Million Mile Secrets reader, Kate, commented:
I booked 2 Delta award flights for my dad using his miles and paid the taxes with my Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express. Can my dad still get the first checked bag free?
Great question, Kate!
Unless you’re flying with your dad on the same reservation, he will not get a free checked bag!
And if you are traveling on the same reservation, you and 8 traveling companions will automatically get a free checked bag. It’s NOT required that you pay for part of the reservation with your AMEX Delta card.
But remember, your card must be in good standing to receive this benefit!
You Automatically Get a Free Checked Bag If You Have an AMEX Delta Card. But Friends and Family Members Will Only Get This Benefit If They’re on the Same Reservation
I’ll explain how the free checked bag with AMEX Delta cards works!
Free Checked Bag with AMEX Delta Cards
Link: How Does the Baggage Credit Work on AMEX Delta Cards?
With the AMEX Delta cards, you get a free checked bag for yourself and up to 8 other people traveling on the same itinerary. You get this perk automatically on paid and award flights with these cards:
- Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express
- Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express
- Delta Reserve Credit Card from American Express
- Gold Delta SkyMiles Business Credit Card from American Express
- Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express
You do NOT have to pay for your flight with an AMEX Delta card – simply having the card is enough. Just be sure to put your Delta SkyMiles number on your reservation!
AMEX Delta Cardholders Need to Add Their Delta SkyMiles Number to the Flight Reservation to Automatically Get a Free Checked Bag
Keep in mind, your card must be in good standing to use this benefit. So if you previously booked flights when you had the card, then canceled the card, you will NOT get a free checked bag.
Unfortunately, you can NOT share this benefit with friends and family members, unless you’re traveling with them on the same reservation. And the perk is only good for primary cardholders. Authorized users will not be able to get a free checked bag.
This perk is still a great way for folks without Delta elite status to save money. Because Delta charges $25 per checked bag each way. So if you’re traveling with a friend or family member on the same reservation, you’ll save $100 round-trip!
The Savings Can Add Up When You Use Your AMEX Delta Card Benefit to Get a Free Checked Bag for You and 8 Traveling Companions on the Same Reservation!
If you have Silver status or higher, you already get 1 free checked bag.
And remember, some tickets already include a free checked bag. If a checked bag is included for free, you will NOT be able to use the AMEX Delta card perk to get a 2nd free checked bag.
Bottom Line
Folks with an AMEX Delta credit card automatically get a free checked bag just by linking their Delta SkyMiles number to the reservation. This perk works for the primary cardholder and 8 other people traveling on the same reservation.
So friends and family members will NOT get a free checked bag, unless you’re also on the same itinerary.
And remember, your card must be in good standing to use the free checked bag benefit.
