How to Avoid Baggage Fees on Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines is not immune to the dreaded checked bag fee. If you aren’t careful, you could pay a ton when checking bags on your next Delta flight. Here are a few methods to help you avoid those extra fees.

How Much Does a Checked Bag Cost?

Delta levies checked bag fees that are similar to other major U.S. carriers like American Airlines and United Airlines. The chart below lists checked bag fees when departing from a U.S. gateway. The fee is per bag, each way.

Check Delta’s website for checked bag exceptions and additions to the above list.

How Many Bags Can You Check for Free?

Delta SkyMiles Medallion members with elite status as well as SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus Members are eligible for complimentary checked bags when traveling within the United States and Canada according to the chart below. See the chart at Delta’s website for free baggage allowance when traveling to other countries.

Can You Avoid Baggage Fees?

There are other ways to avoid checked baggage fees, even if you’re not a Delta SkyMiles Medallion elite member:

Co-Branded Credit Cardholders: American Express is the bank that offers Delta-branded credit cards. If you hold the American Express Delta Gold, Platinum, or Reserve card, you get one free checked bag for yourself as well as one complimentary checked bag for up to eight other passengers on your reservation. That’s quite a benefit for families! The bag must not exceed 62 inches in total length plus width plus height and it can’t weigh more than 50 pounds.

Active U.S. Military Personnel and Dependents: Active duty U.S. military personnel on orders to or from duty stations and dependents traveling with them or active U.S. military dependents traveling separately on relocation orders may check bags at no charge. If you’re traveling on military orders in Delta One, First, or Business, you can check five bags for free. If you’re traveling in Main Cabin, you can check four bags for free. In both circumstances, the bags can be no more than 80 inches in total length plus width plus height and weigh 70 pounds or less.

If you’re traveling on personal business in Delta One, First, or Business, you check three bags for free (no larger than 62 inches and 70 pounds each). In Main Cabin, you can check two bags for free (no larger than 62 inches and 50 pounds each).

Starwood Crossover Rewards Program: If you’re a Starwood Preferred Guest Platinum elite member, sign up for the Crossover Rewards Program, which offers a free checked bag when flying on a Delta flight. This perk is valid for you and up to three other passengers traveling on your reservation.

Check Your Bag at the Gate: Sometimes when a flight is oversold, the airline will offer to check bags for free at the gate. This is meant to ease the burden of finding overhead space once the aircraft begins boarding and to make sure the boarding process proceeds smoothly. If you’re willing to take a chance, bring your bags to the gate area and wait and see if an announcement is made. If it’s not, you can always approach the gate agent and ask to check your bags for a fee.