Which airlines offer luggage tracking services?
As of October, Southwest Airlines is the latest major airline to unveil a baggage tracking tool for travelers to track checked baggage inflight via its website and mobile app.
Southwest, along with American, Delta and United, offer this tool for their flyers.
Here's how each airline's luggage tracking feature works.
American Airlines
American Airlines customers can track their bags online and via the mobile app under the "Track your bags" header. From there, you can track your bags by entering your record locator or bag tag number.
Delta Air Lines
Go to "Track Checked Baggage" on Delta's website or "Track My Bags" on the Delta app, then search by bag tag number or file reference number. You can also upload a picture of your bag tag to make it even easier to track.
United Airlines
Unlike the other airlines, the only option to track baggage on United flights is via the carrier's mobile app, as the capability doesn't currently exist online.
Select "Track my bags" from the menu in the app and either search for your bags via flight reservation or bag tag.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest flyers can access the airline's baggage tracking tool by clicking on "Track your checked baggage" on the left-hand side of the mobile app under "Flight" or online.
Through the app, Southwest customers can track checked bags from takeoff to landing, specifically when bag tags are printed, when bags are loaded and when bags are unloaded from the aircraft.
Bottom line
Only the Big Three airlines and Southwest currently provide the opportunity for travelers to check their luggage in real time. However, more airlines will hopefully add this feature to their apps in the not-too-distant future.
Even if you fly with an airline that offers this feature, consider purchasing a personal electronic tracking device, such as Apple Air Tags, to track your devices via Bluetooth for extra peace of mind.
To buy: Apple AirTag, $28.99 on Amazon; Apple Airtags 4-Pack, $88.99 on Amazon
Related reading:
- How to avoid checked baggage fees on major domestic airlines
- Which credit cards cover baggage delays?
- Delta baggage fees and how to avoid paying them
- United Airlines baggage fees and how to avoid paying them
- American Airlines baggage fees and how to avoid paying them
- Southwest baggage fees and how to avoid paying them
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees