What You Pay & How to Avoid Them

The days of getting a free checked bag on every flight are long gone – even when flying Southwest Airlines. Luggage fees are huge money-makers for airlines, and they add up fast. These days, you’ll pay at least $35 for your first checked bag on most U.S. airlines, including Delta. 

But as with every airline, exactly what you’ll pay to check a bag with Delta hinges on where you’re going – and what kind of ticket you buy, too. And 

We’ll break down exactly what Delta charges for bags based on where you’re heading (and what fare you’ve got). But with the right tools and mindset, you can avoid paying Delta baggage fees altogether.

Delta’s Current Baggage Fees

So how much does it cost to check a bag when you’re flying with Delta? It depends on where you’re heading.

We’ve put together a chart spelling out the fees when flying Delta basic economy or main cabin economy between the U.S. and a handful of destinations for one checked bag. These charges apply each way, so double them for a roundtrip flight.

Delta also has a handy tool that can help you figure out how much you’ll pay for a checked bag – if anything – based on where you’re flying. You can input your airport of origin, destination, date of purchase, trip dates, the fare class you’re flying, and whether or not you have a Delta credit card and the airline will estimate your baggage fees.

Delta raised baggage fees earlier this year. If you booked your ticket prior to March 5, 2024 for a trip this year or even early 2025, the lower checked bag fees will apply. 

Overweight & Oversized Bag Fees

Have an overweight bag or need to check a lot of luggage? You’ll have to pay for it – and get ready to pay a lot.

Delta caps the weight for standard checked luggage at 50 pounds. If your bag weighs 51 to 70 pounds, that will cost you an extra $100 each way. Bags that weigh in at 71 pounds to 100 pounds will incur a $200 fee. And bags that weigh more than 100 pounds aren’t allowed, period.

In terms of size, Delta limits checked bags to 62 linear inches (length + width + height). Special items, such as musical instruments and sporting equipment, are allowed up to 150 linear inches, depending on the item. 

As for checking a lot of bags, Delta’s policies for excess baggage are convoluted, varying based on where you’re heading. You’ll be able to check up to two bags at normal prices, but anything beyond that will cost you. 

Flying within the U.S. (including the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico) or Canada, the cost of checking a third bag will run you $150 each way. And while each passenger can check up to 10 bags, the cost of bags four through 10 will cost $200 apiece. 

Meanwhile, travelers headed to the Caribbean can expect to shell out $200 apiece for bags three through 10. Ouch.

Those costs swell further on many international routes. On flights to Mexico, a third bag costs $180 each way. Flying to Europe, bags three through 10 will cost you $285 each.

Tips to Avoid Paying for Bags on Delta

There are a handful of ways you can get around paying these pesky fees altogether on your next Delta flight.

Pack in a Carry-On

The most straight-forward way to avoid paying for bags on Delta is completely free. You just have to pack a bit less.

Whether you’re flying a Delta basic economy fare or first class at the front of the plane, you can always bring a carry-on bag (plus a smaller personal item like a backpack or purse) onboard for free. 

Delta says these bags should be roughly 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches, which is a standard carry-on size. And unlike some other major international airlines, there’s no weight limit on your carry-on with Delta. 

Follow our tips for packing in just a carry-on bag for every trip! 

Fly the Right Route

Paying for checked bags is the rule-of-law these days as airlines have made baggage fees a big part of their business. But there are some destinations you can fly to where the old days of free luggage lives on.

You’ll always pay $35 for a checked bag (each way) for a domestic flight within the U.S. That same $35 fee applies on flights from the U.S. to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. But on other flights, you may not have to pay.

Delta still allows a free checked bag when flying from the U.S. to:

• Most of Africa
• Asia
• Australia
• Most of the Middle East

So long as you’re not flying Delta basic economy, you can also get a free checked bag flying from the U.S. to:

• Europe
• Northern Africa
• El Salvador, Ecuador, and Panama
• Most of South America
• Israel

Hold a SkyMiles Credit Card

Hands down, the easiest way to stop paying for bags on Delta is to pick up one of Delta’s co-branded credit cards from American Express.

There are four cards in all for everyday travelers: *delta blue*, *delta skymiles gold card*, *delta skymiles platinum card*, and *delta reserve card*. All but one (the Delta SkyMiles Blue card) will get you a free checked bag of up to 50 pounds on every Delta-operated flight you take. What’s more, you’ll get free bags for up to eight other passengers booked on your reservation.

And the best part? You don’t even have to pay for your flight with your Delta credit card to get that free bag! So long as your Delta card is attached to your SkyMiles account, the free baggage benefit is automatic. It even gets you a free checked bag when you’re flying Delta basic economy. One important exception: Even with these cards, you won’t get a free bag on partner airlines like Air France or KLM. 

If you need to check a second bag, fees will still apply unless if you also have Delta status. 

These cards all carry an annual fee … but at a minimum of $35 per bag each way, the savings can still add up fast. Let’s do some quick math.

The *delta skymiles gold card* is a great card for even occasional Delta flyers looking to earn SkyMiles and get some benefits. The card has a $0 introductory annual fee and just $150 per year thereafter (see rates & fees.)

At $35 (or more) per bag each way, it would only take five one-way flights on Delta (5 segments x $35 = $175 in baggage fees) to come out ahead on the annual fee … and that doesn’t even take into consideration any of the card’s other benefits and perks. Flying with a companion – or even a whole family? You could easily recoup the annual fee with just one flight. 

And remember: In your first year with the card, you’re not paying for it at all. It’s a win-win – save on bag fees without paying a big fee.

Delta’s other co-branded credit cards can also get you free baggage along with many other worthwhile benefits, though those cards come with much higher annual fees. If you’re just looking to get a free checked bag, the value of the SkyMiles Gold card is undeniable.

Read our guide to decide which Delta credit card is right for you!

Strollers and Car Seats Fly Free

Traveling with children and worried about paying a boatload to bring everything you need? Don’t stress.

Delta allows you to check strollers and car seats for free. That should make it much easier (and cheaper) to plan and pack for your next family trip.

Build Up Delta Status

Frequent Delta flyers can make their way toward Delta Medallion status: Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond.

While we feel earning Delta Medallion status isn’t worth the work for most travelers, it’s yet another way to avoid paying Delta baggage fees.

No matter if you’re a low-level Silver member or a top-tier Diamond Medallion, you can check bags free on each and every flight within the U.S. and Canada. In fact, it gets better as you climb the status ladder: Silver medallions get one free checked bag, Gold status holders can check two bags, and Platinums and Diamonds can check a whopping three bags for free. 

While Delta sets the limit on most checked bags at 50 pounds, Delta Medallion members get a bit more weight – 70 pounds on their first bag. And unlike the credit card benefit, your status will also get you free baggage on some partner airlines like KLM and Air France! 

If you’ve got Delta status, you can help out the rest of your traveling party, too. Up to eight other passengers booked on your reservation can also check bags for free.

Fly Up Front, Get Free Bags

While it’s not the most cost-effective way to get a free checked bag, flying up front will help you avoid added fees for the stuff you want to bring with you. 

Whether you’re flying domestic first class, in a Delta One Suite to Asia, or even Delta Premium Select to Europe you’ll get two free checked bags with your premium ticket. In each and every case, these bags can weigh up to 70 pounds.

Active Duty Military Members

If you’re an active member of the United States Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Space Force, Navy or Coast Guard, you’ll get free baggage whenever you travel, whether it’s on military orders or for leisure.

Military members traveling for fun can expect to get two free checked bags (up to 50 pounds each) when flying with Delta on a basic economy, main cabin, or Delta Comfort Plus ticket. Meanwhile, if you’re flying in Delta Premium Select you’ll get three bags (up to 50 pounds each) for free – and first class or Delta One travelers get three bags (up to 70 pounds each) for no additional charge.

If you’re flying with Delta on military orders, you’ll get five free bags no matter the cabin you’re in. And best of all, the usual 50 pound weight requirement is doubled. Each of those five bags can weigh up to 100 pounds for no additional cost. 

There are additional exceptions for military members traveling with pets when part of a transfer order that are spelled out on Delta’s website.

Using SkyMiles to Pay for Bags

Delta allows travelers to pay for their checked baggage fees with SkyMiles for flights from most domestic airports … but please don’t do this.

With this setup, each SkyMile is worth a penny apiece. This means a $35 baggage fee would cost you 3,500 SkyMiles. But this generally isn’t a great use of your miles. You’re much better off saving them for flights – especially with some of the tremendous deals through SkyMiles flash sales we see. 

So please, skip this method and instead use one of our other tricks to avoid Delta’s luggage fees.

Bottom Line

Baggage fees can be a pain – especially since it wasn’t too long ago that you got a free checked bag on every flight.

While Delta’s baggage fees have increased over the years, there are still a handful of ways to avoid paying these pesky fees when you’re flying with Delta.