Delta is rolling out a new perk for most Delta Amex cardholders: a second complimentary checked bag on domestic U.S. flights. The change also comes with ride-hailing credits for Delta SkyMiles Gold cards, fresh card designs, and elevated welcome offers across
By the time your boarding pass is scanned, the cost of that second checked bag can already feel like an afterthought you shouldn’t have to budget for. Starting with Delta’s latest changes in early April, many Delta Amex cardmembers won’t have to.
All personal and business Delta Amex cardmembers who pay an annual fee now receive a second complimentary checked bag on domestic U.S. flights. That means every Delta Amex card carries the new benefit—except the no-annual-fee Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card (see rates and fees).
The benefit is being rolled out alongside a new ride-hailing perk on the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, plus updated card designs across the whole suite and elevated welcome bonus offers for new cardmembers.
What’s changing with checked bags
As of Delta’s changes going into effect in early April, it now costs $45 each way to check your first bag and $55 for a second checked bag. With those costs in place, the second complimentary checked bag benefit can translate into meaningful savings for cardmembers traveling with a companion.
On domestic U.S. flights, the following cards now unlock up to two free checked bags for the cardmember—along with up to eight companions—traveling on the same reservation:
Delta Air Lines—along with many other U.S. carriers, including American Airlines, JetBlue and United Airlines—has raised checked bag fees this year amid higher operating costs.
For Delta Amex cardholders, the timing matters. Most Delta Amex cards (except the Blue) now offer up to $100 off bag fees per passenger on U.S. domestic flights when checking two bags.
This is especially attractive for frequent Delta flyers with the Delta Gold and Delta Business Gold cards, which each charge a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year (then $150 each year thereafter).
A second perk joins the bag benefit
Delta Gold and Delta Business Gold cardmembers also get a new ride-hailing credit. Upon account renewal (or a new account opening), these cards now include up to $10 monthly ride-hailing credit with select U.S. ride-hailing providers—up to $120 per calendar year—with enrollment required.
The ride-hailing benefit was already available on the other four cards that charge an annual fee, and Amex is extending it to the personal and business Delta Gold cards.
There’s one timing catch: new cardmembers get immediate access to the credit, but existing cardmembers won’t get it until their next annual fee hits. Enrollment is required to receive the credit.
The update continues with design changes
All of Delta’s cobranded cards have undergone an aesthetic change, with Amex rolling out an all-new design for all cards in the suite. The previous colors have been replaced with new hues and a slightly altered graphic design.
The most prominent shift is the retirement of the plum purple card art for the Delta Reserve and Delta Business Reserve cards; these top-tier Delta cards are now slate grey.
Welcome bonuses are also up for new cardmembers
If you’ve been waiting to apply, the current window is tied to limited-time welcome offers for new cardmembers.
Delta Gold: Earn up to 90. 000 bonus miles—70. 000 bonus miles after spending $3. 000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. plus earn 20. 000 bonus miles after spending an additional $2. 000 on purchases (for a total of $5. 000) in the first six months of card membership. Per TPG’s June 2026 valuations, this bonus is worth up to $1,080.
Delta Business Gold: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Per TPG’s valuations, this bonus is worth $1,080.
Delta Platinum: Earn up to 100. 000 bonus miles—80. 000 bonus miles after spending $4. 000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. plus earn 20. 000 bonus miles after spending an additional $2. 000 on purchases (for a total of $6. 000) in the first six months of card membership. Per TPG’s valuations, this bonus is worth up to $1,200.
Delta Business Platinum: Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Per TPG’s valuations, this bonus is worth $1,200.
Delta Reserve: Earn up to 125. 000 bonus miles—100. 000 bonus miles after spending $6. 000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. plus earn 25. 000 bonus miles after spending an additional $3. 000 on purchases (for a total of $9. 000) in the first six months of card membership. Per TPG’s valuations, this bonus is worth up to $1,500.
Delta Business Reserve: Earn 125,000 bonus miles after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Per TPG’s valuations, this bonus is worth $1,500.
These bonuses all match the highest number of miles offered in the cards’ histories, making the timing a clear selling point for new applicants.
Where it leaves Delta travelers now
For most Delta Amex cardmembers, the biggest immediate shift is the addition of a second checked bag free. If you typically check two bags on a U.S. domestic flight, the potential savings can reach up to $100 in bag fees one-way.
And for those who carry Delta Gold cards, the ride-hailing credit adds another monthly benefit—up to $10 per month, or $120 per calendar year—with enrollment required.
For anyone considering a card. the mix of elevated welcome offers and the new bag and ride-hailing perks makes the moment feel unusually practical. For rates and fees of the Delta Blue Amex, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta Gold Amex, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta Business Gold Amex, click here.
Delta Amex second checked bag free Delta SkyMiles American Express domestic flights checked bag fees ride-hailing credit Delta Gold welcome bonus Delta Reserve design
Finally, something worth keeping the card for.
Wait so it’s a second free bag only if you have Amex, but like… what if you already get a first free bag anyway? Kinda sounds like they’re just renaming the same perk.
They say it’s for most Delta Amex cardholders but then the Blue card doesn’t count. I’m so confused, because I thought Blue was the main one everybody has. Also ride-hailing credits? Like Uber counts as a bag now? lol
I mean yeah cool, but Delta gonna raise ticket prices to pay for it anyway. “By the time your boarding pass is scanned” like they’re trying to trick people into thinking it’s free free. Still better than nothing though if they actually apply it at the airport and don’t make you argue with the kiosk.