I purchased my tickets a couple of months before I got the Explorer card. We will be traveling in a couple of weeks. Was anyone able to get the free checked bag benefit offered by the Explorer card, without having used Explorer card to purchase the tickets? The rule clearly states that you have to use the Explorer card to purchase the ticket in order to get the free checked bag, but wondering if it's different when you're actually at the airport. Thanks!

P.S. - I now have the Explorer card.