Delta's Baggage Fees for Most Passengers

Delta charges $35 for your first checked bag and $45 for your second checked bag on most domestic flights. A third checked bag costs $150. These fees explore each way, so a round trip with two checked bags costs $70 in baggage fees alone. Carry-on bags and one personal item (purse, laptop bag, small backpack) are free for all passengers.

The fees stay the same whether you book a basic economy ticket or a premium cabin. However, some passengers don't pay these fees at all — frequent flyers, elite members, and passengers booked on certain ticket types are exempt. If you're flying internationally, checked bag fees are the same, but international flights often allow two free checked bags depending on your destination and ticket class.

Delta charges by the bag, not by weight, as long as each bag stays under 50 pounds and 62 inches (length + width + height). Bags over 50 pounds but under 70 pounds cost an additional $100 per bag. Anything over 70 pounds cannot be checked.

Key Takeaways

  • Delta charges $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second on domestic flights, with each fee applied per direction of travel.
  • Carry-on bags and one personal item are always free, regardless of ticket type or frequent flyer status.
  • SkyMiles members, elite frequent flyers, and passengers on certain premium tickets receive free checked bags and should verify their status before paying.
  • Bags weighing 50 to 70 pounds incur an additional $100 charge; anything heavier cannot be checked.
  • International flights may include free checked bags depending on your destination and ticket class, so check your confirmation before assuming you'll pay.

Who Doesn't Pay Delta Baggage Fees

Delta SkyMiles members at the Silver level and above receive one free checked bag. Gold members and higher get two free checked bags. If you're a frequent flyer with Delta, log into your account or check your membership card to confirm your tier before your trip.

Passengers booked on Delta's premium cabin tickets — First Class, Business Class, and most Comfort+ fares — also receive free checked bags. The number of free bags depends on the specific cabin and route. Basic Economy tickets, Delta's lowest fare, do not include free checked bags, so you'll pay the standard fees unless you're a may have access to frequent flyer.

Military personnel traveling on official orders, unaccompanied minors, and passengers with disabilities may may have access to for baggage fee waivers. Contact Delta directly or speak to an agent at the airport to confirm whether your situation qualifies.

How to Pay Baggage Fees and When to Do It

You can pay baggage fees when you book your ticket, during online check-in (24 hours before departure), at the airport ticket counter, or at the baggage drop. Paying online or during check-in is fastest and avoids lines at the airport. If you don't pay before arriving at the airport, you'll pay at the baggage drop desk.

Delta's website and mobile app both allow you to add bags during booking or check-in. Select your flight, choose how many bags you're checking, and complete payment. You'll receive a confirmation email with your baggage receipt. Keep this for your records, though Delta's system will track your payment.

If you're unsure whether you need to pay, check your booking confirmation email. It will list any included baggage allowance. If it shows zero free checked bags, you'll need to pay unless you're a may have access to frequent flyer.

Oversized and Overweight Bag Charges

Bags must fit within 62 inches (length + width + height) to be checked as standard luggage. Bags larger than 62 inches but smaller than 80 inches cost $100 each. Anything over 80 inches cannot be checked and must be shipped separately or left behind.

Weight limits are 50 pounds for standard checked bags. Bags weighing 50 to 70 pounds cost an additional $100 per bag on top of the standard baggage fee. For example, an overweight first checked bag would cost $35 plus $100, totaling $135. Bags over 70 pounds cannot be checked under any circumstances.

Measure and weigh your bags at home before heading to the airport. Most luggage stores have scales, or you can use a bathroom scale at home. This prevents surprises at the baggage drop and gives you time to repack or ship items if needed.

International Flights and Special Routes

Delta's baggage policy varies by destination. Flights to Europe, Asia, and other long-haul international routes often include two free checked bags for all passengers, even those on basic economy fares. Flights to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean may also include free bags depending on the specific destination and your ticket class.

Check your booking confirmation or call Delta at 1-800-221-1212 to confirm what's included on your specific flight. The confirmation email should list your baggage allowance, but international routes are complex enough that a quick call can save you money and confusion.

If you're connecting through a hub, each flight segment may have different baggage rules. A domestic connection to an international flight, for example, might charge you for the first leg but include free bags on the second. Review the full itinerary in your confirmation.

Baggage Fees for Checked Items Beyond Luggage

Sports equipment, musical instruments, and other special items count as checked bags and incur the same $35 or $45 fees. A golf bag, ski equipment, or cello all cost the same as a standard suitcase. If you're traveling with multiple sports bags, each one counts toward your baggage limit and costs the standard fee.

Some items require advance notice or special handling. Firearms, for example, must be declared and packed according to TSA rules, but they still count as a checked bag for fee purposes. Hazardous materials like certain batteries or liquids may be prohibited entirely. Contact Delta before your trip if you're traveling with anything unusual.

Pet carriers count as a checked bag if the pet is traveling in the cargo hold. Pets traveling in the cabin with you are a separate fee (typically $125 to $200 per pet, each way) and do not count as a checked bag.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I avoid baggage fees by packing everything in a carry-on?

Yes. One carry-on bag and one personal item are always free on Delta. However, carry-on space is limited, and bags must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat. If your bag is too large or the overhead bins are full, gate agents may require you to check it, and you'll pay the baggage fee at that point.

What happens if I don't pay my baggage fee before the airport?

You'll pay at the baggage drop desk when you check in. The fee is the same whether you pay online or at the airport, but paying ahead avoids delays and lets you skip the baggage fee line. If you don't pay and don't have a may have access to exemption, your bag won't be checked until payment is made.

Do I have to pay baggage fees on connecting flights?

No. If you check a bag on a connecting flight, you pay once for the entire journey, not per flight segment. Your bag is tagged through to your final destination. However, if you're flying on two separate tickets (not a single booking), each ticket may have its own baggage allowance and fees.

Are baggage fees refundable if I don't use my checked bag?

Baggage fees are non-refundable once paid. If you decide not to check a bag after paying, contact Delta to request a refund, but there's no may provide. It's best to decide before paying whether you actually need to check luggage.

How much does it cost to check a bag on a basic economy ticket?

A first checked bag on basic economy costs $35 on domestic flights. A second bag costs $45. These are Delta's standard fees unless you're a SkyMiles member or may have access to for another exemption. Basic economy does not include free checked bags.