air canada baggage

Aeroplan: How to get a Free Checked Bag with Air Canada using an Aeroplan Credit Card

To the point Simply apply for an Aeroplan Credit Card to get your first checked bag free on an Air Canada flight. Here's how!

Baggage Fees When Flying With Air Canada

If you have a piece of baggage to take with you on your trip, you must check it for your flight with Air Canada. Thus, for all routes, it must respect the following dimensions:

  • Maximum weight per bag: 23 kilograms (50 pounds)
  • Maximum linear dimensions: 158 cm (or 62 inches)

With Air Canada, the cost your baggage depends on :

This is valid for all flights with Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge or Air Canada Express (flights operated by Jazz). For example, here is the fee for a checked bag based on your economy fare for a one-way ticket:

Prices are up to date as of March 1, 2024, after announced changes. Prices vary according to taxes.

Trip Basic and Standard Rates Comfort and Flex Latitude
In Canada

1st bag: $35 to $42

2nd bag: $50 to $60

1st baggage : Free

2nd bag: $50 to $60

Two bags free
Between Canada and the United States

1st bag: $35 to $42

2nd bag: $50 to $60

1st baggage : Free

2nd bag: $50 to $60

Two bags free
Between Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean

1st bag: $35

2nd bag: $50

1st baggage : Free

2nd bag: $50

Two bags free
Other international flights

1st bag: $75 (Economy basic fare or Aeroplan standard rewards only)

2nd bag: $100 maximum

At least one piece of free baggage allowed on all international flights

2nd bag: $100 maximum

For full details, please refer to the Air Canada baggage fee schedule.

To facilitate planning, Air Canada offers a checked baggage cost calculator. Moreover, there is a feature for calculating the cost of travelling with babies and children.

AC checked baggage fee calculator

Save on Baggage Fees

Sometimes, when travelling, bringing only a carry-on bag or being like Joey in Friends is not a solution!

Joey friends clothes

There is an entirely Free way to check a bag with Air Canada using Aeroplan Credit Cards.

For example, with the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card, which allows you to check in your first baggage item free of charge.

This benefit is offered to :

  • To the Primary card or Additional cardholders
  • and up to 8 passengers on the same booking

Therefore, holding this card entitles you to the free first checked bag benefit for up to nine passengers.

Given that a checked bag for a round-trip costs $60 for one travel, this is a significant saving for a family!

Please note that if you book a ticket for someone else and you’re not on the trip, this won’t work: the traveler will have to pay for the baggage.

TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card

With the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card, you can earn up to 50,000 Aeroplan points:

  • A welcome bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase with your new card
  • 20,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $6,000 within 180 days of Account opening
  • Plus, earn a one-time anniversary bonus of 20,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $10,000 within 12 months of Account opening
  • $100 NEXUS fee rebate
  • Up to eight passengers travelling on the same reservation will all enjoy their first checked bag free (up to 23kg/50lb) when your travel originates on an Air Canada flight

It’s the best TD credit card for occasional Air Canada travellers.

With the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card, you earn 1.5 points per dollar of eligible purchases for:

How do I Take Advantage of the Free First Checked Bag?

Your TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card must be registered in your Aeroplan profile on the Air Canada website. With this registration, you will have travel benefits on Air Canada flights.

However, you can pay for your flight ticket with a different credit card.

Here’s how to get your free baggage allowance with Air Canada:

  • Check in online 24 hours in advance, as usual.
  • Select “One” as the number of bags to check in. If your Aeroplan Card is properly linked to your Aeroplan account, the total amount should be zero dollars.
  • At the airport, go to the Air Canada counter to drop off your baggage. At that time, the cardholder must be present with his or her valid TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card in hand.

Important to note that the first flight must be with Air Canada. Not with a partner airline like United.

There is no maximum number of eligible flights per year. That is, no matter how many flights you take with Air Canada, the number of flights with a “free first checked bag” is unlimited.

Bagage gratuit Air Canada

If an amount is displayed when you enter a baggage item for check-in, select “zero” as the number of baggage items. Then continue with your online check-in and present yourself at the airport check-in counter.

However, check your Aeroplan profile to make sure that your Aeroplan credit card is linked!

Bottom Line

It’s little things like this that make it possible to save a lot of money when travelling.

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Caroline Tremblay
I'm Caroline, a loyalty program specialist! I use my points to travel more often and at a lower price with my spouse and our two children. I'm passionate about writing about the latest rewards news and how to put more points in your pocket.

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