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Which airlines offer luggage tracking services?

Oct. 31, 2023
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3 min read
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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

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AMERICAN AIRLINES
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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

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DELTA AIR LINES
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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

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UNITED AIRLINES
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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 Airlines baggage tracker app
Southwest baggage tracker
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SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
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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.

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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:

Featured image by ANNA MONEYMAKER/GETTY IMAGES
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Why We Chose It

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Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.