US Airways and Delta Decrease Baggage Allowance for Silver Elites
Low level elites have seen a lot of their benefits trimmed back this year - starting with United's watering down of their Premier Silver program which included only allowing premium seat selection at check-in and decreasing the amount of free checked bags to one.
Delta and US Airways have both also revised their baggage allowance for their 25,000-mile-a-year Silver elites to one bag of 70 pounds or less. American is the lone holdout, giving their Gold elites two free checked bags and I don't anticipate them changing that rule as they try to ride out their bankruptcy without angering too many of their frequent flyers.
I rarely check bags, but this elite perk can save you a ton of money if you do - especially if you travel with multiple family members. Of course, if free bags are most important to you, flying Southwest might make the most sense, because they allow two free checked bags for all passengers.
[card card-name='Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express' card-id='22034414' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.

