Every one of the Delta Air Lines credit cards that carries an annual fee has a free checked bag benefit. Recently, Delta updated this to include a second checked bag for free, but only sometimes, for some routes.
Unfortunately, Amex and Delta have not done a good job of explaining how this benefit works. Here’s what you need to know about this benefit so that you don’t show up at the airport and get charged hundreds of dollars in unexpected checked bag fees.
Overview
All Delta credit cards offer a free checked bag benefit that gets you up to two checked bags for free on Delta flights. Here are the most important details:
- You receive the free checked bag benefit if you hold a Delta SkyMiles credit card that carries an annual fee and include your SkyMiles number on your ticket but you are not required to use your card to book your flight.
- The primary cardmember and up to 8 traveling companions on the same reservation get a first free checked bag on Delta flights, worldwide.
- Only the primary cardmember gets a second free checked bag on Delta flights within the United States.
- The free checked benefit does not stack with other free checked bags you may have.
Of course, like any credit card benefit, there are some details, caveats, and gotchas, which are outlined below.
First bag free: On Delta flights worldwide, for you and companions
Delta includes a first free checked bag benefit with all of its American Express credit cards that carry an annual fee. This benefit is extended to up to 8 people on your same reservation. Here are the details on the first checked bag benefit.
- You and up to 8 companions traveling with you receive a free checked bag on all Delta flights, worldwide.
- To receive this benefit, your first flight segment must be both marketed and operated by Delta. (There’s more on what this means and the implications of this below.)
This benefit is unaffected by the changes Delta announced in June 2026.
Second bag free: Only for you, and only on U.S. domestic flights
In June 2026, Delta added a second free checked bag benefit to its credit cards. Confusingly, the second free checked bag is much more restrictive. You will receive a second free checked bag on U.S. domestic Delta flights.
- Only you, as the primary cardmember, get a second free checked bag. No one else on your reservation will get a second free checked bag from your credit card benefit.
- You’ll only receive this benefit on U.S. domestic Delta flights. Both your origin and destination must be in the United States, (including the continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Connections to international flights do not receive a second free checked bag.
Additional conditions
Of course, buried in the terms and conditions of the first free checked bag benefit are some additional conditions. Here are the most important, explained as plainly as possible.
First segment must be Delta-marketed and Delta operated
You’ll only receive your first free checked bag on a flight that is both Delta-marketed and Delta-operated. This can get pretty important when you’re flying on international itineraries that have segments operated by airlines other than Delta.
Here’s what the terms and conditions say about this:
The first checked bag fee waiver will only be applied on flight segments which originate on a Delta or Delta Connection® carrier when you check-in with Delta for both a Delta marketed and Delta operated flight. Codeshare flights are not eligible.
Delta card member free checked bag terms and conditions
First, let’s define some terminology that may be unfamiliar:
- Delta-marketed means that your flight has a Delta flight number (e.g. DL947) on your ticket.
- Delta-operated means that Delta is the airline actually operating your flight. For credit card and other benefits, flights operated by a Delta Connection carrier are typically considered to be “Delta operated.”
- A codeshare flight is a flight that is operated by one carrier, but marketed by another. For example, a flight operated by KLM can have a Delta flight number.
The upshot of all of this is that you won’t get your free checked bag benefit if the flight you check in for is either operated by someone other than Delta or has a non-Delta flight number on your ticket.
Example of how this operates in practice
Let’s look at a simple trip between Detroit and Amsterdam, with a stop in New York:
If your itinerary has you flying from Detroit to New York on a Delta flight (with a Delta flight number), but your flight from New York to Amsterdam is operated by KLM, you would receive your checked bag benefit because your first flight is both operated and marketed by Delta.
However if your return flight from Amsterdam to New York is operated by KLM, and the you connect in New York to your Delta flight to Detroit, you would not receive your checked bag benefit because your first flight is operated by KLM.
Free checked bag benefit does not stack with other bag benefits
If you are entitled to a free checked bag allowance for some reason (e.g. you have Medallion status, or someone you’re traveling with has a Delta credit card) that is equal to or greater than your credit card benefit, you do not receive an additional free checked bag from your credit card.
You do not need to buy your ticket with your card
Some credit cards require you to buy your ticket with your card in order to enjoy a free checked bag benefit. Delta credit cards do not require this.
As long as your Delta SkyMiles number is on both your Delta credit card and your ticket, you should receive your free checked bag benefit.
Basic economy fares do not cancel your bag benefit
If you’re flying on a “basic” type fare (which may soon include “basic premium economy” and “basic business”) you will still receive your free checked bag benefit from your credit 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.
My take: More complex than it needs to be, but still a positive change
Aaron Hurd
Executive Editor of Cards and Points
First off, let me say that the updates to the Delta credit cards to include a second free checked bag benefit, are an objectively positive change. Some people get more in some cases, the annual fee stayed the same, and there is no case where you’ll get less than you did prior to this change.
However, I think the complexity of this benefit and how Delta markets it will cause confusion. I can absolutely see someone showing up for their European vacation, thinking that they will be able to check two bags for free, but finding out that the benefit only allies to U.S. domestic flights.
Or, worse, a family of 5 showing up expecting to be able to check two bags each and finding out at check-in that the second checked bag is only for the primary cardmember.
I predict that the number of people who find themselves frantically repacking at the last minute or being forced to pay unexpected checked bag fees will be significant and THAT is bad for consumers.
But it didn’t have to be this way. Delta could have simply chosen to expand the 2 free checked bags to everyone on the same reservation for all Delta flights worldwide. That would have made this benefit truly best-in-class. And the additional cost to Delta would probably be minimal—or it even may be positive if they count operational gains from more people checking their bags.
Alternatively, Delta and Amex could have come up with some clever infographics to more clearly communicate how this benefit works.
But, overall, I’m happy about this change. Complexity aside, the Delta cards are all more valuable today than they were before the change. And that is a good thing.
Additional ways to get free bags on Delta
Holding a Delta credit card isn’t the only way to get a free checked bag on Delta. In many cases, you may already get a free checked bag due to your fare class, where you’re flying, or your Delta Medallion status.
Here are the cases when you are most likely to enjoy a free checked bag on Delta:
- Flying in First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Delta One. Premium cabin passengers generally get at least two free checked bags on Delta.
- Transoceanic and flights to South America booked in Main Cabin or higher. Most international flights on Delta to destinations outside of the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean include at least one free checked bag.
- Delta Silver Medallion status or higher. If you hold Silver Medallion status or higher on Delta, you will get your first checked bag for free on Delta flights. Up to 8 traveling companions flying with you will also receive a free first checked bag.
- Traveling with a Delta premium credit card holder or a Sky Miles medallion member. If you are traveling on the same reservation as someone who gets a first free checked bag from a credit card of Sky Miles Medallion status, you’ll also get a first checked bag for free.
- Holding a Delta credit card with an annual fee. A free first checked bag is one of the signature benefits of all of the Delta credit cards that carry an annual fee.
The best way to determine your baggage allowance is to view your baggage allowance under “My Trips” on Delta.com or the Delta mobile app. Alternatively, you can look up baggage allowances by route, date of flight, Medallion status and credit card status on Delta’s baggage policy page.
Delta carry-on bag policy: One bag and one personal item for free
If you prefer to carry your bags yourself, you can avoid checked bag fees by carrying your bags yourself. Delta’s carry-on baggage policy allows you to bring one carry-on bag and one personal item for free. This carry-on baggage allowance applies to all flights operated by Delta Air Lines, across all fare types. Passengers traveling on Basic Economy fares can also bring carry-on bags on Delta for free.
Keep in mind that if you plan on carrying all of your baggage with you, you will need to pass with your baggage through passenger screening. Be aware of TSA’s restrictions on liquids and other prohibited items before traveling with only carry-on bags.
How much free baggage you get: Figuring 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.
Is it worth getting a Delta credit card for a free checked bag?
If you don’t have Delta frequent flyer status, a free checked bag benefit could be a large part of the value you’ll get from the one of Delta’s entry-level credit cards.
Here’s what to consider:
- If you would otherwise pay for checked bags then the value you’ll get from a free first checked bag will be close to the sticker price of the bag—this is a fee you would otherwise pay. Delta baggage fees start at $45 for your first standard checked bag, each way, on domestic flights within the U.S.
- If you would otherwise carry on your bags, the value of the benefit would be substantially less—maybe even $0. Consider your actual willingness to pay for the convenience of having someone else handle your luggage along the way.
- International baggage fees vary. If you are flying to much or Europe or Asia, Delta will include a first free checked bag anyway. However, to some South American destinations, Delta charges $70 for a first checked bag.
If you’re considering one of the higher-end Delta credit cards, you’ll also want to consider the value of benefits like companion certificate and lounge access. Ultimately, if the total value you’re getting from your Delta card is greater than the annual fee you’re paying, it is worth it to get the card.
