Delta first bag free: How to get a free checked bag on Delta

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October 2, 2024: Delta offer cardmembers of most Delta Air Lines credit cards a first bag for free on Delta.

But before you pick up a credit card to get a free checked bag on Delta, you should understand your Delta baggage allowance. In many cases you might already be able to get a checked bag for free without a credit card.

Many Delta fares in premium cabins and on international routes will get you a free checked bag, as well having Delta Medallion status. Even traveling with a Delta cardmember who has a free checked bag benefit can get you a free checked bag.

Here’s what you need to know about Delta’s free first checked bag benefit.

Getting a free bag: 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.

Getting a free checked bag on Delta with a credit card: Delta cards that offer free checked bags

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 offer a free checked bag. Find the best Delta credit card for you in our comparison of Delta credit cards.

How free checked bags on a Delta credit card works

If you hold an eligible Delta Air Lines credit card, you’ll get a first checked bag for free on most Delta flights. Traveling companions on your same reservation will also enjoy the benefit, even if they don’t carry a Delta credit card. Here are the most important things to remember about this benefit:

• The first flight you check in for must be Delta-marketed and Delta-operated. That means that Delta must be the carrier actually operating the flight and the flight must show up with a Delta flight number (e.g. DL0123) on your itinerary. If your flight shows up with another carrier’s flight number (e.g. AF0123 or KL0456) then it is marketed by that other carrier and your free checked bag benefit will not apply.
• Check-in must be operated by Delta. Where check-in is operated by another airline, the free checked bag benefit may not apply. You’ll usually find this at International locations where Delta only has a small number of flights daily.
• Your SkyMiles number must be attached to your reservation. You can do this at booking, over the phone with Delta, or at check-in. If you book a ticket while logged into your SkyMiles account at Delta.com, your SkyMiles number will usually be automatically added to your reservation.

Who gets a free checked bag?

Delta’s credit card free checked bag benefit can provide huge value to families and groups traveling together. If even only one person holds a card that grants a free checked bag, everyone on the same reservation, up to 9 people, will get the benefit.

To share the benefit, you must be traveling on the same reservation. When you look up your reservation on Delta.com or the Delta mobile app, if you can see multiple people under the same confirmation number, you are on the same reservation.

What if I already get a free checked bag?

Delta’s free checked bag benefit provides a first checked bag free, not an additional free checked bag. This means that, if you already are entitled to a free checked bag because of your Medallion status, your airfare type, or because you’re flying on an international flight that includes a checked bag, you will not receive an additional checked bag.

The sole exception to this is if you are a Silver Medallion Member traveling within the U.S. or Canada. You’ll receive a second checked bag (up to two bags at 70 lbs. each) for free if you also hold an eligible Delta credit card.

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 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 like the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card.

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 $35 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 like the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card card, 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.

Frequently asked questions

Advertiser disclosure: Cards and Points has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Cards and Points and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Some or all of the card offers that appear on this site are from advertisers. Compensation may affect how and where card products appear on the site. The site does not include all card companies or all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. Terms apply to all credit card benefits.