Credit cards that provide lost luggage reimbursement

Get reimbursement coverage for lost, stolen or damaged baggage.

When a carrier loses your bags on a trip, it can be more than just an inconvenience — those bags may have been carrying hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars worth of goods. Fortunately, lost luggage reimbursement is a relatively common benefit, but coverage amounts can vary.

What is lost luggage reimbursement?

Lost luggage reimbursement compensates you if your baggage and its contents are lost, stolen or damaged permanently. It’s different from baggage delay reimbursement, which compensates you for essential purchases while a carrier has temporarily lost your luggage.

What expenses does lost luggage reimbursement cover?

This insurance covers your checked and carry-on baggage, as well as the personal property within.

Here are common items lost luggage reimbursement might compensate you for. Expense eligibility may vary by provider. If you’re not sure, check your card’s guide to benefits or call your provider.

Examples of what may be coveredExamples of what may not be covered
  • Jewelry
  • Watches
  • Cameras
  • Cell phones
  • Valuable papers
  • Money
  • Tickets
  • Cheques

How lost luggage reimbursement works

Travel-insurance providers usually offer lost luggage reimbursement. However, you can get the benefit at no cost with some travel credit cards. Check your card’s guide to benefits to see if your baggage is also covered against damage in addition to loss and theft.

  • It applies to travel on common carriers.
    The definition of “common carrier” may vary by provider. It usually refers to public transportation that requires a paid ticket, such as airplanes, cruise ships and trains.
  • You need to use your credit card to pay for your travel fare.
    Some providers require you to put only a portion of your fare on your card; others require you to put your entire fare on your card.
  • There is a limit to your coverage.
    The maximum benefit is usually $1,000 per covered person on each eligible trip. Some providers may set a per-trip maximum.

Typical luggage reimbursement coverage by major credit card providers

  • Visa
    Eligible Visa cards will reimburse you up to $1,000 per person per trip.
  • Mastercard
    Eligible Mastercards will reimburse you up to $1,000.
  • American Express
    Eligible Amex cards will reimburse you up to $500 per person per trip.

Compare credit cards with lost luggage reimbursement

1 - 5 of 15
Name Product CACCF Welcome Offer Rewards Purchase Interest Rate Annual Fee Min. Credit Score Description
American Express Cobalt Card
15,000 points
Up to 5x points per $1 spent
21.99%
$155.88
Min. recommended credit score: 700
Earn up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points in your first year. Earn 1,250 Membership Rewards points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in purchases. That’s up to $150 towards a weekend getaway or concert tickets.
RBC Avion Visa Infinite
35,000 points
Up to 1 point per $1 spent
20.99%
$120
Min. recommended credit score: 650
Get 35,000 Welcome Points upon approval.
BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard
90,000 points
Up to 5x points per $1 spent
20.99%
$0 annual fee for the first year ($150 thereafter)
Min. recommended credit score: 760
Get up to 90,000 points and get the $150 annual fee waived by your first anniversary.
BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege
120,000 points
5 points per $1 spent
20.99%
$499
Min. recommended credit score: 760
Get up to 120,000 welcome points.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
35,000 points
Up to 3 points per $1 spent
20.99%
$0 annual fee for the first year ($150 thereafter)
Min. recommended credit score: 700
Earn up to 35,000 bonus Scene+ points and get the first year annual fee waived (that’s up to $1,100 in value in the first 12 months). Apply by January 2, 2025.
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How can I use lost luggage reimbursement?

You may be required to contact your benefit administrator within a certain time after loss of your baggage. You’ll also need to submit your claim within a certain time. Look for these due dates in your card’s guide to benefits.

  1. Report your lost baggage to your carrier immediately.
    Visit your carrier’s baggage reclaim or customer service desk. Get a copy of your loss report, as you may need it for your lost luggage claim.
  2. Contact your benefit administrator.
    You’ll find the contact information in your card’s guide to benefits. A representative will give you next steps. In some cases, you should simply submit a claim without calling. You may be able to submit your claim online at the website listed in your card’s guide to benefits.
  3. Submit your claim.
    Include a copy of the lost luggage report you received from your carrier, as well as other required documents such as your travel fare receipt or checked baggage receipt.
  4. Wait for contact from your benefit administrator.
    You may need to complete additional documents, such as a Proof of Loss. Or you won’t need to submit more information, and your benefit administrator will contact you only after it approves or denies your claim.

Who gets to use lost luggage reimbursement?

Lost luggage reimbursement is usually available to you and your immediate family members.

Immediate family members might include your:

  • Spouse or domestic partner.
  • Children or stepchildren.
  • Legal guardians or wards.
  • Siblings or siblings-in-law.
  • Parents or parents-in-law.
  • Grandparents or grandchildren.
  • Aunts or uncles.
  • Nieces or nephews.

If you have a business credit card, the employees of that business may receive lost luggage reimbursement too.

Bottom line

It’s incredibly frustrating when your baggage is lost, stolen or damaged. But if you’ve paid for your trip with the right credit card, you can receive compensation for your trouble.

Other credit cards may offer different types of travel insurance. You can compare them here.

Frequently asked questions

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Kevin Chen is a personal finance expert and a former writer at Finder. His expertise has been featured in CNN, U.S. News and World Report, Lifehacker and CreditCards.com, among other top media. See full bio

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