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Airlines Mishandled 24% More Bags in 2021, According to a Study

Staffing shortages and downsizing at airports were some of the factors that affected luggage, according to the study.

Last year was a banner year for international travel, but unfortunately that also meant it was a banner year for mishandled bags, according to a new study.

The number of delayed, damaged, lost, or stolen bags increased 24% in 2021, helped by an increase in international flights, according to a study by aviation technology company SITA . In fact, a total of 4.35 bags per thousand passengers were mishandled around the world.

Staffing shortages and downsizing at airports were some of the issues that affected luggage , according to the study.

"The industry now needs to do more with less," David Lavorel, the CEO of SITA, said in a statement. "As we emerge from the pandemic, our customers' focus remains on safely managing the end-to-end transport of passengers' baggage, but now they must also reduce the total cost and training required. There is significant pressure to increase operational efficiency, which is accelerating digitalization."

The overwhelming majority of mishandled bags were delayed — 71% of them, a factor that was exacerbated by an increase in long-haul flights with connections, according to the study, since the likelihood of having luggage issues is about 4.7 times higher on international routes than on domestic ones.

Of all mishandled luggage in 2021, lost and stolen bags accounted for 6% of all problems, while damaged and pilfered baggage accounted for 23%.

In the United States, regional airline Envoy Air was the most likely to lose or mishandle a bag, according to a study from Luggage storage company LuggageHero , followed by American Airlines (which happens to own Envoy).

On the other hand, Allegiant Air was the least likely to lose a customer's luggage.

Travelers who do lose their bags en route should immediately let their airline know and make sure to hold on to their baggage claim check slip. It's also helpful if they have photos of their luggage to show airport staff as well as know the bag's brand, size, and color.

Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram .

Ends/Wednesday, November 29, 2023 Issued at HKT 11:42 NNNN

Welcome to Consumer Rescue

Fiascos and Fixes

Lost luggage: What to do before and after an airline loses your bags

Stephanie Patterson

Travel columnist

October 28, 2022

According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), mishandled baggage rates increased by 0.21% from January 2019 to January 2022. The percentage of luggage lost or delayed in the first six months of 2022 was .6%. That equates to 1,443,306 bags on domestic flights.

The good news: Lost or delayed luggage comprises a small percentage of the sheer volume of luggage transported from one airport to another.

But if an airline has lost your luggage, it becomes personal. Here’s what you need to know to make the ordeal a little less painful.

Table of contents

How to file a missing bag report, ask the airline about compensation for your expenses.

• When your flight cancels after you checked your luggage

Tracking devices for your bag and other services

• Special delayed, lost, or damaged luggage airline policies

When is your luggage officially lost?

Contract of carriage exclusions on valuables and high-priced items, what does the airline owe a passenger for a lost bag, what if the airline loses your luggage right before your cruise, how to prepare your bag when packing.

• Credit card benefits for delayed, lost, stolen, or damaged baggage 
• Travel insurance for delayed, lost, stolen, or damaged bags 

First up: Your luggage might not be lost

After a flight arrives, luggage is released in batches. This process can take 15 to 45 minutes. If you don’t see your bags, check the surrounding carousels to see if your suitcases were offloaded to the wrong location.

If your bag does not show up, notify the airline’s baggage claim desk. If you were on a connecting itinerary with more than one airline, go to the operating airline from your last flight.

If your bag is missing, file a report right away. Once the airline is aware of the problem, it can often identify where your wayward bag is and reroute it as necessary.

Some airlines will require you to file a report within four to twenty-four hours.

• Locate the baggage claim desk of the operating airline of your last flight.
• Inform the agent that your bag is missing. There’s a possibility that it could be in the baggage claim office.
• Provide the agent with a copy of the bag tag you received at check-in. The agent can track the location your bag was scanned last. They can then give you an estimate of when your bag will arrive. 
• Get a copy of the tracking number. 
• Fill out a missing bag report. It’s essential to provide a photo of the bag (if you took one) and a detailed description of the bag, including the color, size, hard side or soft side, and any bright ribbons or something added to make the bag more distinctive. Be sure to get a copy of the report before you leave.
• Provide your travel itinerary. If you’re continuing to another city, the airline will need to forward the bag. Ask for a written confirmation and an estimated delivery date.
• Give the agent your local address and contact information. It will be up to the airline to deliver your bag to the address you provide. The airline may ask you to wait at the airport or return later if your bag is arriving on the next flight. You have the right to refuse and request delivery. Confirm that the delivery service will be free. Your bag becomes the airline’s responsibility once you check it.
• Ask who you should contact and a phone number for status updates. You can generally track your lost baggage claim on the airline’s website or app.
• Ask if the airline will provide you with compensation for a change of clothes and reasonable necessities while waiting for your bag (see below.)
• Stay in frequent communication with the airline regarding the status of your bag.
• If you have coverage for lost or delayed luggage, notify your travel insurance and credit card company.

A delayed bag creates a hardship. You now have to shop for necessities and a change of clothes, which not only cuts into your vacation or business schedule but is money you didn’t plan on spending. 

The Department of Transportation requires airlines to provide monetary compensation to passengers if their bag is delayed, lost, pilfered, or damaged on domestic flights. The DOT does not allow airlines to set a daily limit on short-term expenses.

The airline must reimburse you for reasonable expenses that you can prove you made for clothing and necessities. Ask the airline what it typically pays for reimbursement.

The airline may provide you with an emergency kit with toiletries or other items. If the airline lost your child’s car seat, ask if there’s a complimentary one available.

Find out if the airline offers a flat dollar amount that it’s willing to pay up front. That would save you from having to file a claim for reimbursement. 

It’s essential to keep all your receipts for replacement items. You’ll need to provide these to the airline as proof of your expenditures and for filing a claim with your travel insurance or credit card.

How to request reimbursement of expenses for a missing bag

Most airlines require you to submit a claim for reimbursement of expenses for clothing and necessities. This claim must be filed within 30 days from the date your bag was delayed. 

Depending on the airline, you may be able to take your receipts to the baggage claim desk for reimbursement or fill out a statement of mishandling form online. You can also mail your receipts along with the required form. 

You’ll need the following information:

• Your delayed baggage reference number.
• A copy of your ticket receipt and baggage claim number.
• Your original receipts for the purchases you made. Note: keep a copy of the receipts if you plan to mail them. You’ll need these if you plan to file a claim with another source.

Note: If your bag is declared officially lost, the airline will deduct any amounts it paid from the final settlement.

If your luggage is missing on your return flight home, the airline may not offer to provide you with any compensation for purchasing necessities or clothing. However, it’s worth asking because there may be items in your bag that you will need and don’t have at home. Also, the DOT does not list this as an exclusion.

When you r fligh t cancels after you checked your luggage

If your flight is canceled after you have checked your luggage, the airline should rebook you on the next available flight and automatically reroute your bag (at least that’s how it’s supposed to work).

If your flight doesn’t leave until the following day, ask the airline if you can retrieve your luggage. However, if your bag has already been loaded onto the plane, it may not be accessible. Feel free to ask the airline for complimentary toiletries.

If your bag arrives on a different flight before you, the airline will hold it at the baggage claim desk. Track your bag on the airline’s website.

Additionally, if your flight is canceled and will not be rebooked, the airline will release checked bags to a designated carousel. Check with the airline for the carousel number.

Notify your travel insurance or credit card company

If you have travel insurance, notify the company that your bag is missing. The reimbursement amount paid by the airline may not be sufficient. Even though the DOT requires the airline to provide compensation for delayed luggage, there’s no guarantee it will.

If you have baggage benefits on the credit card you used to pay for your flight, inform the company. This coverage is generally secondary to insurance.

Ask how payments will be made. The reimbursement from the airline will more than likely take longer than a payment from your travel insurance company.

If you prefer to keep track of your bag, there are tracking devices available. With Apple’s  AirTag , you can track your bag with your iPhone and locate it via GPS. Put the tag inside your luggage.

There are also services like Blue Ribbon Bags which will track your bags for you — and give you an automatic cash payment if they can’t find your luggage within 96 hours. But make sure you fully understand the terms of use of any service you choose.

• What happened to his lost luggage? Blue Ribbon Bags knows

Escalate your complaint if necessary

If the airline is not providing you with information on the status of your bag, escalate your complaint using Twitter or by contacting customer service.

If it’s been over 24 hours and you still have not heard anything about your bag, you can file a complaint with the Department of Transportation .

Special delayed, lost, or damaged luggage airline policies

Airlines require passengers to report delayed or damaged luggage at baggage claim immediately between four and twenty-four hours, depending on the airline.  

United Airlines — $1,500 lost luggage settlement

With United Airlines , if your bag is not located within five days, you have the option to accept a  payment of $1,500 per bag for the value of your contents and the bag. This amount includes the baggage fees you paid to check your bag. You won’t have to fill out any additional paperwork. The baggage claim department will process the payment if you choose to accept it. If your contents are worth more than $1,500, you’ll need to file a detailed claim report online for lost luggage.

Note: United Airlines passengers with lost luggage can call 1-800-335-2247 to get the claim process started.

Delta Air Lines — 20-minute guarantee

Delta Air Lines states that if your bag does not arrive on the carousel within 20 minutes of when the aircraft door opens, you could earn 2,500 bonus miles. This bonus is valid on domestic flights and in Puerto Rico. You can request these bonus miles for delayed luggage from Delta here .

Alaska Airlines — 20-minute guarantee

Alaska Airlines offers 2,500 bonus miles or a $25 discount on a future flight if your luggage does not arrive on the carousel within 20 minutes. You must get an authorization code from a customer service agent at the airport and then submit your request through Alaska Airlines’ online delayed luggage claim form .

Airline links regarding lost, delayed, or damaged luggage

Alaska Airlines

American Airlines  

British Airways

Delta Air Lines

Frontier 

Hawaiian Airlines

Southwest 

According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), airlines have different policies as to when they declare a bag as officially lost. The time frame for domestic flights is typically between five and fourteen days. 

For international flights under the Montreal Convention, the airline has 21 days to locate a missing bag before it must declare a bag as lost.

The airline is responsible for paying you for the contents of your bag. However, it will factor in depreciation when determining the amount you will receive. 

It’s important to note that the airlines are not liable to compensate passengers for items listed as an exclusion in their contract of carriage on domestic flights.

A list of commonly excluded items includes fragile items, electronics, laptops, cameras, cash, eyeglasses, medications, valuables, jewelry, artwork, furs, some musical instruments, expensive sporting equipment, investment documents, and more. 

For international flights, the airlines are responsible for valuables and high-priced items (up to the liability limit as set by the Montreal Convention), even if the passenger does not inform the airline when checking their bag. The airline may request proof that valuables were in your bag. This is where documenting your contents with photos, receipts, and a list of items would be helpful.

File a lost baggage claim

When the airline declares your bag as officially lost, you’ll need to submit an additional claim to receive payment for your lost items. You can usually do this on the airline’s website. Your claim will include a detailed report listing all the contents of your bag. The airline may request the purchase date and value or original receipts.  

While packing, take photos of all the items you put in your bag and keep receipts of recent purchases. This will provide documentation if your bag gets lost.

What an airline owes you if it loses your bags will depend on whether you’re flying domestically or internationally.

Department of Transportation for domestic flights

The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires airlines to pay passengers up to $3,800 for lost bags on a domestic flight.  

According to the DOT, the airline is responsible for your luggage once you check it in. It cannot shift the responsibility to security if there’s a problem with your bag.

If the airline does not consider your bag as lost after a reasonable amount of time, it can be subject to enforcement action by the DOT. 

You can file a claim with the DOT if the airline does not adhere to these regulations.

Payment of contents based on fair market value 

The airline’s liability limit is based on the fair market value of the contents. The amount will be based on a depreciated value.

There’s no guarantee that you will receive the full amount of $3,800. The airline will deduct any previous payments made for clothing and necessities from the final settlement. 

Payments for valuables or expensive items

As mentioned, if the airline’s contract of carriage excludes any valuables or high-priced items that were in your bag. it is not liable for domestic travel. It will reimburse you a flat amount that will be substantially less than the actual value.

Montreal Convention covers international flights

The Montreal Convention establishes the regulations for international flights. The airline’s maximum liability is 1,288 SDR (Special Drawing Rights) per customer for checked and unchecked bags. Currently, 1 SDR is equal to $1.28. The current maximum liability for lost luggage is $1,654 per passenger (not per bag).

For international travel, the airline is responsible for the payment of valuables or expensive items up to the maximum liability amount.

Refund of baggage fees

The airline must refund baggage fees for lost bags. This includes domestic and international flights.

Traveling with valuables or expensive items

You should pack valuables and expensive items in your carry-on bag. The airlines limit their liability by listing these items as exclusions.

As mentioned, some common exclusions include eyeglasses, medicine, money, electronics, jewelry, fragile items, antiques, laptops, artifacts, artwork, cameras, furs, computers, some musical instruments or expensive sports equipment, investment documents, and more.

It’s in your best interest to keep expensive items at home. If you must travel with jewelry or other valuables worth $1,000 or more, you can buy an extra endorsement with travel insurance or your homeowner’s policy that covers these items. You can also purchase excess valuation coverage through the airline. But under no circumstances should you gate check $158,000 worth of uninsured jewelry as this passenger did .

Excess valuation coverage through the airline

Some airlines allow you to purchase excess valuation when your personal contents exceed the maximum amount of compensation ($3,800 for domestic and $1,654 for international flights.)

For example, Alaska and American Airlines will cover valuables up to $5,000 if you purchase the added coverage. Alaska charges $1 for every $100 worth of value, and American charges $5 for every $100 worth of value.

There’s one caveat, though. Depending on the airline, you will need to purchase insurance from each carrier if there’s more than one airline on your itinerary. You would then have to claim your bag at the connecting airport, re-check it with the next carrier, and buy excess valuation coverage. 

If the airline loses your luggage when you are about to embark on a cruise, there is hope that you can still reconnect with your bag.

Before leaving the airport, file a claim with the baggage claim desk. If your bag has not arrived by embarkation, present your claim number, case number, and baggage service contact information to the cruise concierge. The concierge will often work with the airline to have your bag rerouted to the ship at the next port.

Ask if the cruise line will continue to track your bag since it could be costly for you to make calls while out to sea.

The cruise line will often provide complimentary laundry service and emergency kits with toiletries.

At Consumer Rescue, we recommend that passengers embarking on a cruise arrive two days (or at least one day) in advance. Otherwise, you risk missing your cruise entirely if your flight has a problem.

• Here’s why you should never fly on the same day as your cruise

If your luggage is arriving on a later flight, you could end up cruising without your belongings and may not have time to shop for clothing or necessities.

What if the cruise line loses my bag?

Contact guest services if your bag does not arrive in your room. Curbside porters are not employees of the cruise line. If you believe they lost your bag, the cruise line may ask you to contact the porter management.

Cruise lines offer limited compensation for lost or stolen bags. Carnival offers $50 a bag, while Viking provides $500 per passenger.

Some cruise lines like Windstar, Celebrity, and Viking offer additional coverage (up to $5,000) if you pay a percentage (1-5%) of the value and provide written notice of the contents.

You will receive additional coverage if you purchase travel insurance through the cruise line. For example, with Carnival and Royal Caribbean insurance, you can receive up to $1,500 for bags that are lost or stolen. It will also reimburse up to $500 for necessities when the cruise line delays your bags.

Pro-tip: Before you leave your luggage behind at your port-side hotel expecting it to be delivered to your cruise ship, make sure the property actually offers such a service. Otherwise, you could end up cruising without your clothes as these passengers did:

• My luggage went missing on the way to my cruise. I want a full refund !

What to pack in your carry-on bag

You should carry important documents such as your passport, visa, birth certificate, identification, credit cards, and cash on your person or carry-on. You will be denied boarding if you do not have the necessary identification.

• Pack your eyeglasses, contacts, cash, credit cards, and prescription drugs.
• Include a change of clothes for two days, along with pajamas or sweats for comfort.
• If on a cruise, pack your swimsuit and dinner attire.
• Pack a pair of shoes in addition to the ones you have on.
• Pack valuables such as jewelry, electronics, laptop, or other fragile items in your carry-on bag.

To make your luggage easier to find, make your bag stand out from the crowd. Document the contents in your bag while packing.

• Many bags look alike. Add something to make your bag stand out such as a bright-colored ribbon on the handle or colored duct tape.
• Put a copy of your itinerary and your contact information inside the bag.
• Put your contact information on the handle of the bag. It’s not a good idea to put your home address outside the bag. Put your name and cell phone number only.
• Lay all the contents on the bed before putting them in the suitcase. Take photos of all the items and note the contents. This will provide proof of what was inside. Keep receipts of recent purchases.
• Take a photo of the outside of the bag. This will help the airline to identify it.
• If you are traveling with your spouse or partner, a suggestion would be to pack some of your items in each other’s bag.

How to r educe your chances of lost or delayed luggage

• Nonstop flights are less likely to lose your luggage.
• Avoid tight connections. Your bag may not make it to your connecting flight. This is especially important when flying internationally.
• Avoid checking your bag at the last minute.
• Be sure to keep your baggage claim ticket in a safe place.
• Have the correct information on the outside of your bag and remove all old tags.

Credit card benefits for delayed, lost, stolen, or damaged baggage 

The credit card you used to purchase your ticket may offer benefits for lost, damaged, delayed, or stolen luggage while on common carriers such as airlines, buses, trains, and cruises. Find out if the coverage is worldwide.

• You have to file a claim with the carrier and the credit card company within a specified time frame.
• Credit card benefits are typically secondary to insurance benefits and payments from the carrier. They will cover up to a specified limit (often $3,000) and will not duplicate any payments. Credit card benefits usually cover two claims per year.
• There are exclusions. Credit card benefits may not cover sporting equipment, musical instruments, electronics, eyeglasses, cash, tickets, jewelry, art, collectibles, and items with defective workmanship.
• Credit card benefits may reimburse you for necessities and clothing when your luggage is delayed four or more hours. For example, a standard Visa plan will pay up to $300 for reasonable expenses.
• If the carrier denies the claim regarding your baggage, the credit card company will not pay either.

How to file a claim with your credit card company

You’ll need the following:

• A copy of the initial claim report that you filed with the carrier.
• A receipt for the purchase of your tickets or a statement.
• A police report for a stolen bag.
• Proof of the settlement paid by the carrier.
• A receipt for the cost of repair.

Travel insurance for delayed, lost, stolen, or damaged bags 

Before purchasing travel insurance, consider what you will be packing. If you plan to pack expensive or valuable items, find a plan that will provide adequate coverage. Many travel insurance policies do not cover high-end items over $500.

Some policies will only cover checked bags, whereas others will cover carry-on bags and personal items throughout the trip.

Reimbursement amounts will not cover the cost of replacing your items. You’ll receive the current cash value or the cost of repair.

Travel insurance coverage for delayed baggage

Benefits do not usually kick in until your luggage has been delayed for 12 to 24 hours.

After 12 or 24 hours, the benefits will cover expenses for clothing, toiletries, and other reasonable necessities. The travel insurance will not duplicate any payments made by the carrier or other insurance sources but can be in addition to the payments received.

Travel insurance policies usually pay a specified amount per person with a maximum daily payout.

Filing a claim is usually easy, and you could receive a payment within 48 hours or less.

• You’ll need to provide proof of the delay and the length of the delay.
• You will need receipts for any clothing and necessities that you purchased.
• You may need to provide proof of payments made by the carrier.

Travel insurance coverage for lost, damaged, or stolen baggage

Travel insurance provides coverage for personal items that are lost, damaged, or stolen. The payment will not duplicate payments made by the carrier or another insurance source.

The policy will include an overall coverage limit, a per-item limit, a specific item limit, and a per-person limit . More expensive items are subject to a specific item limit. For example, the insurance company may reimburse you up to $500 total for all jewelry, electronics, cell phones, furs, laptops, sports equipment, and more.

• You’ll need to prove that your bag was lost, stolen, or damaged. This would include a claim filed with the carrier or a police report. 
• Some policies will cover your personal belongings throughout the trip, while others will only cover checked baggage.
• As has been noted, eyeglasses and hearing aids are typically not covered.
• You may need to provide the original receipt for more expensive items.
• Payments are based on the actual cash value of your lost or stolen items.
• Provides coverage for the cost of repairing the damaged item.

Homeowners insurance covers your property when traveling

Homeowners insurance covers your personal property at home or when you travel. You will need to pay a deductible.

You could file a claim with your homeowners insurance if the payments you received from the carrier and other sources did not adequately cover your losses. 

Consequently, it’s worth it to file a claim if you have an endorsement covering specific high-end items that are lost or stolen.

Lost or damaged assistive devices used by passengers

The DOT regulates the airlines’ responsibilities regarding lost or damaged assistive devices used by passengers with disabilities. Assistive devices include wheelchairs, canes, walkers, hearing aids, crutches, portable oxygen, prescription medications and devices to administer them, braces, and CPAP machines.

Comparatively, assistive devices do not have the same liability limit ($3,800 maximum) as luggage. If an assistive device is lost or damaged, the airline is required to reimburse the passenger for the original purchase price. For example, if the airline loses an assistive device that costs $10,000, it is liable for $10,000.

If an assistive device (like a wheelchair) must be disassembled for transport, the airline must return it in the same condition it was received.

Bottom Line:

If you are left standing at the carousel waiting for a bag that appears to have stood you up, you are not alone. From January to June of this year, 1,443,306 bags were misplaced on domestic flights. 

Of course, everyone would prefer that their travels go smoothly, but that’s not always the case. If you have not received a response from your airline on a compensation claim and would like help, contact the Consumer Rescue team here. 

There is no charge for these services (amazing, right?). Our advocacy team has a highly successful track record and is always here to help. (Stephanie Patterson, Consumer Rescue)

Before you go: Check out Consumer Rescue’s ultimate guide to TSA Precheck, Global Entry, and CLEAR.

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Hong kong bus operators grapple with high lost trip rates, government mulls penalties.

29th November 2023 – (Hong Kong) Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Lam Sai-hung, disclosed on Wednesday that the city’s bus franchises experienced a lost trip rate of 2.7 per cent in the first half of 2023. The term ‘lost trip’ refers to instances where a bus operator fails to operate a scheduled departure, with the rate representing the percentage of lost trips against total scheduled departures.

Among the bus franchises, New World First Bus, recently amalgamated with Citybus, recorded the highest lost trip rate of 4.5 per cent. KMB, another prominent operator, posted a rate of 2.6 per cent.

Citybus fared slightly better, with its franchise for the Hong Kong Island and Cross-Harbour bus network marking a rate of 2.4 per cent. The franchise for the Airport and North Lantau bus network registered a lower rate of 1.8 per cent.

These figures were disclosed in a written response by Lam to inquiries from lawmaker Luk Chung-hung. According to Lam, from late 2019 to June 2023, the Transport Department issued an average of 400 reminder or advisory letters per year to bus operators. Additionally, one warning letter was sent to an individual operator for lost trips resulting from failure to adjust bus services adequately following the relaxation of social distancing measures between the end of 2020 and early 2021.

Lam asserted that bus operators generally respond proactively and sincerely to these letters, aiming to reduce the issue of lost trips. He commended the effectiveness of this communication mechanism.

However, he warned that the government could resort to stricter measures if a franchised bus operator persistently records high lost trip rates without implementing effective remedial measures. Penalties may be imposed on the operator.

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How to find your lost luggage — and what compensation airlines owe you

N othing is more headache-inducing than when an airline loses track of your checked bag and you arrive at your destination — and your belongings do not.

But travel experts say lost or delayed luggage can actually present an opportunity — to go shopping on the airline's dime. 

"When your bag does get delayed, you are essentially allowed to go purchase things that you need in the interim," said Scott Keyes, founder of Going.com, a travel tips site. 

Of the 362.6 million bags checked on direct flights with the 10 largest airlines and their partners from January through September, 2.25 million were lost or damaged, according to a report from the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection. 

The rate of mishandling bags was even worse this year: Airlines lost or damaged 93,275 more bags from January through September of 2023 compared with the same period one year earlier, according to the same report. 

The sliver lining is that Federal regulations actually require airlines to compensate passengers for expenses they incur when their bags don't get from point A to point B as promised in airlines' contracts of carriage. 

Specifically, under Department of Transportation regulations , if a bag is delayed, airlines are required to reimburse customers for "reasonable, verifiable and actual incidental expenses," and cannot set limits on daily expenditures — such as $50 — for each day that a bag is delayed. 

Rolexes probably not covered

That's the upside to an airline temporarily misplacing your bag: You can essentially go shopping for free. 

"You're not going to buy a Rolex, many people wouldn't consider that reasonable. But if you need a new set of clothes and a new hairbrush, those are things that absolutely should be reimbursed by airlines," Keyes said. "I wouldn't personally be spending thousands and thousands because the airline might fight you or say they weren't reasonable expenses — but you don't need to scrimp and save and only shop at the dollar store."

Reasonable expenses can include the cost of lost or delayed clothing, toiletries and more. 

"At first blush, when your bag doesn't show up and is delayed, it seems like a headache, then you take a step back and say this is actually an opportunity," Keyes said. 

It's similar to when an airline after canceling a leg of your trip, rebooks you at no additional cost on a more favorable flight that would have otherwise cost more money. 

When is a bag considered lost?

The exact number varies from airline to airline, but most give themselves between five and 14 days to try to track down a given piece of luggage before declaring it lost, at which point passengers are entitled to reimbursement for lost items.

Under DOT regulations, passengers on domestic flights are entitled to claim up to $3,800 depending on the total combined value of the items they were traveling with. 

Airlines will typically ask for an accounting of items, particularly valuables, contained in lost bags, or proof of contents through photographs or receipts. 

"You won't automatically get $3,800, but if you have stuff in there that adds up to that amount, you would recover that," LegalShield attorney Ben Farrow told CBS MoneyWatch. "If you packed fancy tuxedos and a ball gown, things of value you could demonstrate were in there, they would pay up to $3,800."

On international flights, despite most passengers packing more items when traveling abroad, the maximum reimbursement limit is roughly $1,700, under a treaty called the Montreal Convention.

Wheelchairs, walkers, prosthetic limbs

An exception to the limit applies for passengers traveling with prosthetic limbs or assistive devices such as walkers and wheelchairs . 

If an airline loses a passenger's assistive device on a domestic flight, the company is liable for the full cost of the device, even when it exceeds $3,800.

International flights are less clear. Lost assistive devices in flights abroad are "subject to the maximum liability limit set by the applicable international treaty," according to the DOT.

How to get reimbursed

When the conveyor belt at the baggage claim stops turning and your bag has not appeared, immediately file a lost bag claim ticket with the airline. 

Know your rights, outlined above, and if an airline tries to give you a $50 voucher, reject it. 

Generally speaking, the more information and documentation you can provide the airline, the better your chances of being fully reimbursed will be. 

"Especially if you are talking about electronics or equipment, having the model numbers, serial numbers and photographs is all the better," Teresa Murray, consumer advocate at U.S. PIRG told CBS MoneyWatch. "They won't expect receipts for things you bought five years ago, but you would need to have some kind of itemization."

File a form to report your bags, delayed, damaged or lost with the airline here . 

To receive reimbursement for expenses incurred related to delayed bags from Delta, save your receipts for interim costs and submit them via the airline's "Out of Pocket Expense" form. Receipts are required for reimbursement, the airline notes on its site.

Delta states on its website that "reasonable expenses are generally determined as $50" per day, though it acknowledges that's not a cap it can enforce. 

Report your bag missing or delayed at the airport's United Baggage Service desk or online using your bag's checked luggage tag number.

The airline states on its site that "if your bag gets delayed, we will pay you back for any surprise costs if you send us receipts."

Submit receipts for interim costs while your bag is missing here . Claims are typically processed within four to six weeks, the airline notes.

Passengers can submit claims for permanently lost bags after five days here by describing the bag, listing what's inside and submitting proof of its contents, if possible. 

The airline advises passengers to report their bags missing within four hours of arrival at a destination. Report missing luggage to the airline's baggage service office before leaving the airport, and use the identification number they give you to file claims  online for reimbursement. 

First, file a report in person at the airport or online . Do so within four hours of your arrival. Submit receipts for reimbursement via the same portal. After five days, submit a claim for compensation for lost bags. 

Rules of thumb

To prepare for a scenario in which an airline misplaces or permanently loses your bag, follow these tips from travel and consumer rights experts. 

• Always take a quick photo of your bag's exterior as well as its contents before zipping it closed and checking it with the airline. 
• Book a nonstop flight for simpler baggage check logistics.
• Pay for your ticket and checked bag with a credit card; card companies often offer protections for clients on top of airlines' guarantees..
• Keep medications and other valuables in your carry-on bag.
• Use an AirTag or similar tracking device to keep tabs on your bag's whereabouts .

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The 10 Best Cards for Lost or Delayed Baggage Coverage [2024]

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Lost, Damaged, or Stolen Baggage Insurance

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It comes as no surprise to frequent travelers that airlines sometimes mishandle baggage. The good news, however, is that the rate at which bags are mishandled has declined significantly. This improvement comes even as the number of travelers worldwide has increased by over 60% in a 10-year period. ¹

This welcome decline, detailed in a 2022 report by air transport IT specialist SITA, is a result of increased airline automatic baggage tracking systems, new regulations requiring airlines to track bags, home-printed bag tags, self-service bag drops, and other technology advancements in baggage tracking.

According to SITA, the number of mishandled bags worldwide is down from 5.60 bags per thousand in 2019 to just 4.35 bags per thousand in 2021. In the U.S., your chances of mishandled bags are 1.85 per thousand.

The lower frequency of lost, damaged, or delayed bags may mean little unless the mishandled bag is your bag.

Lost, damaged, or delayed baggage coverage that comes with your travel rewards credit card can alleviate the pain of the experience. Coverage that compensates you for lost or damaged luggage, lost contents, or replacement items due to a delay, can be a welcome benefit should you need it.

While airlines are required to compensate you when your bags are mishandled, it’s good to have complimentary baggage coverage as a backup if airline compensation does not cover your entire loss.

Here’s a review on how baggage insurance works, which cards carry this useful coverage, and some helpful tips on how to avoid lost, stolen, or delayed baggage.

How Does Baggage Insurance Work?

There are several things that can happen to your baggage during your trip. The common carrier could lose your bags, the bags could become damaged, someone could steal your bags, or your bags could just be delayed.

Regardless of the event, you’ll still be inconvenienced, and you may even incur unplanned expenses.

Here’s what you can expect when you have baggage insurance on your credit card.

This coverage normally covers an incident where your bag is lost, damaged, or stolen while in the care of a common carrier such as an airline, train, bus company, or cruise line. Coverage includes the cost of the contents and either replacing or repairing the lost/damaged baggage.

The common carrier would normally provide compensation for such an incident. The lost, damaged, or stolen baggage insurance that comes on your credit card is in excess of, or secondary to, coverage above what the airline would pay.

The top 3 reasons bags get lost, as reported by SITA, are the following:

• Transfer mishandling
• Failure to load
• Ticketing error/bag switch/security/other

The current limit of liability for airlines is $3,800 for each bag lost, damaged, stolen, or delayed domestically, and around $1,780 for international travel itineraries.

Delayed baggage insurance is really a means of reimbursing you for incidental expenses you incur when your bags are delayed longer than a specified amount of time.

According to the 2022 SITA report cited earlier, the top reasons for delayed baggage include:

• Transfer mishandling (41%)
• Failure to load (18%)
• Ticketing error/bag switch/security/other (18%)
• Airport/customs/weather/space-weight restriction (8%)
• Tagging error (6%)
• Arrival mishandling (5%)
• Loading error (4%)

Regardless of the reason your bags are delayed, chances are you’ll need to replenish essential items while you’re without your possessions. Airlines are required to reimburse for incidental expenses up to $3,800 domestically and approximately $1,780 internationally.

The 5 Best Personal Cards for Baggage Insurance

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve ®  is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access , with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
• 5x points on airfare booked through Chase Travel SM
• 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
• $300 annual travel credit
• Priority Pass airport lounge access
• TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
• Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
• Rental car elite status with National and Avis
• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck ®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
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Chase Ultimate Rewards

• Chase Sapphire Reserve 100k Bonus Offer
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• Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is a premium travel rewards card that offers a long list of travel insurance benefits . In addition to baggage insurance, you’ll find travel-related benefits including worldwide airport lounge access , travel statement credits, 50% more redemption value for travel, and the ability to transfer points to travel partners.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with both baggage delay and lost luggage coverage:

• Baggage delay — up to $100 per day for 5 days for baggage delays of over 6 hours
• Lost luggage — up to $3,000 per passenger

Currently, it offers a solid welcome bonus, as well as the ability to earn up to 10x Ultimate Rewards points . The earnings are broken down like this:

• 10x points on car rentals, hotels, and dining booked via Ultimate Rewards
• 10x Ultimate Rewards points on Lyft through March 31, 2025
• 5x points on airfare booked via Ultimate Rewards
• 3x points on all other dining and travel purchases
• 1x points on all other purchases

That means you can earn a return on spending of up to 20%, according to our valuations. That’s almost unheard of!

And when you’re a Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholder, you’ll get a $300 annual travel credit every anniversary year, a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership , access to the Chase Luxury Hotel & Resorts Collection , a $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee credit , and the best travel insurance in the business .

Digging even deeper, you’ll find a complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership perk , a 50% redemption bonus for booking through Chase Travel (to get 1.5 cents per point of redemption value), and the ability to use Pay Yourself Back for a 25% to 50% bonus on rotating categories.

This card has no foreign transaction fees, as well as purchase protection , extended warranty, and so much more.

Why We Like Earning Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

We love Ultimate Rewards points because of their flexibility and top-shelf value. With a value of 2 cents each, the elevated earning rates on some bonus categories of 10x, 5x, and 3x points, are equivalent to returns of 20%, 10%, and 6%, respectively.

You can redeem points through Chase Travel, for cash-back, gift cards, statement credits, charitable donations , Amazon.com purchases, and more.

But with a little bit of planning and strategy, you can transfer your points to Chase travel partners for award travel . This way, you can get a much higher redemption value.

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred ® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance . With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
• 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide
• $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Travel portal
• 6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
• Excellent travel and car rental insurance
• 10% annual bonus points
• No foreign transaction fees
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt
• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable
• The Chase Sapphire Preferred 80k or 100k Bonus Offer
• Benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred
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• Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Sapphire Preferred
• Amex Gold vs Chase Sapphire Preferred

Despite having a lower annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers best-in-class travel insurance benefits  like primary rental car insurance coverage , trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance, and trip delay coverage. This includes baggage insurance!

The coverage for baggage insurance on the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is identical to the baggage insurance coverage on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card:

With this card, you’ll earn 5x Ultimate Rewards points on travel booked through Chase Travel, 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries, 2x points on all other travel, and 1x points on all other purchases.

Plus, with a 10% points bonus after every anniversary , you can earn a boost of points each year.

And that’s after a generous welcome bonus .

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card also boasts a $50 annual statement credit for hotel stays booked through Chase Travel. You can also use this card to shop with peace of mind, thanks to the purchase protection, zero fraud liability, and extended warranty benefits.

Lastly, there are no foreign transaction fees or costs to add authorized users.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card ® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card  is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access , hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
• Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment ( airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit )
• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
• Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
• Access to Amex International Airline Program
• No foreign transaction fees ( rates and fees )
• $695 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards ® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card ® , Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts ® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card ® . The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card ® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card ® . Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card ® .
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card ® . Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
• $189 CLEAR ® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card ® . Learn more.
• $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck ® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card ® . Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card ® . That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card ® . An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card ® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.
• APR: See Pay Over Time APR

American Express Membership Rewards

• Amex Platinum 150k Welcome Bonus Offer
• Benefits of The Amex Platinum
• How to Use 100,000 Amex Platinum Points
• Amex Platinum Card Requirements
• American Express Platinum Military Benefits
• Amex Platinum and Business Platinum Lounge Access
• Amex Platinum Benefits for Authorized Users
• Amex Platinum vs Delta Platinum
• Capital One Venture X vs Amex Platinum
• Amex Platinum vs Delta Reserve

Hot Tip:  Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

The Amex Platinum card is considered one of the best premium travel rewards cards on the market.

Undoubtedly, it offers the most luxury benefits of any card out there. If you look at the card table above, you’ll routinely see gigantic welcome bonuses for new cardmembers.

With a long list of luxury travel benefits such as worldwide lounge access , hotel and car rental elite status, 5x bonus earning categories, travel insurance , and statement credits, the card is a wise choice for the frequent traveler.

Although it doesn’t offer delayed baggage insurance , it offers lost luggage coverage of up to $3,000 per covered person. For New York State residents, the total coverage amount is capped at $10,000 for all travelers and a maximum of $2,000 per bag.

Additionally, you are eligible to earn up to 5x Membership Rewards points as shown here:

• Earn 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or with AmexTravel.com (on the first $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year)
• Earn 5x points on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
• Earn 1x points on all other purchases

The reason why we love this card, though, is that it offers one of the longest lists of luxury travel benefits out there:

• Access to Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection (includes perks like free breakfast and upgrades)
• Access to the  American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
• Complimentary rental car privileges with Avis, Hertz, and National
• Up to $200 in airline fee credits
• Up to $200 in prepaid hotel credits
• $189 in CLEAR Plus credits
• Up to $100 in Saks Fifth Avenue credits
• Up to $240 in digital entertainment credits
• Up to $100 in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credits
• Up to $300 in Equinox credits
• Up to $12.95 in monthly Walmart+ credits

It doesn’t end there — you’ll still get purchase protection, extended warranty, zero liability fraud protection, and no foreign transaction fees ( rates & fees ).

Why We Like Earning American Express Membership Rewards Points

We love earning American Express Membership Rewards points because they’re invaluable — worth 2.2 cents by our valuations — so you’ll earn a return on spending of up to 11% with the Amex Platinum card.

Although you can use these points for cash-back , gift cards, merchandise, statement credits, charity, and travel booked through AmexTravel.com, we are strong proponents of transferring your points to the American Express transfer partners .

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• $300 annual travel credit on bookings made through Capital One Travel
• Unlimited complimentary access for cardholder and 2 guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• 10,000 bonus miles awarded on your account anniversary each year
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
• Add authorized users for no additional annual fee ( rates & fees )
• No foreign transaction fees ( rates & fees )
• $395 annual fee ( rates & fees )
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status
• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ®
• APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

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The Capital One Venture X card is one of our all-time favorite credit cards. But Capital One hit it out of the park here with a huge list of perks in a single card.

Start off on the right foot with a generous welcome bonus and incredible bonus categories of up to 10x Capital One miles :

• 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles on all other purchases

You’ll notice that this is one of the few credit cards that earns 2x miles on all purchases, regardless of categories — and these miles can be transferred to travel partners, too.

The card doesn’t offer delayed baggage insurance , but offers up to $3,000 per covered person for lost luggage , and also offers valuable protections like travel insurance .

Looking further, the Capital One Venture X card has an annual travel credit of $300 for Capital One Travel bookings, an anniversary bonus of 10,000 miles every account anniversary year, complimentary access to Capital One Lounges and Plaza Premium Lounges , a Priority Pass Select membership, Hertz President’s Circle status , and an up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit.

This is one of the few credit cards with cell phone protection insurance . It also offers rental car insurance , no foreign transaction fees ( rates & fees ), and the ability to add up to 4 authorized users for no additional annual fees ( rates & fees ).

Why We Like Earning Capital One Miles

Capital One miles are worth around 1.8 cents each, which means you can earn a return on spending as high as 18% when you use the Capital One Venture X card.

When it’s time to book travel, transfer those hard-earned Capital One miles to airline and hotel partners for luxury first and business class travel.

If that doesn’t fit your needs, you can use Capital One miles at a reduced value for cash-back, gift cards, online shopping, statement credits, and Capital One Travel.

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

The American Express ® Gold Card  is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

• 4x points per dollar at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; and 1x thereafter
• 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at Amex Travel
• Up to $120 annual dining credit: up to $10 monthly statement credit when you pay with the Amex Gold card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com , Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations
• Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash : get $10 monthly in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. when you add your Gold Card to your Uber account
• No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees )
• Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection
• Access to American Express transfer partners
• $250 annual fee (see rates and fees )
• No lounge access
• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards ® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards ® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards ® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards ® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and 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, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
• Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
• Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $250.
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Hot Tip:  Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 90,000 points with the Amex Gold card. The current public offer is 60,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

The Amex Gold card has a dual personality. It’s a fine choice as a travel rewards card for both earning and redemption, while also offering 4x earnings on everyday purchases at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide.

While the card doesn’t offer delayed baggage insurance , it offers lost luggage coverage of up to $1,250 per person. For New York State residents, this is capped at a total of $10,000 for all covered passengers on the covered trip.

But what’s really special about this product is that the Amex Gold card offers many benefits like generous earnings, travel benefits, and everyday protections, in addition to baggage coverage.

It’s one of the best credit cards for daily spending because it offers exceedingly attractive bonus categories on top of an already awesome welcome bonus.

Expect to earn up to 4x Membership Rewards points :

• 4x points at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year)
• 3x points on flights purchased directly with the airline or at AmexTravel.com

That’s equivalent to a maximum return on spending of 8.8%, by our valuations.

In total, this card also offers up to $240 in statement credits every year:

• $10 per month in Uber Cash for rides or eats orders in the U.S. (up to $120 per year)
• $10 per month in dining credits at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Milk Bar, select Shake Shack locations, and Wine.com (up to $120 per year)

It confers access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection , travel insurance, and Amex Offers , and has no foreign transaction fees ( rates & fees ).

The 5 Best Business Cards for Baggage Insurance

Ink Business Preferred ® Credit Card

The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.

The Ink Business Preferred ® Credit Card is a powerhouse for earning lots of points from your business purchases , especially for business owners that spend regularly on ads.

Plus the card offers flexible redemption options, including access to Chase airline and hotel transfer partners where you can achieve outsized value.

Business owners will also love the protections the card provides like excellent cell phone insurance , rental car insurance, purchase protection, and more.

• 3x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 on up to $150,000 in combined purchases on internet, cable and phone services, shipping expenses, travel, and ads purchased with search engines or social media sites
• Cell phone protection
• Purchase protection
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
• Rental car insurance
• Extended warranty coverage
• No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access
• Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
• Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
• Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
• With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
• Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
• Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
• APR: 21.24%-26.24% Variable
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Similar to the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, the Ink Business Preferred card also offers travel insurance benefits including primary rental car insurance coverage, trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance, and trip delay coverage.

Currently, this card’s baggage insurance matches the Chase Sapphire Reserve card and Chase Sapphire Preferred card:

The main difference is that the Ink Business Preferred card has some amazing business spending categories jam-packed into a card with a low annual fee, which is why we refer to it as the king of small business credit cards.

First of all, the welcome bonus is absolutely killer, easily worth $2,000 by itself!

On up to $150,000 per cardmember anniversary year in combined purchases, you can earn 3x Ultimate Rewards points in these categories:

• Ads purchased with search engines or social media sites
• Internet, cable, and phone services
• Shipping expenses

If you max out the 3x points, your business travel purchases can enjoy baggage insurance  and a return on spending of 6%.

This credit card comes with primary rental car insurance, cell phone protection, extended warranty, purchase protection, no foreign transaction fees, no additional fees for employee cards, and zero liability for fraud.

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges , along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Hot Tip:  Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 120,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

• 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
• Up to $200 annual airline fee credit on your selected qualifying airline
• Statement credits on select purchases with your card
• 35% airline bonus when using Pay With Points (up to 1,000,000 bonus points per calendar year)
• Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
• Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (cap applies)
• Access to Amex’s Fine Hotels & Resorts program
• High annual fee of $695 ( rates and fees )
• Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags
• Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards ® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• 5X Membership Rewards ® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
• Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
• Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card ® . Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card ® , here.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to the Card.
• $189 CLEAR ® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR ® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card ® .
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection ® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
• $695 Annual Fee.
• APR: 19.49% - 28.49% Variable
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Hot Tip:  Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 120,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

The Amex Business Platinum card is one of the most elite business cards you can have — and has an impressive welcome bonus to show for it.

Pay for your entire common carrier ticket with your Amex Business Platinum card and/or Membership Rewards points and receive up to $3,000 in coverage for carry-on bags and $2,000 for checked baggage for a covered loss or damage incident (there is no coverage for delayed bags). The Baggage Insurance Plan coverage amount is the total per person, per trip.

In addition, expect to earn up to 5x Membership Rewards points as follows:

• 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels with AmexTravel.com
• 1.5x points on eligible purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, software and cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year

Earning 5x points is equal to a return on spending of around 11%.

This card has no preset spending limit , which means you can scale your business purchases without needing to worry about a normal credit limit.

You can access top-notch lounges with the American Express Global Lounge Collection, get luxury hotel perks at Fine Hotels & Resorts, and utilize a 35% Pay With Points rebate (maximum of 1 million points back per calendar year).

Similar to the Amex Platinum card, the Amex Business Platinum card has a ton of statement credits available, including:

• Up to $400 in statement credits for U.S. purchases with Dell
• Up to $360 in Indeed credits
• $189 in CLEAR Plus credit
• Up to $150 in Adobe credits
• Up to $150 in wireless credits

Lastly, recall that with this card, you’ll enjoy top-of-the-line travel insurance, no foreign transaction fees ( rates & fees ), purchase protection, extended warranty, and much more.

Bottom Line: As with the consumer version of the card, the Amex Business Platinum card offers a ton of benefits — including travel benefits, travel booking perks, car rental/roadside assistance, and more.

Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).

The American Express ® Business Gold Card is excellent at racking up rewards for your business spend.

The card earns a whopping 4x points per $1 in the 2 categories (from a list of 6) that your business spends the most money on each month. With no need to opt-in or preselect your categories, so you can focus on what matters most — running your business.

• NEW! Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
• NEW!  U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
• NEW!  Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
• U.S. purchases at gas stations
• U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
• Purchases at U.S. media providers for advertising in select media (online such as Google Ads, Facebook Ads, plus TV and radio)
• 3x points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card
• Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
• Trip delay insurance
• Car rental insurance
• Cell phone insurance
• $375 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access or elite status
• Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards ® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards ® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards ® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.
• Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.
• Get $12.95 back in statement credits each month when you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. $12.95 plus applicable taxes.
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Hot Tip:  Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 110,000 points with the Amex Business Gold card! The current public offer is 70,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

The Amex Business Gold card is one of the best business cards available, especially if you have significant amounts of business spending categories.

The baggage insurance is just the icing on the cake. This policy matches the insurance on the Amex Gold card (and similarly no bag delay coverage):

• For New York State residents, coverage is up to $10,000 for all covered passengers on the covered trip

Pay for your entire fare with your Amex Gold card or Amex Business Gold card and/or Membership Rewards points and receive up to $1,250 in coverage for carry-on bags and $500 for checked baggage for damage or loss due to a covered incident. The coverage amount is the total per person, per trip.

This card earns  4x Membership Rewards points on the top 2 categories in which your business spends the most every month  (up to $150,000 in combined purchases every calendar year):

• Purchases at U.S. media providers for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio)

If you max out the 4x categories every year, you’d earn 600,000 points, which is worth a whopping $13,200, according to our valuations of 2.2 cents per point.

As with the consumer card, the Amex Business Gold card comes with great benefits , including accelerated business earning, customized spend categories, travel benefits, and cash flow benefits — all essential for a business owner.

This includes no preset spending limit, no foreign transaction fees ( rates & fees ), purchase protection, extended warranty, and up to 99 total employee cards with no annual fee, after the first employee card with a $50 annual fee ( rates & fees ).

Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve Business American Express Card

Receive priority boarding, complimentary access to Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounges, concierge support, and an annual companion certificate.

The Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve Business American Express Card is a premium card option for small business owners who are both frequent travelers and Delta loyalists.

While the annual fee may be steep, the card comes loaded with perks and benefits that all frequent Delta flyers are sure to love. Let’s take a look at what makes the card unique, and why it may be a great fit for your wallet.

• 3x miles per dollar on Delta purchases
• 1.5x miles per dollar on eligible transit, U.S. shipping and office supply stores, plus all eligible purchases after you spend $150,000 in a year
• Save 15% On Award Travel With TakeOff 15. Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
• Complimentary Delta Sky Club ® access and bring up to two guests or immediate family at a rate of $50 per person per visit. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
• Complimentary Amex Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta
• MQD Headstart and MQD Boost: Receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 on purchases with your card
• Receive a Companion Certificate on First Class, Delta Comfort+ ® , or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card. See terms and conditions for details.
• Access to complimentary flight upgrades and priority boarding (Main Cabin 1)
• $240 Resy Credit: Earn up to $20 per month [in statement credits] on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled card.
• Earn up to $10 back each month after using your enrolled card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.
• Up to $250 annual statement credit after using your card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
• High annual fee
• Does not earn many miles for purchases outside of Delta spend
• Rewards are not transferable
• Welcome Offer: Earn 75,000 Bonus Miles after spending $10,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Reserve your piece of history with the new limited edition Boeing 747 Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve Business American Express Card design.
• APR: 20.99% - 29.99% Variable
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The Delta Reserve Business card has some terrific Delta-specific benefits, as well as overall travel protections, including baggage insurance.

In fact, the baggage insurance is almost identical to Amex Business Gold card’s coverage (again, no bag delay coverage):

Enter the Delta SkyClub at no cost and bring up to two guests or immediate family at a rate of $50 per person per visit. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.

You’ll even get an annual complimentary companion certificate good for a round-trip First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American flight each year. Lastly, the other perks include complimentary upgrades , Main Cabin 1 priority boarding , free checked bags , 20% back on inflight purchases, and more.

With the Delta Reserve Business card, you will earn 1.5x SkyMiles per dollar for the rest of the year after you spend $150,000 on your card! For purchases made directly with Delta, you’ll earn 3x SkyMiles. Otherwise, you’ll get 1x SkyMiles.

Finally, there’s a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit.

Why We Like Earning Delta SkyMiles

We like Delta SkyMiles because they’re flexible and can be used for Delta flights, as well as premium international business class flights on partners like Air France and KLM .

We value Delta SkyMiles at around 1.2 cents apiece, which lags behind Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Capital One miles.

But if you need the benefits when flying on Delta, this card is a good option.

United Club℠ Business Card

The United Club Business card is a great option for frequent United flyers looking for United Club access.

The United Club℠ Business Card is a premium card option for dedicated United loyalists seeking a card that offers complimentary United Club access, helps them earn and retain status, and doesn’t skip on the benefits.

From free checked bags to upgrades on award tickets and the ability to earn Premier qualifying points, there is plenty to the United Club Business card that United flyers are sure to love.

• 2x miles per $1 spent on United purchases
• 1.5x miles per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Complimentary United Club membership
• Free checked bags
• Premier Access travel services
• Discount on inflight purchases
• Upgrades on award tickets
• No foreign transaction fees
• Employee cards at no additional cost
• Travel and purchase protections
• $450 annual fee
• Earning rate for United purchases is poor compared to other United cards
• Earn 50,000 bonus miles + 1,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open
• Earn 2x miles on United purchases
• Earn 1.5x miles on all other purchases
• United Club membership — up to a $650 value per year. Relax in comfort while waiting for your flight with complimentary beverages, snacks, high-speed Wi-Fi, and more
• Free first and second checked bags for you and a companion, save up to $320 per round-trip
• 25% back on United inflight purchases
• APR: 21.99%–28.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: $0
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The United Club Business card is the ultra-premium United co-branded credit card for business owners.

Currently, the United Club Business card offers coverage of up to $3,000 per trip for lost or damaged luggage is provided with the card. Baggage delayed over 6 hours has a benefit of $100 per day for up to 3 days for reimbursement of essentials.

This is almost identical to the coverage from the Ink Business Preferred card, Chase Sapphire Preferred card, and Chase Sapphire Reserve card with 1 exception: the delayed baggage coverage is offered for up to 3 days instead of 5 days.

Baggage coverage is one of the many benefits of the United Club Business card, so these cards might be worth considering if you’re a loyal United flyer .

But in addition to baggage coverage, the United Club Business card earns 2x miles on United purchases and 1.5x miles on all other purchases. It also usually offers a great welcome bonus.

The major selling points of this card are the United-specific perks:

• Free first and second checked bags for yourself and a companion on the same reservation
• Premier Access travel services, including priority check-in, security, boarding , and baggage handling benefits
• The ability to earn 25 PQPs for every $500 spent, up to 1,000 PQPs in a calendar year
• Upgrades on award tickets for yourself and a companion on the same reservation
• 25% statement credit on United inflight purchases

But the benefits extend beyond that, including membership in the Avis President’s Club, access to the Chase Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection, no foreign transaction fees, no-additional fee employee cards, and travel insurance.

Why We Like Earning United MileagePlus Miles

We value United MileagePlus miles at around 1.3 cents each, which makes an earning rate of 2x and 1.5x miles worth a return on spending of 2.6% and 1.95%, respectively.

Luckily, it’s pretty easy to get even better value when you redeem them for luxury travel .

Chase Baggage Insurance Coverage and Other Benefits

Chase offers 2 types of coverage for mishandled baggage. Its lost luggage reimbursement and baggage delay insurance coverage give you peace of mind if your baggage is lost, damaged, stolen, or delayed.

• Lost Luggage Reimbursement provides a benefit of up to $3,000 per person, per trip, for lost, damaged, or stolen luggage whether checked or carry-on.
• Baggage Delay Insurance coverage on the card includes a benefit of up to $100 per day for up to 5 days for the reimbursement of essentials such as toiletries and clothing

Checked or carry-on baggage is covered along with personal property within the baggage.

Chase covers the cardholder and immediate family. Immediate family is defined by Chase to include your spouse, domestic partner, your children (including adopted children and stepchildren), legal guardians or wards, siblings or siblings-in-law, parents or parents-in-law, grandparents, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, along with aunts and uncles.

Bottom Line: Selecting a travel rewards credit card with a package of benefits and protections can give you peace of mind, should any unexpected travel mishaps occur. 

American Express Baggage Insurance Coverage

While most American Express cards do not carry baggage delay insurance , you’ll find coverage for lost, stolen, and damaged luggage on over 50 American Express-issued cards.

Travel bags and suitcases, including contents, whether carry-on or checked with a common carrier.

The cardholder, spouse or domestic partner, and dependent children under 23 years of age are covered for baggage insurance.

Bottom Line: If you’re a frequent traveler and value luxury travel benefits, the Amex Platinum card or the Amex Business Platinum card can offer tremendous value. Both cards come with complimentary worldwide lounge access that, if purchased separately, could cost more than the card’s annual fee. 

Capital One Baggage Insurance Coverage

Although we only covered the Capital One Venture X card in this guide, many of Capital One’s premium credit cards offer luggage insurance.

As expected, coverage includes both checked bags and carry-ons. Contents are included, as well.

Coverage is offered to the primary cardholder, and all immediate family members when they’re on the same covered trip as you.

Additionally, you must pay for a portion or the entire cost of the covered trip with your credit card to qualify for coverage.

Whether your baggage is lost, damaged, stolen, or delayed, you’ll need to follow certain steps to ensure your claim is processed successfully.

• Report the loss or damage immediately to the common carrier before leaving the airport, station, etc., and keep a copy of the report.
• In the event your luggage is delayed, report the loss, then wait the required number of hours before purchasing incidentals.
• Also in the case of delayed luggage, save the receipts for any items purchased.
• Report the loss to your credit card claims administrator by calling the number on the back of your card and filing a written report.
• Submit all requested supporting documentation within the required time period, usually 60 to 90 days from the date of the incident.

Because coverage on your credit card is usually secondary, you will want to obtain documentation from the common carrier as to their policy and the amount of payment you received from them, if any. In the case of lost luggage, you’ll also need receipts for the more valuable contents of your luggage.

Since claims are handled by a third party, not the credit card issuer, you’ll need to provide documentation that your common carrier ticket was purchased with a qualifying credit card.

Avoid Short Connecting Times Between Flights — Really short connections can become impossible connections if there is even a slight delay. Although you may still make your connection, your luggage may not. Since the number 1 reason bags get lost is due to connections, allow enough time between flights to reduce the risk of lost baggage

Double-check Your Destination Tags — When checking your bags, be sure the destination printed on the baggage tracking tag is your final destination.

Add Additional Identification — Most of us attach a bag tag to our bags, with our name, phone number, and address on it, to identify our luggage. However, this tag, along with the baggage tracking tag, can be ripped off during transit. It’s prudent to add identifying information to the inside of your luggage as a backup to increase the chances of it being returned to you.

Divide and Conquer — Years ago, ships that sailed across the ocean would be attacked by pirates. In order to minimize losses, companies divided their cargo among many ships so if 1 was attacked, the losses were minimized. Do the same with your luggage. If you must check a bag, make sure your carry-on has a change of clothes, toiletries, and other necessities for a 1-night stay versus all of your items inaccessibly packed in your checked bags and subject to loss.

Document Your Belongings — Before you leave on your trip, take photos of your luggage and its contents. Should you need to file a damaged or lost baggage claim, you’ll have documentation to help expedite the process.

Hot Tip: Some airlines have delayed baggage guarantees. If your bags do not arrive within a certain period of time, they’ll compensate you. Delta Air Lines and Alaska Airlines each have a 20-minute guarantee for your bags to arrive on the carousel. Delta provides 2,500 SkyMiles and Alaska compensates with a $25 voucher off a future flight if your bags do not arrive on time. 

There are usually separate coverage limits for high-risk items such as jewelry, sporting equipment, audio/visual equipment, and furs. For example, the terms may state that these items combined (and other luxury items) may not exceed a total of $500 (or other specified amount) in coverage.

Some items can be excluded. These items can include documents or valuable papers, money, securities, tickets, checks/ traveler’s checks, and some luxury items.

Baggage insurance coverage is secondary to other coverage and, in some cases, the total received by all sources cannot exceed the limits on the credit card coverage. For example, if you receive $3,500 from the airline for your bag and the coverage on your credit card baggage insurance is $1,250, you will not receive an additional payment from the credit card coverage. The Guide to Benefits for your specific card will spell out the exact terms of your coverage.

For baggage coverage that comes on your credit card to be valid, you normally have to pay for your entire ticket with the eligible credit card, points/miles earned on that card, or a combination of the 2.

While baggage insurance is nice to have, it is secondary to the coverage you would receive from the common carrier should your luggage be lost, damaged, stolen, or delayed.

Note that we have not included every card that has baggage insurance coverage, just a selection of some of the best cards. To find out if your card has baggage insurance coverage, access your specific card’s guide to benefits or call the number on the back of your card.

And bottom line, selecting a card that has an entire package of benefits you will use, not just baggage insurance coverage, results in the best overall value.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa ® or Mastercard ® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

Enrollment required through Capital One website or mobile app. Upon enrollment, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024.  Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier.  Additional terms apply.

For the baggage insurance plan benefit of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, baggage insurance plan coverage can be in effect for covered persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen baggage during their travel on a common carrier vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per covered trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each covered person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all covered persons per covered trip. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. For the extended warranty and purchase protection benefits of the Platinum Card ® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the baggage insurance plan benefit of American Express ® Gold Card, baggage insurance plan coverage can be in effect for covered persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen baggage during their travel on a common carrier vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible card. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all covered persons per covered trip. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the baggage insurance plan benefit of The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express, baggage insurance plan coverage can be in effect for covered persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen baggage during their travel on a common carrier vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per covered trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each covered person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all covered persons per covered trip. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. For the extended warranty and purchase protection benefits of The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the baggage insurance plan benefit of the American Express ® Business Gold Card, baggage insurance plan coverage can be in effect for covered persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen baggage during their travel on a common carrier vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible card. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all covered persons per covered trip. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. For the extended warranty and purchase protection benefits of the American Express ® Business Gold Card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the baggage insurance plan benefit of the Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve Business American Express Card, baggage insurance plan coverage can be in effect for covered persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen baggage during their travel on a common carrier vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible card. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all covered persons per covered trip. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. For the extended warranty and purchase protection benefits of the Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve Business American Express Card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. For the cell phone protection benefit of the Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve Business American Express Card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/ benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

The information regarding the United Club℠ Business Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of the American Express ® Gold Card, click  here . For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of the American Express ® Business Gold Card, click here . For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve Business American Express Card, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is baggage insurance.

Baggage insurance that comes complimentary on your credit card can provide compensation if your bag is lost, stolen, damaged, or delayed by the airline during your trip.

Airlines are required by law to provide compensation when they mishandle your bags. However, the baggage insurance that comes on your credit card can provide additional compensation if the amount paid by the airline does not cover your entire loss.

Most credit cards require that the entire ticket be paid for with your eligible card or with rewards earned on that card.

Does baggage insurance cover my carry-on bags?

Yes, carry-on bags are usually covered with baggage insurance that comes on your credit card. The amount of coverage you receive will vary by card.

You can access the terms and conditions of the baggage insurance on your card by calling the number on the back of the card or accessing your card’s Guide to Benefits.

How much does the airline have to pay me for lost bags?

For domestic flights in the U.S., the current maximum is $3,850 per bag. Internationally, the limit is set by the Montreal Convention and is limited to 1,131 Special Drawing Rights that vary, but currently equal to about $1,780 per bag.

These are the limits airlines must pay for either lost, delayed, or damaged bags.

When is my bag considered lost?

Each airline has its own criteria for when a bag is considered lost, usually 14 to 21 days.

When you arrive at your destination and your bag is not there, however, you should file a claim immediately before leaving the airport.

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About Christine Krzyszton

Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.

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7 steps to take when an airline loses your luggage

We usually don't expect our luggage to get lost. However, even the best-laid travel plans can go awry.

When they do, here are seven easy things you can do when your bag is delayed — or lost — by an airline.

How to determine if your luggage is lost

There are some instances where bags appear to be lost even when they're not.

Before concluding your bags are truly lost, try these three steps:

Airport baggage procedures can be complex at large hubs, so waiting 30 to 45 minutes for bags can be normal. Luggage can come in waves from a single flight as well, so just because your suitcase didn't arrive initially doesn't necessarily mean it's lost. Patience goes a long way in times like these.

Look elsewhere

If your bag doesn't come off its designated carousel, there's a chance it could have made the flight but been offloaded elsewhere. Take a quick look at other carousels to see if the bag somehow beat you there. It could also be waiting in the airline's baggage office or another holding area.

In theory, something like this should not happen. However, it's worth double-checking before reporting your bag as missing to the airline.

If you've done the first two steps and still can't find your bag, it's time to alert the airline.

Before you do, take a deep breath and try to stay calm so as not to elevate the situation further.

How to report a missing bag

After completing those three steps and determining your bags are missing, here are the four steps to report it:

Locate the baggage desk for the airline that operated your final flight

The first step is to find the airline baggage desk. If your entire trip was on a single airline, this should be simple.

However, if you were on a connecting itinerary with more than one airline, the claim must be filed with the operating carrier of your last flight because that airline is ultimately responsible for delivering your bag to you, even if the bag never made it into its system.

Keep in mind that if you've flown into a small airport, you may need to report the missing bag to a contract agency that works with multiple airlines. Just look for the logo of the carrier that operated your last flight.

Inform the agent about your missing bag

Once you've figured out where to report it, inform the agent that your luggage didn't arrive as expected. Provide your copy of the bag tag that you received at check-in and have the agent look up your information. Alternatively, you could also proactively research your bag's status in an airline's app if possible.

This step may tell you your luggage is en route, but if not, move on to the next step.

File a missing baggage report

If an agent can't provide any insight into the whereabouts of your bag, you need to file a missing baggage report.

When you do this, include every bit of information you can about your bag and your travel plans, including the size, color and material of the bag and any identifying tags. Since most bags look alike, consider adding a distinct feature, such as tying a colorful ribbon along the handles to differentiate your bag.

Ensure the report has your local address and contact information, and be sure to get the phone number of the lost luggage desk and a reference or tracking number.

Many airlines have everything in the system for easy tracking. However, if your luggage is missing in a small airport with less technology, you may wind up with a yellow copy of a triplicate form.

Ask what the airline will cover

While you're filing a report, be sure to ask what the airline is willing to provide for compensation and to what extent it will reimburse you.

For example, some carriers will keep amenity kits on hand in baggage offices to pass out to customers with missing luggage. Others will even provide courtesy car seats if your child's seat was delayed. In addition, they should provide some reimbursement for reasonable expenses.

Double-check your airline's policy for delayed bags, some of which are outlined below:

• Alaska Airlines : Allows reimbursement for "travel essentials."
• American Airlines : Allows reimbursement "for items you need immediately while away from home without your bags."
• Delta Air Lines : Allows "reasonable expense reimbursements" of generally $50 per day for the first five days.
• United Airlines : Allows "reimbursement for expenses" based on acceptable proof of claim.
• Southwest Airlines : Allows for "reimbursement of reasonable expenses you may have incurred."

The agent with whom you file the missing bag report should be able to provide you with the guidelines for the given carrier, including whether or not you're eligible for a refund of any checked baggage fee you paid.

Just note that if you're arriving home after a vacation or business trip, the airline usually won't cover any expenses for delayed baggage aside from returning your bag to you.

If you're traveling on Delta or Alaska, submit a baggage guarantee claim because both carriers will offer 2,500 bonus miles if your bags aren't delivered to the carousel within 20 minutes of arrival in most circumstances.

What to do if your baggage is delayed

As noted above, some "lost" bags may just be delayed in getting to you. Ideally, a carrier's baggage agent (or even the airline's app) can tell you exactly where the bag was last scanned. It may only be a matter of hours or just a day or two before you are reunited with your suitcase.

Once you've reported it to the airline, here are four tips for handling a delay:

Make them come to you

One of the most important things to include in your claim form is your local address. Do not offer or agree to return to the airport to retrieve your bags.

If your bag hasn't arrived with you, the airline's baggage office (or contract agency) is now responsible for returning it to you and should be willing to cover the cost of doing so.

This tactic may work when you're continuing on a flight to another city.

Several years ago, my wife and I flew from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Sydney Airport (SYD) via Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on a Delta award ticket. We then booked a separate one-way ticket from Sydney to Adelaide Airport (ADL) in Australia on Virgin Australia, as Delta couldn't include this flight on our award ticket.

Unfortunately, our bags were somehow left in Los Angeles, and we were nervous they wouldn't be able to get to us in Adelaide. Fortunately, they arrived roughly 30 hours later; they were put on the next day's flight from LAX to SYD before being transferred to a Virgin Australia flight and driven to our hotel.

Go shopping and keep receipts

Once you've reported your bag as missing, the waiting game begins. However, you may need to pick up the essentials while your bag is located. Luckily, things like a change of clothes, a toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant are usually considered "reasonable" purchases, so you should be reimbursed.

Even so, airlines usually require original receipts for every purchase you make, so this isn't an invitation to pick up a six-pack or go out to a nice dinner. Focus on the bare essentials in the hopes that your bag will arrive soon.

Continue to track your bag

Once you've picked up these items and reached your hotel or other accommodation, you may want to check the status of your bag yourself and see if there's an update. Many carriers have moved toward automated systems for tracking luggage (which should not only help locate missing bags but also help ensure they don't get mishandled in the first place).

If you have your original bag tag or a reference number associated with the missing bag report you submitted, you may be able to stay updated online.

Below are links to the major carriers' online bag search tools.

• American : Enter your last name and file number.
• Delta : Enter your last name and bag tag number, confirmation number or file reference number.
• United : Enter your file reference number, and first and last name.

Escalate when necessary

If you aren't receiving updates through the online system and can't get any details from the local airport, consider escalating the claim through other channels.

For example, when my bag didn't make a connecting flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) and wasn't loaded on any of the next three nonstop flights, I contacted DeltaAssist via Twitter. The service promptly investigated the situation and made sure it was added to the next flight.

You can also try calling customer service, and if you have elite status with the carrier, you may get a more proactive agent willing to help.

If you still aren't getting anywhere and it's been longer than 24 hours, I recommend filing (or at least threatening to file) a complaint with the Department of Transportation. While this almost certainly won't help resolve your claim any quicker, it will draw greater attention to the matter.

Since these complaints are compiled and reported each month, airlines have an incentive to keep them at a minimum. Even if your bag is eventually located, you should report any hassles or frustrations you encounter during the process.

How to use credit card coverage

Although airlines may try to limit the reimbursement they provide for reasonable expenses when your bags are delayed, there are some credit cards that cover baggage delays , including lower-fee cards.

Here's a sample of travel rewards credit cards with baggage delay coverage, along with pertinent details of the policy:

Note the above benefits don't kick in unless you purchased part of (or sometimes the entire) flight with that specific card, so be sure to investigate the individual policy to understand what is and is not covered.

Also, remember this is secondary coverage and thus only applies after you've submitted claims with the airline that delayed your luggage.

What to do if your luggage is lost

Generally speaking, an airline will classify your bag as truly lost after 14 to 21 days — though it may happen sooner. Once this determination is made, you can then file a claim against the airline for lost (rather than delayed) baggage, which typically allows for higher compensation.

You'll need to submit a new claim now that the bag is truly lost, and this process tends to be more detailed.

Most claim forms will ask you to list everything that was in the bag, including purchase dates and even original receipts for items over a certain dollar amount. Keep in mind that depreciation does apply; don't expect to get full reimbursement for a suit you bought five years ago for $300.

Remember, this isn't a chance to fleece the airline, as there are specific rules in place to govern this type of situation. Also, the compensation amounts you're eligible for depend on the country of travel.

For example, if you're traveling wholly within the U.S., carriers must set their limits for compensation for lost baggage at no less than $3,500. Amounts vary by country.

Airline-specific rules

The aforementioned limits are not set payments for when an airline completely loses your bag. You still need to submit the claim with details of the contents of your luggage.

Additionally, if an airline has already paid for your expenses while your bag was thought to be delayed, that amount will likely be deducted from your final payout.

There are exceptions if you're flying specific carriers.

For example, United offers a flat-fee payment option of $1,500 if it can't locate your bag within three days, and it doesn't require any further documentation. The amount is intended to cover your bag and its contents without forcing you to take the time to tally up the replacement value of every single thing.

Of course, this amount may be lower than what the contents and bag are worth, but think of it as a plea deal — you agree to accept a lower payment in exchange for a simpler process with no questions asked.

The above advice related to credit cards applies here as well, as many top travel rewards credit cards will cover baggage loss if you paid for some or all of the trip with your card.

These policies vary widely by issuer and card, so be sure to read the specific policy of the card you used to purchase the trip before submitting a claim. (Note: This coverage is generally secondary, meaning the issuer will pay out after you receive compensation from the airline.)

What to do if your flight is canceled and you already checked your bag

If you don't check bags frequently, you may not know what happens to checked luggage that was loaded onto a plane before a cancellation occurred.

If you've already checked a bag and your flight is suddenly canceled, plan to retrieve your bag from the baggage carousel where the bags that were checked will be reloaded. Airlines will attempt to reroute the bag to your final destination, or their system may do so automatically, depending on the airline and airport.

How to reduce the chances of lost or delayed luggage

The aforementioned tips are applicable when your bag is mishandled, but there are four steps you can take to minimize the chances of this happening long before you even get to the airport.

Keep the itinerary simple

Is it worth saving $50 to book a multistop itinerary on three different airlines with tight connections when you could book a simple one-stop flight on a single carrier? When you involve more than one airline, it becomes easier for them to blame one another when your bag doesn't make it.

In other words, don't book an itinerary like the one above (though my checked bags arrived in Istanbul on schedule after traveling on four flights across three Star Alliance airlines with two overnight layovers).

Keep essential (and valuable) items in your carry-on

If you absolutely need it, don't check it. Medication, jewelry, electronics, cash etc., should all be in your carry-on bag or personal item . Most insurance policies and airline reimbursement policies won't cover these items if your bag is delayed or lost, so you're much better off keeping them on your person.

Always bring a carry-on

If you're checking a bag, you should still pack a carry-on to ensure you have the important items you need when you arrive. My family lost almost a full day in Australia shopping for clothes while we waited for Delta to deliver our bags. Ideally, you won't need to rely on these items, but it's a good fallback.

As TPG reporter Caroline Tanner famously says, "I would rather die than check a bag."

Of course, she is speaking hyperbolically, but she would rather struggle each time to fit everything into a carry-on bag than check a bag.

Related reading:

• 9 tips for traveling with valuable luggage and handbags
• The airline couldn't find my luggage — luckily I had Apple AirTags
• What to do if an airline damages your luggage
• Which credit cards cover baggage delays?
• Carry-on luggage showdown: Away vs. Roam
• Here's what to pack in a carry-on bag every time you travel
• Airline carry-on luggage size: Everything you need to know
• How to tell if your backpack counts as a personal or carry-on item

Additional reporting by Caroline Tanner and Benét J. Wilson.

71-year-old fisherman who disappeared found tangled in barbed wire with dog by his side

A 71-year-old's dog proved to truly be man's best friend this week when his faithful companion remained by his side after he got tangled in barbed wire and stayed trapped for more than two days.

South Carolina resident Billy Wayne Kearse disappeared from his home on April 16 after heading out for a fishing trip with his chihuahua, Cherokee County Sheriff Steve Mueller told USA TODAY Tuesday.

Kearse is from the city of Gaffney in upstate South Carolina about 50 miles southwest of Charlotte.

On Thursday about 11 a.m., the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office received a call from two friends saying they had been riding around searching for Kearse and found his fishing tackle box.

Missing California man: Man disappears hiking in El Salvador, family pleads for help finding him

Missing man found tangled in barbed wire with dog nearby

That same day, deputies responded to the area where the man's fishing gear was found and, after a search, discovered Kearse tangled in barbed wire with his dog nearby. 

"He got stuck trying to climb over the fence and got hung on the barbed wire as it wrapped around his ankle," Mueller explained.

After deputies freed him, Kearse was transported him by medical helicopter to a hospital to be treated for dehydration, officials reported.

"The dog would not come to the officers and ran away from them but was back at the home when officers arrived to notify the family we had located their loved one," Mueller said.

Missing California woman: 21-year-old 'at-risk' woman missing after weekend hike; search ongoing

Sheriff: Missing man still hospitalized but expected to recover

Mueller said Kearse remained in the hospital on Tuesday but was improving daily and his prognosis for recovery "looks very good."

"We are grateful for the two citizens who were aware of the search efforts last night to locate the missing person and who continued checking their property this morning and notified us after locating the fishing tackle box," Mueller wrote in a news release. "Their efforts put us in the right location and subsequently officers were successful in locating him. Now we all pray for his recovery!"

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.

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Lost, Delayed, or Damaged Baggage

While the vast majority of airline passengers’ checked bags arrive at their destination on time and in the condition received, a passengers’ bag may occasionally become damaged, delayed, or lost in transit.  Under DOT regulations (for domestic travel) and international treaties (for international travel), airlines are required to compensate passengers if their bags are damaged, delayed, or lost.  You can find tips on how to pack, check-in, and claim your luggage to minimize the chance of damage, delay, or loss in DOT’s Fly Rights publication here .

Damaged Baggage

What are airlines’ responsibilities when they damage your baggage?

Airlines are responsible for repairing or reimbursing a passenger for damaged baggage and/or its contents when the damage occurs while the bag is under the airline’s control during transportation (subject to maximum limits on liabilities ).

Airlines are not responsible for pre-existing damage to the bag or if the damage was caused by improper packing.

When the damage to the bag cannot be repaired, airlines will negotiate a compensation amount based on the value of the bag and its depreciation.

Can the airlines exclude liability for certain items?

Airlines often exclude liability for certain categories of items (for example: fragile items, electronics, cash, perishable items, other valuables, etc.).  These exclusions are typically listed in the airlines’ contracts of carriage.

For DOMESTIC travel, airlines are not required to compensate passengers for items they have excluded in their contracts of carriage.

For INTERNATIONAL travel (including the domestic segment of an international itinerary), airlines are responsible for these items if they have accepted them for transportation.  This applies even if passengers did not disclose, when they checked-in, that these items were packed in the bag.

Passengers may wish to consider purchasing additional insurance for valuable items.

What about damage to the wheels, handles, or straps of baggage?

Although airlines are not required to cover fair wear and tear, airlines cannot exclude liability for damage to wheels, handles, straps, and other components of checked baggage. 

Delayed Baggage

What should a passenger do if his or her bag is missing after taking a flight

When a checked bag does not arrive at its destination, airlines are responsible for locating the bag.  Airlines have tracking systems in place to try to identify the bag’s location.  

Some airlines now offer applications for cell phones, tablets, and other electronic devices, which provide passengers with data on the location of their baggage.  It may be helpful to use this technology to locate your baggage, if available.

Passengers should file a baggage claim with their airline as soon as possible . 

Passengers should stay in close communication with the airline after filing a claim and during the baggage location process. 

What are airlines’ responsibilities when your bag is delayed?

Airlines are required to compensate passengers for reasonable, verifiable, and actual incidental expenses that they may incur while their bags are delayed - subject to the maximum liability limits .

Airlines are not allowed to set an arbitrary daily amount for interim expenses.  For example, an airline cannot have a policy that they will reimburse a passenger up to only $50 for each day that a passenger’s bag is delayed.

Lost Baggage

When does an airline consider a bag lost?

Airlines may have different policies to determine when a bag is officially lost.  Most airlines will declare a bag lost between five and fourteen days after the flight, but this can vary from one airline to another.

Whether your bag is declared lost may also depend on the type of itinerary (international vs. domestic), whether more than one airline is responsible for the flight, the airline’s searching mechanism, and other circumstances.

If an airline unreasonably refuses to consider a bag lost after it has been missing for an unreasonable period of time, the airline could be subject to enforcement action by the DOT.

What are the airlines’ responsibilities when your bag is lost?

Once an airline determines that your bag is lost, the airline is responsible for compensating you for your bags’ contents - subject to depreciation and maximum liability limits.

Airlines are also required to refund any fees you paid the airline to transport the bag that was lost.

Airlines may require receipts or other proof for valuable items that were in the lost bags.

Limits on Baggage Liability

Domestic Baggage Liability

For DOMESTIC flights, DOT regulation allows airlines to limit their liability for a lost, damaged, or delayed bag. Airlines are free to pay more than the limit, but are not required to do so.

The maximum liability amount allowed by the regulation is  $3,800 per passenger.

International Baggage Liability

For most INTERNATIONAL flights, a treaty called the Montreal Convention applies to the carriage of baggage.  The maximum baggage liability for flights covered by the Montreal Convention is currently 1,288 Special Drawing Rights (approximately $1,700.00 US) per passenger.  This is the most that airlines must pay a passenger for a lost, damaged, or delayed bag.  Airlines are free to pay more than the limit, but are not required to do so.

The Montreal Convention’s international baggage liability limit is reviewed for inflationary adjustment every five years by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) .

In the few situations when the Montreal Convention does not apply to travel to and from the United States, an older treaty called the “ Warsaw Convention ” may apply.

Assistive Devices

An assistive device is any piece of equipment that assists a passenger with a disability in coping with the effects of his or her disability.  These devices are intended to assist passengers with a disability to hear, see, communicate, maneuver, or perform other functions of daily life.  Assistive devices include (but are not limited to):

Crutches, Canes, and Walkers

Braces/Prosthetics

Wheelchairs

Hearing aids

Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POCs)

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines

Prescription medications and any medical devices needed to administer those medications, such as syringes or auto-injectors

Note :  If you are not sure if your device is an assistive device, contact your airline’s disability or special assistance desk.

Assistive devices used by passengers with disabilities that are lost or damaged  during DOMESTIC air travel are not subject to the rules limiting liability for lost or damaged baggage. On domestic flights, airlines’ liability for lost or damaged assistive devices is the original purchase price of the assistive device.  If an airline destroys or loses a $20,000 assistive device during a domestic flight, the airline is liable for $20,000. If an airline damages but doesn’t destroy a $20,000 assistive device, then the airline is liable for the damage up to the cost of original purchase price.

Assistive devices used by passengers with disabilities that are lost or damaged during INTERNATIONAL air travel are subject to the maximum liability limit set by the applicable international treaty. 

When a passenger’s wheelchair or other assistive device must be disassembled for stowage during air transportation, the airline must return the assistive device in the same condition in which the airline accepted it, including making necessary repairs if the device is damaged.

DOT Relaunches Air Consumer Website

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A trip to Peaks Island will cost a lot more, under newly approved ferry rates

Casco Bay Lines has approved new ferry rates that will mean higher prices for day trippers, but cheaper fares for residents and other frequent users.

The agency's board of directors overwhelmingly voted for the new rates on Thursday, which will be the first increase in 15 years.

Beginning in June, the cost of a round-trip ticket to Peaks Island will rise from less than $8.00 to $14.00 during the peak summer season, which runs from mid-April to mid-October.

Seniors and children under 18 will be eligible for half-price fare. The price of monthly and annual ticket packages, however, will fall by at least 40%.

Casco Bay Lines Treasurer Jennifer Lavanture told board members Thursday that the service is dealing with a multimillion dollar operating deficit and has relied on grant funding to stay afloat.

She said new rates will help to stabilize funding and avoid other drastic actions, such as cutting service.

"Which would clearly have great impact on those who would live and work, and rely on the ferry service to travel to and from work, our homes," Lavanture said.

Lavanture said that about two-thirds of tickets sold by Casco Bay Lines are single tickets to Peaks, and about 70% of revenue comes from trips to the island. Officials expect the new rates could bring in about half a million dollars of new revenue each year.

"We need a way to help islanders and others who ride the ferry frequently. Those who work on the islands, to keep service successful and affordable as possible," she said.

At Thursday's meeting, many island residents said they supported the plan, but some raised questions about the need for such a large increase. Board members said they planned to regularly evaluate the rates moving forward.

Paris 2024 Olympics: How to plan a last-minute trip, from Games tickets to accommodation

If you are kicking yourself for not bagging tickets to the Paris 2024 Olympics when they first went on sale, all is not lost. A travel expert tells Sky News how sports fans can plan a last-minute trip this summer.

News reporter @jos_franks

Monday 22 April 2024 14:08, UK

As the Paris Olympics draw closer, the hype is increasing - and it's only going to build from here. 

If you are kicking yourself for not bagging tickets when they first went on sale, all is not lost.

There are still ways you can get to Paris to see the Games.

Sky News talks to a travel expert to bring you all you need to know about securing your last-minute trip.

Can I still get tickets for the Olympics?

Yes, it is still possible to get tickets for the Games.

More than 250,000 tickets went on sale on 17 April to mark 100 days until the opening of the Games.

This is the last ticket sale, but tickets are still available for dozens of events.

The first sale involved a lottery and timeslots to buy packs of tickets for events.

In the final stretch of ticket sales, things are a lot simpler.

Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and you can see the availability for different events in real time on the website.

While a lot of the final tickets on sale are pretty pricey, there is still the chance to bag a bargain.

Almost 20,000 tickets were put on sale for €24 and it is still possible to get tickets to see football for this price.

At the other end of the spectrum, there are ticket and hospitality packages available that will set you back hundreds of Euros.

What about the Paralympics?

The Paralympic Games will take place from 28 August to 8 September and there are still tickets available from €15.

The booking works the same as for the Olympics - first-come, first-served, with the remaining tickets now available on the website.

Avoid the scammers

Don't get caught out by scammers - make sure you only buy tickets through the official Paris 2024 ticketing website.

It's not too late to book - but don't wait

While the start of the Games is fast approaching, it's not too late to plan a trip - but you should "get booking ASAP", Jessica Dante, travel expert at Love and London, tells Sky News.

The Eurostar is not as "wildly priced" as you might expect, she says, with return fares available for the first week of the Games for under £200 - and the same is true of budget airlines.

But, Ms Dante cautions, "that will invariably only continue to go up" - so book soon rather than hold out for a last-minute deal.

Could there be last-minute deals on accommodation?

Don't bank on it, Ms Dante says.

"I'm always in the camp of just book something so you have it. If something else pops up closer to the time then fine, you can try to make a switch if you've got something that you can cancel.

"But there's also the chance that something might not pop up that's going to be in your price range as well."

While there could be a small wave of accommodation deals open up as people cancel, a lot of accommodation will be non-refundable at least a couple of weeks before the Games, so any cancellations are likely to still be fairly far in advance, she says.

Tips for booking accommodation

There is still "decent availability" for hotels, she says, although some popular spots are already booked up.

Unsurprisingly, cost has a lot to do with location - so look away from central areas and places close to Olympic locations if you are looking to save money.

"The flip side of that is it then means that you're probably going to have to deal with taking the metro and you'll have to pay for the inflated cost of the rides."

The price of metro tickets will almost double during the Games, from €2.10 (£1.80) to €4 (£3.40).

But the surcharge on public transport is unlikely to match the price difference on a more central hotel. Ms Dante advises looking at suburban areas or the outskirts of the city.

What about staying in another town?

Staying in another town entirely and travelling to Paris for events is one option.

But you should consider the pros and cons carefully, Ms Dante says.

There is a looming threat of train strikes. The CGT public servants union has announced plans to strike during the Olympics, which could mean many transport workers walking out.

If you are staying outside Paris, that could scupper your plans to easily travel into the city.

Even if there are not strikes, trains into Paris are likely to be crowded, Ms Dante says.

"You do have to kind of balance that and just be prepared that you might have some difficulty."

Read more: Paris 2024 Olympics: Everything you need to know The Team GB athletes to watch at the Olympics

Can you go to the Olympics and avoid Paris entirely?

The Games may be headlined as Paris 2024, but there are events taking place across the country - and the surfing is even in Tahiti.

The cities of Lyon, Saint-Etienne, Nice, Bordeaux, Nantes and Marseille will host events.

The Olympic ticketing site allows you to filter available events by location, so if you are keen to give Paris a miss you can seek out what is happening in other places.

"They're going to be a little bit less popular than stuff that's right in the centre of Paris, so I think that's a really good option," Ms Dante says.

Consider the Paralympics

The Paralympics often gets overshadowed by the Olympics, but it's a great option if you want to experience the Games, Ms Dante says.

"It's going to be a little bit less crowded, the pricing will be better, probably a little bit more of a relaxed experience."

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Is it worth going to Paris if you don't have tickets to the Games?

Maybe there are no tickets left in your price range, or your favourite event is sold out - is it worth planning a trip to Paris anyway?

"Definitely," according to Ms Dante. "This whole summer it's going to be really buzzy there."

A lot of locals will leave the city, she says. It's French tradition in the summer, but the exodus is likely to be even bigger this year as Parisians flee the crowds - meaning some areas could end up being quieter than normal.

Attractions away from the main Olympic sites could also be quieter than normal, she says.

How to make the most of your trip

If you are keen to combine cultural activities with sporting ones, consider booking a guided tour to big attractions, Ms Dante advises.

That way, you have got your ticket secured and the tour guides will be up to speed on any road closures or access changes that could make your visit more tricky.

Also keep in mind that there will be a lot of security measures in place and getting around the city will take longer than normal.

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• Paris 2024 Olympics

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You’re all packed for your trip when suddenly you realize, “I can’t find my passport!” Panic sets in. You’ll need your passport to board your flight, and you begin to wonder what to do as you frantically search for it.

If you can’t find your passport, stay calm, even though it feels like a disaster. Believe me, I know, as it’s happened to me. As someone who’s lost a passport before a flight, I’ve been through several scenarios on how to rectify the situation.

Unfortunately, the pandemic set in motion a delay that continues to make applying for, renewing or replacing a passport much more time-consuming than before. But, don’t lose hope.

There are ways to solve this problem, though you’ll need patience, travel flexibility and some extra money to pay for the inconvenience of replacing a lost passport the day before a flight.

Here are some helpful suggestions if you can’t find your passport, but remember each person will experience different hurdles depending on where they are, their travel timeline and the reason for travel.

What to do if you lost your passport in the U.S.

First of all, if you’re flying domestically, you don’t need a passport to travel — you’ll simply need official U.S. identification, like a driver’s license.

If flying internationally and you lost your passport before a flight, the speed at which you can get your passport replaced will come down to the purpose of your travel. If you’re traveling for vacation, the priority for the passport agency to replace it will be lower than if you’re traveling for an urgent work trip or a family emergency.

Make an appointment

Your first step to getting a last-minute replacement of your passport is to try to secure one of an extremely limited number of appointments at a passport agency. Call 877-487-2778 to see if there is availability at one of the 26 regional passport agencies across the country.

Since you will need to report to the office in person, you may have to fly or drive to one that is some distance away, which can be costly. In my experience, I had to fly to New York, and I met people from Anchorage, Honolulu, Denver and Tucson in line with me.

Appointments are for those with emergency needs, those traveling internationally within two weeks or those who need a foreign visa within the next four weeks. Since your flight leaves tomorrow, you’ll want to act fast. Keep in mind, getting an appointment is tough, but there’s always a chance that a last-minute spot has opened up.

Still, the likelihood that your application will be processed in the next 24 hours is slim — unless you live right next to a passport agency and are lucky enough to score an appointment there. It’s wise to begin thinking about delaying your trip a few days, looking for an alternative domestic destination or postponing the trip entirely.

Don’t go to one of these agencies in hopes of a walk-in appointment — you will be turned away. Also, it is important to note that if you do get an appointment, it can still take the entire day — or longer — for the replacement passport to be issued.

Once you secure an appointment, you'll want to move quickly to make the flight or travel changes you think might be necessary, keeping in mind that a replacement may not come the same day as your appointment. Mine took 36 hours despite the fact that I sat there all day waiting.

» Learn more: Do you need a passport for a Caribbean cruise?

Use a third-party expeditor

If you’re traveling for vacation, applying for a replacement passport through a passport expeditor can simplify the process, albeit for a fee. Options include companies like RushMyPassport and CIBT . Both can help you get a replacement on a faster timeline than applying on your own through the post office. Just keep in mind that post-pandemic delays have slowed the process.

You might have to pay several hundred dollars for their help, but for those in a rush, this is the best option. Contact the company directly to find out which expedited options are available to you.

If you apply on your own through the U.S. Department of State, it can take as long as 10 to 13 weeks to replace a passport, or seven to nine weeks if paying the passport agency for expedited service. Using a third-party expeditor can cut this timeframe substantially, sometimes to as short as one week or less.

If you do decide to reschedule your trip, keep in mind that if you have travel plans within nine weeks, it’s possible to make an appointment for a replacement passport.

If you’re traveling for an emergency

If you lost a passport before a trip and have a family emergency (such as a death or imminent death), you have a higher priority than leisure travelers for getting a replacement. You’ll need to have proof of the situation as well as your travel itinerary.

The National Passport Processing Center allows immediate family members in this unfortunate situation to make an urgent appointment at a passport agency if traveling within three business days. You can call 877-487-2778 during business hours or 202-647-4000 (after 8 p.m. ET on weekdays or weekends) for an appointment if you are traveling for a life-or-death emergency situation.

» Learn more: What to do if you lose your passport

What to do if you lost your passport abroad

Passport replacement is a different process if you’re already outside the U.S. You’ll need to seek out your closest U.S. consulate or embassy, which may only be open on weekdays. This means you’ll need to begin rescheduling your remaining travel plans, as replacing the passport may not be immediate, especially if it’s the weekend.

When you’re traveling by air, you need to complete Form DS-64 for lost or stolen passports, as well as the standard DS-11 form when visiting the embassy. If your passport was stolen, it’s recommended to bring a police report, too. Proof of immediate travel, a passport photo and another form of U.S. identification are also necessary.

When a replacement passport is issued outside the U.S., you may receive an “emergency passport.” These temporary documents allow you to travel right away, but you’ll need to apply for a normal passport book when you return home.

» Learn more: Can you take your own passport photo?

How to avoid extra costs from a trip delay

If you used a credit card with travel insurance to pay for your trip, you may want to contact the card issuer’s insurance carrier to see if your policy covers expenses you incur while dealing with your lost or stolen passport. With many policies, this is a covered reason for a trip delay. Some hotels may also be generous or flexible if you contact them directly and explain your situation. There are no guarantees, but it’s always worth a try.

» Learn more: How free travelers insurance through credit cards works

Do you have to report your passport lost or stolen?

As soon as you’ve exhausted every possible avenue in your search for your passport, it’s in your best interest to report a passport lost or stolen to have it invalidated. This is to help you avoid any type of identity theft by someone who comes into possession of it. Just remember that once you report your passport lost, if you find it again, it’s no longer valid and you can’t use it to travel. So search very carefully, as there’s no turning back. Believe me, I learned that the hard way.

Note that reporting it lost or stolen doesn’t start the process for a replacement. To get a new passport, you’ll have to appear in person with form DS-11 to apply for a new one.

What to do if you lost your passport the day before a flight

There are steps you can take to replace your lost passport. You’ll need to be flexible with your travel plans, take urgent action with next steps and be willing to pay the extra expenses to get a passport quickly.

Unfortunately, it’s not easy to get a passport on the same day, and it requires some luck to get a last-minute, same-day appointment. In these situations, you still may not be able to make your flight the next day, but you might be able to salvage part of your trip if you can’t postpone it entirely. Life-or-death emergencies will have priority for faster application processing.

Either way, replacing a passport at the last minute is an extremely frustrating process, and post-pandemic delays in processing haven’t helped.

That said, losing a passport isn’t the end of the world — try to put things in perspective to not be too disappointed. There are methods to get a replacement passport, but they requires patience.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

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On a similar note...

Taking to New Mexico's hiking trails this spring? Here's what to know before heading out

Warmer spring and summer weather leads many in New Mexico to take to the trails at national parks throughout the state.

National Parks like Carlsbad Caverns and White Sands, along with places like Chaco Culture National Historical Park provide diverse vistas both above and underground, and are flocked to every year by hundreds of thousand of visitors from within New Mexico and beyond.

But experiencing the beauty of New Mexico’s outdoor recreational resources comes with some danger as hikers are exposed to the elements of the desert terrain, often traversing remote areas.

More: How should Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument be managed? BLM wants feedback

Here’s how to stay safe this hiking season, according to the National Park Service

Do your research

Hiking trails are typically rated from easy, to moderate and strenuous. Before setting out on a trail, it’s ideal to know what the difficulty level will be, what kinds of terrain and elevation gain is expected and how long the trail is.

Information on trails can be found on the Park Service’s website .

Park rangers can also explain what to expect at the park.

More: 14,000 miles and counting: One man's cross-country bike ride through America's national parks

Make sure to check the weather before heading to the trail, and be cautious of taking on a hike if conditions appear not ideal. Carry rain equipment or other safety gear to use in an emergency.

The Park Service publicizes weather alerts online.

Leave a trip plan behind for others and keep communication lines open

Let you your family and friends know about your plans to hike. If other people know where and when you plan to take to the trails, they can better help first responder locate you if you get lost.

More: Top 5 National Park sites to visit in New Mexico this spring

There may not be cellphone service on the trail, and low coverage can burn through a phone’s battery as it searches for service, which can be mitigated by either turning the device off or putting it in airplane mode. Hikers should also not rely on cellphones for light sources or maps, and pack those necessities separately.

Pack adequate gear

The National Park Service listed 10 “essentials” for hiking. This includes navigation equipment or maps, sun protection, insulation like jackets or gloves, light sources like flashlights, fire sources for heat if lost, a repair kit and tools, food, water and an emergency shelter.

Don’t overdo it

The slowest hiker in a group should set the pace. This will help hikers stay together and could prevent exhaustion or injury. Hikers should also continuously track how long and how far they’ve hiked. Many trails are “out and back” meaning the listed distance will double on the return. The Park Service recommends hikers set a specific time they will turn back regardless of progress on the trail.

More: Here's what to know about the 2024 Bataan Death March at White Sands Missile Range

Hikers going downhill should yield to uphill hikers to prevent injuries as uphill can prove more challenging. Hikers should also take frequent breaks. If you can talk while hiking, you’re going at the right pace, the Park Service said. If not, slow down.

How do hikers get lost?

Sticking to established, developed trails is ideal as 41 percent of hikers get lost by wandering off the beaten path, according to a report from hiking and camping website SmokeyMountains.com.

Bad weather accounted for 17 percent of lost hikers, the study read, while 16 percent got lost by falling off the trail and 8 percent got separated from the group. Another 7 percent were lost due to injury and 6 percent got lost because of darkness.

If you find yourself lost, the Park Service advises you stop and breathe, assess the situation, find your location on the map and then either attempt to retrace your steps if it is safe to do so or stay put and await rescue.

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, [email protected] or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.

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