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3 On Your Side: Lost Luggage Reimbursement

PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― Are you flying anywhere this holiday? You may get to your final destination, but your bags could be another story. From January to September of this year, there were nearly three and half million reports of lost, damaged, or delayed bags.

3 On Your Side's Jim Donovan tells you what you can do to make sure you recoup costs if anything happens to your luggage.

Sharon Ditchek bought a dress for a friend's wedding, but she didn't get to wear it.

"My luggage did not even make it on the plane so I didn't have anything I needed for the wedding," she said.

"Lost baggage is becoming an increasingly difficult problem for travelers," said Kelli Grant with Smartmoney.com.

Most airlines pay up to $3,000 for lost items but not only do you need receipts, the airline will only pay fair market value, not what it costs to replace the item.

Plus, "The laundry list of things the airlines do not cover is extensive, everything from electronics to fragile items," Grant added.

Don't expect to get paid for lost jewelry, cameras, cell phones, electronic games, strollers, and much more. Certain credit cards will reimburse you above and beyond what the airline gives you if your bag is lost for good or even delayed.

"Look at the benefits that your card offers and then book the trip with the card that offers the best assistance," Grant advised.

And be sure to check your homeowner's policy. It too may also kick in covering some of the exempt items. Some credit cards have baggage assistance programs.

Call their toll free number to report your bag missing or delayed and the credit card company will then act as a liaison between you and the airline and keep you up to date on where your bag is.

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