4 Min Read | Last updated: June 6, 2024
How to Get a Free Checked Bag with a Delta SkyMiles® American Express® Card
Want to save on Delta baggage fees? Card Members can check their first bag free when using their eligible co-branded American Express Card to book a flight with Delta.
At-A-Glance
Eligible Delta SkyMiles® American Express Cards allow their Card Members to get their first checked bag free on Delta flights.
To get the benefit, you must have an eligible Delta SkyMiles Amex Card, a SkyMiles account, and you must pay for your airfare with the eligible Card.
The First Checked Bag Free benefit can lead to big savings, especially when traveling with up to eight other people – as long as everyone is listed on the Card Member’s reservation.
Most airlines charge a baggage fee for passengers checking their luggage, and that amount can grow rather significantly, depending on the size of your group and the number of bags being checked.
Through its partnership with Delta Airlines, American Express offers a way for eligible Card Members to save money by getting their first checked bag for free. However: You’ll need an eligible Delta SkyMiles® American Express Card.
How Much Does Delta Charge for Baggage?
For Delta passengers with main cabin tickets on a domestic flight, the first checked bag costs $35 and the second bag costs $45, each way.
If you’re only checking one bag, this means you can expect to add $70 to your fare’s base price for a round-trip ticket in the U.S. Please note that baggage fees may vary by route or fare class.
If your bag is overweight and/or oversized, you may incur additional charges. For example, the weight allowance for standard Delta baggage fees under 50 pounds (23 kg), and the baggage size must not exceed 62 inches (158 cm) when you total the length, width, and height.2 If you think your bag may exceed these limits, consider weighing or measuring your bag at home before heading off to the airport. And remember: if the bag is both overweight and oversized, you’ll incur both fees.1
For more information, see Delta’s Baggage & Travel Fees.
How to Save on Delta Baggage Fees with your Delta SkyMiles Amex Card
If you have one of the below Delta SkyMiles Amex Cards, you can get your first checked bag free on Delta flights:
To receive the benefit, you must use your eligible Delta SkyMiles Amex Card when booking your flight on Delta Airlines. The reservation must also include the Card Member’s Delta SkyMiles number to receive the baggage fee waiver for the first checked bag. You can include your SkyMiles number in your reservation by:
- Providing it when booking your flight
- Adding it when checking in for your flight
- Looking up your itinerary and clicking Add Loyalty Program #
The first bag of each passenger will then automatically be waived at check-in for those on the reservation. Just make sure those bags aren’t overweight or oversized, as they won’t be eligible for the benefit. And if you check a second bag, you’ll have to pay the second-bag fee.
For even greater savings, remember that the first checked bag free benefit also extends to as many as 8 additional travel companions, provided they’re all listed on the same reservation made by the Card Member. If you’re traveling as a family on vacation, that’s one free checked bag for everyone.
For example, at $35 for each passenger’s first bag, a family of four could save $280 in roundtrip baggage fees. If your group reaches the benefit’s maximum number of 9 travelers (1 Card Member + 8 additional passengers), that’s $630 in roundtrip savings that can be used elsewhere on your vacation.2,3,4
Did you know?
Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Reserve Card Members can earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta, and Delta SkyMiles Gold Card Members can earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta.2,3,4 You can use miles to book Award Travel, redeem for seat upgrades, and more.
Can You Bring a Carry-On or Personal Item on Delta Flights?
Each Delta passenger can bring 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item on board the plane, both free of charge. Personal items may include a purse, backpack, laptop bag, or something similar in size that will fit underneath the seat in front of you.
Similar to bags, carry-ons come with size and weight restrictions, so it’s important to make sure your carry-on will fit in the overhead bin space before you arrive to the airport.5
For more information, see Delta’s Carry-On Baggage.
The Takeaway
If you have an eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express Card, you can check your first bag free on Delta flights, provided you book the reservation with your eligible Card and include your SkyMiles number. And if you’re traveling with others, you can extend this benefit for up to 8 passengers on the same reservation.
1 “Baggage & Travel Fees,” Delta
2 For more on Benefit and Offer Terms for the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, click here.
3 For more on Benefit and Offer Terms for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, click here.
4 For more on Benefit and Offer Terms for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Express Reserve Card, click here.
5 “Carry-On Baggage,” Delta
Michael Grace is a personal finance and technology freelance writer based on Long Island, N.Y.
All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.
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