help your credit score.

A credit inquiry will usually lower your credit score by about five points, but that comes off your credit report within a few months so the impact is negligible. Also, the credit limit on the card will increase your overall credit availability and that will help boost your score.

Popular Travel Credit Cards

There is a huge variety of travel credit cards, so it’s important to know the differences before you apply for one. If you fly primarily on one airline because they serve a lot of destinations from your home base, or you stay at one particular hotel brand because of its geographic distribution, then a co-branded credit card might be the best choice.

But if you fly on multiple airlines and stay at different hotel chains, you might want a more flexible card like the popular Chase Sapphire or premium Chase Reserve card, which both earn Ultimate Rewards points that can be transferred to hotel and airline programs for redemption or that can be used to book travel through the bank’s booking site. American Express Membership Rewards works in a similar way, as does the Citi ThankYou program.

If you’re a beginner though and all of this is making your head spin, then a fixed-point rate card like Barclaycard Arrival or Capital One Venture might be a good place to start. The earning scheme is simple because everything earns 1.5 or 2x per dollar, and you trade your points in for a penny per dollar after you’ve made your purchase.

Hotel Rewards Credit Cards

Signing up for hotel branded credit cards is the best way to earn free stays and/or upgraded rooms and service!

Major hotel chains like Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott all offer multiple levels of personal cards and business cards as well. If you travel often and stay at brands within the same hotel chain, then getting one of these cards is a no-brainer because of the perks you’ll get and the bonus earning power.

Most hotel chains have multiple brands in their portfolio and they don’t always carry the chain’s name that you may be familiar with, so check the hotel chain’s website to see what properties are included.

Airline Rewards Credit Cards

Most major airlines like American, Delta and United also offer co-branded cards. If you fly the same airline most of the time, it’s a good idea to get the co-branded card affiliated with that carrier.

And similar to hotel chains that have multiple brands where the card will offer perks and earn bonus points, airlines belong to alliances that also allow you to earn and redeem miles with other carriers. There are three major alliances: Oneworld (includes American Airlines and 13 other carriers), SkyTeam (which includes Delta Air Lines and 18 other airlines) and Star Alliance (which includes United Airlines and 25 other carriers).

Also, keep in mind there are usually several different cards for each airline or hotel with different fees and benefits, and they can be offered by different banks with different payment processors like Visa and American Express so keep that in mind if you decide to get a co-branded card.

There are also popular cards like the Capital One Venture card that offer mileage earning abilities, but these are not real miles in an airline program. They are fixed-rate credit cards that let you trade in your “miles” at a penny on the dollar for airline fares and other travel.

How to Keep Your Credit Cards Safe and Accessible When You Travel

Once you’ve taken the plunge and gotten a travel rewards credit card or two, it’s time to channel your spending to those cards. Since many travel credit cards offer bonus points for travel spending as well as other perks on the road, it’s a good idea to take it with you. But it’s also a good idea to keep your card safe as you would at home.

All your credit cards don’t need to go on the trip with you, so choose which ones you need and be sure to bring the ones that offer perks during your flight or stay. Remember to let your card issuer know you are traveling so your travel charges don’t get flagged as fraud. This can lock your card and ruin your vacation, so it’s always a good idea to have an alternate card in case this happens. If you have multiple cards that have different bonus points categories, bring the ones that you think you’ll use on your trip.

Be sure to check the charges on your statement or the bank’s website if you are worried about excess or fraudulent charges. And it’s best to avoid having the restaurant you are dining at or the merchant you are purchasing from bill you in US dollars. You might be tempted to find out on the spot how much something costs in your own currency, but you’ll pay for that privilege as the exchange rate used is generally higher than your bank will charge. And if you have a card with no foreign transaction fees, then there is no fee for the currency conversion.

There are also wallets that have radio frequency identification (RFID) technology that will block your card from being read by scammers, though this kind of crime is not widely reported. And there are mobile payment apps like Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal for contactless payments that allow you to keep your credit card safe in your wallet.

Final Thoughts

Once you have successfully applied for a credit card, the clock starts ticking on the 90-day window to meet minimum spend to get the sign-up bonus, so be sure to keep track of your spending to ensure you hit the minimum spending requirement to secure the points or miles you were promised when signing up.

If you don’t spend enough monthly to meet the minimum spend required, be realistic about what charges you can put on the card to get the bonus. Minimum spend can be anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on the card.

Timing is one consideration when trying to meet minimum spend to earn the bonus. If your spend increases around the holidays, it’s a good idea to apply before you start your holiday shopping. Or time your application so it coincides with big purchases or bills like an annual insurance premium. Also, keep in mind that you can pay a utility bill in advance if you are falling short.

Don’t buy things you can’t afford. If you end up carrying a balance on your card, the interest charges will negate the value of rewards earned. But if you apply for the right card and use it strategically to maximize benefits and earning power, you can be taking a free flight or getting a free hotel stay within months depending on the size of the bonus and how much you spend on the card, which is one of the biggest reasons that travel rewards credit card are so popular these days.

Finally, don’t let your points or miles expire. You can use a service like awardwallet.com to track your reward program miles and points or keep track of them in a spreadsheet. Most loyalty program miles and points will expire in a year or two if you don’t fly or stay at the chain. But if you have a co-branded credit card and make a purchase that will reset your expiration date, which is another good reason to have a co-branded card.

✈️ Looking for a new travel credit card this year? See today’s top offers below:

Southwest Airlines Baggage Policy, Fees and Exceptions

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Unlike most domestic airlines, Southwest allows 2 pieces of luggage per ticketed customer for free!
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Airline baggage policies can be complicated. A lot depends on which carrier you fly, the route you are taking, your status with the airline, if you carry a particular credit card and even the time of year you are flying. 

As a general rule, most major airlines allow passengers to take a carry-on and a personal item on board with them for free, and most currently charge for checked bags, but that varies by airline, destination and type of seat booked. 

It gets even trickier though, because all airlines have their own size and weight restrictions when it comes to carry-on and checked baggage. Further complicating the issue is what counts as a personal item and whether things like strollers or sports equipment count as part of your checked bag allowance. You might decide to leave that surfboard at home when you realize how much it is going to cost you to take it on your trip.

If you fly primarily on one airline and travel light, baggage rules may not be an issue, but if you fly multiple carriers, it’s hard to keep track of what is allowed. It’s important to check on the baggage policy requirements for the airline you are flying before you pack. 

Be sure to weigh and measure the luggage you plan to check before you get to the airport so you can avoid the extra fees involved or the embarrassing situation of shifting things in your luggage at the check-in counter to avoid baggage fees.

✈️ Looking for a new travel credit card this year? See today’s top offers below:

Southwest Airlines Luggage Rules

Southwest Airlines, a low-cost airline that primarily flies throughout the US, has one of the most generous policies when it comes to checked bags. They allow two pieces of luggage per ticketed customer for free, while most major domestic carriers charge $30 or more for the first checked bag and even bigger fees for second and third bags.

Booking a seat in first, business or another premium class or having elite status with an airline will often get you a free checked bag or two. But Southwest doesn’t offer first class on its planes, and its A-List elite status program does not include any extra baggage perks.

Airline co-branded credit cards may also offer extra baggage allowance for the carrier they are affiliated with, but even though Southwest offers a number of personal and business Chase Rapid Rewards Visa credit cards, a luggage benefit is not included on any of them. There are some credit cards that will reimburse you for travel expenses like checked bags, but more on that later.

In this article, we are going to outline what you can and can’t take on board a Southwest flight, what you can check, and what size and weight those items can be. We’ll also discuss the fees for overweight, oversized and excess baggage, and tips on how to avoid paying those charges.

Carry-On Allowance

You are allowed to bring one carry-on suitcase and one personal item on board the plane with you. The carry-on should be stored in the overhead bin, and it can not be bigger than 10 x 16 x 24 inches. If it is larger than that, you will have to check it at the gate, and if you already have two checked bags, you will have to pay an excess baggage fee of $75. 

You can bring your liquids, creams, gels and toothpaste in a quart-sized clear bag in your carry-on luggage as long as none are more than 3.4 ounces. You can also bring one lighter, an e-cigarette, 15 electronic devices and up to 20 batteries, but they must all be in your carry-on.

You are also allowed one personal item on board, which might be a purse, backpack, briefcase, laptop/case, camera or food containers. This item should fit under the seat in front of you, and should not be bigger than 18.5 x 8.5 x 13.5 inches.

There are some things you are allowed to bring on board that won’t count as a personal or carry-on item including your coat or jacket, food in disposable packaging, assistive or mobility devices for disabled individuals, canes and umbrellas.

Carry-On Rules for Toddlers and Children

When you travel with your family, that can mean a lot of extra gear. Let’s walk through the rules on what you can bring on board the plane or check when you have kids in tow.

You can check one stroller and one car seat or child restraint system (CRS) per child for free in addition to your free baggage allowance. You can check these curbside, at the ticket counter or at the gate.

You can also bring a safety seat for a child with a reserved seat, but booster seats with no back are not allowed nor are devices that tie the child to a parent because they cannot be used during takeoff and landing.

A CRS is recommended for any child that is under 40 pounds when flying. Southwest plane seats are 15.5-17.8 inches wide depending on the aircraft and seat assignment, so check what equipment you are flying on and measure the child seat to make sure it will fit. 

If you plan to bring a harness-type restraint, only the CARES CRS is approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for travel on aircraft. Also, when selecting seats, keep in mind that you cannot use a child seat in an aisle seat or one located in an emergency row exit or the row behind or in front of that exit.

If you have a lap infant that does not have a reserved seat (the child must be between two weeks and two years to qualify), you will have to include any carry-on and personal items for the baby in your allowance. 

If you are breastfeeding, you can bring a bag containing a breast pump and/or breast milk in addition to your carry-on and personal item, but that’s all that is allowed in that bag. You can also bring baby formula or food in carry-on bags, but be sure to remove it for screening.

Bringing Pets Onboard

You can bring a small vaccinated dog or cat with you in the cabin on domestic flights, but you need to keep the pet in a carrier under the seat in front of you and it is counted as either a personal or carry-on item. You can check a pet crate at no charge, and it is not included in your checked bag allowance.

The carrier can contain two cats or two dogs if there are two passengers, but not one of each. And the animal/s must be able to stand in the carrier and move around in it. They are not allowed on international flights, and are not permitted as checked baggage.

Carriers should not be bigger than 18.5’’ long x 8.5” high x 13.5” wide. Both soft and hard pet carriers are fine, just make sure it’s well ventilated and doesn’t leak. If you don’t have a suitable carrier that will fit under the seat or you forget to bring it to the airport, Southwest has one that goes for $58, and it can be purchased online or at the ticket counter.

Additional Rules and Cost of Pet Fare

Pets must remain in the carrier, including head and tail, prior to boarding and during the flight. Trained service animals traveling with customers with disabilities are not subject to the same rules.

There is a $95 pet fare per animal each way, and you need to check in at the ticket counter and pay that fare even if you already have a boarding pass. Only one pet is allowed per passenger and there is a limit of six per flight. Pets are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. You can’t book a seat in an exit row or one that does not have storage under the seat in front of it.

Fragile Items

If you’ve got items that are easily broken like camera equipment and artifacts you’re bringing home from your trip, or if you want to take a garment bag with an outfit for a special occasion like a wedding dress, then you’ll probably want to take them on the plane with you.

Artifacts and other fragile items can go in your carry-on bag, or they might also be carried as your personal item depending on size. A garment bag can count as your carry-on, and you can ask the flight attendant to hang it in a closet.

The screening equipment at the airport can damage undeveloped film, so it’s best to pack that in your carry-on luggage. If you’re toting a camcorder and a carry-on bag, then you need to count the camcorder as a personal item as long as it is not over the size limit.

Media cameras are exempt from the carry-on size restrictions, but if it is going in a seat, a ticket needs to be purchased. A media representative needs to present cameras, film, video, lighting and sound equipment for it to be allowed, and there is a fee of $75 for each piece beyond the free baggage allowance, though there are no oversized or overweight charges.

Checked Baggage Allowance

Passengers ticketed on Southwest for flights to one of the 111 destinations they serve in the US, or flights to its international destinations in the Carribean, Central America and Mexico, are allowed to check two pieces of luggage. 

The bag cannot weigh more than 50 pounds or be more than 62 inches when you add the length, width and height of the suitcase together (L+W+H). If your bag weighs more and/or is bigger than what is allowed (but less than 80 inches), you will be charged $75 each way as long as it does not exceed 100 pounds. 

You will only get charged one $75 fee if the bag is both overweight and oversized. If it weighs more than 100 pounds though, you need to ship it as air cargo.

Excess Baggage Fees

If you have more than two checked bags, you will pay $75 each way for each extra checked bag. Excess bags must also follow the same rules on weight and size as the first two bags outlined above.

If the third checked bag is also overweight or oversized, you will also be charged a $75 fee for that in addition to the $75 fee for a third bag. Consider using a smaller bag if luggage size is the problem, or swapping heavier items into your carry-on which doesn’t get weighed or into one of your other pieces of luggage that may be under the weight limit of 50 pounds.

Special Luggage

If you’re going camping, hunting, fishing, golfing, surfing, skiing or you are planning other activities that require equipment, you might want to bring your gear with you rather than renting at your destination.

Most sports equipment can be checked instead of a free bag, but if the item is over the size and/or weight limit you might be charged $75. You can bring most balls used for sports like baseballs, basketballs and footballs on the plane or in your checked bag, but baseball bats or golf clubs can not be brought on board and must be stowed in your checked bag.

The following items can be checked with suitable containers as one of the two free checked bags, but if they are over 50 pounds or 62 inches (L+H+W) then the $75 excess weight or size charge will apply.

  • Archery equipment including bow, arrows and target
  • Baseball/softball equipment in one bag for one passenger
  • Boogie board
  • Bowling bag, ball/s and shoes
  • Bicycles (single seat and no motor) with pedals and handlebars removed
  • Fishing rod in a case (can be up to 91 inches in length and three inches in diameter) and tackle box
  • Golf bag in hard-sided case including clubs, balls and shoes
  • Hockey and/or lacrosse sticks taped together or stowed with other equipment in a bag (two bags allowed as one bag)
  • Knives, sabers and swords
  • Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage
  • Scuba equipment with empty air tanks
  • Skateboard may be substituted for a carry-on or checked bag
  • Snow ski equipment including skis or snowboards, boots, poles (two bags allowed as one bag and they are not subject to excess size charges, but there is a fee if overweight)
  • Surfboard when traveling on flights between the islands of Hawaii (keels and fins removed and packed in luggage; size restrictions do not apply, but there is a fee if overweight) 
  • Tennis rackets should be carried on the plane as a carry-on or personal item
  • Water ski equipment including no more than one pair of water skis and one life preserver or vest (no excess size fee, but overweight charges may apply)

Additionally, the following items can be checked for $75 each:

  • Javelins in a single bag
  • Kayak with the paddles secured
  • Kiteboard (keels and fins removed and placed in baggage)
  • Life Raft (self-inflating cartridges are not allowed)
  • Surfboard for any flights other than flights between the islands of Hawaii
  • Vaulting poles in a single bag
  • Windsurfing board (keels removed and placed in baggage)

Hunting, Guns and Ammunition

If you plan to go hunting or you are bringing guns and ammo for security reasons, they need to go in your checked bags. Firearms must be unloaded and declared at check-in. They also need to be packed in a locked hard-sided container, though that can be packed in soft-sided luggage. 

Ammunition must be securely packed in fiber, wood or a metal box and limited to 11 pounds.

Holsters can be put in your carry-on or checked luggage. The firearm/s can be counted as one of the two free pieces of baggage.

Camping

Camping gear follows similar rules to sports equipment. You can check your tent as a substitute for a free bag, or carry it on if it’s small enough. Don’t carry the pegs on though, as they will likely be confiscated. Put them in your checked bag.

To light the campfire, you can bring one book of safety matches or a lighter on your person. Strike anywhere matches, torch lighters, lighter fluid and fire starter are prohibited on the aircraft. Stoves and lanterns fueled by flammable liquids or gas can not be brought on board either, unless the equipment is brand new and still in the manufacturers packaging. 

Gas-fueled equipment can be checked or carried on the plane as long as there is no fuel cylinder, which is prohibited. Sharp objects like knives and axes can be stored in checked luggage with blades protected.

Musical Instruments

Maybe you want to bring your guitar to play around the campfire. Or perhaps you have a gig and need your brass instrument to perform. If it’s not bigger in its case than 10” x 6” x 24”, you can bring it on board as your carry-on. 

If it’s bigger than that and you want to carry it with you on the plane, but it won’t fit in the overhead bin or under a seat, you need to purchase a ticket for the instrument. It must fit in the seat in the first row next to the window and secured with a seatbelt. It also can’t block any signage or customers. 

The ticket charge will be no greater than a child’s fare, which is $50 each way, and you do need to make a reservation. A free companion pass will not work to get that extra seat.

Or you can check it as one of your free bags, but if it’s in a soft-sided case the carrier assumes no liability.  Some instruments like the double bass or cello cannot be secured in a seat so they must be checked, and the overweight or oversize fee will be charged if it’s between 62-150 inches or weighs between 51-165 pounds including the case.

If the instrument exceeds 150 inches (L+H+W) or is more than 165 pounds, it will not be accepted on the plane. 

Prohibited items

Now that we’ve gone over what you can check in your luggage and bring on a Southwest flight and some things that are not allowed, let’s go over some other items that you can’t bring on board or in checked luggage either, according to Transportation and Safety Administration (TSA) rules.

Alcoholic beverages with more than 70% alcohol (140 proof) cannot be taken on the plane or checked. You can take up to 5 liters of alcohol under 70% in your checked luggage, but it must be unopened in retail packaging. Wine does not count in this limit. You can take mini-bottles of alcohol on the plane, but it must fit in the quart-sized bag that other liquids and creams are in.

These items are not allowed on board or in checked bags:

  • Arc, plasma and electric lighters
  • Butane
  • Cooking spray
  • Chlorine for pools and spas
  • Dynamite
  • Flares and flare guns
  • Flammable liquids and other hazardous material
  • Gun lighters and gunpowder
  • Gunpowder and primers or percussion caps
  • Hoverboards
  • Internal combustion engines
  • Loose ammunition or loose loaded magazines and/or clips are not allowed
  • Medical oxygen
  • Motor oils and fluids
  • Smart bags with non-removable lithium batteries
  • Wet cell batteries (except for those used in wheelchairs)

Some other items are allowed, but have restrictions. For example, aerosol insecticide not labeled as hazardous material can go in your checked bag. In general, you can’t bring anything on the plane that can be used as a weapon, but If you’re not sure about an item, you can check the TSA site or @AskTSA on Twitter or Facebook. 

When to Pay for Baggage

If you follow the rules regarding size and weight of luggage and strategize what you are packing in checked luggage and what you are bringing on board, you should be able to avoid baggage fees since you get two free checked bags, a carry-on and a personal item.

It’s important to plan what you are bringing on board and what you might need to check. For example, if you have a purse, a laptop and a carry-on, you can check the carry-on if you don’t have two other pieces of luggage already, or bring a purse or backpack that is big enough to fit your laptop as long as it is not bigger than the maximum size allowed for a personal item.

Tips on How to Avoid Fees

Be sure to measure your luggage before you pack. You would be better off with two smaller suitcases since both are free, than one big oversized one that will incur a $75 fee. 

If your suitcases are jam-packed with gifts/donations on the way to your destination or souvenirs and other purchases on your return fight, you might find yourself facing that same $75 fee for an overweight bag, so weigh the packed suitcase before you get to the airport. Consider getting a second bag if one is overweight, and split the contents, especially if you only have one bag to check since you get two for free.

If you have a lengthy stay and have to pack a lot of clothes and personal items, or if you are traveling with sports equipment like golf clubs or scuba equipment, musical instruments like a guitar, or you have some other reason to pack multiple bags with other equipment or items, you may need more than two checked bags.

Keep in mind that you can always have someone else on your reservation check something like your golf clubs for you if they aren’t using their two-bag allowance. And if you are traveling with your family, be sure to distribute the checked bags, carry-ons and personal items among the family members to meet requirements.

🔎 Related: Remember to check out Southwest Airlines Low Fare Calendar to get the best deals!

Credit Cards That Reimburse You For Checked Baggage Fees

Even with a generous baggage allowance policy and careful planning, you still might end up with a fee. But if you carry the right card in your wallet, you can get reimbursed for the charge. 

In all of the cases outlined below, you need to charge the baggage fees on the credit card with the benefit to get it reimbursed. 

There are two main ways to get the charges paid using a credit card. Some premium cards that cost from $450 to $550 a year, offer an annual travel credit that lets you pay for baggage fees, upgrades, and food and beverages. And flexible points cards let you use miles to points you have accrued through sign-up bonuses and spending to remove the airline charges from your statement.

Premium Credit Cards

The personal and business The Platinum Card® from American Express come with a $200 annual credit for airline incidentals. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Chase Ritz Carlton cards each offer a $300 annual travel credit. Citi Prestige offers $250 for either tickets, checked baggage or onboard purchases. You need to charge the fee on the card and call the customer service to apply the travel credit.

✈️ Looking for a new travel credit card this year? See today’s top offers below:

Flexible Points Credit Cards

There are also flexible points credit cards like Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or Venture Rewards cards, that allow you to use the miles earned by spending on that card to erase the baggage fees on your statement. There is a minimum redemption amount of 2,500 miles which is equal to $25, and you can use miles for a full or partial credit.

Barclays Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard is another option that works the same way. The minimum redemption is even less at 1,000 points for $10. For both of these cards, you would need to use 7,500 points to cover a $75 fee on Southwest.

Exclusions & Waivers

There are some exceptions to the Southwest baggage rules. Military service members on active duty or those that are changing stations, can take more than two pieces of luggage as long as they don’t exceed 100 pounds and are no more than 80 inches (L+W+H). They will not be charged fees for excess, overweight and oversized baggage as long as the luggage is under the limits noted.

International travelers that have picked up liquor, perfume or other liquids in a duty-free shop, can bring those items in their carry-on luggage even if they exceed the 3.4 ounce rule as long as they are packaged securely in tamper-evident bags. They can also be put in your checked luggage if you have a connecting flight entering the US where you pick up your checked bags before boarding the next flight.

Final Thoughts

Most business and leisure travelers on Southwest can avoid baggage fees because of the airline’s generous policy of allowing two free checked bags. As long as you make sure those checked bags and your carry-on and personal items don’t exceed the limits, checking your bags should not cost you anything on Southwest Airlines.

But if you know you are going to check more than two bags, or the size or weight are going to be over the limits, then be sure to check the airline credit allowances on credit cards you carry so you can use the right card to pay the fees and get reimbursed for those charges.