How to get free checked bags on Canadian airlines

Traveling light like we do, with only carry-on bags, makes your trips so much more affordable AND more enjoyable. We guarantee it. But if you absolutely want to bring checked bags (also called hold luggage), you should at least get them for free on the 3 major Canadian airlines!

It really makes no sense not to take advantage of this tip if you travel with checked bags.

It’s very easy, and it’s not just for you; 8 other travel companions are also entitled to free bags!

Here are the details on how to get free checked bags.

How to get free bags on Canadian airlines?

To get free bags on Canadian airlines, the solution is precisely the most important thing for all travelers: having the right credit cards!

Credit cards give you huge welcome bonuses worth 1000 CAD+ in free travel… but also lots of travel benefits!

It allows you to get free checked bags on the 3 major Canadian airlines:

• Air Canada (including Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express)
• Porter
• WestJet (including WestJet Encore and former Sunwing/Swoop planes)

Here’s an infographic that summarizes the free bag benefits for each of the 3 airlines.

Here are the specific credit cards that provide free bag benefits:

• Air Canada
  • TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
  • 9 other Aeroplan cards (Amex, TD, CIBC)
  • Including the Amex Aeroplan Card (no minimum income)
• Porter
  • BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard
• WestJet
  • WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard

How do free bag benefits work?

The 3 free bag benefits from Canadian airlines work in a fairly similar way (with only a few differences that I highlight).

Let’s start with what’s common to all 3.

You’re entitled to free checked bags:

• On all flights where you check in with the airline in question
  • So also some flights that include a partner airline
• For you and for 8 travel companions
  • If the companions are on the same booking
• You cannot stack free bags with other bag benefits
  • It’s always the 1^st free bag (if you already have 1, you don’t get a 2^nd one)
• You must be a cardholder in good standing at the time of the flight
  • If you close a card, you lose the card’s benefits (of course)

The major difference is that the WestJet benefit is a bit more restrictive in terms of logistics, starting on November 5 (in a few days).

You don’t have to do anything for Air Canada and Porter, but WestJet is different:

• Air Canada
  • You do not need to hold the credit card at the time of booking
  • You do not need to use the card (or points) to make the booking
• Porter
  • You do not need to hold the credit card at the time of booking
  • You do not need to use the card (or points) to make the booking
• WestJet
  • You must hold the credit card at the time of booking
  • You must use the card (or points) to make the booking
  • You must not book a Sunwing Vacations package (that’s excluded, weirdly)

This gives you excellent savings, in addition to the huge welcome bonuses from the cards. Especially if you were going to pay for several bags in the year!

Here are the current welcome bonuses from cards that provide the free bag benefit:

• Air Canada (points redeemable on 40+ partners)
  • TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card: Value of ≈ 716 CAD (or 2000 CAD to UNLIMITED)
  • Amex Aeroplan Card: Value of ≈ 420 CAD (or 1300 CAD to UNLIMITED)
• Porter (points redeemable on Air Transat too)
  • BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard: Value of ≈ 1590 CAD
• WestJet (points redeemable on former Sunwing planes too)
  • WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard: Value of 406 CAD

I share the very simple step-by-step logistics for each of these airlines.

How to get free bags on Air Canada?

It’s very easy to get free bags on Air Canada by having one of the 10 Aeroplan credit cards that offer the Air Canada free bag benefit.

Here’s exactly what you need to do step by step:

• Get an eligible Aeroplan credit card
  • TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
  • Amex Aeroplan Card
  • Other cards (main level or premium level)
• Link your Aeroplan number to your credit card
  • To do anyway to earn your points
• Link your Aeroplan number to your flight booking
  • To do anyway to earn your points
• You don’t have anything else to do
  • You’ll get your free bag benefit

The best Aeroplan credit card to get the free bag benefit right now is the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card (no annual fees the 1^st year and renewal bonus that’s higher than the fees the 2^nd year).

Unlocking its complete increased welcome bonus is going to give you 57,000 points, which is worth ≈ 855 CAD in economy class or ≈ 2000 CAD in business class! A Canada–Europe flight in a luxurious lie-flat business class pod seat costs only 60,000 points!

TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
min. income: $60k (or $100k household)	Flytrippers Valuation of Welcome bonus (net value)	APPLY NOW ❯
	≈ $ 716Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Welcome bonus (after $7.5k min. spend): 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Earn on $7.5k min. spend: 7,500 pts (≈ $113) Anniversary bonus (after another $4.5k in spend): 20,000 pts (≈ $300) Earn on another $4.5k in spend: 4,500 pts (≈ $67) Card fee (year 1): rebated the 1st year (-$0) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$139) Rewards: ≈ $716* Card fee: $0 $139	LEARN MORE
	spend $12,000 in 12 months (incl. $7,500 in 180 days)†	Interest rates: Purchases: 21.99%	Cash advances: 22.99% Cash advances (QC): 21.99%
Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. TD is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "Apply Now" to see most up-to-date information.

The Amex Aeroplan Card has the same benefit but gives slightly fewer points. It doesn’t have a minimum income requirement, for those who don’t like to define their household income in a way that makes them eligible for the other card even though banks don’t actually define what household income is.

Finally, note that premium-level Aeroplan cards are another alternative that provides the same free checked bag benefit, AND also a free full-size carry-on bag.

But these premium cards also provide unlimited free access to Air Canada Maple Leaf VIP airport lounges in North America for 2 travelers, and lots of other luxury travel benefits on Air Canada.

The Amex Aeroplan Reserve Card is the best one and doesn’t have a minimum income requirement, while the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card has a higher one.

Cards
Amex® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card Valuation (BONUS) ≈ $442Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 60,000 pts (≈ $900) Earn on min. spend: 9,375 pts (≈ $141) Card fee: deducted (-$599) Also offered but not included in Valuation: renewal bonus of 25,000 pts (≈ $375) (≈ 5.9% back on $7.5k) Rewards: ≈ $1041 Card fee: $599 Spend required:$7.5k in 3 mos. Best for: For Air Canada lounge access & other AC benefits LUCRATIVE No min. inc. SEE CARD DETAILS
TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Infinite Privilege* Card Valuation (BONUS) ≈ $527Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 20,000 pts (≈ $300) Welcome bonus (after $12k min. spend): 35,000 pts (≈ $525) Earn on 12k min. spend: 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Anniversary bonus (after another $12k in spend): 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on another 12k in spend: 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$599) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$599) (≈ 2.2% back on $24k) Rewards: ≈ $1126 Annual fee: $599 Spend required:$24k in 12 mos. Best for: For Air Canada lounge access and 6 passes (other lounges) LUCRATIVE 150k/200k SEE CARD DETAILS
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card Valuation (BONUS) ≈ $546Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 20,000 pts (≈ $300) Welcome bonus (after min. spend): 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on min. spend ($15k): 18,750 pts (≈ $281) Renewal bonus: 35,000 pts (≈ $525) Earn on min. spend (extra $10k): 12,500 pts (≈ $188) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$599) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$599) (≈ 2.2% back on $25k) Rewards: ≈ $1145 Card fee: showFee: $599† Annual Interest Rate (purchases): 20.99%† Annual Interest Rate (balance transfer): 22.99%†, 21.99%† (for Québec residents) Annual Interest Rate (cash advance): 22.99%†, 21.99%† (for Québec residents) Spend required:$25k in 12 mos. (or $15k) Best for: For Air Canada lounge access and 6 passes (other lounges) LUCRATIVE 150k/200k SEE CARD DETAILS See more cards
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.

Cards
Amex® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card LUCRATIVE No min. inc. Valuation (BONUS) ≈ $442Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 60,000 pts (≈ $900) Earn on min. spend: 9,375 pts (≈ $141) Card fee: deducted (-$599) Also offered but not included in Valuation: renewal bonus of 25,000 pts (≈ $375) Rewards: ≈ $1041 Card fee: $599 (≈ 5.9% back on $7.5k) Spend required: $7.5k in 3 mos. SEE ALL CARD DETAILS Best for: For Air Canada lounge access & other AC benefits
TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Infinite Privilege* Card LUCRATIVE 150k/200k Valuation (BONUS) ≈ $527Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 20,000 pts (≈ $300) Welcome bonus (after $12k min. spend): 35,000 pts (≈ $525) Earn on 12k min. spend: 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Anniversary bonus (after another $12k in spend): 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on another 12k in spend: 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$599) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$599) Rewards: ≈ $1126 Annual fee: $599 (≈ 2.2% back on $24k) Spend required: $24k in 12 mos. SEE ALL CARD DETAILS Best for: For Air Canada lounge access and 6 passes (other lounges)
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card LUCRATIVE 150k/200k Valuation (BONUS) ≈ $546Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 20,000 pts (≈ $300) Welcome bonus (after min. spend): 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on min. spend ($15k): 18,750 pts (≈ $281) Renewal bonus: 35,000 pts (≈ $525) Earn on min. spend (extra $10k): 12,500 pts (≈ $188) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$599) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$599) Rewards: ≈ $1145 Card fee: showFee: $599† Annual Interest Rate (purchases): 20.99%† Annual Interest Rate (balance transfer): 22.99%†, 21.99%† (for Québec residents) Annual Interest Rate (cash advance): 22.99%†, 21.99%† (for Québec residents) (≈ 2.2% back on $25k) Spend required: $25k in 12 mos. (or $15k) SEE ALL CARD DETAILS Best for: For Air Canada lounge access and 6 passes (other lounges)
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.

How to get free bags on Porter?

It’s very easy to get free bags on Porter by having the new Porter credit card that offers the Porter free bag benefit.

Here’s exactly what you need to do step by step:

• Get the eligible Porter credit card
  • BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard
• Link your Porter number to your credit card
  • To do anyway to earn your points
• Link your Porter number to your flight booking
  • To do anyway to earn your points
• You don’t have anything else to do
  • You’ll get your free bag benefit

The best Porter credit card is the one that actually provides the Porter free bag benefit, namely the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard (no annual fees the 1^st year).

Unlocking its complete launch welcome bonus is going to give you 106,000 points, which is worth ≈ 1590 CAD! A Porter flight costs as little as 5,250 points (20 free flights) and an Air Transat Montreal–Europe flight costs as little as 18,750 points (5 free flights).

BMO VIPorter World Elite®* Mastercard®*
min. income: $80k (or $150k household)	Flytrippers Valuation of Welcome bonus (net value)	APPLY NOW ❯
	≈ $ 1590Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after $5k): 20,000 pts (≈ $300) Welcome bonus (after $4k more): 20,000 pts (≈ $300) Welcome bonus (after $9k more): 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on min. spend ($5k): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Earn on min. spend ($4k more): 8,000 pts (≈ $120) Earn on min. spend ($9k more): 18,000 pts (≈ $270) Card fee: 1st year free (-$0) Rewards: ≈ $1590* Card fee: $0 $199	ends January 31st LEARN MORE
	spend $18,000 in 12 months (or $5,000/$9,000 for lower bonus)	Interest rates: Purchases: 21.99%	Cash advances: 23.99% (QC: 21.99%) Balance transfers: 23.99% (QC: 21.99%)
Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. BMO is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "Apply Now" to see most up-to-date information.

It’s one of the best welcome bonuses available right now in Canada for those who don’t want to travel in business class and who don’t want simple points redeemable for any travel expense.

How to get free bags on WestJet?

It’s very easy to get free bags on WestJet by having the WestJet credit card that offers the WestJet free bag benefit (and by using it to book, however).

Here’s exactly what you need to do step by step:

• Get the eligible WestJet credit card
  • WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
• Use your credit card to book the flight (UNIQUE REQUIREMENT)
  • You’ll get your free bag benefit
  • If it’s not a Sunwing Vacations booking
• Link your WestJet number to your credit card
  • To do anyway to earn your points
• Link your WestJet number to your flight booking
  • To do anyway to earn your points

The best WestJet credit card is the one that actually provides the WestJet free bag benefit, namely the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard (the annual fee is increasing on November 5^th, so it’s the best time to get it to avoid the increase).

Unlocking its current complete welcome bonus is going to give you 52,500 points, which is worth 525 CAD! WestJet points, unfortunately, have a fixed value that can’t give you outsized value or unlimited value.

WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard
min. income: $80k (or $150k household)	Flytrippers Valuation of Welcome bonus (net value)	APPLY NOW ❯
	$ 406Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 25,000 pts ($250) Welcome bonus (after min. spend): 20,000 pts ($200) Earn on min. spend: 7,500 pts ($75) Card fee: deducted (-$119) Rewards: $525* Card fee: $119	ends November 4th LEARN MORE
	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.

It’s not one of the best welcome bonuses available right now in Canada, but if you have WestJet flights planned (including on all former Sunwing planes… but weirdly excluding Sunwing Vacations package bookings), the savings on checked bags can add to the value of the points from the welcome bonus.

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Summary

It’s very easy to get free checked bags for you and 8 travel companions on the 3 major Canadian airlines. You just need to have the right credit card! For Air Canada, there’s the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card and the Amex Aeroplan Card (among others). For Porter, there’s the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard. For WestJet, there’s the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard.

What would you like to know about how to get free bags on Canadian airlines? Tell us in the comments below.

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Featured image: Baggage claim (photo credit: Rach Teox)