Have you ever been left waiting like a klutz in the airport baggage area and your luggage just never arrived? Having lost luggage insurance can save the day if an airline loses your luggage. Or you get your luggage back damaged. Or even if your airpods slip out of your pocket on a plane (with some cards). 

Let’s discuss lost luggage insurance offered by credit cards. Which credit card offers them and everything you need to know about what is covered and when you’re covered, including some nitty gritty stuff.

What's lost luggage insurance

Lost luggage insurance will cover you for items lost or damaged when flying on an airplane or riding in a common carrier. For example, if an airline loses your luggage then you can claim the credit card to pay you the full value of the items lost (the exact limits will be discussed further in the post).

Don't confuse lost luggage with baggage delay

Many credit cards offer both lost luggage insurance and baggage delay insurance but don’t confuse the two. Lost luggage insurance will cover in a case where your baggage is completely lost and the coverage applies to refund you for the items lost. Baggage delay insurance does not cover the actual items, it covers items you need to buy to temporarily replace items that you needed but did not have because your luggage was delayed. 

Coverage by law

It’s good to know that even without coverage from a credit card, by law, airlines need to reimburse you for up to $3,500 if they lose your luggage on flights within the U.S. and $1,780 for international flights.

Quick chart of coverage terms by different banks

Lost luggage insurance offered on Amex cards

Who is covered? You, your spouse, and children (under 23 years old), and authorized users.

What is covered? Coverage is for items that are damaged or lost. 

If I leave something behind on the plane or a common carrier am I covered ? Yes. Amex covers for carry-on items or items left behind on a common carrier (no, it does not have to be in a suitcase). A while back, we did a post which analyzed that even items left behind in an Uber will be eligible for coverage. 

If I book with points and only charge taxes to the card will I be covered? No. Amex requires you to use your card to pay for the full fare. Although Amex does allow you to use Amex Membership reward points when booking through Amex Travel points and still get coverage.

Lost luggage insurance offered on Chase cards

Who is covered? You, your spouse, and immediate family members, and authorized users.

What is covered? Coverage is for baggage that is lost, stolen, or damaged.

If I leave something behind on the plane or a common carrier am I covered? No. Chase terms state that if you remove something from your carry-on bag and leave it behind then you’re not covered. 

If I book with points and only charge taxes to the card will I get coverage? Yes. Chase terms allow you to pay only a portion of the fare with your eligible card and still get coverage.

Lost luggage insurance offered on Capital One cards

Who is covered? You, your spouse, and immediate family members, and authorized users. 

What is covered? Coverage is for baggage that is lost, stolen, or damaged.

If I leave something behind on the plane or a common carrier am I covered? No. Capital One terms state that the item has to be lost by the common carrier 

If I book with points and only charge taxes to the card will I have coverage? With the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card you can pay even a portion of the fare and still get coverage. With all other eligible Capital One cards, you need to pay the full fare with the Capital One card to be eligible for coverage. 

Lost luggage insurance offered on US Bank cards

Who is covered? You, your spouse, and immediate family members, and authorized users.

What is covered? Coverage is for baggage that is lost, stolen, or damaged.

If I leave something behind on the plane or a common carrier am I covered? No. US Bank terms state that the item has to be lost by the common carrier. 

If I book with points and only charge taxes to the card will I have coverage? Yes. US Bank terms allow you to pay only a portion of the fare with your eligible card and still get coverage.

Lost luggage insurance offered on Citi cards

There are currently no Citi cards that include a lost luggage insurance benefit. 

Lost luggage insurance offered on Discover cards

There are currently no Discover cards that include a lost luggage insurance benefit. 

Lost luggage insurance offered on Wells Fargo cards

There are currently no Wells Fargo cards that include a lost luggage insurance benefit.

* Baggage Insurance Plan

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. 
• Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. 
• Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

** Baggage Insurance Plan

Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Eligible Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a Common Carrier Vehicle ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible Account. 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. 
• Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. 
• Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.