Like most airlines, Delta charges checked bag fees for most fares. To avoid putting an unwanted dent in your travel budget, it’s important to be aware of those fees ahead of time and strategize to avoid them if possible. Below is an overview of the Delta Air Lines baggage policy and ways to get the bag fees waived.
Delta does not charge for carry-on bags, even for basic economy fares. And like most airlines, Delta limits carry-ons to one personal item and one item that can fit in the overhead bin.
The quick answer is that Delta bag fees range from $30 to $100, depending on your fare type, origin and destination. There is no baggage fee for some routes and ticket types.
Delta offers a calculator on its website to determine the exact cost for your specific trip, but that makes it hard to get a sense of how the fees work. You can only access the calculator once you log in.
Here’s a breakdown of Delta’s fees for checked bags.
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First checked bag (one-way) |
Second checked bag (one-way) |
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|---|---|---|---|
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North America and Caribbean. |
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North America and Caribbean. |
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North America and Caribbean. |
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* Note: We used Amsterdam and Hong Kong as destinations to determine these estimates, but the actual fee may depend on your itinerary.
The most important thing to note here is the difference between basic economy and main cabin fares for flights to Europe. A single checked bag will cost $150 for a round-trip basic economy fare to Europe.
How to avoid Delta baggage fees
Certain travelers are able to avoid checked bag fees on Delta. Here are five ways to avoid paying for a checked bag.
1. Fly in a premium cabin
Delta offers up to two free checked bags to passengers traveling in first class, Delta Premium Select or Delta One. But barring a fare sale or mistake fare, premium cabin flights are generally going to cost you more than economy class.
However, if you’re traveling with a lot of luggage, it’s absolutely worth comparing fares in multiple classes vs. the bag fees you’ll pay booking economy or basic economy. You never know when you might stumble across a deal.
2. Earn Delta Medallion status
Delta Medallion members are eligible for waived checked bag fees for themselves and travel companions on the same reservation. Specific benefits will depend on your status level:
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One free checked bag within the U.S. and Canada.
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One free checked bag in addition to the standard allowance on international flights.
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Two free checked bags within the U.S. and Canada.
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One free checked bag in addition to the standard allowance on international flights.
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Three free checked bags within the U.S. and Canada.
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One free checked bag in addition to the standard allowance on international flights.
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Three free checked bags within the U.S. and Canada.
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One free checked bag in addition to the standard allowance on international flights.
3. Use your active duty military benefits
U.S. military personnel receive up to five checked bags for free when traveling on orders, regardless of fare class.
When traveling for personal reasons, members of the military can check up to two free bags when flying basic economy, main cabin or Delta Comfort+. Those traveling in premium cabins receive up to three free checked bags.
4. Get a Delta credit card that offers free checked bags
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If these situations don’t apply to you, there are several co-branded Delta credit cards that offer one free checked bag for the primary cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation:
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Annual fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $150
The following Delta business cards also offer this benefit:
The annual fees on these cards vary widely. Whether you’ll get your money’s worth depends on how often you check bags with Delta, and whether you’ll use any of the other benefits offered by these credit cards.
5. Get a credit card that covers airline incidentals, including checked bag fees
Airline credit cards can be limiting in terms of rewards and redemption options, which is why many people opt for credit cards that earn transferable rewards. An added benefit of these types of cards is that the premium versions offer travel credits that can be redeemed for travel expenses like checked bag fees.
Another good flexible option is the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which offers a $300 annual travel credit that’s applicable to all travel purchases.
Average fees compared across airlines
In NerdWallet’s most recent analysis of airline fees, we compared seat selection, checked baggage and overhead carry-on baggage fees charged by the major U.S. airlines on typical one-way fares.
Here’s how they stacked up:
Final thoughts on Delta baggage fees
Delta’s checked bag fees vary depending on your destination, travel class, elite status and whether you carry a credit card that offsets the bag costs. If you plan to check a bag when flying on Delta, use the airline’s calculator to determine what your checked bag fees will be.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024, including those best for:
