Get the credit card for the airline you are going to fly, most will cover 1st checked bag for all on the itinerary. For example Alaska airline credit card will cover cardholder + 6 others on the same itinerary first checked bag. $95 annual fee but there are other benefits as well.
There is a pretty massive spreadsheet on their forum. You should be able to find some loads, if not post and I'm sure some on their forum will help out if you can't wait for Steve to become available.
Here's my credit card strategy; I charge almost all daily purchases to my cards and pay off the balance in full each month. I sign up for cards to get their points bonuses, like Chase Sapphire Reserve, preferred, Capital One Venture and Venture X, etc. Yes, they all have annual fees, but...
1. shot a 22lr
2. picked my nose once or twice
3. got bit by a mosquito
4. Driven a car over 60 mph
5. played (semi pro) little league baseball when I was 12.