For travelers in 2026, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is widely considered the best value for securing a free checked bag. For a modest annual fee (often waived for the first year), the primary cardholder and up to four companions traveling on the same domestic American Airlines reservation receive their first checked bag for free. If you are a high-frequency traveler, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is the premium choice; while it has a much higher annual fee, it offers a free checked bag for the cardholder and up to eight companions, alongside Admirals Club lounge access. In 2026, with baggage fees often reaching $35–$40 per flight, these cards pay for themselves after just one or two round-trips. It is important to note that the benefit only applies to domestic itineraries marketed and operated by American Airlines or American Eagle, and the card must be linked to your AAdvantage account at the time of booking.