Best Credit Cards With Baggage Loss & Delay Coverage

When a 10-minute wait turns into 40 minutes, you might start to lose your cool at baggage claim.

Starting your long-awaited vacation with a delayed or lost bag can put a downer on your holiday.

But if you’re equipped with a card that can reimburse you the cost of your lost or delayed bag, at least you can enjoy some financial peace of mind.

Many travel rewards credit cards offer both baggage delay and baggage loss insurance plans. As long as you charge at least a portion of your common carrier fare to your eligible card, you and your immediate family members will receive coverage.

Let’s take a look at the best credit cards for baggage protection and what’s included in their policies.

Top Credit Cards With Baggage Protection

Chase is the top card issuer when it comes to cards offering an all-rounded baggage protection plan. Chase delayed luggage insurance is the best on the market.

The American Express® Gold Card, The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card all offer lost baggage insurance protection. However, none of these cards includes baggage delay protection. Likewise, while the Aeroplan® Credit Card from Chase includes baggage delay protection, it excludes lost baggage coverage.

For this reason, we’ve narrowed our selection down to cards that offer a comprehensive baggage protection plan, including both lost and delayed baggage protection.

Here’s an overview of the best credit cards offering both baggage loss and baggage delay insurance.

All information about Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card and Iberia Visa Signature® Card have been collected independently by 10xtravel.com. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Keep in mind that while baggage loss and delay insurance can cover you in a range of situations, you might want to consider a separate travel insurance plan for comprehensive coverage abroad.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

It’s no surprise that Chase’s luxury travel rewards card offers some of the best lost and delayed baggage insurance available.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers up to $100 per day in reimbursement for a maximum of five days, when your baggage is delayed for six hours or more. It also offers solid baggage loss insurance coverage, reimbursing you up to $3,000 per person per covered trip with a sub-limit of up to $500 for jewelry and watches and a separate sub-limit of up to $500 for cameras and other electronics.

All of your immediate family members are covered, and you don’t even need to travel with them for them to receive coverage—simply pay for the cost of their ticket using your card and they’ll be covered.

When filing a claim for either a lost or delayed bag, you’ll need to contact your benefits administrator within 20 days and submit proof of loss or delay within a maximum of 90 days.

Here’s a summary of the card’s lost and delayed baggage insurance policy:

Pros

• $300 annual statement credit for travel purchases
• 5X points on flights when purchased as travel via Chase Travel℠ (applies after the first $300 is spent on annual travel purchases)
• 10X points on car rentals and hotels booked through Chase Travel℠ (applies after the first $300 is spent on annual travel purchases)
• 3X points on eligible delivery service purchases, takeout and dining out
• 3X points on travel purchases (applies after the first $300 is spent on annual travel purchases)
• 10X points on Chase Dining purchases via Ultimate Rewards
• Up to $120 statement credit reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee, every four years
• Complimentary Priority Pass Select™ membership
• Redeem points for 50% more value when used for travel purchases through Chase Travel℠ (1.5 cents per point).
• No foreign transaction fees

Cons

• High annual fee

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers the identical lost and delayed baggage insurance plan as its sibling card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve. However, it does so for less than a fifth of the Sapphire Reserve’s annual fee.

So if you’d prefer paying just $95 per year instead of $550 and aren’t interested in the premium travel benefits offered by the Sapphire Reserve, opting for the Sapphire Preferred will give your baggage just as much protection.

Pros

• Up to $50 in statement credits for hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel℠, every account anniversary year
• 5X total points on travel purchases, when purchased through Chase Travel℠ (points will not be earned on hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 annual hotel credit)
• 3X points on eligible delivery service purchases, takeout and dining out
• 3X points on online grocery purchases (excludes Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs)
• 3X points on select streaming service purchases
• 2X points on eligible travel purchases
• 1X points on all other purchases
• Annual account anniversary point bonus equivalent to 10% of your total yearly expenditure
• Redeem your points for 25% more value when purchasing travel through Chase Travel℠ (1.25 cents per point).
• No foreign transaction fees

Cons

• No lounge access or Global Entry perks

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

If you’re a small business owner, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a solid travel rewards card to hold.

For an annual fee of just $95, the Ink Business Preferred offers the exact same lost and delayed baggage insurance protection as the Chase Sapphire products. That reimburses you for up to $100 per day for a maximum of five days for delays of six hours or more. Likewise, you’ll receive up to $3,000 in reimbursement for lost luggage, with $500 sub-limits for jewelry and watches as well as for cameras and electronics.

The standard policy exclusions of all Chase cards apply, and the claim period of 20 days remains the same.

Pros

• 3X points on the first $150,000 spent in a calendar year (1X points thereafter) in the following categories: shipping purchases, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines, travel and internet, cable and phone services.
• Redeem points for 25% more value through Chase Travel℠ (1.25 cents per point).
• No foreign transaction fees

Cons

• No business statement credit perks

The World of Hyatt Credit Card

The World of Hyatt Credit Card is one of the most lucrative hotel cards on the market.

On top of its annual free night award and competitive bonus spending categories, it offers solid lost and delayed baggage insurance protection—all of this, for an annual fee of just $95.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card offers the same lost and delayed baggage insurance policies as the Sapphire products. That entitles you to $100 per day in reimbursement for a maximum of five days for delays exceeding six hours, as well as up to $3,000 in lost baggage reimbursement.

If you’re a Hyatt loyalist, this card could be well worth a spot in your wallet.

Pros

• 4X bonus points and up to 5X base points (up to 9X total points) on purchases at Hyatt hotels
• 2X bonus points at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, local transit and commuting as well as fitness club and gym memberships
• One free night award stay at any Category 1 to 4 Hyatt resort or hotel every calendar year. An additional free night award can be earned through charging $15,000 to your card within a calendar year.
• Complimentary Hyatt Discoverist status
• Earn five qualifying night credits per year. Receive two additional qualifying night credits for every $5,000 spent using your card.
• No foreign transaction fees

Cons

• Discoverist status is Hyatt’s lowest status tier

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Chase includes both lost and delayed baggage insurance protection on all of its personal and business co-branded Southwest credit cards.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is the perfect card for frequent Southwest flyers to reap these insurance benefits.

You can receive up to $100 per day for a maximum of three days when your baggage is delayed for six hours or longer. You’ll also enjoy the same premium lost baggage insurance protection, covering you for up to $3,000 per person, per trip.

The same policy exclusions across all Chase cards apply, and the claim period of 20 days remains the same.

Pros

• 3X points on Southwest purchases
• 2X points on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners
• 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare
• 2X points on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming service purchases
• 1X points on all other purchases
• 7,500 bonus point boost each card anniversary year
• $75 Southwest annual travel credit
• Four upgraded boardings per year (subject to availability)
• 1,500 TQPs for every $5,000 spent (with no earnings cap)
• 25% back on in-flight beverage and Wi-Fi purchases, given as a statement credit
• 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost each year
• Complimentary one-year DashPass membership, giving you $0 delivery fees and lower service charges. Thereafter, you’re automatically enrolled in DashPass at the current monthly rate (enroll by Dec. 31, 2024).
• No foreign transaction fees

Cons

• No lounge access perks

United℠ Business Card

Just like with their co-branded Southwest cards, Chase offers the same lost and delayed baggage insurance coverage across all of its co-branded United cards.

The United Business Card is a solid choice for small business owners wanting protection in addition to United frequent flyer perks.

You’ll enjoy up to $100 per day for a maximum of three days when baggage delays exceed six hours and up to $3,000 reimbursement for lost luggage. The same exclusions and claim window applies on the United Business Card as all other Chase cards.

Pros

• 2x miles on United® purchases, dining including eligible delivery services, at gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting
• 1X miles on all other purchases
• First checked bag free for you and up to one companion on the same reservation
• Two annual United Club one-time entry passes
• Priority boarding for you and all companions on the same reservation
• Receive a 5,000-mile “better together” bonus each anniversary when you have both the United℠ Business Card and a personal Chase United® credit card
• No foreign transaction fees
• $100 United travel credit after making seven United purchases, each with a value of $100 or more, within your card anniversary year
• 25 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) for every $500 spent on purchases with your card, up to 1,000 PQPs per calendar year

Cons

• Lounge access limited to two visits per year

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

For IHG loyalists, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card offers solid baggage insurance in addition to a range of other perks.

You’ll receive protection of up to $100 per day for a maximum of three days when baggage delays exceed six hours and up to $3,000 reimbursement for lost baggage. The same exclusions and claim window applies on the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card as all other Chase cards.

Pros

• 26X points at IHG hotels and resorts
• 5X points on travel, dining and at gas stations
• 3X points on all other purchases
• Annual award night with a redemption cap of 40,000 points
• Additional night free when you redeem points for a consecutive three-night stay
• Complimentary Platinum Elite status
• $100 statement credit and 10,000 bonus points after you spend $20,000 each calendar year
• Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $120 ($120
  starting 10/1/24) every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged
  to your card
• No foreign transaction fees

Cons

• IHG points have low value

Iberia Visa Signature® Card

For frequent flyers with Iberia, the Iberia Visa Signature® Card offers solid baggage insurance protection.

You’ll receive the same protection as offered on other Chase co-branded airline cards, (up to $100 per day for a maximum of three days when baggage delays exceed six hours and up to $3,000 reimbursement for lost baggage). The same exclusions and claim window applies on the Iberia Visa Signature Card as all other Chase cards.

Pros

• 5X miles on dining, gas stations and grocery store purchases for the first 12 months or until you reach $10,000 in spending; 1X miles thereafter
• 3X miles on Iberia, Level, British Airways and Aer Lingus purchases
• 2X miles on hotel accommodation booked directly with the hotel
• $1,000 discount voucher toward two tickets on the same flight when you spend $30,000 within a calendar year
• 10% discount on Iberia flights booked using your card
• No foreign transaction fees

Cons

• No lounge access perks

British Airways Visa Signature® Card

If you find yourself frequently on British Airways flights, the British Airways Visa Signature® Card can offer you lucrative perks while protecting your baggage.

You’ll enjoy the same coverage as offered on other Chase co-branded airline cards. That means you can be reimbursed by up to $100 per day for a maximum of three days when baggage delays exceed six hours and up to $3,000 reimbursement for lost luggage. The same exclusions and claim window applies on the British Airways Visa Signature® Card as all other Chase cards.

Pros

• 3X miles on British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Level purchases
• 2X miles on hotel accommodation purchased directly with the hotel
• 10% discount on British Airways flights booked directly through British Airways
• Annual Travel Together ticket after you charge $30,000 to your card within a calendar year
• Statement credit of up to $100 for Economy and Premium Economy, and $200 for Business and First Class, when you pay the taxes and fees on an award flight using your card (can be used a maximum of three times a year with a total value of $600)
• No foreign transaction fees

Cons

• Companion certificate requires high annual expenditure.

Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card

Alongside Chase’s other co-branded airline cards, the Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card offers frequent flyers an easy way to protect their luggage against loss, theft, delays and damage.

The luggage insurance policy is exactly the same as Chase’s other airline cards, offering up to $100 per day for a maximum of three days when baggage delays exceed six hours and up to $3,000 reimbursement for lost baggage.

Pros

• 3X miles on British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Level purchases
• 2X miles on hotel accommodations purchased directly with the hotel
• Annual companion certificate after spending $30,000 with your card in a calendar year
• Priority boarding for you and your authorized users on Aer Lingus flights departing from and returning to the United States from Ireland
• No foreign transaction fees

Cons

• Companion certificate requires high annual expenditure.

What Is Baggage Loss Coverage?

Credit card lost luggage insurance reimburses you up to a specific dollar amount in the event that your luggage is lost or damaged by, or stolen during transit with, a common carrier.

Airlines typically determine baggage as lost after five to 14 days of it being delayed.

Under regulation from the Department of Transportation (DOT), airlines are required to reimburse you for the actual cash value of the contents of your baggage. That means you’ll be reimbursed up to the original price of the items minus depreciation.

However, airlines’ liability for reimbursement is capped at $3,800 per passenger for domestic flights and $1,700 for international flights, under the Montreal Convention.

That’s where credit card baggage loss insurance can help. In certain cases, you can receive secondary coverage and reimbursement where the airline or common carrier leaves off.

What Is Baggage Delay Coverage?

Baggage delay compensation reimburses you for the purchase of essential items when your baggage is delayed by a common carrier. Delays must meet a minimum duration to qualify, and reimbursement is capped at a maximum dollar amount for a maximum number of days.

Reimbursement of up to $100 per day for a maximum of five days is the typical offering of premium credit card delayed luggage insurance policies. Delays usually need to be a minimum of six hours for premium credit cards and 12 hours for all other credit cards.

Essential items covered by delayed baggage insurance policies can include toiletries and clothing, among other items.

According to the DOT, airlines are required to reimburse “reasonable, verifiable, and actual incidental expenses” incurred by delays, up to their maximum liability amount.

However, having a credit card with secondary baggage delay insurance could help you get reimbursed in instances where the airline or another eligible common carrier declines your compensation request.

What Is Covered by Credit Card Insurance

To enjoy lost and delayed baggage insurance coverage in the first place, you’ll need to charge at least a portion, if not all, of the cost of your common carrier ticket to your eligible credit card.

In some cases, paying for the taxes and fees on an award ticket will be enough to receive coverage. In other cases, you’ll need to charge the entire fare to your card to be eligible for reimbursement. However, the good news is that your family members are often covered by baggage loss and delay insurance as long as you charge their fare to your card, even if you’re not traveling with them.

Baggage delay insurances reimburses you up to a specific maximum daily amount for essential item purchases. These are purchases of items that were packed in your bag that has been delayed. Toiletries and clothing are examples of essential item purchases. However, many other items can fall into the essential category depending on where you’re traveling, who you’re traveling with and the length of the baggage delay.

Likewise, certain items considered essential can be bought a specific number of times only. For example, you’ll typically be reimbursed for the purchase of one electronic charging cable per person per trip only.

Lost baggage insurance reimburses you up to a specific dollar amount equal to the actual cash value—original price minus depreciation—of your items that have been lost. In some cases, your benefits administrator might require original receipts for items with a value greater than a specified amount. Likewise, certain categories of items—such as jewelry and electronics—may have their own sub-limit for reimbursement.

Both lost and delayed baggage insurance provide secondary coverage. That means you’ll need to first claim compensation from your common carrier. Your credit card baggage protection will then reimburse you for the difference between what the common carrier has already provided and the maximum you’re entitled to receive.

Keep in mind that lost and delayed baggage insurance coverage applies usually for the outbound part of your trip only. That means you won’t be covered for your return trip, assuming you’re returning to your city of residence.

What Is Not Covered

While credit card delayed baggage insurance can often come to your rescue, it won’t cover you in every situation.

High value personal items tend to be excluded from coverage under delayed baggage insurance. Excluded items can include but aren’t limited to:

• Jewelry and watches
• Electronics such as cameras
• Artificial dental products, such dental bridges or dentures
• Checks, documents, securities and money

In contrast, lost luggage reimbursement covers jewelry and watches in addition to electronics. However, these high value items typically have sub-limits of coverage, lower than the maximum reimbursement amount.

Likewise, certain causes of loss can make you ineligible for reimbursement. For example, items destroyed or lost due to acts of war or insurrection aren’t typically eligible for reimbursement. Similarly, losing your carry-on baggage after leaving it unattended in a public place would make you ineligible for reimbursement.

For this reason, it’s key to read the fine print of your card agreement so you’re not left high and dry.

How to Choose the Right Card for You

If you travel frequently in the sky or with another common carrier, lost and delayed baggage protection can save you when things go south. The more you find yourself on the road, the more value you’ll get out of a solid baggage protection plan.

However, it’s important to consider additional card perks and annual fees to determine the best card for you. This is especially so, given that airlines are legally required by the DOT to compensate you in the event your baggage is delayed or lost.

If you’re in the market for the best luggage insurance, you’ll want to consider Chase’s range of lucrative travel rewards credit cards.

For frequent flyers with specific airlines, you have a lot of options when it comes to finding a card with solid baggage insurance protection. Whether it’s British Airways, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Iberia or Aer Lingus, Chase has you covered. Likewise, if you’re after a hotel card, you can choose between Hyatt and IHG while enjoying premium baggage insurance.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for flexible travel rewards and luxury perks, you should consider one of Chase’s Sapphire cards for luggage insurance. Chase Sapphire products are also some of the best credit cards with travel medical insurance.

However, if you’re interested in lost baggage insurance only, you can also expand your choice to consider The American Express® Gold Card,* The Platinum Card® from American Express* and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

As with selecting any credit card, it’s important to consider the card’s perks holistically and choose a card whose benefits you can use to the maximum. That way, offsetting any annual fees will be far easier, giving you a greater return value.

How to File a Lost or Delayed Baggage Claim

After the drama of losing or waiting for a delayed bag is over, it’s time to file a claim.

To kick start the process, you’ll need to contact your benefits administrator. You’ll need to do this within 20 days of the occurrence to ensure that your claim isn’t denied. The benefits administrator will ask you a few questions to be able to send you the correct forms to file.

Once you’ve filled out and signed these forms, you’ll need to submit accompanying documentation with proof of loss. This can include but isn’t limited to:

• Your travel itinerary
• A copy of your credit card statement, with evidence of the common carrier fare charge
  Written confirmation from the common carrier of the baggage delay or that a lost baggage report was filed
• Written settlement or denial from the common carrier
• Copies of receipts for essential item purchases exceeding $25 for baggage delay reimbursement or for the purchase of replacement items for lost baggage reimbursement (Chase)
• Copies of original receipts

After you contact your benefits administrator, you typically have 90 days to submit the required proof of loss and completed forms.

If your claim is approved, you can expect reimbursement within 60 days.

Protect Your Baggage With the Right Credit Card

Waiting for your bag to turn up at baggage claim, only to be disappointed, is a real nuisance. Whether it’s a family vacation or short business trip, a delayed or lost bag is a source of stress.

Credit cards with baggage delay and baggage loss insurance can give you some peace of mind by reimbursing you for the costs associated with your luggage. So the next time you book a flight, make sure you’ve got a credit card with a solid baggage protection plan.

That way, you’ll be able to enjoy your beach-side mojito with peace of mind while the airline searches for your baggage.

* Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.