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DOT Data Shows Which Airline Has the Best (And Worst) Track Record for Luggage

Nov. 17, 2018
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3 min read
Young man waiting for baggage
DOT Data Shows Which Airline Has the Best (And Worst) Track Record for Luggage
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The Department of Transportation (DOT) has released data in its latest air travel report about one of the many aspects of travel that can completely make or break your airport experience: luggage mishandling. Let's just say the results may make you reconsider your loyalty.

In the study conducted, the DOT essentially compared the track record for the top airlines' handling of baggage by revealing the rate of mishandled bags per 1,000 passengers. "Mishandled" encompasses a whole array of problems that could go wrong after you check your bag, including lost, damaged, delayed or pilfered luggage. The data comes from passenger reports received by airlines.

So, what did the study find?

In order from most mishandled bags to least, here are the results:

  • Envoy Air: 6.21 mishandled bags per 1,000 (Envoy Air is a subsidiary of American Airlines)
  • ExpressJet Airlines: 5.87 mishandled bags per 1,000 (ExpressJet Airlines operates as American Eagle and United Express)
  • SkyWest Airlines: 4.69 mishandled bags per 1,000 (SkyWest Airlines carries United, Delta, Alaska, and American Airlines flights)
  • American Airlines: 4.34 mishandled bags per 1,000
  • United Airlines: 3.15 mishandled bags per 1,000
  • Alaska Airlines: 3.09 mishandled bags per 1,000
  • Southwest Airlines: 2.90 mishandled bags per 1,000
  • Frontier Airlines: 2.77 mishandled bags per 1,000
  • Hawaiian Airlines: 2.58 mishandled bags per 1,000
  • JetBlue Airways: 1.97 mishandled bags per 1,000
  • Delta Air Lines: 1.94 mishandled bags per 1,000
  • Spirit Airlines: 1.84 mishandled bags per 1,000

In very last place, Envoy Air had a rate of 6.21 mishandled bags out of every 1,000. It doesn't help that the airline is a subsidiary of American Airlines, because AA was the lowest ranking major US airline in its own entity, coming in at 4.24 mishandled bags for every 1,000. On the other hand, it may be to your surprise that low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines took the cake here with only 1.84 mishandled bags for every 1,000. The highest ranking major US airline in this category was Delta, coming in second place with 1.94 mishandled bags for every 1,000.

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While the variance among the airlines' results only change in the thousandth decimal place, this data could surely reconstruct your inclination to fly with a certain airline, especially if luggage is a main factor for you.

The concern of mishandled luggage has been especially prevalent lately as travelers have spotted and shared footage of baggage handlers abusing their belongings time and time again. Not to mention the frustration that envelops frequent flyers when they don't spot their suitcase at baggage claim. And while several credit cards provide baggage insurance, it's still unsettling to be without the belongings you've deemed so essential that they've made the cut into your zippered or clamped travel companion.

Next time you find yourself watching an empty baggage belt go round and round at the airport, check out to getting reimbursed for lost or delayed luggage.

H/T: Business Insider

Featured image by Getty Images/iStockphoto

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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.