Which airline is now best if you don’t want to pay bag fees?

Which U.S. airline has the most customer-friendly bag policies? For years, it’s been an easy question to answer: Southwest Airlines, with two free bags for every traveler on every fare.

But that’s set to change May 28, when the Dallas-based carrier begins charging most customers for checked baggage, all but ending a customer-friendly policy that stood as one of Southwest’s most defining attributes — along with its open-seating policy that will also end in the coming months.

Beyond Frontier Airlines’ not-yet-permanent push to woo disillusioned Southwest flyers with free bags, there’s no longer a clear-cut, go-to airline for flyers who prefer to err on the side of packing heavy.

Put another way: Figuring out which airline is best if you don’t want to pay bag fees just got a lot more complicated.

Here are some things to consider as you make your decision.

Bag fees at the largest US airlines

Ever since U.S. airlines began instituting fees for travelers’ first checked bags in the late 2000s, there’s been remarkable uniformity among carriers. That’s especially true today, after a slew of airlines hiked fees over a matter of weeks last year.

Generally speaking, your first checked bag on the largest U.S. airlines will cost you around $35 — though you may need to pay for it in advance to avoid paying an even higher price.

Prices go up for second and third bags.

Another common thread: At each of these carriers, flyers with elite status and travelers who carry one of the airline’s credit cards can check at least one bag for free.

Here are the baggage policies at five of the largest U.S. airlines — and the cheapest credit card at each that can help you skirt the bag fees.

The information for the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select, AAdvantage Aviator Red and JetBlue Plus cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

It’s not clear where Southwest’s policies will fit in. While the carrier said it will start charging customers for baggage starting May 28, it did not elaborate on pricing — or on any potential changes to its carry-on baggage policies.

Southwest did say its credit card holders will get one free bag, but didn’t share whether its suite of cards will see a shift in annual fees; the company recently reached an amended card deal with Chase, its issuer.

Stay tuned.

‘Wanna Get Away,’ no more: Southwest Airlines to ditch hallmark fare, revamp benefits as part of shake-up

What about budget airlines?

Baggage policies are far less tidy at the budget carriers.

Some — like Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines and Breeze Airways — offer a menu of fare bundles that include (or don’t include) bags and other services, with varied prices based on what you select.

If you’re traveling on a cheap, slimmed-down “basic” fare, several of the ultra-low-cost carriers use dynamic pricing for their bag fees — meaning, what you’ll pay depends on the flight.

Most budget carriers’ cobranded credit cards don’t offer a free checked bag, but a key exception is the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® ($99 annual fee), which does offer cardholders two free checked bags on eligible flights.

The information for the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

So, which airline is best for avoiding bag fees?

It depends.

Setting aside Frontier’s current free-bag promotion, all U.S. carriers now charge for checked bags, save for “special circumstances” like carrying a credit card, earning elite status or purchasing a higher-caliber fare that includes free bags.

Here’s how we’d recommend thinking about your decision based on your go-to strategy for evading these pesky fees:

Going carry-on only

One tried-and-true way to avoid paying checked-bag fees is to go carry-on only. Just remember: You’ll have to comply with the Transportation Security Administration’s 3-1-1 policy for liquids. And a handful of airlines won’t let you bring a full-size carry-on bag on board if you’re flying on their cheapest, most basic fare.

Also, be sure to check your airline’s specific size restrictions for carry-on bags.

Which airline to fly: Four airlines will allow full-size carry-ons for basic economy flyers: American, Delta, Alaska and JetBlue.

You may face other restrictions, though (think seat selection and limits on how many miles you’ll earn).

Tread carefully: United is the only large network carrier to ban overhead bin access for its basic economy passengers. Budget carriers do the same for their slimmed-down fares.

Credit cards and elite status

One of the best ways to avoid paying a checked-bag fee is to open an airline credit card that includes a free checked bag (often for you and a certain number of traveling companions flying with you). Generally, cards that offer such a perk carry annual fees starting at just under $100.

While that may sound steep, the card could pay for itself in two trips if you’re checking bags —   or one trip if you have a companion flying on the same reservation.

Today, many airline credit cards can also give you a lift toward elite status — which itself often brings free bag(s) as an entry-level perk.

Which airline, and card, is best? Your best bet may ultimately be the airline with the biggest presence in your home city — or the one you’ll fly the most.

Case in point: I fly out of Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), where American has a sizable presence. I’ve carried the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard, which includes a free checked bag on domestic American Airlines flights. The card also helped boost me to AAdvantage Platinum status, which now affords me two free bags on every flight.

Tread carefully: Here at TPG, we generally recommend also carrying a travel credit card that earns points you can transfer to a wider range of airline and hotel partners, so your proverbial eggs (points) aren’t all in the basket (loyalty program) of one airline.

Fortunately, some of these cards can also help in your quest to offset pesky baggage fees. The Platinum Card® from American Express ($695 annual fee; see rates and fees) includes up to $200 in annual statement credits for airline incidental fees, like baggage fees. Enrollment is required.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® ($550 annual fee) features a highly flexible $300 credit annually for travel expenses.

Read more: The best credit card welcome bonuses right now

Don’t forget: Higher fares help, too

Purchasing a higher-fare ticket that includes a bag can also help you avoid bag fees, since first-class, business-class and premium economy tickets typically include baggage.

The same is true, on some airlines, for certain higher-caliber coach fares.

Plus, some airlines offer free checked bags on long-haul main cabin fares, so if you’re planning a transatlantic flight to Europe this summer, you may be in luck even if you don’t have elite status. Check with your airline before booking to see what’s included on intercontinental flights.

For rates and fees of the Amex Delta Gold card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here.

Related reading:

• When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
• The best airline credit cards
• What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• What are points and miles worth? TPG’s monthly valuations