How long do hard inquiries stay on my credit report?

Hard inquiries tend to stay on your report for two years. However, their impact on your credit score might only last for the first 12 months.

How many hard inquiries are too many?

While no set number determines how many hard inquiries are too many, a guideline is that having more than six inquiries within six months could indicate to creditors that you are a higher-risk borrower. There are some exceptions to this, such as if you are rate shopping for one type of loan within a set period of time. This window of time will vary, depending on what credit scoring model is being used.

How can I monitor my credit score and track any changes?

You can obtain a free credit report once every week from each of the three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion from annualcreditreport.com. Additionally, various online credit monitoring applications allow you to view your credit report and score for free. These apps also offer alerts when your score changes.

How to Get Free Checked Bags with a Delta SkyMiles^® American Express Card

4 Min Read | Last updated: June 4, 2026

Woman is waiting for a car outside of the airport with luggage

Want to save on Delta baggage fees? Learn how to save on travel with free checked bags using your eligible co-branded American Express Card.

At-A-Glance

Eligible Delta SkyMiles^® American Express Cards allow Members to get their first and sometimes second checked bag free on Delta flights.
To get the benefit, you must have an eligible Delta SkyMiles Amex Card, a SkyMiles account, and you must pay for your airfare with the eligible Card.
This benefit can lead to big savings, especially when paired with other card perks to make your travel experience even smoother.

Travel often brings unexpected costs, but those should come from the adventures you’re having—not from baggage fees. If you fly Delta Air Lines frequently, a Delta SkyMiles^® American Express Card might be your ticket to traveling without sacrificing luggage space or money towards baggage fees. In addition to free checked bags, these cards offer additional benefits that may enhance your airport experience. Before your next flight, find out which Delta SkyMiles^® American Express Cards offer free checked bags and how to use this perk to your advantage.

How to Save on Delta Baggage Fees

Three consumer credit cards in the Delta SkyMiles^® American Express Card lineup provide one or two free checked bags as a benefit:

Card	Annual Fee	Free Checked Bag Benefit	Who it’s best for
Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card	$0 introductory fee in the first year, then $150¹	Check your first bag for free on Delta flights worldwide and get a second bag free when flying domestically.²	Casual flyers looking for standard travel perks.
Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card	$350³	Check your first bag for free on Delta flights worldwide and get a second bag free when flying domestically.⁴	Regular travelers who enjoy premium perks.
Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card	$650⁵	Check your first bag for free on Delta flights worldwide and get a second bag free when flying domestically.⁶	Frequent flyers who prefer luxury travel benefits like lounge access.

No matter which Card works best for you, you’ll enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights worldwide for you and up to eight travel companions in your reservation. Plus, as a Basic Card Member, you can check your second bag for free on domestic Delta Flights. See Delta’s Baggage & Travel Fees to learn exactly how much you can save using these perks.

Taking advantage of this benefit is simple, too. To receive the benefit, use your eligible Delta SkyMiles® American Express Card when booking your flight on Delta Air Lines. The reservation must also include the Member’s Delta SkyMiles number to receive the baggage fee waiver.

The first bag of each passenger will then automatically be waived at check-in for those on the reservation. Just make sure those bags aren’t overweight or oversized, as they won’t be eligible for the benefit.

For even greater savings, remember that the first checked bag free benefit also extends to as many as 8 additional travel companions, provided they’re all listed on the same reservation made by the Card Member. If you’re traveling as a family on vacation, that’s one free checked bag for everyone.

Delta American Express. You know travel. The Delta Skymiles® Gold American Express Card. Learn More. Terms apply.

Eligibility Criteria for a Free Checked Bag

While this perk could save you money and make the airport check-in process smoother, there are a few limitations to keep in mind. To make sure your checked bag fee waiver applies, you’ll need to meet these requirements.

Attach Your SkyMiles Number
You must include your SkyMiles account number in your flight reservation.
Fly With Delta
You need to book a flight that Delta Air Lines markets and operates. Codeshare flights (bookings operated by Delta and sold by another airline) aren’t eligible for this benefit.
Keep Your Account Open You must maintain an active Delta SkyMiles American Express Card account at the time of check-in.
Travel on the Same Reservation You can extend the first checked bag benefit to up to eight traveling companions on your exact same reservation.

Remember there are also restrictions on baggage weight and size. The fee waiver only applies to standard bags. If your luggage is overweight or oversized, additional fees may apply.

Did you know?

Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum and Reserve Card Members can earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta, and Delta SkyMiles^® Gold Card Members can earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta.2,4,6 You can use miles to book Award Travel, redeem for seat upgrades, and more.

Additional Perks of Being a Card Member

Your Delta SkyMiles^® American Express Card unlocks much more than just baggage fee waivers, however. You can elevate your entire travel experience with a variety of built-in benefits.

Companion Certificate
Delta SkyMiles^® American Express Platinum Card Members receive a Companion Certificate on a domestic, Caribbean, Mexico, or Central American Delta Main round-trip flight each year after card renewal. Reserve Card Members receive a Companion Certificate on a domestic, Caribbean, Mexico, or Central American round-trip flight.

The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligble for this benefit.
$120 Rideshare Credit
After your first card renewal, you can earn up to $10 back each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers after paying with an eligible Delta SkyMiles Card. Enrollment required.
Lounge Access
Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Card Members enjoy 15 visits to the Delta SkyClub each year and complimentary access to The Centurion Lounge.
Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
The Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum and Reserve Cards both offer a statement credit to reimburse the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. This could help you make it through airport security and customs faster.
Board Your Flight Early
Enjoy Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights.
Save on In-Flight Purchases
Get 20% back as a statement credit on eligible in-flight food and beverage purchases.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Make purchases abroad without an extra fee tacked on to each purchase.^1,3,5

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, select Delta SkyMiles Cards waive baggage fees for the first bag for up to nine travelers per reservation. Your travel companion must be on the exact same reservation to use the baggage waiver.

Currently, Delta charges $45 for the first standard checked bag under 50 pounds, each way. The second checked bag costs $55 each way and must also weigh less than 50 pounds.⁷

Each Delta passenger can bring 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item on board the plane, both free of charge. Personal items may include a purse, backpack, laptop bag, or something similar in size that will fit underneath the seat in front of you. Similar to checked bags, carry-ons come with size and weight restrictions, so it’s important to make sure your carry-on will fit in the overhead bin space before you arrive to the airport.⁸

The Takeaway

Delta SkyMiles^® American Express Card Members who frequently fly Delta Air Lines can save hundreds of dollars a year just by checking their luggage for free. Not only that, but your card can also make your travel smoother, more economical, and far more rewarding. With generous checked bag fee waivers, you can stop worrying about packing light and start bringing everything you need for your trip.

¹ For more on Rates and Fees for the Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card, click here.

² For more on Benefit and Offer Terms for the Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card, click here.

³ For more on Rates and Fees for the Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card, click here.

⁴ For more on Benefit and Offer Terms for the Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card, click here.

⁵ For more on Rates and Fees for the Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Express Reserve Card, click here.

⁶For more on Benefit and Offer Terms for the Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Express Reserve Card, click here.

⁷ “Baggage & Travel Fees,” Delta

⁸ “Carry-On Baggage,” Delta

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Michael Grace is a personal finance and technology freelance writer based on Long Island, N.Y.

All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.

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The material made available for you on this website, Credit Intel, is for informational purposes only and intended for U.S. residents and is not intended to provide legal, tax or financial advice. If you have questions, please consult your own professional legal, tax and financial advisors.