Airline credit card can soothe baggage headaches

Traveling with a suitcase has become an expensive headache for airline flyers. First, airlines started charging travelers for checking a bag. Now, some big carriers won’t even let passengers use the overhead bin if they booked the cheapest fares. You can get around the rules with an airline-branded credit card. The cards charge an annual fee, but a card’s baggage perks alone can more than make up for that fee.

THE BENEFITS

• Free checked bags. Since 2008, major airlines have charged a bag fee, typically $25 per bag each way. But the major airlines’ credit cards waive the fees on the first checked bag for cardholders and others on the same reservation.

• Exemption from cheap-seat limits. Holders of airline credit cards retain the right to a carry-on when booking basic-economy fares and also can check a bag for free. Also, airline cards include earlier boarding privileges.

WHEN A CARD ISN’T WORTH IT

• You’re an infrequent flyer who travels alone or doesn’t typically fly a single airline.

• You’re already covered through a first-class ticket or elite frequent-flyer status, for example.

• You mostly fly Southwest Airlines which doesn’t charge for the first two checked bags.

• You have trouble managing credit.