Insured for delayed luggage with credit card
One suitcase after another lands on the luggage carousel – just not yours. If your suitcase doesn’t arrive on time, it’s annoying. The American Express Gold or Platinum Card gives you peace of mind: The included insurance covers any additional costs.
Luggage delay – what to do?
No matter how carefully you plan your vacation, occasionally a piece of luggage does not reach its destination at the same time as you. This is not uncommon for frequent travelers. There are many reasons for this:
- Short transfer times
- Delayed check-in
- Technical faults
- Prioritization for high-capacity utilization
In most cases, your luggage is not lost, it simply arrives later at your destination. If you have waited in vain at the luggage carousel, proceed as follows:
- Report the delay at the luggage counter. There you will receive a reference number (PIR – Property Irregularity Report), which you will need for all further steps.
- Keep your boarding pass and luggage receipt, as these are required for tracking purposes.
- Document expenses and keep receipts so that you can assert your claims later.
- Contact the airline or tour operator. You have 21 days to report the luggage delay. If your suitcase does not turn up within this period, it is officially considered lost.
As a rule, a delayed suitcase will be forwarded on the next available flight and delivered directly to your hotel or to your specified address – often within 48 hours.
American Express credit card: Travel Inconvenience Insurance included
If your luggage arrives late, you have rights as a passenger. According to the airlines’ international luggage regulations, you may be entitled to compensation or assistance. However, there are maximum liability limits that are often not sufficient to cover your expenses.
Travel Inconvenience Insurance from American Express is a useful addition. If your luggage is delayed, the insurance covers the costs of urgently needed purchases at your vacation destination. It also covers you in the event of flight delays and cancellations, offering all-round protection when traveling.
These American Express Cards include luggage delay insurance:
Particularly practical: If you have made the travel booking with your American Express credit card, you are already insured through this transaction and do not need to worry about additional policies.
Travel benefits in a card comparison: the credit card for your lifestyle
Platinum Card
If you like to travel a lot, the Platinum Card from American Express is the ideal choice. With it, you benefit from many useful travel insurance offers:
- Transport Accident Insurance
- Personal assistance
- Travel Inconvenience Insurance
- Foreign Travel Medical Expenses Insurance
- Travel Cancellation and Curtailment Insurance
- Loss Damage Waiver for Rental Cars
- Luggage Insurance
Gold Card
For holders of the American Express Gold Card, the comprehensive insurance package includes a wide range of important travel protection services:
- Transport Accident Insurance
- Personal assistance
- Travel Inconvenience Insurance
- Foreign Travel Medical Expenses Insurance
In the event of luggage delays: well insured with the Gold Card and Platinum Card
The American Express Gold Card and Platinum Card offer additional cover for luggage delays with their Travel Inconvenience Insurance. The insurance reimburses expenses for urgently needed purchases at your destination that you would otherwise have to pay for yourself.
The comprehensive insurance benefits of the Platinum Card from American Express are ideal for frequent travelers in particular. If you book your trip via the Platinum Travel & Lifestyle Service from American Express, you will benefit from additional special advantages.*
Frequently asked questions and answers
The airline will usually endeavor to deliver the luggage within 48 hours. If the luggage cannot be found for a longer period of time, other deadlines and measures apply depending on the airline and individual circumstances.
In general, compensation is possible if the trip was booked with American Express and the luggage delay causes inconvenience, for example on business trips. However, the conditions for compensation may vary depending on the airline and itinerary. It is therefore best to refer to the information provided by your airline for details of your entitlements. Requirements and details can be found in the Terms and Conditions of Insurance (incl. information for persons insured under collective insurance).
Depending on your card product, American Express offers an assistance service that can help you deal with irregularities when traveling. Check your specific card conditions or contact American Express Customer Service for more information.
