Continental slashes baggage fees for some Chase cardholders

If you travel with Continental Airlines, your flight just got a little cheaper.

The airline announced Tuesday it will waive baggage fees for Continental Chase credit card and debit cardholders for the first piece of checked luggage they check. Also, travelers with a Continental Airlines Presidential Plus card are able to check up to two bags for free.

The airline says passengers do not have to use a Continental Chase credit or debit card to receive the benefit; they only have to be signed up for the card.

The standard fee for checking one bag is $15, so if you're traveling alone, you can save $30 on a round-trip flight. But even better, the reward applies to everyone traveling with you. This means a family of four can save $120 on a round-trip flight to see grandma in Iowa.

Continental's announcement comes on the heels of its decision last week to trim the size of allowable carry-on baggage. Beginning Nov. 1, passengers' carry-ons can be no larger than 45 linear inches, which is determined by adding the bag's length, width and height together. This might result in more passengers checking their bags, and more passengers looking to sidestep a baggage fee.

Currently, 40 percent of the major airlines don't charge for the first checked bag. See this airline fee comparison chart and our frequent flier fees chart for more details.

See related: Tips for finding the best airline credit card, The evolution of frequent flier credit cards and programs