Delta baggage fees and how to avoid paying them

Baggage fees are one of the most frustrating fees associated with flying. Delta Air Lines baggage fees are easy to understand due to their clear policies.

Delta's checked bag fees can add up quickly, but there are many ways to get your first checked bag for free.

The Delta baggage policy will be covered in this guide.

Delta carry-on guidelines

Passengers on a Delta flight can bring one carry-on bag and one personal item for free. Personal items must fit under the seat in front of you. The overhead bin can be used to store a bigger bag.

Due to limited overhead space, personal items are only allowed on Delta Connection flights with 50 seats or less. Personal items have to fit in an overhead bin or under the seat. There is no charge to check your luggage at the airport. You will usually get this baggage back when you disembark.

Carry-on luggage must not be larger than 45 linear inches. The carry-on bag has to be at least 14 inches wide and 9 inches high. Any handles and wheels are included in the measurement. If your carry-on is a small musical instrument, you don't need to worry about the size restrictions.

Unless you are travelling from one of the following locations, there is no weight restriction for your bag.

• Singapore: 15 pounds or less.
• Beijing: 22 pounds or less.
• Shanghai: 22 pounds or less.

Additional items can be brought on board for free. You can check a stroller or car seat at the gate if you travel with a child. If you booked a seat for your child, or if there is an open passenger seat in your row, you can bring a FAA-approved car seat on board.

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Delta Air Lines elite status is worth a lot of money.

Delta baggage policy

It's not hard to check baggage at Delta. Within 24 hours of your departure, you can check in on Delta's website or mobile app and let them know the number of bags you're going to check. The baggage drop lane can be used if you have already checked in. At the airport, you can check in and pay for bags.

Passengers can check up to two bags on flights. Some passengers have to pay a fee to check their bags.

Delta elite status or a Delta credit card will sometimes waive the fee if you have one. Your baggage must not be more than 62 inches.

Delta baggage fees for flights within the United States

Here is how much you can expect to pay for a first or second checked bag.

For passengers in basic economy, Main Cabin and Premium Select, the baggage weight limit is 50 pounds per bag. Passengers with elite status have a weight limit on their bags.

Some exceptions can be found to the above rules. All passengers traveling to or from Key West are limited to one checked bag. If you are traveling to or from the United States and Canada, the first bag fee is not applicable. Excess baggage is not allowed on Delta Connection flights to or from cities in Mexico.

There are easy ways to earn more Delta Skymiles.

Delta baggage fees for flights between the United States and most international destinations

Depending on where you travel between the US and most other international destinations, the Delta checked baggage fee varies. The fee of an already booked flight can be checked here. Here is a description of what to expect.

For international flights, the baggage weight limit is 50 pounds per bag. The baggage limit in first class is 70 pounds per bag.

Military baggage fees

If you are an active member of the United States Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Navy or Coast Guard, you won't have to pay the same fees as others.

As an active military member, your bag can be up to 62 inches.

Overweight and oversize baggage fees

If you check a bag that is larger than the above weight or dimensions, you will be charged additional fees.

You will be charged the following for flights within the United States.

It's overweight bag.

• 51 to 70 pounds: $100.
• 71 to 100 pounds: $200.

There is a limit on the bags that are allowed.

The bag is oversize.

• 63 inches to 80 inches: $200.

There is a limit on the size of bags that are allowed.

If you are checking a sporting equipment, musical instruments or medical supplies item, you should check the fee. You only need to pay the standard checked bag fee if you have a special item. Ski and snowboard equipment can be counted as a bag.

Excess baggage fees

Delta will allow up to 10 bags per passenger for flights operated by Delta or Delta Shuttle and up to four bags on Delta Connection flights.

If you are eligible to check three bags for free, you will be charged $150 for the third bag and $200 for bags four through 10.

Excess baggage can be carried on international flights at different prices. Domestic flights to Canada, the Caribbean and Central America can be had for the same price.

The standard weight and dimensions of excess bags must be met. The excess weight or size will result in additional fees.

You need to know more about Delta SkyMiles.

How to avoid Delta checked bag fees

Delta Air Lines charges passengers a fee to check their bags, but there are other ways to fly without paying.

Elite status allowances

There is a checked-bag-fee Waiver for those with Delta Medallion Status. Silver members can check one bag for free, Gold members can check two bags for free, and Platinum and Diamond members can check three bags for free.

If you travel to or from the U.S. or Canada, you can check one additional bag up to 50 pounds over the cabin allowance. Up to three free bags can be checked by members of Delta One, first class or Premium Select.

Your elite baggage allowance can be used on flights operated by Delta. This benefit is not applicable for flights departing from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport.

How to change or cancel a flight.

Credit cards

You can get a first checked bag free with several Delta credit cards.

You can save $30 per one-way or $60 per round-trip if you check your bag first. The cardmember can take advantage of up to eight additional companions. If you have four members of your family traveling together, that will save you money.

If you hold an eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express Card, you can receive up to two free checked bags.

Book a premium cabin

Those flying in the back of the plane can check their bags for free. You can check two bags for free if you book a Premium Select seat. Extra fees will still be charged if your bag exceeds the standard size.

Use card travel credits to cover fees

The Delta credit card waives the fee for the first checked bag, but there are other ways to cover the cost.

You can use the statement credits on the travel rewards cards to pay for Delta's checked bag fees. You can get up to $300 in travel credit with the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

The Platinum Card from American Express allows you to receive airline fee credits at the beginning of the year if you choose an airline you like. If you enroll in this benefit and choose Delta, you will be able to reimburse your baggage fees.

Use Delta SkyMiles to pay for baggage fees

SkyMiles members with flights from most domestic airports can pay for their bags with miles. If you want to redeem Delta miles for baggage fees, you need to use the Delta mobile app or at an airport kiosk. Excess baggage cannot be purchased with miles.

Which is the better bag?

Bottom line

The Delta baggage policy is easy to understand. There are a lot of ways to get rid of luggage fees when flying with Delta.

The baggage guarantee by Delta is the last one. You can request 2,500 bonus miles if your checked bag doesn't arrive at the baggage carousel within 20 minutes. When Delta doesn't meet your expectations, you can hold them accountable and earn bonus miles.

The additional reporting was done by Ehsan.