The Best Canadian Credit Cards With Free Checked Baggage (2026 Guide)

Traveling in Canada has become increasingly expensive. One of the most frustrating aspects of modern air travel is the "nickel and diming" of passengers, especially when it comes to baggage fees. As of 2026, most major Canadian airlines have shifted to "Basic" or "UltraBasic" fares that include nothing more than a seat and a small personal item. If you want to bring a carry-on or check a bag, you're looking at significant additional costs.

However, there is a "life hack" that savvy Canadian travelers use to bypass these fees: airline-branded credit cards. By holding the right piece of plastic, you can save hundreds of dollars a year on baggage fees alone. In this guide, we’ll break down every Canadian credit card that offers a free checked bag, how much value they provide, and which ones are best for your travel habits.

The Rising Cost of Checking a Bag in Canada

Before we dive into the cards, let’s look at why this benefit is so valuable. In early 2024, WestJet and Air Canada both increased their baggage fees, and that trend has continued into 2026.

As you can see, a round-trip flight with one checked bag can easily add $80 to $100 to your travel costs. For a family of four, that’s up to $400 just for luggage. This is where the right credit card becomes a game-changer.

Air Canada: The Aeroplan Ecosystem

Air Canada has the most robust credit card lineup in the country. There are several tiers of Aeroplan cards from TD, CIBC, and American Express that offer a free first checked bag.

How the Benefit Works

The "Free First Checked Bag" benefit on Aeroplan cards is incredibly generous. It applies to:

1. The primary cardholder.
2. Additional cardholders (authorized users).
3. Up to eight (8) companions traveling on the same reservation.

This means a single cardholder can potentially save baggage fees for 9 people on one trip.

Top Aeroplan Cards with Free Checked Bags

Pro Tip: You do NOT need to pay for the flight with your Aeroplan card to get the free bag. You simply need to have your Aeroplan number (linked to the card) attached to the booking.

WestJet: The RBC Connection

WestJet offers a more streamlined approach through its partnership with RBC. There is primarily one card that handles this benefit for leisure travelers.

WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard

This is the gold standard for WestJet flyers.

• Annual Fee: $119
• Baggage Benefit: Free first checked bag for the primary cardholder and up to 8 guests on the same booking.
• Requirement Change: As of late 2025, WestJet changed its policy. To receive the free bag benefit on new bookings, you must now pay for the flight (or a portion of it) using your WestJet RBC Mastercard.

Value Analysis: Since WestJet's bag fees now start at $40+, a single round-trip flight for one person almost pays for the card's annual fee. If you travel as a couple just once a year, you are already "in the black" by over $40.

Porter Airlines: The New Contender

Porter has expanded significantly across North America, and they've recently launched a premium credit card to compete with the big players.

BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard

• Annual Fee: $149 (First Year Free often available)
• Baggage Benefit: 1 complimentary checked bag and 1 complimentary carry-on bag on all Porter fare types.
• Additional Perks: Priority check-in, security, and boarding.

This card is unique because it also covers the carry-on bag, which is often a fee on Porter's "Basic" fares.

Ultra-Low-Cost Carriers (Flair, Lynx, etc.)

Currently, there are no credit cards in Canada that offer a direct "free checked bag" benefit for Flair Airlines. Since these airlines operate on extremely thin margins, they rely heavily on baggage fees. The best way to save on these airlines is to use a "flexible travel" card like the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite or Amex Cobalt and use your points to "erase" the baggage charge from your statement.

Strategy: How to Maximize Your Savings

1. The Family Traveler: If you travel with a spouse and kids, the Aeroplan cards are unbeatable. Saving $35 per bag for 4 people each way is $280 in savings on a single trip.
2. The Solo Budgeter: The Amex Aeroplan Card ($120 fee) or the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite (often free for the first year) are the lowest-cost entries into this benefit.
3. The Frequent Flyer: If you fly 5+ times a year, the premium cards like the Amex Aeroplan Reserve are worth the $599 fee because they include lounge access and priority handling, which saves time as well as money.

Final Thoughts

In 2026, a credit card is no longer just for earning points; it's a tool for reducing the "mandatory" costs of travel. If you fly even once a year with a checked bag, you should evaluate whether one of these cards belongs in your wallet. The savings on baggage fees alone can often outweigh the annual fee, making the points you earn effectively "free."

Disclaimer: Fee structures and benefits can change. Always check the latest terms and conditions with the card issuer before applying.

In-Depth Look: Air Canada's Aeroplan Tiers

Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is uniquely integrated with three different bank issuers: TD, CIBC, and American Express. While all "core" and "premium" cards offer the first checked bag free, they each have nuances that make them better for different types of travelers.

1. The Core Tier: The "Sweet Spot"

The most popular cards are the "Infinite" or "Core" cards. These typically have a $120-$139 annual fee and require a $60,000 personal or $100,000 household income.

• TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite: This is arguably the most common travel card in Canada. It offers the free bag benefit and often comes with the first year’s annual fee rebated. It also includes a NEXUS application fee rebate every 48 months, which helps you bypass security lines as well as baggage fees.
• CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite: Very similar to the TD version, but sometimes offers different welcome bonuses. It also provides "Preferred Pricing" on Aeroplan flight rewards, meaning you might spend fewer points on your flight, in addition to checking your bag for free.
• American Express Aeroplan Card: This is the only "core" card with NO minimum income requirement. If you are a student or a new entrepreneur, this is the easiest way to get the free bag benefit.

2. The Premium Tier: For the Ultimate Luxury

If you fly once a month or more, the premium cards ($599 annual fee) are actually a better value than the core cards.

• Amex Aeroplan Reserve: This card is built for the Air Canada loyalist. In addition to the free checked bag, you get priority check-in, priority boarding (Zone 2), and priority baggage handling. That last one is key—your bag is among the first on the carousel when you land. You also get unlimited access to Maple Leaf Lounges across North America.
• TD/CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege: These are the top-tier Visa cards. They offer similar priority benefits to the Amex Reserve but also include six complimentary DragonPass lounge visits for use at airports where there isn't a Maple Leaf Lounge. (Link: CIBC Version)

The WestJet RBC Mastercard: A Changing Landscape

WestJet has historically been the "friendly" alternative to Air Canada, but they have become much more aggressive with their fee structure. In late 2025, they implemented a significant change to their free bag benefit.

The "Paid-With-Card" Requirement
Previously, you just had to hold the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard to get the free bag. Now, the benefit only triggers if the flight was paid for with that specific card. This is a crucial distinction. If you use a different card to book your WestJet flight to earn more points (like the Amex Cobalt), you will lose your free bag benefit.

The Companion Voucher
The real value of the WestJet RBC World Elite card isn't just the bag—it's the annual World Elite Companion Voucher. You can fly a companion anywhere WestJet flies for a flat base fare ($119 for Canada/US, $399 for sun destinations, etc.). When you combine the companion voucher with free checked bags for two people, you can easily save $600+ on a single vacation.

Porter Airlines: Disrupting the Duopoly

For years, Canadian travelers only had two choices for free baggage cards. Porter’s entry into the market with the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard has changed the game.

Porter’s benefit is actually better than Air Canada’s or WestJet’s in one specific way: it includes a free carry-on bag even on their lowest "Basic" fare. On most other airlines, a Basic fare restricts you to a personal item that fits under the seat. If you try to bring a carry-on to the gate with a Basic fare on Air Canada or WestJet, you might be charged a "gate check" fee of $65+. Porter’s card eliminates this risk.

Is It Worth It? The Math of Baggage Fees

Let's look at three scenarios to see if these cards actually save you money.

Scenario A: The Occasional Solo Traveler

• Flight: 1 round-trip per year.
• Bag Cost: $40 each way ($80 total).
• Card: Amex Aeroplan Card ($120 fee).
• Result: You are "down" $40, but you earned ~40,000 bonus points (worth ~$600-800) for signing up. The points make it worth it, but the bag benefit alone doesn't cover the fee.

Scenario B: The Couple's Annual Vacation

• Flight: 1 round-trip per year for two people.
• Bag Cost: $40 x 2 people x 2 ways ($160 total).
• Card: TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite ($139 fee).
• Result: You saved $21 on your very first trip. Every point you earn and every other benefit you use is pure profit.

Scenario C: The Family of Four

• Flight: 1 round-trip per year for four people.
• Bag Cost: $40 x 4 people x 2 ways ($320 total).
• Card: WestJet RBC World Elite ($119 fee).
• Result: You saved $201 on your first trip. This is a "no-brainer."

Conclusion: Don't Pay for Luggage Ever Again

The era of free baggage for everyone is over, but that doesn't mean you have to pay the fees. By strategically choosing one or two of these cards, you can ensure that you never pay for a standard checked bag in Canada again.

For most people, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite or the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard are the best starting points. They offer high welcome bonuses, manageable annual fees, and immediate savings that can turn a $500 flight into a much more affordable experience.

Stop letting the airlines profit off your suitcases. Get the right card, link your loyalty number, and travel lighter—both in your hands and in your wallet.

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