Delta baggage fees and how to avoid paying them

Checked baggage fees are some of the most frustrating and confusing costs associated with flying. Navigating them can sometimes be a pain. Thankfully, Delta Air Lines baggage fees are relatively easy to understand due to the carrier's clear policies and charts.

While Delta checked bag fees can add up quickly, there are many ways to check your first — and sometimes second — bag for free.

This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about the Delta baggage policy.

Delta carry-on guidelines

All passengers on a Delta flight can bring one carry-on bag and one personal item free of charge. Personal items — such as a laptop bag, briefcase, small backpack or diaper bag — must fit under the seat in front of you.

However, per the Delta carry-on guidelines, you're allowed only a personal item on Delta Connection flights with 50 seats or fewer due to limited overhead space. Personal items must fit securely under the seat in front of you or in an overhead bin.

Delta Connection passengers will need to check carry-on bags during boarding, but luckily, there's no charge. You'll typically get this baggage back on the jet bridge when you deplane.

Carry-on luggage must not exceed a combined length, width and height of 45 linear inches. Also, your carry-on bag can't be more than 22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 9 inches high. All measurements include any handles and wheels. These size restrictions don't apply if your carry-on is a small musical instrument.

With the Delta carry-on guidelines, there's also no weight restriction for your bag unless you are traveling from the following locations:

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

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There are a few exceptions where you can bring additional items on board for free. For example, you can check a stroller or car seat at the gate if you're traveling with a child. A breast pump and associated cooler bag can be brought on board and do not count against your carry-on and personal item limit.

Alternatively, if you booked a seat for your child (required for those 2 years old and up) or if there's an open passenger seat in your row, you can bring a Federal Aviation Administration-approved car seat on board.

Related: Delta Medallion status: What it is and how to earn it

Delta checked baggage policy

Delta makes it relatively easy to check baggage. Within 24 hours of departure, you can check in on Delta's website or mobile app and notify Delta of the number of bags you plan to check. If you've already checked in, you can use the baggage drop lane at the airport. You may also check in and pay for bags at the airport.

The Delta baggage policy allows passengers to check up to two bags per flight. However some passengers have to pay a Delta checked bag fee.

The fee varies based on route and fare class, but those with Delta elite status or a Delta credit card will sometimes get the fee waived. Your bag's length, width and height must not add up to more than 62 inches total.

Delta baggage fees for flights within the US

For those traveling within the U.S., here's how much you can expect to pay for your first or second checked bag:

The Delta baggage weight limit is 50 pounds per bag for passengers booked in basic economy, Main Cabin and Premium Select and 70 pounds per bag for passengers flying in Delta One or first class. Additionally, passengers with Delta Medallion elite status have a 70-pound weight limit per bag before they face extra fees.

Know, though, that there are some exceptions to the above rules. For example, all passengers traveling to or from Key West, Florida, are limited to just one checked bag. Additionally, the first checked bag fee doesn't apply if you travel to or from the U.S. and Canada to either Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama or El Salvador International Airport (SAL) unless you are flying on a basic economy fare. You also can't bring excess baggage (weight, size or piece) on Delta Connection or other regional jet flights to or from cities in Mexico.

Related: 16 ways to earn more Delta SkyMiles, from using credit cards to online shopping

Delta baggage fees for flights between the US and most international destinations

The Delta checked baggage fee varies based on your route for travel between the U.S. and most other international destinations. You can check the fee of an already booked flight or one you want to book here. Here's an overview of what to expect.

The Delta baggage weight limit for international flights is also 50 pounds per bag for most passengers. However, if you are flying in first class or Delta One, the baggage weight limit is 70 pounds per bag.

Military baggage fees

If you're an active member of the U.S. Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Navy or Coast Guard — regardless of whether traveling on military orders or for leisure — you won't have to pay the same fees as above per Delta's Military baggage guidelines.

Those traveling on military orders can check a bag up to 80 inches in combined length, width and height. For personal or leisure travel as an active military member, your bag can be up to 62 linear inches.

Overweight and oversize baggage fees

If you are checking a bag that exceeds the above weight or dimensions, you'll face extra fees (although there's an exception for some special items) besides the baggage fees.

For flights within the U.S. (including the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico), you'll be charged the following:

Overweight bag

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

Bags exceeding 100 pounds are not permitted.

Oversize bag

• 63 to 80 inches: $200

Bags larger than 80 inches are not permitted.

If you're checking a special item (such as sporting equipment, musical instruments or medical supplies), you'll want to check the fee for that particular item. Many special items don't incur an excess fee, so you'll only need to pay the standard checked bag fee. For example, ski and snowboard equipment is often counted as a regular checked bag.

Excess baggage fees

If you need to check more baggage than the standard amount, 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 (on a space-available basis).

Unless you are eligible to check three bags for free — per the above table — for domestic flights (including the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico), you'll be charged $150 for the third checked bag and then $200 each for bags four through 10.

Prices to carry excess baggage on international flights vary depending on the route. However, some common routes, such as flights to Canada, the Caribbean and Central America, cost the same as domestic pricing.

Excess bags must also be within the standard weight and dimension requirements. Otherwise, you'll face extra fees based on the excess weight or size.

Related: 5 things you need to know about Delta SkyMiles

How to avoid Delta checked bag fees

Although Delta Air Lines charges passengers a fee to check bags, there are many ways for your bags to fly for free.

Elite status allowances

Those with Delta Medallion status — Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond — benefit from a checked-bag-fee waiver. When traveling domestically, Silver Medallion members can check one bag for free, Gold Medallion members can check two bags for free and Platinum and Diamond Medallion members can check three bags for free.

When traveling to or from the U.S. or Canada, Medallion members in Comfort+, Main Cabin or basic economy can check one additional bag up to 50 pounds over the standard cabin allowance. Medallion members in Delta One, first class or Premium Select can check up to three free bags at no more than 70 pounds per bag.

Up to eight companions traveling on your reservation can also benefit from your elite baggage allowance on Delta-operated flights. However, for flights departing from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) or Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), this benefit doesn't apply.

Related: How to change or cancel a Delta Air Lines flight

Credit cards

Several Delta credit cards give you a first checked bag free when flying Delta, including:

• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

This first-checked-bag benefit can save you $30 per one-way or $60 on a round-trip flight. Up to eight additional companions on the same reservation as the cardmember can reap this benefit. For example, if you have four family members traveling together, that's a savings of $140 each way or $240 for a round-trip flight.

Silver Medallion members with an eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express Card will receive up to two free checked bags when traveling between the U.S. and Canada.

Book a premium cabin

As you can see in the charts above, those flying in the front of the plane can check bags for free. If you book a Premium Select, first-class or Delta One seat, you can check two bags for free.

However, you'll still face extra fees if your bag exceeds the standard size or weight.

Use card travel credits to cover fees

While many Delta travelers already have one of the Delta credit cards — each of which waives the fee for the first checked bag — there are a few other ways to cover the cost of checking your bag.

For example, several travel rewards cards come with annual statement credits toward travel purchases that you can use to cover Delta's checked bag fees. One popular card is the Chase Sapphire Reserve® with a benefit of up to $300 in annual travel credits.

There's also The Platinum Card® from American Express, which allows you to pick an airline of choice at the beginning of the year to receive up to $200 in airline fee credits. So long as you enroll in this benefit and select Delta as your airline of choice, you could reimburse your baggage fees with this credit.

Use Delta SkyMiles to pay for baggage fees

Finally, SkyMiles members with flights originating from most domestic airports can pay for standard checked bag fees with miles instead of cash.

To redeem Delta miles for baggage fees, select the option to pay for luggage with miles while checking in on Delta's website, through the Delta mobile app or at an airport kiosk.

Keep in mind that while you can use miles to pay for standard bag fees, you can't use them to purchase excess weight or cover overweight baggage fees.

Related: Carry-on vs. checked bags: Which is the better choice?

Bottom line

The Delta checked baggage policy is pretty straightforward. Plus, there are many ways to waive luggage fees for you and your travel companions when flying Delta.

Remember to keep Delta's baggage guarantee top of mind every time you fly with the carrier. This guarantee stipulates that if your checked bag doesn't arrive at the baggage carousel within 20 minutes after any domestic flight, you can request 2,500 bonus miles by filling out a simple form. It's a unique opportunity to hold Delta accountable and earn bonus miles when it doesn't meet your expectations.

Related reading:

• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• How to earn Delta Medallion elite status without flying in 2024
• Delta SkyMiles: Your complete guide to earning, redeeming and elite status