New Delta AMEX Co-Branded Card Benefit: Free Second Checked Bag

May 22, 2026 — According to airline blogger xJonNYC, Delta Air Lines and American Express (AMEX) will introduce a new baggage benefit starting June 4, 2026 for eligible Basic Card Members of Delta SkyMiles co-branded credit cards: a free second checked bag.

• Eligible routes: Domestic flights operated by Delta Air Lines and Delta Connection, including flights to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands
• Not eligible: Codeshare flights

Delta recently raised its checked bag fees. Against that backdrop, adding a free second checked bag could generate meaningful savings for families traveling with multiple bags. Many Delta SkyMiles AMEX credit cards already include a free first checked bag benefit. This newly added free second checked bag benefit would further improve the practicality of these co-branded cards and help cardholders offset the additional cost from higher baggage fees.

This benefit should apply to the AMEX Delta Gold and above, as well as the Business Delta Gold and above. In terms of overall value, holding two Delta Gold cards still looks like the best deal.