4 Awesome Credit Cards that Offer Baggage Delay Insurance

I have a feeling that many of you reading this right now had to deal with a delayed luggage situation at least once before. Having the right credit card in this situation can make such a terrible experience a little bit better. In this post I’ll show you 4 awesome credit cards that offer baggage delay insurance.

Keep in mind that this benefit is completely different than the lost baggage benefit. This would cover you only if your baggage is completely lost or totally damaged. Some airlines already provide reasonable reimbursement in such situations. However, airlines have terrible coverage for baggage delays. This is why it’s good to have one of the 4 credit cards below.

In order to take advantage of baggage delay coverage, you generally must book your trip using the credit card. What’s awesome about Chase and Citi is that they’ll grant you baggage delay coverage if you book with a combination of their Ultimate Rewards or ThankYou Points and cash, or all points.

Let’s get into the details:

1- Citi Prestige Baggage Delay Insurance

You are covered for up to $500 per Covered Traveler, per Trip if the Covered Traveler’s checked baggage doesn’t get to their destination within 6 hours of arrival. To be eligible for coverage under this benefit, your Citi card and/or ThankYou® Points must be used to purchase at least a portion of the Common Carrier fare.

Who is Covered? 

Covered Travelers means, you, your Family Members, and Traveling Companion(s) traveling on the Trip.

What’s Covered?

This benefit covers personal and business items that the Covered Traveler(s) may need when their baggage is delayed, such as toiletries or a change of clothes, unless they’re included in the “What’s Not Covered” list below. There is no coverage when baggage is delayed returning to the Covered Traveler’s primary residence. The coverage provided by this benefit is secondary. This means if the
Common Carrier or another source reimburses the Covered Traveler(s) for any expenses, this benefit will cover only unreimbursed amounts.

What’s Not Covered?

■ Any items not contained in the checked baggage.
■ Traveler’s checks, tickets of any kind (e.g., for airlines, sporting events, concerts, or lottery), passport, visas, negotiable instruments, bullion, rare, or precious metals, stamps, and coins, currency or its equivalent.

How to File a Claim?

1- To file a claim, call 1-866-506-5222 within 60 days of the bags being delayed. You will be sent a claim form and asked if you have certain documents of proof to support your claim. Or you can visit www.citi.com/prestige to download a claim form for submission.

2. Return the claim form and all requested documents within 180 days of the bags being delayed or as soon as reasonably possible.

2- Citi ThankYou Premier Baggage Delay Insurance

You are covered for up to $100 per Covered Traveler, per Trip if the Covered Traveler’s checked baggage doesn’t get to their destination within 6 hours of arrival. To be eligible for coverage under this benefit, Your Citi® Card and/or ThankYou® Points must be used to purchase at least a portion of the Common Carrier fare.

Who is Covered? 

Covered Travelers means You and Your Family Member(s) traveling on the Trip.

What’s Covered?

This benefit covers personal and business items that the Covered Traveler(s) may need when their baggage is delayed, such as toiletries or a change of clothes, unless they’re included in the “What’s Not Covered” list below. The coverage provided by this benefit is secondary. This means if the Common Carrier or another source reimburses the Covered Traveler(s) for any expenses, this benefit will cover only unreimbursed amounts.

What’s Not Covered?

■ Any items not contained in the checked baggage.
■ Traveler’s checks, tickets of any kind (e.g., for airlines, sporting events, concerts, or lottery), passport, visas, negotiable instruments, bullion, rare, or precious metals, stamps, and coins, currency or its equivalent.

How to File a Claim?

1- To file a claim, call 1-866-918-4670 within 60 days of the bags being delayed. Failure to file a claim within 60 days will result in the denial of coverage. You will be sent a claim form and asked if you have certain documents of proof to support your claim. Or You can visit cardbenefits.citi.com to download a claim form for submission.

2. Return all requested documents within 180 days of the bags being delayed or as soon as reasonably possible.

3- Chase Sapphire Reserve Baggage Delay Insurance

Provides reimbursement for the emergency purchase of essential items like toiletries and clothing, when baggage is delayed or misdirected for more than six hours by a common carrier, such as an airline, bus, cruise ship or train, while on covered trip.
Covers trips when the common carrier fare for the transportation has been purchased with an eligible Chase card or with rewards earned on an eligible Chase card.
Reimbursement is in excess of any travel insurance, or reimbursement from the occupancy provider or common carrier

Coverage Amount/Period

• Up to $100 per day for a maximum of 5 days

Who is Covered?

• Cardholder
• Cardholder’s spouse or domestic partner
• Immediate family members

What is Covered?

• The emergency purchase of essential items needed as a result of the baggage delay including but not limited to: clothing, toiletries, and one cell phone charging cable

What is Not Covered?

This is not an exhaustive list. Examples include:

• Contact lenses, eyeglasses or hearing aids
• Tickets, documents, money, securities, checks, travelers checks and valuable papers

Important Claim Information and Timeframes

• You, the Cardholder, must file a written claim within 20 days after the occurrence (or as soon as reasonably possible)
• The Benefit Administrator will send you a claim form when you report your loss.  You must submit a completed claim form and supporting documentation within 90 days from the date of occurrence (or as soon as reasonably possible)
• Call 1-888-675-1461 for information or to file a claim.

4- Chase Sapphire Preferred Baggage Delay Insurance

Provides reimbursement for the emergency purchase of essential items like toiletries and clothing, when baggage is delayed or misdirected for more than six hours by a common carrier, such as an airline, bus, cruise ship or train, while on covered trip.
Covers trips when the common carrier fare for the transportation has been purchased with an eligible Chase card or with rewards earned on an eligible Chase card.
Reimbursement is in excess of any travel insurance, or reimbursement from the occupancy provider or common carrier.

Coverage Amount/Period

• Up to $100 per day for a maximum of 5 days

Who is Covered?

• Cardholder
• Cardholder’s spouse or domestic partner
• Immediate family members

What is Covered?

• The emergency purchase of essential items needed as a result of the baggage delay including but not limited to: clothing, toiletries, and one cell phone charging cable

What is Not Covered?

This is not an exhaustive list. Examples include:

• Contact lenses, eyeglasses or hearing aids
• Tickets, documents, money, securities, checks, travelers checks and valuable papers

Important Claim Information and Timeframes

• You, the Cardholder, must file a written claim within 20 days after the occurrence (or as soon as reasonably possible)
• The Benefit Administrator will send you a claim form when you report your loss.  You must submit a completed claim form and supporting documentation within 90 days from the date of occurrence (or as soon as reasonably possible)
• Call 1-888-320-9961 for information or to file a claim.

Featured Photo by Michał Parzuchowski on Unsplash

If you have any questions, comment below or tweet me @pointspointers or email me at ramy@pointspointers.com

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