Should This Have Gotten Free Baggage?
Jan 24, 2016, 7:48 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Houston TX
Posts: 284
Should This Have Gotten Free Baggage?
I am a SkyMiles Gold. My wife has no status (well, with me but not Delta).
I recently redeemed my miles for a domestic RT ticket for her. I charged the $11.20 fee to my DL branded AmEx.
The total fare that I paid was 35000 miles plus the $11. The reservation confirmation shows a class of N for the trip there, and NS for the return.
Going there, they checked her luggage (1 bag) without question or issue. Coming back, from LGA, they insisted on charging her $25. When she pointed out that the DL branded AmEx was used, they said that because it was mine and not hers (she has a different number although it is the same account) that it didn't matter. They then said if she had an objection, bring it up with customer service.
I'm not sure it we should have gotten free luggage on this or not. However, in the past, I've also had LGA just brush people off because it is easier.
Should this have been a free baggage flight - either because of my status and/or the use of the DL AmEx?
I recently redeemed my miles for a domestic RT ticket for her. I charged the $11.20 fee to my DL branded AmEx.
The total fare that I paid was 35000 miles plus the $11. The reservation confirmation shows a class of N for the trip there, and NS for the return.
Going there, they checked her luggage (1 bag) without question or issue. Coming back, from LGA, they insisted on charging her $25. When she pointed out that the DL branded AmEx was used, they said that because it was mine and not hers (she has a different number although it is the same account) that it didn't matter. They then said if she had an objection, bring it up with customer service.
I'm not sure it we should have gotten free luggage on this or not. However, in the past, I've also had LGA just brush people off because it is easier.
Should this have been a free baggage flight - either because of my status and/or the use of the DL AmEx?
Jan 24, 2016, 8:19 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: JFK/LGA
Programs: DL DM, HH Gold, SPG Platinum 100, National Executive Elite
Posts: 1,687
Should This Have Gotten Free Baggage?
Only the cardholder gets free bags + 9 companions with the cardholder. However the cardholder must be traveling.
Were you with your wife?
Were you with your wife?
Jan 24, 2016, 8:38 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Formerly at PIT, now planted near MSP.
Programs: No flights since April 2019 (Medical Issues). Lost all my status.
Posts: 1,483
Same scenario for me, except her luggage was free
- I'm Gold, she has no status
- Both on award tickets
- Paid $11 via DL Amex
- Both on same PNR
Was your wife on same PNR?
- I'm Gold, she has no status
- Both on award tickets
- Paid $11 via DL Amex
- Both on same PNR
Was your wife on same PNR?
Jan 24, 2016, 8:45 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: DL GM
Posts: 640
She was lucky not to pay on the outbound flight too. The DL Amex "first bag free" benefit is limited to the primary card holder (not additional card holders) and the reservation must include the primary card holder's SkyMiles number. In other words the primary card holder must be flying on the same PNR.
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...-bag-free.html
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...-bag-free.html
Jan 24, 2016, 8:57 am
#5
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: IND
Programs: DL DM, Marriott PE
Posts: 353
It does not matter if all or part of the fare is paid with the Amex. The bags are free just for having the card, regardless of how you pay. And by the same token it doesn't matter if you pay for someone else's ticket, if they aren't traveling with you.
Jan 24, 2016, 8:36 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
Programs: DL-MM, AA, SW w/companion,HiltonDiamond, Hyatt PLat, IHF Plat, Miles and Points Seeker
Posts: 11,072