Let me start off by saying that I almost NEVER check bags if I can help it so really have never paid much attention to those fees.

Next week I am traveling to Central American and am taking LOTS of Christmas gifts for children at a school there. I find myself in the unusual situation of having to check bags. I think it will end up being 3 bags I need to check. The gifts will be fairly light, but BULKY!

Here is my situation: I am elite and "hope" for an upgrade to automatically get the 3 free checked bags, but am thinking I may get it on the ATL-MGA leg only. The RDU-ATL looks like I may sit in the back.

I purchased the ticket with my Amex Plat card, but I think that that gives me no more benefit than being elite? I have read the excess baggage fees page at Delta

http://www.delta.com/traveling_check...gage/index.jsp

but since I get 2 free bags already not 100% sure if my 3rd bag will be considered a 2nd bag ($30) or 3rd bag ($100)? If it will be a $100 fee I may just go out to goodwill and buy a couple of really HUGE bags I can just throw away when I get there and make it 2 bags instead of 3. Make sense???

Does anyone know the rules as they apply to me in this position?