Many credit cards have baggage delay insurance, which provides reimbursement for the purchase of essential items such as toiletries and clothing if your baggage is delayed for more than six hours by a common carrier such as an airline, bus, cruise ship, or train.
You must have purchased a portion of the transportation with the credit card to be eligible, but most insurance also covers family members.
You are limited to a certain amount, typically $100, and you must spend it on items such as clothing, toiletries, or a cell phone charging cable.
Further, any insurance is secondary to what you may receive from the airline or other travel insurance you purchased.
Chase Baggage Delay Insurance
Purchase Requirement: A portion of the ticket on the card.
Amount Covered: $100 per day per person for up to 5 days.
Delay Requirement: 6+ hours
Who is Covered: Cardholder and immediate family members, which is defined as Spouse, and parents thereof; sons and daughters, including adopted children and stepchildren; parents, including stepparents; brothers and sisters; grandparents and grandchildren; aunts or uncles; nieces or nephews; and Domestic Partner and parents thereof, including Domestic Partners and spouses of any individual of this definition.
- Immediate family members do not need to be traveling with cardholder to be covered.
How to File a Claim:
- You must first file a claim with the common carrier and retain a copy of the claim.
- Keep copies of any receipts for the purchase of essential items over $25.
- File a claim online or call 1-888-320-9961 within 20 days of the delay. You will need to submit your travel itinerary, receipts, copy of the claim with common carrier, and credit card account statement reflecting the ticket purchase.
Barclays AAdvantage Red Aviator Baggage Delay Insurance
Purchase Requirement: A portion of the ticket on the card.
Amount Covered: $100 per day up to 3 days.
Delay Requirement: 4+ hours.
Who is Covered: The cardholder, spouse, domestic partner, and any dependent children under 26 years old.
How to File a Claim: You can submit a claim online or call 855-830-3721 within 90 days of the delay.
Citi Baggage Delay Insurance
Citi removed most travel protections on all of their cards include baggage delay insurance, lost baggage protection, and trip delay protection in 2019.
American Express Baggage Delay Insurance
American Express does not offer baggage delay insurance, but instead offers baggage protection insurance that covers any losses resulting from damaged, stolen or lost baggage, including carry-on and checked bags.
Bank of American Premium Rewards
The Bank of America Premium Rewards card provides reimbursement of of up to $100 per day (up to five days), when your bags are delayed or misdirected by a common carrier for more than six hours for essential items.
(I cannot locate the benefits PDF for this card to provide more information.)
