Free Checked Bags?

Who says nothing in life is free?

Delta Airlines has announced that as of June 1, 2010, anyone with a Gold, Platinum or Reserve Delta SkyMiles credit card from American Express will automatically get their first bag checked for FREE upon check-in for all Delta and Delta Connection flights.

What’s more, this free bag waiver also applies to up to eight travel companions within the reservation.

Continental Airlines has a similar offer with their Chase Preferred debit card.

Learn more here for Delta or here for Continental.

While American Express typically charges an annual fee of anywhere from $95 to $450 (usually waived the first year), the new savings on checked luggage may help offset these fees, depending on how much one checks bags during travel.

Offering free checked luggage for certain card members is an excellent move on Delta's part, considering the recent moves by some airlines to charge for not only checked but also carry-on luggage. It’s reasonable to speculate that one of the reasons Delta did this was to free up overhead space. More and more carry-on luggage is becoming the norm for domestic travel.