Travel Perks Upgrade
Delta Amex Expands Card Benefits with Free Second Bag and Rideshare Credit
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American Express and Delta are expanding benefits on most of their Delta SkyMiles cobranded credit cards without increasing annual fees ahead of the summer travel season. Starting immediately, enrolled Basic Delta SkyMiles Gold, Platinum, and Reserve consumer and business cardholders will receive a complimentary second checked bag on domestic Delta-operated flights, with the change generally applying to Delta Amex cards that carry an annual fee (the no-fee Delta SkyMiles Blue Amex is excluded). The partners also added a $120 annual rideshare credit for enrolled Delta SkyMiles Gold and Gold Business cardmembers after renewal, offering up to $10 in monthly statement credits with select providers. The update coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Delta–Amex partnership and comes with refreshed card designs, including a new Slate Grey option for Reserve cards. New cardmember welcome offers are available for limited time for applications approved by July 15, 2026, with bonus miles varying by card type and minimum spending in the first six months.
Key Points
1
The free second checked bag benefit applies not only to the cardholder but also to “up to eight companions” traveling on the same reservation on domestic U.S. flights.
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Delta’s domestic checked-bag pricing provides the backdrop for the added value: since Delta’s bag-fee changes took effect in early April, the first bag costs $45 each way and the second bag costs $55 each way (so the second-bag free benefit can translate into as much as $100 in avoided bag fees per passenger for two checked bags).
3
American Express and Delta also cited broader travel-behavior findings to justify the “less friction” focus—Fast Company reported that a commissioned study found 64% of Gen Z travelers say they’ve left important items at home at least occasionally “just to avoid checking a bag.”
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The limited-time welcome offers include specific milestone structures: for example, new Gold cardmembers can earn 70,000 bonus miles after $3,000 spend in the first six months, plus an additional 20,000 miles if they reach $5,000; Platinum applicants can earn 80,000 miles after $4,000 spend plus 20,000 more at $6,000; and Reserve applicants can earn 100,000 miles at $6,000 spend plus 25,000 more at $9,000 (all for approvals by July 15, 2026).
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