How to get free checked bags on Delta Air Lines

Checking bags on a one-way Delta flight is pricey. Costs can add up if you take multiple round-trip flights a year. Fortunately, there are a few ways to avoid those pesky baggage fees using credit cards, elite status and fare upgrades.

How do I get a free checked bag on Delta Air Lines?

Delta offers free checked bags to Delta credit card holders, elite Medallion members and premium fare customers. Military members and customers on select international flights can also qualify for free checked bags.

A free checked bag on Delta can save you up to $60 per person on a round trip flight. Just make sure the bag weighs 50 pounds or less.

Here’s more details on ways to get a checked bag fee waived:

• Get a Delta credit card.
  Delta offers several cobranded cards with a “first checked bag free” perk, so long as the bag weighs 50 pounds or less.
• Get a card with travel credits.
  You can typically use travel credits for charges such as baggage fees, in-flight purchases, seat upgrades, airline lounge fees and more.
• Reach Delta Medallion Status.
  There are four elite tiers in Delta’s Medallion program: Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond. Each offers one to three checked bags on Delta or partner flights within the US and Canada.

Compare credit cards that offer free checked bags on Delta

A Delta card with free checked baggage will offer additional airline-specific perks, such as inflight savings and special rates on Delta Sky Club access.

If you want more than one free checked bag per flight, consider a general travel card that offers travel credits. Just pay for your baggage fees with the card, and you’ll later be reimbursed via statement credits.

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Name	Product	Welcome offer	Rewards	Annual fee	Filter values
Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express		30,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months, plus $50 when you make a Delta purchase in the same timeframe	2x miles on Delta purchases and 1x miles on all other purchases	$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($95 thereafter)		Earn 30,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months, plus $50 when you make a direct Delta purchase in the same timeframe. Rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express		30,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months plus $50 after making a direct Delta purchase in the same timeframe	2x miles on Delta purchases and 1x miles on all other purchases	$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($95 thereafter)		Earn 30,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months plus $50 after making a direct Delta purchase in the same timeframe. Rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express		35,000 miles and 5,000 MQMs after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months plus $100 after making a direct Delta purchase in the same timeframe	2x miles on direct Delta purchases and 1x miles on all other purchases	$195		Earn 35,000 miles and 5,000 MQMs after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months plus $100 after making a direct Delta purchase in the same timeframe. Rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card		40,000 miles and 10,000 MQMs after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months	2x miles on direct Delta purchases and 1x miles on all other purchases	$450		Earn 40,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 3 months. Rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
CardMatch™ from creditcards.com		See terms	See terms	See terms		Can't decide on a card? Get personalized credit card offers with CardMatch™.	See offer View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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How to get a free checked bag with a Delta credit card

If you typically check one bag per flight, you might like a Delta credit card. Check out the section below to see which products offer the checked baggage benefit.

You won’t get additional checked bags with the higher-priced Delta cards. So if you’re getting a card just for this perk, consider the Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express. It has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year and $95 annual fee afterward (see rates & fees).

The $195-a-year Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express offers additional perks such as an annual companion certificate and Miles Boost (see rates & fees). And according to our valuations, the $450-a-year Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express includes annual benefits worth over $2,000 a year (see rates & fees Please note: All information about Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express has been collected independently by Finder and this card is no longer available through this site.).

Our pick for free checked bags on Delta

Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express

• Earn 30,000 bonus miles after you use your new card to make $1,000 in purchases within your first 3 months and a $50 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new card within your first 3 months.
• Earn 2 miles on every eligible dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta.
• Earn 1 mile for every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
• Check your first bag free on Delta flights – that’s a savings of up to $240 for a family of 4 roundtrip.
• Receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
• Enjoy a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
• Terms apply.

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How to get a free checked bag with Medallion status

As a Medallion member, you may be allowed to check heavier bags — up to 70 pounds versus the normal 50 pounds. Plus, up to eight travel companions on your reservation get the checked-baggage benefit.

The exception is Delta-operated flights departing from Amsterdam Schipol Airport (AMS) and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG).

• Free checked bags for Medallion: Basic Economy, Main Cabin and Delta Comfort+

  As a Silver Medallion member with a Delta SkyMiles card from American Express, you’re allowed a second bag up to 70 pounds free when flying within the US and Canada.

Data obtained April 2019. Values are subject to change and should be used only as a general guide.

• Free checked bags for Medallion: First Class and Delta One

  To and from all destinations, you can check three bags up to 70 pounds each.

• Free checked bags for Medallion: Delta Premium Select

  To and from all destinations, you can check three bags up to 50 pounds each.

• Reach SkyTeam Elite or Elite Plus status.
  Delta is part of the SkyTeam airline alliance, which has two elite tiers.The fee for your first checked bag will be waived on Delta-operated flights if you reach either of these tiers. You can do this by obtaining Medallion status in Delta. But Medallion tiers give you equivalent or better baggage allowance, so this may not be particularly exciting.
• Here’s the kicker: You can attain SkyTeam status by becoming an elite in one of the alliance’s member airlines. This might be a viable path if you’re a loyal flyer on an airline such as Korean Air, Alitalia or Air France.
• Fly a premium fare class.
  When you fly First Class or Delta One, you can check two bags up to 70 pounds each for free. Fly Delta Premium Select and you can check two bags that each weigh 50 pounds or less for free.
• Fly an eligible route in Basic Economy, Main Cabin or Delta Comfort+.
  You may be able to check your first or second bag free when you fly between eligible destinations. Bags must be 50 pounds or less.
• For example, most flights from the US or Canada to Brazil come with two free checked bags. And flights from Europe to India come with one free checked bag.

How much does it usually cost to check a bag on a Delta flight?

These rates apply to bags that weigh up to 50 pounds and have linear dimensions within 62 inches. You’ll pay extra fees if your bags are overweight or oversized.

Baggage rates for travel within the United States

Data obtained April 2019. Values are subject to change and should be used only as a general guide.

Bottom line

As one of the world’s largest airlines, Delta has many different policies for checked baggage. The easiest ways to avoid baggage fees are applying for Delta credit cards and flying in premium fare classes.

If you’re not sure a Delta credit card is right for you, consider other airline cards.

Frequently asked questions

• Are Delta's normal checked baggage fees in line with what other carriers charge?

  Yes. Many carriers follow the same fee structure, though some carriers don’t charge as high as $200 for your fourth and additional bags.

• Will I pay extra if my baggage is overweight?

  Yes. For travel within the United States and Canada, you’ll pay $100 per bag that’s 51 to 70 pounds. You’ll pay $200 per bag that’s 71 to 100 pounds. Delta won’t accept bags over 100 pounds.

  There may be different fees and maximum baggage weights for international flights.

• Will I pay extra if my baggage is oversized?

  Yes. For travel within the US and Canada, you’ll pay $200 per bag measuring 63 to 80 linear inches. Delta won’t accept a bag measuring more than 80 linear inches.

  There may be different fees and maximum baggage measurements for international flights.

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