Delta credit card and free checked bags?
Dec 3, 2012, 8:22 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 75
Delta credit card and free checked bags?
I recently moved back to Atlanta and will now expect to fly on Delta quite a bit more than I used to, although realistically only once or twice per year since I normally fly Southwest.
I have a round-trip flight coming up in January with me, my wife, and our baby, and the associated supplies that are related to that. At a minimum we would need to check two bags, and possibly a car seat and/or a stroller. I'm new to being a parent, but it looks like I can check in a car seat and a stroller for free? In that case, it looks like two checked bags (one for each adult) would cost be $100 round-trip?
So, on that note, I was considering getting the Gold Delta Skymiles card which would save me this $100 and give me 30,000 bonus miles, but then cost me $95/year after the first year. I don't expect I would use the card for much except for future Delta flights though (I have the CapitalOne Venture card which I much prefer the rewards of), so I may end up canceling it if I don't want to pay the $95/year.
A few questions from a newbie:
1) Even though I already bought my tickets on the Delta flight on another credit card, would having the Gold Delta Skymiles card still qualify me for free first checked bag? I'm not sure how that works.
2) Am I correct that a stroller and car seat would be free?
3) Would my second bag per adult still be $35 even when the first bag is free?
4) Any other advice for or against getting this card primarily just for the baggage fee savings?
Thanks!
I have a round-trip flight coming up in January with me, my wife, and our baby, and the associated supplies that are related to that. At a minimum we would need to check two bags, and possibly a car seat and/or a stroller. I'm new to being a parent, but it looks like I can check in a car seat and a stroller for free? In that case, it looks like two checked bags (one for each adult) would cost be $100 round-trip?
So, on that note, I was considering getting the Gold Delta Skymiles card which would save me this $100 and give me 30,000 bonus miles, but then cost me $95/year after the first year. I don't expect I would use the card for much except for future Delta flights though (I have the CapitalOne Venture card which I much prefer the rewards of), so I may end up canceling it if I don't want to pay the $95/year.
A few questions from a newbie:
1) Even though I already bought my tickets on the Delta flight on another credit card, would having the Gold Delta Skymiles card still qualify me for free first checked bag? I'm not sure how that works.
2) Am I correct that a stroller and car seat would be free?
3) Would my second bag per adult still be $35 even when the first bag is free?
4) Any other advice for or against getting this card primarily just for the baggage fee savings?
Thanks!
Dec 3, 2012, 8:40 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Western NY
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 480
I can only help with Q1:
Yes, just having the card (which is tied to your skymiles account) is sufficient. When you log in to the delta skymiles account on delta.com your account should indicate skymiles AmEx which is how they track benefits such as first bag free. For the first year free, with ~30,000 miles (worth $300 at it's worst case) you can keep the card for 4 years without actually "paying" for it. And the checked bag waivers is enough to generally make the card worth it on top of that.
According to the delta website stroller and car seat are free (http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...ial-items.html). One "tactic" would be to use a large well stuffed rollaboard that you specifically plan to gate check, plus a good sized diaper bag for the kiddo's stuff. I don't advocate this, but I see people who do a rollaboard, a diaper bag, and a small personal carry on. As long as the rollaboard is gate checked it seems like a manageable load (assuming you're used to juggling the munchkin already).
Yes, just having the card (which is tied to your skymiles account) is sufficient. When you log in to the delta skymiles account on delta.com your account should indicate skymiles AmEx which is how they track benefits such as first bag free. For the first year free, with ~30,000 miles (worth $300 at it's worst case) you can keep the card for 4 years without actually "paying" for it. And the checked bag waivers is enough to generally make the card worth it on top of that.
According to the delta website stroller and car seat are free (http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...ial-items.html). One "tactic" would be to use a large well stuffed rollaboard that you specifically plan to gate check, plus a good sized diaper bag for the kiddo's stuff. I don't advocate this, but I see people who do a rollaboard, a diaper bag, and a small personal carry on. As long as the rollaboard is gate checked it seems like a manageable load (assuming you're used to juggling the munchkin already).
Dec 3, 2012, 8:42 am
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: DL FO, UA, AA, AsiaMiles, SPG, HHonors
Posts: 7,982
I recently moved back to Atlanta and will now expect to fly on Delta quite a bit more than I used to, although realistically only once or twice per year since I normally fly Southwest.
I have a round-trip flight coming up in January with me, my wife, and our baby, and the associated supplies that are related to that. At a minimum we would need to check two bags, and possibly a car seat and/or a stroller. I'm new to being a parent, but it looks like I can check in a car seat and a stroller for free? In that case, it looks like two checked bags (one for each adult) would cost be $100 round-trip?
So, on that note, I was considering getting the Gold Delta Skymiles card which would save me this $100 and give me 30,000 bonus miles, but then cost me $95/year after the first year. I don't expect I would use the card for much except for future Delta flights though (I have the CapitalOne Venture card which I much prefer the rewards of), so I may end up canceling it if I don't want to pay the $95/year.
A few questions from a newbie:
1) Even though I already bought my tickets on the Delta flight on another credit card, would having the Gold Delta Skymiles card still qualify me for free first checked bag? I'm not sure how that works.
Yes. All you need to do is be a cardmember at the time of check-in.
2) Am I correct that a stroller and car seat would be free?
Yes, any non-luggage baby items that need to be checked such as strollers and car seats are free. If the baby has a ticket, the baby can also check a bag free due to your AMEX. Additionally, baby items such as a diaper bag, car seat, etc brought on board do not count against your carry-on allowance.
3) Would my second bag per adult still be $35 even when the first bag is free?
Yes.
4) Any other advice for or against getting this card primarily just for the baggage fee savings?
One round trip per year with your family and the card has paid its own annual fee. There are other benefits with the card such as boarding earlier than you normally would, though this will only make a difference when not traveling with your family because with a baby under 2 you can board early anyway. (But disregard their message about "priority" boarding, it's not as priority as it seems as it is still after first class and diamond, platinum and gold medallions. Boarding with a baby is earlier.) You want to board as early as possible especially with a baby because you'll be lugging a lot of stuff along with you and you want to get overhead bin space and settle into your seats which inevitably takes longer with a baby (as does everything).
Oh and as a fellow parent, one piece of advice: NEVER change your baby's diaper at your seat or anywhere else but in the lavatory. Other passengers HATE this, and rightfully so. Be considerate and you'll get more cooperation out of your fellow passengers when you inevitably have to ask them to get up so you can take your baby to the lav for the 10th time.
And another piece of advice: never depend on the airline for anything such as food drink or supplies for the baby. Always bring a more food, clothes, toys and other supplies than you think you'll need.
Thanks!
Enjoy flying DL and most importantly enjoy your baby!
I have a round-trip flight coming up in January with me, my wife, and our baby, and the associated supplies that are related to that. At a minimum we would need to check two bags, and possibly a car seat and/or a stroller. I'm new to being a parent, but it looks like I can check in a car seat and a stroller for free? In that case, it looks like two checked bags (one for each adult) would cost be $100 round-trip?
So, on that note, I was considering getting the Gold Delta Skymiles card which would save me this $100 and give me 30,000 bonus miles, but then cost me $95/year after the first year. I don't expect I would use the card for much except for future Delta flights though (I have the CapitalOne Venture card which I much prefer the rewards of), so I may end up canceling it if I don't want to pay the $95/year.
A few questions from a newbie:
1) Even though I already bought my tickets on the Delta flight on another credit card, would having the Gold Delta Skymiles card still qualify me for free first checked bag? I'm not sure how that works.
Yes. All you need to do is be a cardmember at the time of check-in.
2) Am I correct that a stroller and car seat would be free?
Yes, any non-luggage baby items that need to be checked such as strollers and car seats are free. If the baby has a ticket, the baby can also check a bag free due to your AMEX. Additionally, baby items such as a diaper bag, car seat, etc brought on board do not count against your carry-on allowance.
3) Would my second bag per adult still be $35 even when the first bag is free?
Yes.
4) Any other advice for or against getting this card primarily just for the baggage fee savings?
One round trip per year with your family and the card has paid its own annual fee. There are other benefits with the card such as boarding earlier than you normally would, though this will only make a difference when not traveling with your family because with a baby under 2 you can board early anyway. (But disregard their message about "priority" boarding, it's not as priority as it seems as it is still after first class and diamond, platinum and gold medallions. Boarding with a baby is earlier.) You want to board as early as possible especially with a baby because you'll be lugging a lot of stuff along with you and you want to get overhead bin space and settle into your seats which inevitably takes longer with a baby (as does everything).
Oh and as a fellow parent, one piece of advice: NEVER change your baby's diaper at your seat or anywhere else but in the lavatory. Other passengers HATE this, and rightfully so. Be considerate and you'll get more cooperation out of your fellow passengers when you inevitably have to ask them to get up so you can take your baby to the lav for the 10th time.
And another piece of advice: never depend on the airline for anything such as food drink or supplies for the baby. Always bring a more food, clothes, toys and other supplies than you think you'll need.
Thanks!
Enjoy flying DL and most importantly enjoy your baby!
Dec 3, 2012, 8:51 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Western NY
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 480
@HK are you sure the diaper bag is free? I was about to post the same in my reply, but when I checked the DL website I didn't see that (I don't travel w/a baby though).
I know friends on United were allowed an extra carry on because of the in-lap infant, but I didn't see similar notation on DL.com.
I know friends on United were allowed an extra carry on because of the in-lap infant, but I didn't see similar notation on DL.com.
Dec 3, 2012, 8:51 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: Delta: Gold, Marriott: Silver
Posts: 188
2) Am I correct that a stroller and car seat would be free?
3) Would my second bag per adult still be $35 even when the first bag is free?
4) Any other advice for or against getting this card primarily just for the baggage fee savings?
Dec 3, 2012, 9:17 am
#6
Join Date: May 2006
Programs: Delta Skymiles, Flying Blue
Posts: 717
Yes, Delta gets kudos for this, hopefullly they won't change that program-- unlike United, where they only give you the perks of the card if you actually pay for the ticket with the card, Delta goes by your Skymiles # and just having the card is enough, even for an award ticket in Y. A hash mark in the thumbs up column for Delta on this one!
Dec 3, 2012, 9:22 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
Dec 3, 2012, 10:03 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
Dec 3, 2012, 10:43 am
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: DL FO, UA, AA, AsiaMiles, SPG, HHonors
Posts: 7,982
@HK are you sure the diaper bag is free? I was about to post the same in my reply, but when I checked the DL website I didn't see that (I don't travel w/a baby though).
I know friends on United were allowed an extra carry on because of the in-lap infant, but I didn't see similar notation on DL.com.
I know friends on United were allowed an extra carry on because of the in-lap infant, but I didn't see similar notation on DL.com.
Feb 26, 2014, 9:30 pm
#11
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,607
Does anyone know when the free checked bag shows up ?
I bought our tickets in June using my Delta Amex and my receipt says both first bags are $25.
I still have the Amex card open and I'm going to bring it with me to show them when I check my bag but figured I would see something stating I have a free checked bag for both of us.
Does the free bag not show up until the boarding pass is printed with Delta ?
Thanks
I bought our tickets in June using my Delta Amex and my receipt says both first bags are $25.
I still have the Amex card open and I'm going to bring it with me to show them when I check my bag but figured I would see something stating I have a free checked bag for both of us.
Does the free bag not show up until the boarding pass is printed with Delta ?
Thanks
Feb 27, 2014, 1:20 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Delta Gold, silver, what yr is it?
Posts: 2,417
Does anyone know when the free checked bag shows up ?
I bought our tickets in June using my Delta Amex and my receipt says both first bags are $25.
I still have the Amex card open and I'm going to bring it with me to show them when I check my bag but figured I would see something stating I have a free checked bag for both of us.
Does the free bag not show up until the boarding pass is printed with Delta ?
Thanks
I bought our tickets in June using my Delta Amex and my receipt says both first bags are $25.
I still have the Amex card open and I'm going to bring it with me to show them when I check my bag but figured I would see something stating I have a free checked bag for both of us.
Does the free bag not show up until the boarding pass is printed with Delta ?
Thanks
Feb 27, 2014, 2:46 pm
#13
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,607
I see this message below baggage fees when I view my receipt. Since I paid with the Delta card they must wait and make sure you still have the card when you actually fly.
"Thank you for being a valued customer. The fees below are based on your original ticket purchase information. If you qualify for free or discounted checked baggage, this will be taken into account when you check in.