Travel can be an exciting adventure, but nothing dampens the mood faster than waiting endlessly at the airport carousel for luggage that just won’t show up. Luckily, several airlines offer compensation in the form of free travel miles when your luggage is delayed. In this guide, we’ll break down the steps for how to redeem these miles and which airlines offer this perk.
Step 1: Check if Your Airline Offers Compensation
First, find out if your airline participates in compensating passengers for delayed luggage. The following airlines are known to offer free travel miles for this inconvenience:
- Delta Airlines: Delta’s “Bags on Time” guarantee offers 2,500 SkyMiles if your checked bags don’t arrive at the carousel within 20 minutes of your flight landing.
- Alaska Airlines: If your bag doesn’t show up within 20 minutes of your flight’s arrival, Alaska Airlines will compensate you with 2,500 Mileage Plan miles.
- JetBlue Airways: JetBlue also offers 1,500 TrueBlue points for delayed luggage, though there’s no specific time frame, so it’s important to check with the airline when you’re at the airport.
Step 2: Time Your Wait
Once your flight lands, note the time. Most airlines begin counting the luggage delay from the moment your flight arrives at the gate. To claim your free miles, you need to be sure your luggage is officially delayed by the airline’s standards. Generally, this means your bag must arrive at the baggage claim after 20 minutes.
- Tip: Use your phone to set a timer when your flight lands so you can track the time easily.
Step 3: File Your Claim
If your luggage is delayed, you’ll need to file a claim to receive your free miles. Here’s how to do it with each airline:
- Delta Airlines: Visit Delta’s dedicated “Bags on Time” page. You’ll need to enter your bag tag number and flight information. If eligible, the miles will be credited to your SkyMiles account within a few days.
- Alaska Airlines: You can contact the appropriate Airport Baggage Office to make your claim. Make sure you have your flight number, baggage tag number, and the time your luggage arrived to ensure quick processing.
- JetBlue Airways: You’ll need to contact JetBlue’s customer service either by phone or in person at the airport to request your compensation.
Step 4: Monitor Your Mileage Account
Once you’ve filed your claim, keep an eye on your frequent flyer account to make sure the miles are credited. Depending on the airline, this can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks.
- Tip: If your miles haven’t been credited after the specified time frame, follow up with the airline’s customer service team to resolve the issue.
Additional Tips
- Be proactive: Always keep your baggage claim ticket handy, as you’ll need it to file your claim.
- Sign up for mileage programs: Ensure you’re a member of your airline’s frequent flyer program before your trip. Otherwise, you won’t be eligible for free miles.
- Know your rights: Some airlines will also compensate you with vouchers, meals, or hotel accommodations if your bag is delayed for an extended period—so it’s worth asking!
Delayed luggage is never fun, but redeeming free travel miles is a small silver lining to help soften the blow that many people don’t realize they can benefit from. By keeping track of time, knowing which airlines offer this perk, and filing your claim promptly, you can turn a luggage delay into your next travel reward!
Happy saving—and happy travels!