Delta Amex users get a second free checked bag and other new perks

Delta Air Lines' popular line of branded SkyMiles American Express cards have always come with at least one rock star benefit for users: a free checked bag on Delta flights for you and everyone in your party.

Since the checked bag fee recently rose to $45 for domestic flights, that fee waiver can help recoup the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex's annual fee of $150, or the Delta Platinum Amex's annual fee of $350.

Now, to the delight of heavy packers, Delta is doubling down on the benefit.

In a suite of enhanced SkyMiles Amex perks announced Thursday, users of the Delta's Gold, Platinum and $650-annual-fee Reserve Amex cards will get a second free checked bag, which normally costs $55. There's also a new rideshare credit for Gold users and expanded use of companion certificates for Platinum and Reserve members.

Delta is adding these benefits without increasing the annual fees on the cards. Its last annual fee hikes were in 2024.

For families and group travelers, there is some important fine print for the second free checked bag.

While cardholders have always enjoyed a free first checked bag for themselves and everyone traveling on their reservation (up to nine people), the second free checked bag appears to apply only to the cardholder and anyone in their party who also has the card.

Also, the second checked bag only flies free on flights that begin and end in the United States.

Delta and American Express also shared a travel benefit with SkyMiles Gold card users that has been included with Delta's higher-end cards for a few years: a $120 annual rideshare credit.

Starting at the next card renewal, Gold Amex members will get an automatic $10 statement credit every month on rideshare charges - aka Uber and Lyft.

To get the full $120 benefit in a year, you have to have at least $10 in Uber/Lyft expenses on the cards in each month of the year. So the perk is best for regular rideshare users, but it may be hard to maximize for the occasional airport Uber rider.

Delta added a subtle new policy for SkyMiles Platinum and Reserve Amex cardholders who receive free annual companion certificates. Now the certificate can be used for the flight portion of a Delta Vacations package for your companion, in addition to existing domestic, Caribbean and Central American flights.

Also subtle: New designs for the cards were rolled out, with the airline's logo migrating to the center of the card and a new "slate grey" color option for the Reserve. The new-look cards will be issued after a user's current card expires.

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