Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review
GUIDE
How to avoid Delta baggage fees
Delta baggage fees are the amounts Delta Air Lines publishes for checking a standard bag, and as of 18 October 2026 the airline lists $45 USD each way for a first standard checked bag and $55 USD each way for a second on domestic flights within the United States for Delta Comfort and Delta Main customers, before any Medallion, card or military exception. [2]
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- On domestic flights within the United States, Delta lists $45 USD each way for a first standard checked bag under 50 lb (23 kg) and $55 USD each way for a second for Delta Comfort and Delta Main customers. [2]
- Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express Card Members get the first standard checked bag free, and eligible Basic Card Members also get a second standard bag free on domestic Delta flights, with terms applying. [2]
- SkyMiles members flying from most domestic airports can pay standard checked bag fees with miles at check-in rather than cash, but excess and overweight baggage cannot be bought with miles. [2]
- Checked baggage fees do not earn miles or Medallion Qualification Dollars, and Delta eCredits are not accepted as payment for checked baggage fees. [4]
How much does Delta charge for a checked bag?
The published amounts below are for Delta Comfort and Delta Main customers travelling on domestic flights within the United States, without a Delta SkyMiles American Express Card, Medallion Status or active-military exception. [2] Each amount is charged per bag, each way. [2]
| Item | Charge | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| First standard checked bag | $45 USD each way | Under 50 lb (23 kg) |
| Second standard checked bag | $55 USD each way | Under 50 lb (23 kg) |
| Carry-on bag and personal item | Listed as included | Shown alongside the first checked bag |
A checked bag must not exceed 62 inches (157 cm) when length, width and height are added together. [2] The weight carried at no extra charge depends on the cabin: Delta Main, Delta Comfort and Delta Premium Select passengers are held to the standard 50 lb (23 kg) limit per piece, while Delta One and Delta First passengers are held to 70 lb per piece. [2] Delta says the fees shown apply to all ticketing on or after the date it publishes them, and that lower fees may apply depending on the date of purchase, with earlier amounts kept on a separate previous checked baggage page. [2]
Who can avoid Delta checked bag fees?
Medallion Status and co-brand cards. Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express Card Members can check their first standard checked bag free, and eligible Basic Card Members can also check their second standard bag free on domestic Delta flights, subject to terms. [2] Delta's Medallion benefits summary describes this as a waived fee, with the first checked bag free for the member and their companions. [5]
Status matching. Eligible elite members of other airlines can request Delta's Medallion Status Match Challenge, which gives complimentary Medallion Status for 90 days before the member must earn Medallion Qualification Dollars to extend it. [6] Delta lists waived baggage fees among the Medallion benefits attached to that status. [6]
Cabin baggage. In the same table Delta lists one free carry-on bag and one personal item alongside the first checked bag. [2]
Military travel. The published fee table is stated to exclude active-military exceptions, and Delta sets out the bags allowed for active duty United States military personnel on a separate military baggage page. [2]
How do you pay for a Delta checked bag?
Customers can check in, select the number of bags they plan to check, and pay for them during the 24-hour check-in window on delta.com, in the Fly Delta app or at a kiosk on arrival at the airport. [2] Delta eCredits cannot be used for checked baggage fees. [4]
SkyMiles members whose flights originate from most domestic airports can pay standard checked bag fees with miles instead of cash during check-in on delta.com, the Fly Delta app or an airport kiosk, and members travelling from qualifying airports see the standard fees displayed in cash or miles. [2] The member must hold enough miles to cover all the bags checked in the reservation, and SkyMiles Program Rules apply. [2] Excess and overweight baggage cannot be purchased with miles. [2] Baggage fees are also excluded from earning: Delta does not count checked baggage fees toward miles or Medallion Qualification Dollars. [4]
Delta does not sell baggage in advance through third parties, including travel agencies, and states that any third party charging a fee for any kind of checked baggage for travel on Delta is not authorised to do so. [2]
Exceptions and limits
- Key West, Florida. All passengers travelling to or from Key West, Florida are limited to one checked bag, and Delta says this limit supersedes all exceptions. [2]
- Boxes to Latin America. Boxes are accepted as checked baggage to and from Central or South America only in the original, factory-sealed box, and are not permitted to or from Brazil, Mexico and Chile at any time of the year. [2]
- Delta Connection limits. Up to four bags may be checked on Delta Connection carrier flights. [2]
- Regional jets to Mexico. No excess baggage — by weight, size or piece — is accepted on Delta Connection or other regional jet flights to or from cities in Mexico. [2]
- Currency. Canadian-dollar or euro base amounts are charged when exiting Canada or Europe respectively and converted to local currency, and for itineraries between Europe and India fees are converted from euros into local currency. [2]
- Date of ticketing. Because lower fees may apply depending on the date of purchase, a passenger who ticketed much earlier should refer to Delta's previous checked baggage amounts rather than the current table. [2]
Frequently asked questions
How much is a checked bag on Delta?
For Delta Comfort and Delta Main customers on domestic flights within the United States, Delta lists $45 USD each way for a first standard checked bag and $55 USD each way for a second, each under 50 lb (23 kg). [2]
Do SkyMiles members get a free checked bag on Delta?
Medallion Members and eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express Card Members can check a first standard bag free, and eligible Basic Card Members can also check a second standard bag free on domestic Delta flights, with terms applying. [2] Delta's Medallion benefits summary frames the first checked bag as free for the member and their companions. [5]
Can you pay Delta baggage fees with miles?
Yes, for standard checked bags on flights originating from most domestic airports, during check-in on delta.com, the Fly Delta app or an airport kiosk. [2] The member needs enough miles for every bag in the reservation, and excess or overweight baggage cannot be paid in miles. [2]
What is the weight limit for a Delta checked bag?
The free weight allowance varies by cabin: 50 lb (23 kg) per piece in Delta Main, Delta Comfort and Delta Premium Select, and 70 lb per piece in Delta One and Delta First. [2]
Can you buy Delta checked baggage through a travel agency?
No. Delta does not sell baggage in advance through third parties, including travel agencies, and any third party charging for checked baggage on Delta is not authorised to do so. [2]
Sources
Sources accessed on 18 October 2026. Other carriers are not covered here, including Delta's airline partners and other SkyTeam members, whose baggage rules and charges are set by those airlines.
- Delta baggage policy and fees, checked 18 October 2026
- Delta SkyMiles program rules, checked 18 October 2026
- Delta SkyMiles loyalty program overview, checked 18 October 2026
- Delta Medallion Status Match Challenge, checked 18 October 2026