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Flying does have its own particular set of frustrations and stresses, but for many people, it is airline baggage fees that really cause confusion. Fortunately, Delta has a baggage policy with a fee structure that is easy to understand.
How Does The Delta Baggage Policy Work In 2023?
Within 24 hours of your scheduled departure, you can visit the Delta website or use the Delta mobile app to notify Delta of how many bags you’re planning to check. When you’ve checked in, you can simply use the baggage drop lane.
The Delta baggage policy stipulates that the bag must have a maximum size of 62 inches when the length, width and height are added together. There is a weight limit of 50 pounds per bag if you’re booked in basic economy, main cabin or Premium Select, but this increases to 70 pounds for Delta One or first class passengers.
However, Delta Medallion elite status members have a 70 pound baggage weight limit before they attract extra fees.
How Much Are the Delta Baggage Fees
Delta allows passengers to check two bags per flight, but for some there may be a Delta checked bag fee. The fee depends on the fare class and route, but your elite status also plays a role in calculating the fee.
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Domestic Flights
There are some exceptions to the following table. For example, if your destination or origin point is Key West, Florida, there is a one-checked bag limit.
1st Bag | 2nd Bag | 1st Bag | 2nd Bag | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Economy | Basic | Basic | Premium | Premium |
Cabin | Main cabin or Comfort+ | Main cabin or Comfort+ | Premium Select, Delta One or first class | Premium Select, Delta One or first class |
General | $30 | $40 | Free | Free |
Silver member | Free | $40 | Free | Free |
Gold member | Free | Free | Free | Free |
Platinum or Diamond member | Free | Free | Free | Free |
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International Flights
Again, there are some exceptions. For example, you can’t bring excess baggage on Delta Connection or regional jet flights from or to cities in Mexico.
1st Bag | 2nd Bag | 1st Bag | 2nd Bag | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Economy | Basic | Basic | Premium | Premium |
Cabin | Main cabin or Comfort+ | Main cabin or Comfort+ | Premium Select, Delta One or first class | Premium Select, Delta One or first class |
General | Free but a fee applies to select basic economy routes | Check the website | Free | Free |
Silver/Gold member | Free | Free | Free | Free |
Platinum or Diamond member | Free | Free | Free | Free |
What Is The Delta Carry-On Baggage Policy?
Delta allows passengers one carry-on bag and one personal item. The personal item can be a purse, briefcase, laptop bag or any item that can fit under the seat in front of you. If you have a jacket, diaper bag, umbrella, assistive devices such as strollers, wheelchairs, walkers or child restraint seats or duty free items, these items will not count towards your carry on baggage allowance.
Your carry on bag needs to be able to fit into the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. The Delta carry on baggage policy states that carry on items must not exceed a total of 45 linear inches including the wheels and handles.
It is also important to note that if you have a bulkhead seat, you will not have under seat storage, so all baggage will need to be stowed in the overhead bin during both take off and landing.
How to Save on Delta Baggage Fees
While there are some Delta baggage fees that may apply to your flight, there are a number of ways that you can save on your fees.
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Elite Status
As we touched on above, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond Medallion status members can benefit from a waiver on baggage fees. This means that you can have up to three checked bags for free.
Additionally, up to eight travel companions on your reservation can also enjoy your elite status baggage allowance. Unfortunately, this benefit does not apply if you’re departing from Paris Charles de Gaulle or Amsterdam Schiphol.
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Book a Premium Fare
As we covered in our tables above, if you’re flying in a premium cabin, you will get additional free checked bags. If you book a first class, Delta One or Premium Select fare, you will get two checked bags for free.
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Use Your Delta SkyMiles
Are you aware that you can use your Delta SkyMiles for lots of things other than award flights. For example, you can pay for your standard checked bag fees with miles.
You can do this when you check in on Delta’s website, using the Delta app or at your airport kiosk. Just be aware that you cannot use miles for overweight or excess baggage fees.
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Credit Cards
There are several Delta co-branded credit cards that offer free checked bags. These include:
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
This card has a reward structure weighted towards Delta purchases and the perks include free first checked bags for you and up to 8 travel companions, priority boarding, up to $100 in Delta flight credits per year and 20% back on your Delta inflight purchases.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
This is a premium co-branded card, which has the highest SkyMiles Amex annual fee.
However, in addition to free checked bags, you will receive complimentary Centurion Lounge access, complimentary Delta Sky Club access with two one time guest passes each year, upgrade priority, trip cancelation insurance and all the perks you get with the Platinum Card.
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
This card has a higher annual fee compared to the Gold, but it offers the same benefits as the Gold card, plus reimbursement for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, trip delay protection and car rental insurance.
How Much is the Overweight Baggage Fee?
If you check a bag which exceeds the dimensions or weight maximums that we’ve covered earlier, you will incur an overweight or oversized baggage fee. The current fee for Delta flights within the U.S are $100 for a bag up to 70 pounds and $200 for a bag up to 100 pounds. Delta does not permit bags exceeding 100 pounds.
If the total dimensions of your bag are 63 to 80 inches, you’ll incur a $200 fee. Bags larger than this are not permitted.
However, if you are checking a special item such as medical supplies, musical instruments or sporting equipment, you will need to check the specific fee which applies to that particular item. Many of these special items don’t incur an excessive size or weight fee, even if they are odd sized. For example, if you have snowboard or ski equipment, it is often counted as a regular bag and you’ll pay the standard checked bag fee.
Delta Baggage Restrictions
In addition to the bags having a maximum size of 62 inches (length+width+height) and a maximum weight of 50 pounds or 70 pounds depending on your fare class and elite status, there are several other Delta baggage restrictions. These include:
- No aerosols products
- No pesticides, drain cleaners or bleach
- No fireworks, explosives or flammable materials such as sterno cans or blue flame lighters
- No paints, lubricants or stains
- No MREs (Meals Ready to Eat)
- No items with refrigerants
- No balance gliders, hoverboards, or motorized suitcases with lithium or lithium ion batteries
FAQs
Yes, you can prepay for your baggage 24 hours before your scheduled departure as part of the check in process online or using the Delta app.
Unfortunately, most domestic Delta airports are “cashless stations.” This means that you cannot use cash to pay for any ancillary costs including your baggage fees.
This depends on your fare class and elite status. However, you can use the calculator on the Delta website to find out how much your baggage fees would be.
This also depends on your fare class and elite status. In most cases, you can get up to three checked bags for free.
Delta does allow one carry-on item and one personal item per passenger, so it will depend on the size of your backpack. If the backpack is small enough to fit under the seat in front of you, it should be classified as a personal item.
Generally, there are no weight restrictions for carry on luggage, but there are some exceptions including Singapore International Airport, Shanghai China and Beijing China.
Delta SkyMiles members can receive free checked bags, but it depends on your member level and fare class.
Yes, military personnel can have baggage fees waived. If they are traveling on military orders, there is no baggage fee for up to five bags up to 100 pounds in weight. For personal travel, the fees for up to two bags are waived, with a weight limit of 50 pounds.
