First Bag is Free With the Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express

ATLANTA and NEW YORK, May 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Just in time for the peak summer travel season, American Express (NYSE: AXP) and Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today announced the launch of a new benefit for U.S. Consumer and Small Business Gold, Platinum and Reserve Delta SkyMiles Credit Cardmembers.  Starting June 1, 2010, Delta SkyMiles Credit Cardmembers will receive a free first checked bag on every Delta flight -- up to a $50 savings per person on a round-trip ticket -- available for up to nine people in the same reservation.

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"We are delighted to offer this new benefit to our Delta SkyMiles Cardmembers," said Tracey Beberman, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Co-Brand Partnerships, American Express.  "Cardmembers have told us that they value being recognized when they travel with Delta.  We believe that this new first checked bag free benefit does just that and more.  It provides tangible savings for Delta SkyMiles Credit Cardmembers when they fly."

"Baggage fee waivers are one of the benefits we provide to reward some of our most engaged customers.," said Jeff Robertson, Vice President - SkyMiles. "The long-standing relationship with American Express has given us the ability to now extend this valuable benefit to Delta SkyMiles Credit Cardmembers and their traveling companions."

The new Card benefit applies to up to nine people traveling in the same reservation including the Cardmember.  As a result, a family of four could save up to $200 when flying round-trip.  Cardmembers receive a first checked bag fee waiver upon check-in.

First and Business Class passengers, SkyMiles Medallion members, and passengers with a confirmed Full Y Class Economy ticket may continue to check up to two bags at no charge.

More information about this new benefit is available at delta.com/firstbagfree. Customers interested in applying for or learning more about Delta SkyMiles Credit Cards from American Express may visit delta.com/creditcards.

Delta SkyMiles Credit Card Benefits and Features

American Express offers several Delta co-brand Credit Cards, including the Gold and Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Cards, and Delta Reserve Credit Card. In addition to the new "First Bag Free" benefit, these Cards offer many features including:

• The ability to earn miles with no earning caps
• The ability to earn double miles on all Delta purchases and one mile on every eligible dollar spent on other purchases
• Exclusive access to the Pay with Miles feature, allowing Cardmembers to use miles toward the entire or a portion of the cost of any Delta seat with no black out dates or seat restrictions
• Complimentary Delta Sky Club™ access for Delta Reserve Credit Cardmembers, with discounted rates for Gold and Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Cardmembers
• A domestic companion certificate upon annual renewal of Cardmembership
• The option to redeem miles at discounted redemption rates on hotel stays, car rentals merchandise and more
• Ways to earn Medallion Qualification Miles with the Platinum and Reserve Delta SkyMiles Credit Cards
• Award-winning customer service and valuable retail and travel protection

The "My Card Can" Campaign

American Express is also launching a new 360-degree marketing campaign, "My Card Can," to build awareness for the new benefit as well as reinforce valuable existing benefits and features.  Ads will run nationally with a concentration in key Delta hubs within the U.S. including Detroit, Memphis, and Minneapolis/St. Paul.  

The marketing campaign also reminds consumers that the Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express is the exclusive Credit Card of Delta Air Lines in the U.S. and the only Card that allows consumers to earn SkyMiles from Delta SkyMiles Credit Card purchases and from flying on Delta.  

About American Express

American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success.  Learn more at www.americanexpress.com and connect with us on www.facebook.com/americanexpress, www.twitter.com/americanexpress and www.youtube.com/americanexpress.

About Delta

Delta Air Lines serves more than 160 million customers each year. With its unsurpassed global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to 358 destinations in 66 countries on six continents. Delta employs more than 70,000 employees worldwide and operates a mainline fleet of nearly 800 aircraft. A founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance, Delta participates in the industry's leading trans-Atlantic joint venture with Air France KLM. Including its worldwide alliance partners, Delta offers customers more than 16,000 daily flights, with hubs in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City and Tokyo-Narita. The airline's service includes the SkyMiles frequent flier program, the world's largest airline loyalty program; the award-winning BusinessElite service; and more than 45 Delta Sky Clubs in airports worldwide. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and review flight status at delta.com.

Terms and Conditions

Starting June 1, 2010 Primary Cardmembers with the Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card, Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card, Delta Reserve Credit Card, Gold Delta SkyMiles Business Credit Card, Platinum Delta SkyMiles Business Credit Card and Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card are eligible to receive the first checked bag fee waiver on Delta and Delta Connection carrier tickets. Waiver is only of normal first checked bag fee for a bag that is not overweight and not oversize under Delta's applicable rules Additional checked bags will be subject to the applicable baggage fees as outlined by Delta's rules and the purchased fare. The first checked bag fee waiver will be applied to all passengers traveling in the reservation containing the Primary Cardmember's SkyMiles number (up to nine waivers).  If more than nine passengers are within the same reservation the waiver will only be applied to eligible passengers. The first checked bag fee waiver will only be applied on flight segments which originate on a Delta or Delta connection carrier operated flight. Codeshare flights are not eligible. New Cardmembers and Cardmembers upgrading from another Delta SkyMiles Credit Card product will be eligible for the checked baggage fee waiver benefit after receiving their card from American Express. Offer terms and conditions subject to change.  Additional restrictions may apply. See delta.com/firstbagfree for details.

Pay with Miles: Only Gold and Platinum Delta SkyMiles and Delta Reserve Credit Credit Cardmembers, as well as Gold and Platinum Delta SkyMiles Business and Delta Reserve for Business Credit Cardmembers, with a U.S. point of sale address in their SkyMiles account are eligible. Limited to Delta, Northwest, and Delta Connection® carrier flights booked under the DL or NW code on delta.com. Minimum 10,000 miles for redemption. Not eligible for mile accrual, complimentary upgrades, MQMs, Medallion segments, or Best Fare Guarantee. Refund restrictions apply. All SkyMiles program and Pay with Miles rules apply. To review the rules, visit delta.com/memberguide.

Terms, conditions and restrictions apply to Delta SkyMiles Credit Card benefits and features. See applydeltacard.com for details.

All SkyMiles program rules apply to SkyMiles program membership, miles, offers, mile accrual, mile redemption and travel benefits. To review the rules, please visit delta.com/memberguide. Offers void where prohibited by law. Offers subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply.

SOURCE Delta Air Lines