If you\u2019re one of the unlucky millions finding yourself sans-bag when you arrive at your destination, the knowledge that you paid for your flight with a credit card featuring lost luggage reimbursement can take the sting out of an unfortunate situation.<\/p>\n
The list we've put together doesn't cover every card providing lost luggage protection. Instead, we\u2019ve broken down the coverage by credit card network and recorded specific details for each provider.<\/p>\n
Page Contents<\/p>
- What Is Lost Luggage Reimbursement and How Does It Work?<\/a>
- What items aren't covered by lost luggage protection?<\/a><\/li>
- The difference between lost and delayed luggage<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Credit Card Lost and Damaged Luggage Policies<\/a>
- Visa card lost luggage policy<\/a><\/li>
- Mastercard lost luggage policy<\/a><\/li>
- American Express lost luggage policy<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Final Thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n
What Is Lost Luggage Reimbursement and How Does It Work?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Lost luggage reimbursement covers the cost to repair or replace your luggage and the personal belongings it contains if your bag is lost or damaged during a covered trip.<\/p>\n
What constitutes a covered trip varies by credit card provider, but it typically covers airline, train, bus, and marine transport charged to your eligible credit card. Lost luggage insurance is secondary to any reimbursement from the airline or travel provider, and coverage from your credit card typically applies to both your checked and carry-on baggage. Coverage lasts from the moment you check in until you pick up your bags at the other end of your journey and walk out of the terminal.<\/p>\n
![\"3](\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\")
Credit: Caroline Selfors\/Unsplash<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n What items aren't covered by lost luggage protection?<\/span><\/h3>\n
Lost Luggage policies typically cover both your checked bags and carry-on luggage, including their contents, but each card also excludes certain items. The lists below aren\u2019t exhaustive; confirm the details of your specific card with your Benefits Administrator.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Amex:\u00a0<\/strong>Cash, cards, and cash equivalents, travel documents (including passports and visas), securities, tickets and documents, living plants and consumables, eyewear, medical aids, or similar items.<\/li>\n
- Capital One:\u00a0<\/strong>Medical items, cash and cash-like items, travel documents, freight shipments, and items for business use.<\/li>\n
- Chase: <\/strong>Documents or valuable papers, money, securities, tickets, checks, traveler\u2019s checks, or furs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Something to be aware of before pulling out your card to pay for a fare is that some cards offering lost luggage protection require you to charge the entire fare to the card to qualify for coverage, whereas others cover you when you pay with points from that bank's own program (but might not be covered if you pay with miles from an airline program not owned by the card issuer).<\/p>\n
For example, Chase covers Chase Sapphire Reserve\u00ae<\/sup><\/a> cardholders if “You charge all or a portion of the cost of the Common Carrier fare to Your Covered Card and\/or use redeemable Rewards.” <\/em>You could pay for an award ticket with United MileagePlus miles, pay the taxes and fees with your Sapphire Reserve, and you\u2019d still qualify for lost luggage coverage.<\/p>\n
Related: Which Credit Card Should You Use To Pay Award Taxes and Fees?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
The difference between lost and delayed luggage<\/span><\/h3>\n
Lost luggage is when your suitcase goes missing and is never found. Your belongings are gone, and you have to replace them. Delayed luggage is when your suitcase doesn't show up at the carousel, but you are eventually reunited with your belongings. Although most travel rewards cards offer lost luggage insurance, only a handful offer baggage delay insurance.<\/p>\n
I misunderstood this benefit a few years ago. When my suitcase didn't arrive with me in Vienna, I contacted American Express, and they told me I would be reimbursed up to $500 to replace my belongings since I used my Delta SkyMiles\u00ae<\/sup> Gold American Express Card<\/a> to book my flight. However, after four days, my suitcase was delivered to my apartment, which meant I no longer qualified for coverage.<\/p>\n
Related: Which Credit Cards Offer the Best Baggage Delay Coverage?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
Credit Card Lost and Damaged Luggage Policies<\/span><\/h2>\n
As an example of how the policies and exclusions differ between providers, we\u2019ve collated lost luggage protection policy details provided on World Mastercard, Visa Infinite (the benefit is also included on select Visa Signature cards), and American Express cards below, but make sure you check the specific policy on your card before assuming you'll be covered.<\/p>\n
Visa card lost luggage policy<\/span><\/h3>\n
Visa's lost luggage policy generally covers up to $3,000 per person per trip ($2,000 for New York residents), including up to $500 for high-risk items such as jewelry, watches, electronics, and cameras.<\/p>\n
Lost luggage insurance is one of the seemingly endless benefits provided on Visa Infinite<\/a> cards \u2014 which includes the Chase Sapphire Reserve\u00ae<\/sup><\/a> (Rates & Fees<\/a>), the United Club\u2120 Card<\/a> (Rates & Fees<\/a>) and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card<\/a> (though this can be issued as a Mastercard sometimes).<\/p>\n
This coverage is also featured on select Visa Signature cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/a> (Rates & Fees<\/a>) and the United\u2120 Explorer Card<\/a> (Rates & Fees<\/a>).<\/p>\n
\n\n\nChase Sapphire Reserve\u00ae<\/sup><\/div>\n<\/div>\n Apply Now<\/a><\/div>\nRates & Fees<\/a><\/span><\/div>\nWelcome Bonus<\/strong>\r\nEarn 150,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n Chase Sapphire Reserve\u00ae<\/sup><\/strong>\nWelcome Bonus<\/strong>\r\nEarn 150,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.<\/div>\nAnnual Fee:<\/strong>$795<\/b><\/div>\nShow more<\/a>Why We Like It<\/a>Highlights<\/a>Earning Rates<\/a>Chase's flagship Ultimate Rewards card. You get a $300 travel credit, airport lounge access courtesy of a Priority Pass membership and industry-leading travel insurance benefits. New cardholders earn 150,000 bonus points bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.<\/div>\n\n\n- Earn 150,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.<\/li>
- Get $3,000 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.<\/li>
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases<\/li>
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.<\/li>
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years<\/li>
- Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.<\/li>
- Count on Trip Cancellation\/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.<\/li>
- Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music - all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6\/22\/27 - a value of $288 annually<\/li>
- Member FDIC<\/li><\/ul><\/body><\/html>\n<\/div>
- Capital One:\u00a0<\/strong>Medical items, cash and cash-like items, travel documents, freight shipments, and items for business use.<\/li>\n
- Mastercard lost luggage policy<\/a><\/li>
- The difference between lost and delayed luggage<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- What items aren't covered by lost luggage protection?<\/a><\/li>
![\"3](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/chris-hardy-At8A_BAMmUs-unsplash-scaled.jpg\")
![\"Chase](\"https:\/\/cdn.nextinsure.com\/imaging\/opt\/565192b2-c5cc-4edc-89ae-b8bba7a63750.png\")
<\/div>\n