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Credit cards with baggage delay insurance

Compare credit cards offering baggage insurance, travel rewards and other benefits – and travel with peace of mind.

Emma Balmforth
Emma Balmforth

&

Kevin Joey Chen
Kevin Joey Chen

Last updated:

If your luggage is delayed, you might be stuck without essential items like clothing and toiletries. However, if you have baggage delay insurance, you could be reimbursed for purchases you make while waiting for your luggage to arrive.

Compare the top credit cards in Canada offering the best baggage insurance coverage and find out how to choose the right credit card for your needs.

How we chose the best credit cards for baggage insurance

We’ve chosen the cards on this page based on the providers available through Finder. These cards are not representative of the entire market. Our top credit cards for baggage insurance offer coverage for your luggage, a high value of rewards or cash back, exclusive travel related perks such as travel insurance coverage and roadside assistance, and a signup bonus. We’ve also considered annual fees and balance transfer fees.

No single credit card will be the best choice for everyone, so compare your options before picking your new card.

Best for highest baggage insurance coverage: TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card

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The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card comes with one of the highest baggage insurance coverage offers out of all credit cards on the market. Whether your baggage is lost or delayed, you’ll receive up to $1,000 overall coverage per insured person. Your baggage must be delayed for at least six hours and insurance covers necessary items like clothing and toiletries.When it comes to Air Canada, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card provides plenty of perks, including access to Maple Leaf Lounges, complimentary upgrades, boarding privileges and more.

Best for travel perks: The Platinum Card from American Express

The Platinum Card from American Express

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The Platinum Card from American Express is a metal credit card designed for frequent travellers. The card offers concierge services, an annual $200 travel credit, airport lounge access and comprehensive travel insurance.

When it comes to baggage insurance coverage, the The Platinum Card from American Express comes with coverage up to $1,000 per trip for all insured persons. As is typical, you’ll need to fully book your trip using your card. You can also take advantage of delayed baggage insurance, which covers you up to $1,000 if your baggage is delayed more than six hours and you purchase necessary and much needed items within four days of arriving at your destination. While this card is a powerful travel companion, watch out for the annual fee of $699.

Best for international travel: Scotiabank Gold American Express Card

Scotiabank Gold American Express Card

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With a fresh new look, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card is a powerful everyday credit card as well as a strong travel companion. When your trip is fully booked using your credit card, you’ll receive up to $1,000 in lost or stolen baggage coverage. You can also take advantage of delayed baggage insurance, with the same amount of coverage provided, should your baggage be delayed more than four hours.

With a signup bonus of 30,000 points, earn 5x the points on your everyday eating and drinking expenses, and 3x the points on gas and daily transit costs. You’ll also earn 1x the points on everything else, which means no matter what you buy on a daily basis, you’ll rack up points regardless of the spending category. When it comes to travel, enjoy no foreign transaction fees, complimentary airport lounge access, access to a 24/7 concierge service and a comprehensive suite of travel insurance.

Best for travel in Canada: American Express Cobalt Card

American Express Cobalt Card

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While the American Express Cobalt Card comes with a lower baggage coverage than other cards on this list, it’s still a competitor due to its high earn rate of Membership Rewards points which can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, gift cards and statement credit. This card comes with up to $500 in coverage for lost or stolen baggage, as well as delayed baggage insurance up to the same amount – provided you book your trip in full using your card.

You’ll also earn 5x the points when you spend at eligible grocery stores across Canada, as well as bonus points and standard Amex perks like experiences, entertainment access and more.

Compare credit cards for baggage insurance

Compare the baggage insurance limit for each credit card in the table below. Plus, take a look at annual fees, APRs and signup bonuses for each card.

Name Product Baggage Insurance Limit per Claim Welcome Offer Purchase Interest Rate Cash Advance Rate Annual Fee
American Express Cobalt Card
American Express Cobalt Card
$500
Earn 2,500 points with minimum spend of $500 for each billing period. Up to 30,000 bonus points in your first year.
19.99%
22.99%
$120
Earn 2,500 points with minimum spend of $500 for each billing period. Up to 30,000 bonus points in your first year.
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TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
$1,000
Earn up to 30,000 Aeroplan Miles (equivalent to 2 economy short-haul roundtrip flight rewards) and first year no Annual Fee for the Primary Cardholder. Apply online by March 2, 2020.

19.99%
22.99%
$120
Earn up to 30,000 Aeroplan Miles (equivalent to 2 economy short-haul roundtrip flight rewards) and first year no Annual Fee for the Primary Cardholder. Apply online by March 2, 2020.
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BMO World Elite MasterCard
BMO World Elite MasterCard
$750
Offers 35,000 BMO Rewards bonus points with minimum spend of $3,000 in the first three months of card membership. Ends January 15, 2020.
19.99%
22.99%
$0 annual fee for the first year ($150 thereafter)
Offers 35,000 BMO Rewards bonus points with a minimum spend of $3,000 in the first three months of card membership. Ends January 15, 2020.
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Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
$1,000
Earn up to 35,000 bonus Scotia Rewards points in your first year of card membership.
19.99%
22.99%
$139
Earn up to 25,000 bonus Scotia Rewards points in your first year of card membership. Plus, earn an extra 10,000 points with a min. annual spend of $40,000 on your card.
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TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card
TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card
$1,000
Earn up to 80,000 TD Rewards Points, including a 20,000 welcome bonus when you make your first purchase with your card. Earn 5X the TD Rewards Points on all purchases up to a maximum of 20,000 TD Rewards Points per month, for each of the first three months. Plus, first year no annual fee for the primary cardholder. Apply online by March 2, 2020.
19.99%
22.99%
$120
Earn up to 80,000 TD Rewards Points, including a 20,000 welcome bonus when you make your first purchase with your card. Earn 5X the TD Rewards Points on all purchases up to a maximum of 20,000 TD Rewards Points per month, for each of the first three months. Plus, first year no annual fee for the primary cardholder. Apply online by March 2, 2020.
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SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express
SimplyCash Preferred Card from American Express
$500
Receive 5% cashback (up to $300 cashback) in the first six months.
19.99%
22.99%
$99
Receive 5% cash back (up to $300 cash back) and a 1.99% balance transfer rate in the first 6 months to new cardmembers. No balance transfer fee upon application.
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BMO CashBack World Elite MasterCard
BMO CashBack World Elite MasterCard
$750
Get 5% cash back in the first three months of card membership with first year annual fee waiver. Ends March 31, 2020.
19.99%
22.99%
$0 annual fee for the first year ($120 thereafter)
Get 5% cash back in the first three months of card membership with a first year annual fee waiver. Ends March 31, 2020.
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Shell AIR MILES World Mastercard from BMO
Shell AIR MILES World Mastercard from BMO
$750
N/A
19.99%
22.99%
$99
Earn 1.25x Miles on card purchases at participating Shell stations in Canada.
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American Express AeroplanPlus Platinum Card
American Express AeroplanPlus Platinum Card
$1,000
Receive 40,000 bonus Aeroplan Miles after spending $3,000 in the first three months of card membership.
You can also earn an additional $150 Air Canada eGift Card after spending a total of $6,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership.
N/A
N/A
$499
Get free annual partner ticket and unlimited access to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges as well as Air Canada priority check-in. Receive 40,000 bonus Aeroplan Miles after spending $3,000 in the first three months of card membership. You can also earn an additional $150 Air Canada eGift Card after spending a total of $6,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership.
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American Express AeroplanPlus Gold Card
American Express AeroplanPlus Gold Card
$500
Offers 15,000 bonus Aeroplan Miles when you spend $1,500 within your first 3 months of membership.
N/A
N/A
$120
Offers 15,000 bonus Aeroplan Miles when you spend $1,500 within your first 3 months of membership.
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Compare up to 4 providers

What is baggage delay insurance?

Baggage delay insurance reimburses you for essential items you buy if a travel carrier temporarily loses or misdirects your baggage.

For example, let’s say you check your luggage before your flight. When you get to your destination, the airline informs you your luggage is missing. While the airline locates your baggage, you might need to buy toiletries and other essentials. With baggage delay insurance, you could be compensated for these purchases.

Some credit cards will limit the types of valuables covered, or will set low limits compared to the actual value of the item. For example, you may only be able to claim up to $500 for all lost or stolen jewellery. You’ll need to read over the insurance policy before applying for a credit card to ensure you’re not disappointed with the coverage amount and terms.

What’s the difference between baggage “delay” insurance and “lost or stolen” baggage insurance?

Insurance providers often treat delayed baggage differently than lost or stolen baggage, splitting these up into 2 separate policies.

  • Baggage delay insurance. Covers the cost of clothes and other necessities in the event your baggage has been delayed for longer than a certain number of hours. Coverage often runs from $500 to $1,000 per insured person and/or trip.
  • Lost or stolen baggage insurance. Covers expenses incurred when you have to cancel a trip due to an emergency. Eligible emergencies could include severe illness or death of the insured or his/her travel companion, missed flight connections, business meeting cancellations or travel warnings issued by the Government of Canada.

However, if your luggage is lost and you don’t have lost luggage insurance, you may be able to cash in on baggage delay insurance for the same situation instead. Alternatively, keep in mind that you may be able to get some form of lost luggage reimbursement from your airline. Check with your provider to find out exactly what type of insurance is offered with your card.

What’s the difference between travel insurance and baggage insurance?

Travel insurance covers a wide range of benefits, including travel medical and accident insurance, trip interruption, flight delays and lost luggage.

Baggage insurance, on the other hand, is only one component of many travel insurance policies and is limited to covering your carry-on and checked-in luggage in case of loss, damage or delay.

What’s covered with baggage delay insurance?

Aside from the credit cards we highlighted above as our top pics, these other credit cards provide a snapshot of baggage delay insurance coverage you can expect to find on the market.

CardMinimum delayMaximum coverageAnnual fee
ScotiaGold Passport Visa Card4 hours$1,000 for all insured people on the same trip$110
American Express Business Gold Rewards Card6 hours$500 (aggregated coverage with Flight Delay Insurance)$250
TD Platinum Travel Visa Card6 hours$1,000 per covered person per trip (for purchases made within 96 hours after arriving at your final destination)$89
BMO AIR MILES World Elite MasterCard12 hours$200 (specifically for purchases made within 36 hours of arrival at your destination)

$750 per insured person up to a $2,000 maximum per account per trip

$120
Here are common items baggage delay insurance might compensate you for. Providers have different rules on expense eligibility. Check your card’s benefits guide to confirm.

What may be coveredWhat may not be covered
  • Clothing
  • Toiletries
  • Charging cables
  • Tickets, checks, passports, etc.
  • Jewelry and watches
  • Cameras
  • Contact lenses or eyeglasses

Providers typically have relatively narrow definitions of qualifying purchases because baggage delay insurance is simply meant to tide you over until the carrier gets you your luggage. Some reasonable-sounding items may not be covered, such as contact lenses.

How baggage delay insurance works

  • It’s valid for common-carrier travel.
    “Common carrier” usually means public transportation that requires a paid ticket, like airplanes, trains and cruise ships.
  • Use your card to pay for your fare.
    This is a requirement to get the insurance. With many providers, you’ll qualify if you pay for at least a portion of your fare with your card. Some providers require you to pay for your entire fare with your card.
  • Your bag must be delayed for a certain amount of time.
    Typically, the insurance kicks in only after your bag has been delayed for at least 4-6 hours depending on the policy offered with your specific card.
  • There’s a maximum amount of coverage.
    Providers often cap baggage delay insurance at $500 per covered traveler. Your provider may set a daily maximum or a trip maximum.

How can I use baggage delay insurance?

If your trip is covered by your card’s insurance and your baggage is delayed, follow these steps to get reimbursed:

  1. Inform your carrier.
    Visit your carrier’s baggage services or customer service desk and let the representative know you haven’t received your luggage. File a report and get a copy of it. Also, collect documentation from the carrier showing what’s being done to locate your luggage.
  2. Collect receipts.
    While waiting for your luggage to arrive, ask for receipts for all essential purchases you make.
  3. Get proof of baggage delivery.
    This will show your claims administrator how long your baggage was delayed.
  4. Check your card’s guide to benefits.
    There, you’ll find details on who to contact for your claim.
  5. File your claim.
    Include supporting documentation. Usually, you must file within 20 to 60 days of your baggage delay.
  6. Look for communication.
    Keep an eye out for contact from your claims administrator. You may need to return additional documentation and answer questions from representatives.

How to get baggage delay insurance

You can typically find baggage delay insurance with travel-insurance providers. However, you can get it for free with select travel credit cards from networks such as Visa, Mastercard and American Express.

Who gets to use baggage delay insurance?

Baggage delay insurance is typically available to the primary cardholder and their traveling companion or immediate family members like their spouse or children. If you have a business credit card, baggage delay coverage may extend to employees of the business under which the card is issued.

Bottom line

It can be extremely inconvenient when a carrier misplaces your luggage. However, baggage delay insurance can help you cover essential costs in the meantime. And if you have a credit card that provides concierge services, you might even be able to have your bags delivered to you when they arrive.

There are also other types of travel insurance, which you can find in many travel credit cards.

Frequently asked questions

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