No—most U.S. Delta Main trips charge $35 for the first checked bag; free bags come with premium cabins, Medallion status, Amex cards, military, or long‑haul routes.
Delta’s baggage rules aren’t one-size-fits-all. Most U.S. domestic Main Cabin trips charge for checked bags, yet many flyers still check a bag for free thanks to the fare they bought, elite status, a Delta SkyMiles American Express Card, or the route they’re flying. This guide lays out the simple rules that decide when a checked bag costs $35 and when the fee drops to $0, so you can pick the right ticket and avoid surprises. If you just want the headline numbers, Delta’s current baggage overview page lists them in one place.
Quick Answer: What’s Free And What’s Not
Short take: within the U.S., a first standard checked bag costs $35 each way in Main Cabin, and a second costs $45. Delta One, First Class, and Premium Select include free checked bags. Medallion members, SkyTeam Elite guests on Delta flights, active‑duty U.S. military, and Delta SkyMiles American Express Card Members also receive bag‑fee waivers, subject to limits. On many long‑haul international routes in Main Cabin (not Basic), the first bag is included; Main Basic on those routes often pays a fee for the first bag. Carry‑on plus a personal item remain free for every passenger who qualifies to bring them aboard.
Delta Domestic Fees At A Glance
Here’s the baseline for a typical U.S. round‑trip in Main Cabin without status or a card. These prices apply to standard bags up to 50 lb and 62 linear inches, and they’re the figures you’ll see during online check‑in.
| Traveler Or Fare | First Checked Bag | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Main Cabin (U.S. domestic) | $35 each way | Standard bag ≤50 lb and ≤62 linear inches; second bag is $45 each way. |
| Delta One / First | Included | Up to two bags free; 70 lb limit per bag on many tickets; priority delivery. |
| Premium Select | Included | Premium cabin includes checked bags; weight/piece vary by route. |
| Silver Medallion | Included (U.S./Canada) | One free bag within U.S./Canada; one extra bag over standard allowance on international trips. |
| Gold Medallion | Two free (U.S./Canada) | One extra bag over standard allowance on international trips. |
| Platinum & Diamond | Three free (U.S./Canada) | One extra bag over standard allowance on international trips. |
| SkyMiles Amex Card (same booking) | Included | First bag free for the Basic Card Member and companions (up to nine on one reservation) on Delta‑operated segments. |
| U.S. Military on orders | Included | Five bags free, up to 100 lb each; size limits apply. |
| U.S. Military personal travel | Included | Two free in Main/Comfort; three free in Premium Select/First/Delta One. |
Those numbers change fast once you fall into a waived group. One cardholder perk can wipe the fee for the first bag from the entire reservation for up to nine travelers. Elite tiers add more free bags, and premium cabins lift the weight limit to 70 lb on some tickets. If you’re packing heavy or sports gear, check overweight and special‑item rules before you leave for the airport.
Is A Checked Bag Free On Delta? The Short Rules
Free checked bags kick in through five common doors. First, the seat you buy: Delta One and First include two checked bags, and Premium Select includes at least one. Second, elite status: Silver Medallion gets one checked bag free within the U.S. and Canada, Gold gets two, and Platinum and Diamond get three; on international trips, elites also get one additional free bag above the standard allowance. Third, the route: many intercontinental Main Cabin fares include at least one checked bag even if you have no status. Fourth, the Delta SkyMiles American Express Cards: the basic card benefit waives the first bag fee for the cardmember and companions on the same booking. Fifth, U.S. active‑duty military: five free bags on orders and two or three on leisure trips depending on cabin.
International Rules: When The First Bag Costs $0
International trips are where “free” shows up most often. Delta now brands Basic Economy as Delta Main Basic. Across many regions, Main Basic pays a first‑bag fee while Main Classic and higher still include one checked bag. For example, Main Basic between the U.S. and Europe sees a $75 charge for the first bag, while Main Classic includes it. Similar notes apply to Japan and parts of Africa. Some markets in Latin America also publish first‑bag fees on Basic but include one bag on higher Main fares. Always scan the fare’s baggage note during booking, because the allowance sits with the route and the exact Main fare family.
Weight, Size, And Extra Bag Fees
Standard checked bags must weigh 50 lb or less and measure no more than 62 linear inches (length + width + height). The moment a bag crosses either limit, Delta treats it as overweight or oversized, and separate charges apply on top of any bag‑count fees. A third checked bag within the U.S. runs $150, and fourth through tenth bags price at $200 each, with higher charges on some routes. Most bags over 100 lb aren’t accepted, and many routes ban anything above 70 lb. If your item is unusual—golf clubs, skis, instruments—use the special‑items rules, which list exceptions and packing tips.
Paying (Or Not Paying) For Bags
You can pick the number of bags and pay during the 24‑hour check‑in window at delta.com or in the app. At many U.S. airports you can even redeem miles toward bag fees. Prepaying doesn’t change the allowance, yet it saves time at the counter and keeps you from forgetful day‑of decisions.
How The Delta Amex Bag Waiver Works
Delta SkyMiles American Express Gold, Platinum, and Reserve Cards include the first checked bag free benefit. The waiver applies on Delta‑marketed and Delta‑operated segments and covers the Basic Card Member plus everyone on the same reservation up to nine travelers, as long as the cardmember’s SkyMiles number is in the booking. The bag still must be under 50 lb and within 62 inches; overweight or oversize fees still apply. If your ticket or status already includes free bags, the card perk won’t stack extra pieces, but it often saves companions who lack status.
Medallion And SkyTeam Elite Bag Perks
Medallion bag rules scale by tier. Within the U.S. and Canada, Silver includes one free checked bag, Gold includes two, and both Platinum and Diamond include three. To and from other international points, members receive one extra free bag over the standard allowance printed on the fare. Traveling in Delta One or First can lift the free‑bag count to three at 70 lb per bag for Medallion members. Companion waivers extend to as many as eight companions on the same reservation, except on a few European departures where local rules cap the benefit.
Military Allowances
Active‑duty U.S. service members get the most generous deal. On orders, you can check five bags for free at up to 100 lb each. On personal travel, the allowance shifts by cabin: two free in Main and Comfort, and three free in Premium Select, First, or Delta One. Size caps still apply, and some destinations enforce seasonal embargoes that limit how many bags any traveler can check.
20‑Minute Bag Guarantee
Delta also runs a 20‑Minute Bag Guarantee on domestic flights. If your checked bag takes longer than 20 minutes to arrive on the carousel after the aircraft door opens, you can claim 2,500 bonus miles within three days. It’s a small back‑stop in case the belt crawls.
Are Delta Checked Bags Free On International Flights?
Often yes in Main Cabin, but not on Main Basic. Delta’s fare pages now post region‑by‑region notes spelling out when a first bag is included and when it is chargeable. Between the U.S. and Europe, Main Basic pays $75 for the first bag and $100 for the second; higher Main fares include at least one bag. Travel to Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, or South Africa shows the same $75 first‑bag fee on Main Basic. Trips to Israel charge $60 for the first bag on Main Basic. Many Asia and Australia markets include one checked bag in Main (not Basic) while charging $100 for a second. Always check the baggage note on your exact route during booking; it updates when fares change.
| Route & Fare | First Bag | Second Bag |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. domestic — Main Cabin | $35 | $45 |
| U.S. ↔ Europe — Main Basic | $75 | $100 |
| U.S. ↔ Europe — Main (not Basic) | Included | $100 |
| U.S. ↔ Japan — Main Basic | $75 | $100 |
| U.S. ↔ Israel — Main Basic | $60 | $100 |
| U.S. ↔ Africa (Ghana/Nigeria/Senegal/South Africa) — Main Basic | $75 | $100 |
| U.S. ↔ Middle East/India — Main (not Basic) | Included | $100 |
| U.S. ↔ Australia/New Zealand/China/Fiji/PNG — Main (not Basic) | Included | $100 |
| U.S. ↔ Rest of Asia — Main (not Basic) | Included | $100 |
| U.S. ↔ Latin America (many markets) — Main Basic | $60 | $100 |
| U.S. ↔ Latin America (many markets) — Main (not Basic) | Included | $60–$100 |
Remember that elites add one extra free bag on international itineraries above whatever the fare includes. So if your Main fare includes one bag, a Gold Medallion pulls that to two. Travelers in premium cabins will see higher piece counts and a 70 lb weight cap on many tickets. Embargo pages list airports with seasonal limits—think parts of Central America and the Caribbean—where everyone gets fewer pieces for a stretch.
Smart Packing And Rules Worth Knowing
A few quick wins save fees. Weigh your suitcase at home and aim for 49 lb to leave room for a souvenir. Split heavy loads across two bags if a partner already flies free. Keep lithium batteries, power banks, and e‑cigarettes out of checked bags, and scan the TSA “What Can I Bring?” list for items that must ride in carry‑on. If a bag arrives late beyond the refund thresholds, baggage fees can be refunded; the DOT Fly Rights page outlines timelines and your options.
How To Check Your Exact Allowance
To see your allowance before you buy, use Delta’s baggage calculator during booking. On the flight‑deals pages and the trip summary, look for a small baggage link next to the fare; open it and you’ll see the free pieces and any fees for that route and cabin. During check‑in, the screen repeats those figures and lets you add bags with cash or miles at most U.S. airports. If you’re connecting to a partner airline on a single ticket, Delta applies the rules of the “most significant carrier” on the itinerary.
Special Items, Sports Gear, And Media Bags
Sports gear, instruments, and bulky items follow the special‑items chart. Many pieces count as a normal checked bag when under 50 lb and 62 inches. Bigger items may see an oversize fee, and a few need to go as cargo. Media professionals have a published flat‑rate program that allows many extra cases at set prices.
Recap: Are Checked Bags Free With Delta?
Bottom line: the $35 first‑bag fee covers most domestic Main Cabin trips, yet many travelers don’t pay it. Pick the fare family that includes a bag where it matters, carry the right card, earn or match a Medallion tier, and review route notes before you buy. That mix keeps your bag on the belt and your costs under control.