If you fly with Delta Air Lines, you will pay $30 each way for each bag you check, each way for domestic flights unless you qualify for a free checked bag. One of the easiest ways to get a free checked bag with Delta is by booking the flight with an eligible Delta credit card.
Overview of Delta’s first free checked bag benefit
Delta offers a first free checked bag when you hold an eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express card and use it to book a Delta flight. The benefit extends up to 8 travel companions on your same reservation.
Here are the cards that will get you a first free checked bag on Delta:
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card does not include a first free checked bag.
Conditions: When you’ll get a free checked bag
Terms and conditions apply to Delta’s first free checked bag benefit. Here’s when you’ll receive a checked bag under the free checked bag benefit of certain Delta credit cards.
- Your first flight must be on a Delta or Delta Connection operated and marketed flight. This means that Delta (or a Delta Connection partner) needs to be operating the plane, and the flight number needs to be a Delta flight number (e.g. DL0123).
- You must book your ticket with your eligible SkyMiles credit card. In the card’s marketing materials and on Delta’s site, Amex and Delta mention that you must book your flight with your Delta SkyMiles Amex Card. However, some users have reported getting a free checked bag without booking with the card.
Bag restrictions: 50 pounds or less
The first free checked bag you receive from your credit card must weigh no more than 50 pounds. Bags over 50 pounds will be considered overweight baggage and will be charged additional fees, unless you qualify to check a heavier bag due to your fare class, Medallion status, or other reason.
Free checked bag vs. additional checked bag
The Delta free checked bag credit card benefit is for a free first checked bag, not an additional checked bag. If your airfare includes a free checked baggage allowance or if you get free checked bags from your Delta Medallion or SkyTeam Elite or Elite Plus status, you will not receive an additional free checked bag.
The only exception to this is Silver Medallion members who are traveling within the United States and Canada. Normally, Silver Medallions are allowed one free checked bag, up to 70 pounds, on these flights. Silver Medallions who also hold an eligible Delta credit card are allowed one additional checked bag, up to 70 pounds.
Bags for your companions: Free bags for a party of 9
When you fly with a one or more companions on the same reservation, Delta generally extends the most generous baggage allowance to all people traveling on the same reservation. If you get a first free checked bag because of your Delta credit card, everyone on your reservation will receive a first free checked bag.
Keep in mind that you must be on the same reservation in order to share the first checked bag free benefit. If you are traveling with someone, but they are on a different reservation (and have a different confirmation number) they will not receive a free first checked bag from your credit card.
How to figure out your Delta baggage allowance
If you have some level of Delta status, are flying on an international itinerary, and also hold a Delta credit card, it may be unclear exactly what your checked baggage allowance is. Here are a few ways to figure out your Delta checked baggage allowance.
Calculate your baggage allowance using the Delta baggage calculator
You can estimate your delta baggage allowance and costs with the Delta baggage calculator on Delta.com. You’ll need to enter your origin, destination, cabin, date of purchase, date of travel, number of passengers, Medallion status and which Delta credit card you hold.
You can also calculate your baggage allowance by looking for the “Baggage Allowance” link when managing your reservation at Delta.com. Clicking this link will pull up a version of the Delta baggage calculator that essentially auto-populates your ticket information.
Call Delta reservations
While the baggage calculator might give you a quicker answer, you can always call Delta Reservations at 1-800-221-1212 or message them through the Delta mobile app. This option might be best if you have questions about special items or baggage policy exceptions.
Frequently asked questions
On both Delta’s site and in the Amex marketing pages, Delta notes that you must book your ticket with your eligible Delta SkyMiles credit card. However, the benefit terms do not mention this requirements and users on Reddit report getting a free checked bag just for having the card. Your mileage may vary.
Within the United States and Canada, Silver Medallions flying in coach who hold a Delta credit card that carries an annual fee will receive one additional checked bag from the credit card, for a total of two bags per Delta’s baggage policy. In all other cases, Silver Medallions will receive either a first free checked bag or their standard baggage allowance.