Delta Air Lines Baggage Fees Explained

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 Delta’s bag fees and options to get them 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.

» Learn more: The NerdWallet guide to Delta SkyMiles

Certain travelers are able to avoid checked bag fees on Delta. If you don't fall into any of these categories, the cost to check a bag will vary (more on this in the next section).

Free checked bags for premium cabin travelers

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.

Free checked bags for Delta Medallion members

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:

Silver Medallion

• One free checked bag within the U.S. and Canada.

• One free checked bag in addition to the standard allowance on international flights.

Gold Medallion

• Two free checked bags within the U.S. and Canada.

• One free checked bag in addition to the standard allowance on international flights.

Platinum Medallion

• Three free checked bags within the U.S. and Canada.

• One free checked bag in addition to the standard allowance on international flights.

Diamond Medallion

• Three free checked bags within the U.S. and Canada.

• One free checked bag in addition to the standard allowance on international flights.

Free checked bags for active duty military

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.

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.

Here’s a breakdown of Delta’s fees for checked bags.

* 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.

» Learn more: Delta basic economy: What you need to know

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® Gold Business American Express Card.

• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card.

• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card.

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.

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.

» Learn more: Which Delta Air Lines credit card should you get?

Cards that cover 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.

For example, you can get an annual $200 credit with the The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. You have to select one airline every year and stick to it, but beyond that redeeming the credit is easy: Just charge your baggage fees to the card and you’ll receive a statement credit up to the maximum of $200. Terms apply.

Another good flexible option is the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which offers a $300 annual travel credit that’s applicable to all travel purchases.

Delta’s checked bag fees vary depending on your destination, travel class, elite status and whether you carry one of their co-branded credit cards. It can be difficult to figure out what you’ll really end up paying, especially if you book a basic economy ticket.