Do You Earn Rewards on Airline Fees Like Baggage and Seat Selection?
This guide explains how airline fees earn rewards and when waiving beats earning.
How airline fees earn rewards
Fees you pay the airline directly, checked bags, seat selection, priority boarding, and in-flight food or drinks, are charged by the carrier and generally code as airline or travel. So a card with a travel bonus or an airline co-brand earns its elevated rate on them, just as it would on the ticket. It is a small but easy way to earn on spending you might not think of as travel.
When waiving beats earning
For checked bags specifically, the better move is often to avoid the fee entirely. Many co-branded airline cards give you and companions free checked bags, which saves far more than earning a few points on the fee would. So rather than earning rewards on a bag fee, the right airline card removes it, a bigger win for frequent flyers on that airline.
How to earn the most
Put airline fees on the card that earns the most on travel, your travel bonus card or the relevant airline co-brand, and lean on a co-branded card’s free-bag benefit where it applies. In-flight purchases and seat fees still earn your travel rate, so use the same card. This is part of stacking value on a trip, alongside earning points and miles on the flight itself.
- Airline fees usually code as airline or travel spending.
- A travel or airline bonus card earns the elevated rate on them.
- Bags, seats, boarding, and in-flight buys typically qualify.
- Co-branded airline cards often waive checked-bag fees.
- Waiving a fee usually beats earning rewards on it.
Frequently asked questions
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