You are currently viewing Baggage fee increase by Air Canada and WestJet: How to get free bags

Air Canada and WestJet, Canada’s 2 largest airlines, increased their fees for checked baggage in early March. Paying for luggage instead of saving your money to travel more (or to spoil yourself more or to invest elsewhere) is a real shame in our opinion.

Flight pros never have checked baggage, which is obviously the simplest way to avoid these fees. Not only is it more affordable, it’s so much more enjoyable.

But there’s another very simple way to get free baggage on these airlines if you insist on bringing too much stuff.

Here’s how.

 

2 ways to avoid Air Canada and WestJet baggage fees

It’s much better that airlines increase bag fees (that are easy to avoid) rather than increase the ticket prices (which you don’t have the option of avoiding). That’s a logical reasoning that’s very basic: it’s always better to at least have the choice than to not have the choice at all, obviously.

U.S. airlines increased their fees, so Air Canada and WestJet followed. You can avoid this.

There are 2 simple and easy ways:

 

Don’t bring a checked bag

To do like pro fliers, who always travel with carry-on baggage only, don’t miss our detailed guide very soon

In the meantime, in short… just bring less stuff

It’s not much more complicated than that! But it can be difficult the first time, especially for people who are so used to bringing too much stuff. We want to help because it’s so wonderful to travel lighter. 

As we mentioned, it’s not even just a matter of saving to travel more — although that alone should be a great reason if you love to travel.

Even when I get the free bag with the simple tip below (or even by flying business class), I still don’t take any with me.

You’re allowed 2 carry-ons, which is enough for 99% of your trips. I’ve taken 490 flights and visited 71 countries, including winter destinations and month-long trips. I’ve never needed checked baggage. And I often travel solo, with a buddy or more it’s even easier. Kevin, the other co-founder of Flytrippers, leaves 11 and a half months a year and never has a checked bag. 

In short, it’s okay not to want to, but to say it’s not feasible is objectively completely wrong. We’ll have plenty of tips to show you how. How to concretely bring less stuff.

You can read a teaser in our article on the only 6 travel items that are truly essential

Traveling with carry-on luggage only allows you to:

  • Save money
    • Roundtrip baggage fees are at least $80
    • That’s enough for 2 full days of travel in many countries
    • Works with all airlines in the world, instead of just 2 below
  • Save time at check-in
    • You go straight to the security checkpoint
  • Save time on arrival
    • You get to enjoy your destination straight away
  • Save time at check-in during your return
    • You enjoy your destination more
  • Save time on arrival at home
    • You get home faster after your trip
  • Simplify connections
    • Connections are the best way to save money
  • Simplify the flight disruptions (which are unavoidable)
    • You always have priority with no luggage
  • Simplify transport at your destination
    • No big suitcase to lug around
  • Ensure you don’t lose your bag
    • Airlines are very good at losing them
  • And many more

 

Have a card that gives you free checked bags

If you insist on bringing a checked bag, the other easy way is to simply get the right credit card.

Of course, you’ll get a huge welcome bonus and improve your credit score by applying for more cards (yes, contrary to the common myth… as long as you follow the 3 simple rules).

But on top of that, you’ll get great benefits… like the free first checked bag for yourself and for up to 8 other people on the same booking.

 

Free checked bags on Air Canada

Here are the 7 cards that give you the free bag benefit on Air Canada.

Best credit cards for
a free checked bag on Air Canada
American Express® Aeroplan®* Card
American Express Aeroplan Card
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $3k in 3 mos. + $1k
WELCOME BONUS
(Flytrippers VALUATION)
Rewards: ≈ $540
Card fee: $120
Best for: Available for all
income levels
but fewer benefits
enhanced
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $12k in 12 mos. (incl. $7.5k in 180 days)
WELCOME BONUS
(Flytrippers VALUATION)
ends January 6th
Rewards: ≈ $791
Annual fee: $0 $139
Best for: Highest Aeroplan
bonus seen
in a while
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $10k in 12 mos. (or $5k for lower bonus)
WELCOME BONUS
(Flytrippers VALUATION)
Rewards: ≈ $611
Card fee:
Best for: Lower bonus
than TD version
right above
American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card
American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $7.5k in 3 mos.
WELCOME BONUS
(Flytrippers VALUATION)
Rewards: ≈ $1041
Card fee: $599
Best for: Available for all
income levels
& higher AC earn rate
American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card
American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card
Card: no business required
Min. spend (bonus): $10.5k in 3 mos.
WELCOME BONUS
(Flytrippers VALUATION)
Rewards: ≈ $1172
Card fee: $599
Best for: Similar to previos
with no
incorp. business req.
TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Infinite Privilege* Card
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $24k in 12 mos. (or $12k for lower bonus)
WELCOME BONUS
(Flytrippers VALUATION)
ends January 6th
Rewards: ≈ $1051
Annual fee: $599
Best for: Best premium
Aeroplan Visa
& 6 DP lounge passes
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $15k in 12 mos. (or $7k for lower bonus)
WELCOME BONUS
(Flytrippers VALUATION)
Rewards: ≈ $582
Card fee:
Best for: Lower bonus
than TD version
right above
Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Financial institutions are not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "See More" to see most up-to-date information.
Best credit cards for
a free checked bag on Air Canada
WELCOME BONUS
(Flytrippers VALUATION)
Best
for
American Express Aeroplan Card
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $3k in 3 mos. + $1k
Rewards: ≈ $540
Card fee: $120
Available for all
income levels
but fewer benefits
enhanced
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $12k in 12 mos. (incl. $7.5k in 180 days)
Rewards: ≈ $791
Annual fee: $0 $139
Highest Aeroplan
bonus seen
in a while
ends January 6th
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $10k in 12 mos. (or $5k for lower bonus)
Rewards: ≈ $611
Card fee:
Lower bonus
than TD version
right above
American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $7.5k in 3 mos.
Rewards: ≈ $1041
Card fee: $599
Available for all
income levels
& higher AC earn rate
American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card
Card: no business required
Min. spend (bonus): $10.5k in 3 mos.
Rewards: ≈ $1172
Card fee: $599
Similar to previos
with no
incorp. business req.
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $24k in 12 mos. (or $12k for lower bonus)
Rewards: ≈ $1051
Annual fee: $599
Best premium
Aeroplan Visa
& 6 DP lounge passes
ends January 6th
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $15k in 12 mos. (or $7k for lower bonus)
Rewards: ≈ $582
Card fee:
Lower bonus
than TD version
right above
Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Financial institutions are not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "See More" to see most up-to-date information.

 

Aeroplan is the only rewards program with very strict rules regarding multiple welcome bonuses, so you must not have had a card of the same level if you want to get a bonus again. However, you can get a card from the other level without any problem though, so a main level card (fee in the $100s) if you’ve had a premium level card (fee of $599) and vice versa.

The best right now for most people is the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card, or the Amex Aeroplan Card if your income is lower. If you want unlimited access to Air Canada Maple Leaf airport lounges, the Amex Aeroplan Reserve Card is great.

As a holder of one of these 7 cards, you’ll get your first checked bag free. You don’t have to pay for the flight with the card, so you’ll get free baggage even on flights you’ve already booked in the past. 

The only restriction is that it’s an Air Canada-only benefit. So your check-in must be with Air Canada, not with a partner airline.

And to be clear, it’s the first free checked bag for you and 8 other travelers on the same booking. If you’re alone, you don’t get 8 free bags. If you already have one free bag, you don’t get a second. If your buddies book their flights separately, they don’t get anything.

It’s a no-brainer to get the cards the first year, like all cards with good welcome bonuses. But the free bag benefit makes it a no-brainer to keep at least a main-level Aeroplan card every year if you were going to pay for checked bags.

 

Free checked bags on WestJet

Here’s the card that gives you the free bag benefit on WestJet.

WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard


min. income: $80k (or $150k household)
Flytrippers Valuation
of Welcome bonus (net value)
$
Rewards: $675*
Card fee: $119
ends October 30th

spend $5,000

in 3 months

Interest rates:

Purchases: 20.99%

Cash advances: 22.99%

Cash advances (QC): 21.99%

Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. RBC is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "Apply Now" to see most up-to-date information.

 

RBC has the least strict eligibility rules for welcome bonuses. So as with all RBC cards, you can get the welcome bonus as long as you don’t currently have the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard.

The card’s new offer gives you a big chunk of simple airline rewards to go with quite a few interesting benefits. It’s worth noting that the Sunwing airline will be integrated into WestJet sometime in 2024, so this will eventually give you free bags on Sunwing too.

The WestJet free bag benefit works the same way as the Air Canada one.

 

Summary 

Air Canada’s and WestJet’s recent baggage fee increases are easy to avoid with the right credit card, which will also give you a nice welcome bonus. But to avoid all baggage fees on all airlines, it’s even more simple: learn to travel lighter.

 

Learning how to travel for less

Join over 100,000 savvy Canadian travelers who already receive Flytrippers’ free newsletter so we can help you travel for less — including thanks to the wonderful world of travel rewards!

Sign up for our travel rewards newsletter

 

What would you like to know about the baggage fee increase from Air Canada and WestJet? Tell us in the comments below.

 

See the flight deals we spot: Cheap flights

Discover free travel with rewards: Travel rewards

Explore awesome destinations: Travel inspiration

Learn pro tricks: Travel tips

 

Featured image: Baggage preparation (photo credit: Unsplash+)

 

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Andrew D'Amours

Andrew is the co-founder of Flytrippers. He is passionate about traveling the world but also, as a former management consultant, about the travel industry itself. He shares his experiences to help you save money on travel. As a very cost-conscious traveler, he loves finding deals and getting free travel thanks to travel rewards points... to help him visit every country in the world (current count: 71/193 Countries, 47/50 US States & 9/10 Canadian Provinces).

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