If your checked bag is left behind or lost, most airlines will deliver the bag to you once it arrives. This is a relief for most people, since it saves them an extra trip back to the airport. However, there are times when airlines won’t deliver mishandled luggage to a passenger.

The most common reason is late check-ins. When you check in late for your flight, you are increasing the odds that your checked luggage won’t get on the plane in time. Those bags have to be scanned and sent through a complicated conveyor belt system before they get loaded onto a cart, transported, and loaded onto the plane.

If your bags were delayed because you checked in late for your flight, most airlines won’t cover the expense of delivering the bags to you. You’ll usually have to pick them up yourself.

Changing flights after checking in your bags could also nullify your right to have your bags delivered to you.

In some cases, it’s nearly impossible for the airline to deliver your bags in a timely manner. If you’re staying in a hotel that’s hundreds of miles away from the airport, for example the airline will probably resort to sending your bag via FedEx (within the US, anyway). That could mean you’ll have to survive an extra day or two without your bag.

In short, yes, if the airline temporarily loses your baggage,  they will most likely deliver your bags to you at no expense. However, if checking in late was the reason why your bags were delayed, don’t expect the airline to deliver.

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confido1205 on February 13th, 2008 | File Under Checked Luggage | -