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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Katie Genter is a digital nomad who has traveled full time since June 2017. She writes and edits stories about points and miles, and loyalty programs, often letting her personal experiences color these stories.
April 7, 2025 • 9 min read
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Quick summary
Baggage delay protection is a benefit offered by select travel credit cards, reimbursing cardholders for essential items when checked luggage is delayed by a common carrier.
Coverage typically applies when a bag is delayed for a set number of hours and can include reimbursement for necessities like clothing and toiletries, though exclusions apply.
To be eligible, travelers generally must pay for at least part of their fare with the qualifying card, including taxes and fees on award tickets.
Claim processes require timely notification, documentation from the airline, and original receipts for purchases made during the delay.
What to consider
Coverage is usually secondary, requiring claims with the airline or travel insurance before using the card's benefit.
Certain items—such as electronics, jewelry, and business samples—are excluded from reimbursement, so these should be kept in carry-on luggage.
Most policies do not cover delays when returning to your primary residence, and strict timelines apply for filing claims and submitting documentation.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed step-by-step guide to maximizing baggage delay protection, including filing claims and understanding specific exclusions.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
If you check a bag, you’re familiar with the downsides. Waiting at baggage claim can delay the start of your trip, and careless bag handlers could damage your luggage.
The worst by far, though, is when your luggage isn’t there when you finally reach your destination. Even if the airline can tell you the location of your luggage (or even if you can find it using products like Apple AirTags), it still may take a while to be reunited with your bag.
Some airlines have policies for reimbursing travelers for essential items when a bag is delayed, but this reimbursement is often limited and can be difficult to obtain. Travel insurance is another option for seeking reimbursement.
But there’s also the option I rely on and have used multiple times: the baggage delay protection that is included on select credit cards simply by paying for the flight with one of these cards.
Here are some of the best credit cards that offer this perk to cardholders.
What is baggage delay protection?
Select credit cards offer baggage delay protection, which can reimburse you for the cost of necessary personal and business items while you wait for your checked bag when it’s delayed by a common carrier.
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A common carrier is a company that transports any public passenger who pays a fare or buys a ticket and provides service on a regular schedule; common carrier examples include planes, trains, ferries and cruise ships.
Generally, baggage delay protection covers the things that you might need while your bag is delayed. This includes items like a change of clothes and toiletries. But depending on your situation, other items might be allowable. Maximums and restrictions vary from credit card to credit card.
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Chase cards that offer baggage delay protection usually carry constraints. For example, the following items are excluded:
Hearing aids
Artificial teeth, dental bridges or prosthetic devices
Tickets, documents, money, securities, checks, traveler’s checks and valuable papers
Business samples
Jewelry and watches
Cameras, video recorders and other electronic equipment
Recreational equipment
These items above are items you want to always put in your carry-on bags.
The eligibility requirements differ from card to card, so check your specific guide to benefits to be sure.
Most of the cards discussed in this guide provide coverage as long as some part of the common carrier fare (like your airline ticket) is paid for either with the card or by redeeming points associated with the card.
This means that paying the taxes and fees on an award ticket counts as paying for part of the flight for most cards discussed here.
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That’s why you’ll want to use a credit card that provides benefits even when you book an award ticket and only pay the taxes and fees on the award using the card.
One final restriction to note: Most of the cards mentioned in this guide don’t provide baggage delay protection if your bag is delayed on your return to your primary residence.
The following cards offer baggage delay insurance if the bag has been delayed six hours or more. You'll be reimbursed up to $100 per day for up to five days.
Additionally, the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® offers baggage delay insurance if your bag is delayed for 12 hours or more. You'll receive up to $100 per day for up to three days.
The information for the AAdvantage Aviator Red, Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier, Iberia Visa Signature Card, Aer Lingus Visa Signature Card and the United Club Business Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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Note that most of the cards listed above also have the following restrictions:
Coverage is secondary, so you’ll need to file claims with the airline and any other sources (such as travel insurance) first
Immediate family is covered even if you book a ticket for them with your card but aren’t traveling with them
Coverage isn’t provided when your destination is your permanent residence
You may still want to use this card for your flights thanks to the 5 points per dollar spent you’ll earn for flights booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 of these purchases each year), but be sure to keep this limitation in mind when choosing which card to use.
*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Before filing a claim with your credit card’s benefits department, you’ll need to:
Notify the airline about the delayed or lost luggage. Generally, this is done by filing a report at the airline’s baggage services desk before leaving the airport. Get a copy of this report (including a reference or tracking number), as you’ll likely need to submit it with your claim.
Get documentation from the airline regarding the delayed baggage and the actions the airline is taking to locate and return the luggage. If the airline offers any reimbursement for items you need while your bag is delayed, get information on how to file this claim.
Keep original, itemized receipts of all necessary items you purchased while your baggage was delayed. If you are buying non-covered items at the same merchant — like snacks or entertainment for the kids — pay for these in separate transactions to avoid any confusion.
Keep any documentation provided when your delayed bag is delivered. This will prove the time the baggage was delivered.
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If your luggage is indeed delayed, take a look at your credit card’s guide to benefits to determine the next steps, or simply call the number on the back of your card if you don’t have your benefits guide handy. Don’t take too long, either, as you’ll need to start the claim process relatively quickly.
To give you some context on common timelines, if you purchased your trip with an eligible Chase credit card listed above, you’ll usually have 20 days from when your bag was delayed to file a claim notice.
Then, you’ll be sent a “Proof of Loss” form. You’ll need to return it along with receipts and other documentation within 90 days of your bag's delay. From there, approved claims can take up to 60 days to be paid.
Finally, if you’re flying Alaska Airlines or Delta Air Lines, be sure to file a claim for bonus miles. Both carriers will award you 2,500 bonus miles (Alaska also allows you to choose a $25 flight voucher) if your bag doesn’t reach baggage claim within 20 minutes of arrival.
Unfortunately, delayed baggage insurance is still relatively rare among credit cards. The good news, however, is that a couple of major credit cards do offer this insurance to help ease the process of traveling with checked luggage.
In the rare case when a bag is delayed, however, you’ll be glad you booked your flight with a credit card that offers a delayed baggage benefit. It cannot be stressed enough that the details of this oft-overlooked benefit differ from card to card, so be sure to check your guide to benefits for the exact details on the credit card you usually use to book flights.
That way, you’ll know what to do and what you’re entitled to if your luggage is delayed on a future trip.
