Delta Air Lines allows credit card holders to check the first bag for free

Add Delta Air Lines to the list of carriers that give special perks to members of its programs. It's not unusual for airlines to allow free checked bags to its elite-level frequent fliers, but Delta is taking it a step further and giving a free first piece of checked luggage to anyone who holds one of its Gold, Platinum, and Reserve American Express Sky Miles credit cards.

If you've flown through Atlanta's Hartsfield airport anytime recently, you know what a priority Delta puts on adding credit card customers to its rolls. Walk through the terminals, and you'll be approached again and again by staff saying, "Flying on Delta?" They're not there to assist you with your flight, though. They're there to rope you into opening a new credit account. Between Delta and Air Tran, you'd be forgiven if you mistook Hartsfield for a consumer bank rather than an airport.