We’re used to co-branded airline credit cards offering a free checked bag benefit, but Delta SkyMiles and American Express have just taken this to the next level.
In this post:
Delta ups checked bag benefit for Amex cardmembers
As of today (June 4, 2026), primary cardmembers on the Delta Amex Gold, Platinum, and Reserve cards (both personal and business) receive a complimentary second checked bag on domestic Delta-operated flights. The only card this doesn’t apply to is the Delta Amex Blue, which has no annual fee.
Previously, these cards with annual fees offered one free checked bag, so this is a pretty significant improvement, especially since the cards’ annual fees aren’t increasing. So this is no doubt a generous change, because no other co-branded card portfolio offers a benefit of two free checked bags.
Of course Delta and Amex aren’t doing this out of the kindness of their hearts — they’re doing it because they want to increase co-brand revenue. Obviously, Delta will take somewhat of a hit in terms of the checked bag fees it won’t get anymore, but the hope is that this will cause lots more people to grab Delta Amex cards and even be loyal to the airline.
After all, the airline industry nowadays is all about loyalty program revenue, and this is a pretty direct reflection of that. I suspect we’re going to see other airlines match soon as well, though it might not be instant (given the complexity of co-brand card agreements, and how they’re structured.
Delta Amex cards get new design, rideshare perks
I’d say the second checked-bag-free benefit is the biggest change to the Delta Amex portfolio, but there are a couple of other changes worth noting.
First, in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Delta Amex partnership, the cards are getting updated designs, including a new slate grey option for Reserve cardmembers. As you can see, there are no more purple cards, and it seems Delta is moving away from purple as a brand color.
Furthermore, as a new perk, enrolled Delta Gold Amex cardmembers (both personal and business) will have access to the $120 rideshare credit after card renewal, unlocking up to $10 in monthly statement credits on eligible U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.
The intent here is simple, which is to keep people using the card. The hope is that if you try to remember to use the card for the credit, you’ll also use it for other purchases.
Bottom line
We’ve just seen some positive changes to the Delta Amex card portfolio. All the cards with annual fees (both personal and business) now offer a two free checked bag benefit, which is the first time we’ve seen such a generous allowance across the portfolio for one of the “big three” airlines. The card art has also been updated, and the Delta Gold Amex has a new rideshare credit as well.
Obviously these changes are all about making the cards more compelling, both to boost the number of cardmembers, and also to increase loyalty to Delta. Well done, Delta, on these changes!
What do you make of these Delta Amex changes?
They are horrible on transferring your bonus miles even after bills paid in full. Other airline cards do a better job.
@Ben Another benefit you missed is being able to use companion certificate towards flight portion of Delta vacations.
I am not saying its useful in general and personally its not since we don’t take vacations where we can use it, but at least there’s an option in case anyone one wants to use it.
I'll add another comment - it would be nice if some of these airline-related benefits could be "punted" to a designated Authorized User in lieu of the cardholder. I've got both the business and personal Reserve cards, and at some point the redundancy means that one might end up on the chopping block (possibly personal if I can manage to keep the business one) and/or getting downgraded, but if I could shunt these benefits to...
I'll add another comment - it would be nice if some of these airline-related benefits could be "punted" to a designated Authorized User in lieu of the cardholder. I've got both the business and personal Reserve cards, and at some point the redundancy means that one might end up on the chopping block (possibly personal if I can manage to keep the business one) and/or getting downgraded, but if I could shunt these benefits to my brother that would go a long way towards keeping the cards and keeping them active.
So, how does this stack with (say) free/included bags for booking F?
No Starlink, hard pass
@Ben
Very huge typo.
(No Fee Increase, yet)
How about a multiple-choice benefit? Choose either a checked bag or a seat assignment. I rarely check a bag and would prefer getting a "free" seat on a basic economy fare.
Honestly, multiple-choice on a /lot/ of these benefits would be nice. If you regularly buy F and the bag allowance can be pointless while complementary upgrades don't count for jack if you're already in the highest cabin on the plane. And that's before we get into coupon-book junk*.
*Look, some benefits are useful for people in a given situation, but enough of them are just plain useless that I'd trade them off for a pittance.
yeah... I got this email this morning about all these groundbreaking enhancements to my card.
Couldn't stop yawning- what a nothingburger. I loved how the email made a big deal that these "enhancements" were without ANOTHER increase to my annual fee, like they are doing us all a great favor.
Probably just setting us up for the next annual fee increase without any real benefit, or another coupon book benefit.
If the card doesn't work for you, then just cancel it.
super helpful advice. Your brilliant insight definitely negates any criticism of Delta or Amex cards,
It's not rocket science.
If you don't value the benefits, then cancel the card and save on the annual fee. You don't need to spend time trying to justify ROI to yourself.
United Quest and Club cards already come with a second free checked bag, and unlike this Delta update, those also include a free second bag for a travel companion, as long as they’re booked on the same reservation.
Also, for the sake of being thorough, the Hawaiian World Elite Mastercard also offers two free checked bags, as does the Frontier World Mastercard.
You have to pay for the flight with the United card to get the free checked bag.
Delta does not have that requirement.
So will guests flying in first with AMEXes have three free checked bags? Or just two?
@ bill -- Unfortunately the perks don't stack, so whichever allowance is higher would apply.
What precisely is the industry first?
The fact that the second checked bag is domestic only compared to the first bag being worldwide?
That Delta is offering two checked bags at an annual fee of just $150? After all United has offered 2 on the Quest for a while.
Another true industry first is that they've made a monthly coupon that only kicks in after the first anniversary!
@ Grant -- I've updated the post to clarify it, sorry for any confusion. My point was that this is the first time we've seen a major airline make two free checked bags the standard card benefit, rather than just being limited to the upper and top tier cards.
Is Hawaiian / Alaska considerd a major airline?
The United Quest and Club cards come with two free checked bags, so not really an industry first (maybe read more than just the press rele)
Since Delta free checked bags came with card benefits covers International travel, this essentially makes Silver and Gold Status much more useless. Other than Delta Comfort+ waitlist, entry elite status from Delta doesn't offer much benefits anymore for an average Delta flyers. Lounge access comes with Delta Medallion Gold and above is nearly useless unless you fly Premium Economy and above or unless you're traveling from other countries that has SkyTeam lounges.
Essentially, it's a...
Since Delta free checked bags came with card benefits covers International travel, this essentially makes Silver and Gold Status much more useless. Other than Delta Comfort+ waitlist, entry elite status from Delta doesn't offer much benefits anymore for an average Delta flyers. Lounge access comes with Delta Medallion Gold and above is nearly useless unless you fly Premium Economy and above or unless you're traveling from other countries that has SkyTeam lounges.
Essentially, it's a (relative) devaluation to its entry status. For Delta, it's pretty much Platinum/Diamond Medallion status or a bust!
Don't DL Golds get access to the AF lounges in the USA?
Lame. Weak. Pathetic. Honestly considering closing my DL Reserve after over a decade.
Stop devaluing SkyMiles. Start opening up availability for Companion Certificates and RUCs.
Southwest used to do two free checked bags, regardless of credit cards. Obviously, now gone.
Do it.... (fingertips touch like Mr Burns...)
Do it.... (Emperor Palpatine also...)
Hard to open availability when there are 500k diamonds now and they all select GUCs. You think they increased value of other choice benefits cause they are gracious? No cause they dumb AF and need options to draw people away from selecting GUCs and Amex statement credit.