RUMOR: Are Delta’s Credit Cards About to Add a Free Second Checked Bag?

Will Delta’s credit cards sweeten the checked-bag perk? That’s the word on the streets. (Or Xitter, as it were.)

First — AND Second? — Checked Bag Free?

Right now, six Delta SkyMiles® American Express Cards give the primary cardholder and up to eight other passengers on the member’s itinerary a first checked bag free on eligible flights. (Eligible flights are “flight segments which originate on a Delta or Delta Connection® carrier when you check-in with Delta for both a Delta marketed and Delta operated flight.” As with all Card features, terms apply.)

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

In other words, a total of nine passengers — including the cardholder — can check a bag free on a Delta flight.

Delta currently charges $45 for a first checked bag under 50 pounds. That means the perk is worth up to $405 each way, or $810 roundtrip.

Earlier this week, aviation and airline industry watchdog @JonNYC posted that “effective June 6, DL AMEX Basic cardmembers will get a 2nd bag free on domestic travel.”

His scoops are often solid.

Amex wouldn’t confirm the report; I’m still waiting to hear back from Delta. (Not that I expected either of them to say, “OK, fine — we were going to break the news next month, but since you asked…”)

I read the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card’s terms, and that language indicates the “Basic” member is simply what we’d call the primary member — the person responsible for the account.

Going off JonNYC’s wording, it sounds like perhaps only the primary/Basic member would get a second checked bag free. (Those run $55.) Others on the itinerary would still pay for their second bags. That’s based on how I read the tweet.

Frankly, a free second checked bag for anyone is a pretty nice perk.

Playing Devil’s Advocate, though: Delta’s fares generally run higher than its competitors’ (at least based on my research). And I wonder how many cardmembers actually need a second bag fee waived? My guess is most travel with just one. Plus, Premium Select and First Class passengers already get up to three checked bags free. Diamond and Platinum Medallion®s enjoy up to three free within the US and Canada. Gold Medallion®s get up to two.

How impactful this perk would be remains to be seen — as does whether it even comes to fruition.

I’ll note it’s been a while since we’ve seen limited-time welcome offers on the Delta Cards. I could see new offers and the second-bag news dropping together on June 6.

Final Approach

Scuttlebutt from a pretty reliable source says the Delta Cards will give at least the primary cardholder a second free checked bag.

What do you think about this potential news?

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, please visit this link.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, please visit this link.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, please visit this link.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, please visit this link.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, please visit this link.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, please visit this link.