For a single checked bag, you may be looking at a round-trip Delta baggage fee of up to $60. See if there’s any way to avoid paying such fees.
Whether you’re flying for business or pleasure, Delta Air Lines is an excellent option. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, the corporation serves a global clientele, including Canada, Australia, and Central America.
How To Get Free Baggage On Delta? Delta prides itself on being a premium airline that provides superior service and amenities compared to low-cost options.
Because of this, you should expect to pay a price for each bag you check instead of getting privileges like free baggage on Southwest Airlines.
However, Delta Airlines baggage fees can be avoided in some cases. What you need to know about how Delta baggage fees work and how to avoid Delta baggage fees is provided below.
What is Delta Air Lines’ baggage policy?
One carry-on and one personal item are complimentary on Delta flights. You may save money on checked luggage if you pay attention to baggage limitations and are mindful of how checked baggage fees work at Delta.
Carry-Ons and Personal Items
The aggregate length, breadth, and height of your carry-on luggage, including handles and wheels, cannot exceed 45 linear inches.
Your luggage should be no larger than 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches. Except at the following airports, there is no weight restriction on carry-on luggage:
- It costs 15 pounds to get into Singapore’s Changi International Airport (SIN).
- In Beijing, the CAAC weighs 22 pounds at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK).
- Airport transfer from Shanghai Pudong (PVG): 22 pounds
Goods of this type include handbags, diaper bags, camera bags, a laptop bag, and other items of this size. Make sure they fit in the overhead bin or beneath the seat in front of you before you get on the plane if you want to carry-on this bag free.
You’re in luck if you’re on a trip with kids or someone with special needs. If you need special equipment, such as a stroller or kid seat, a wheelchair or crutches, you can bring them on the airline as a carry-on or personal item.
Checked Bags
Checked baggage prices vary according to several factors, the most important of which are the weight of the bag, the final destination, and the number of bags being shipped.
If you’re flying domestically inside North America, your first checked bag under 50 pounds will cost you $30, and your second under 50-pound bag will cost you $40. 62 inches is the maximum length, breadth, and height of a single piece of luggage.
Baggage fees for international flights to destinations other than the United States might be more unpredictable. If you’re flying from the United States to Europe, your first checked bag is on the house, but a second bag will set you back $100.
Only $40 will be charged for a second bag if you fly from the US to the Caribbean or Bermuda or Ecuador. Depending on where you live, a third checked bag might cost you up to $200. On the Delta website, you can get an idea of how much it will cost to check your bags.
You can check up to 10 bags per passenger on Delta or Delta Shuttle flights, and up to four on Delta Connection carrier aircraft, for flights operated by Delta.
However, Delta may not be able to accommodate all of your bags on a single flight if you have more than two pieces of luggage. On the other hand, it can be taken on the next available plane.
If you have oversized or excessive luggage, you may have to pay additional fees for checked luggage.
You’ll have to pay an additional cost for exceeding any weight, size, or quantity restrictions. Overweight fees and additional checked bag fees apply to bags weighing more than 50 pounds, for example.
How to Avoid Baggage Fees on Delta Flights
There are methods to avoid paying Delta’s baggage fees, despite the airline’s policy. You may save money on your Delta baggage fees by following these six suggestions.
1. Only Pack a Carry-On
If you’re able to travel light, a carry-on and a personal item might save at least $60 each round trip.
Having your carry-on luggage with you ensures that you won’t have to stress about your checked luggage getting misplaced.
2. Join a Loyalty Program
Consider enrolling in the Delta SkyMiles loyalty program if you often fly with Delta. It’s free to join, and you’ll earn miles that you can redeem for future flights, as well as advantages like free checked bags and seat upgrades.
Silver Medallion status is the minimum requirement for complimentary checked baggage. You’ll get your first checked bag free if you reach that level.
Every one of your traveling buddies can check one bag for free. Once you reach 25,000 miles and $3,000 in Medallion Qualification Dollars or a waiver of the MQD requirement, you’ll become a Silver Medallion member.
Once you join SkyMiles, all you have to do is input your member number when you book a flight. You might earn up to five miles every dollar paid on your ticket depending on the flight.
3. Buy a Premium Ticket
Purchasing a business or first class ticket may be worth the extra money if you desire greater space and comfort. You may be eligible for complimentary checked baggage if you upgrade your Delta flight pricing.
Two complimentary checked baggage weighing a maximum of 50 pounds are provided to Delta Premium Select travelers.
Passengers in Delta One and First Class are entitled to two free checked baggage, each weighing up to 70 pounds.
4. Bring Your Military Documentation
Checked luggage is always free for active military personnel. You may check up to five bags for free if you’re traveling on military orders.
As long as you’re travelling basic economy, main cabin, or Delta Comfort, military members are eligible for two free checked bags if they’re taking personal time off from work.
There are three complimentary checked baggage weighing 70 pounds each for passengers travelling in first class, Delta One, or Delta Premium Select.
In order to be eligible, you must present Delta employees at check-in with a valid military ID.
5. Get a Delta SkyMiles Credit Card
Signing up for a Delta credit card might be a wise move if you frequently find yourself on a Delta operated flight and want free bags and other benefits. The Delta card makes it easy to earn high-value points for those that qualify for it. You can even earn SkyMiles with Delta’s partnership airlines.
Traveling is a great way to rack up points and free upgrades. To get the best airline credit card for you, you’ll need to analyze the numerous benefits offered by Delta cards.
6. Use a General Travel Card
Delta credit cards may not be the best option if you want to shop around rather than stick with one airline. Travel credit cards with important benefits like airline credits and point transfers might help you earn free checked luggage.
Bonus miles may be earned from purchases, which can reduce the cost of your trip even lower, and you aren’t tied to a specific airline for your rewards.
With the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you’ll get a $300 credit each year for travel. Travel expenditures, including baggage fees, can be reimbursed with a statement credit of up to $300 if you use your credit card to pay for them.
If you have Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you may use them to purchase Delta tickets and gain 50% more value for your reward points. You may also transfer your points to a variety of airlines through Chase’s extensive network of partners.
Bottom Line
Baggage fees on Delta Airlines may add up to hundreds of dollars to the cost of a roundtrip flight.
It’s possible to avoid these costs and save money on your vacation by doing some research and exploring all of your alternatives, like upgrading your ticket or signing up for a credit card. You should also try and keep your baggage under the weight limit, as that is a quick way to quickly incur large fees.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get a free checked bag for a flight?
You can get free baggage various ways, such as using points earned from qualifying purchases from a credit card issuer that participates in this rewards program (such as the Gold American Express card or Platinum American Express card, or the Reserve American Express card) by earning and redeeming Dleta SkyMiles, by purchasing a premium ticket that waives baggage fees, or by being active military personnel with the proper documentation.
What are Delta SkyMiles?
SkyMiles is Delta's frequent flyers program. Delta has frequent flyers partnerships with the following airlines, and others:
Garuda Indonesia (for SkyMiles Asia only), Hawaiian Airlines, Jetstar Asia Airways (for SkyMiles Asia only), LATAM Airlines Group, Skymark Airlines (for SkyMiles Japan only), Thai AirAsia (for SkyMiles Asia only), Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia, and WestJet.
When flying with Delta or one of their frequent flyer partnerships, you will be able to earn SkyMiles, which you can use for various perks, such as the free checked bag benefit, and even money towards flights.
What is Delta Medallion Status?
When SkyMiles members fly on qualifying flights operated by Delta, they will earn points. There are four tiers of Delta Medallion Status: Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Each tier has their own perks, including unlimited complimentary upgrades, waived fees (including baggage fees), and the ability to earn more points based on your tier.