The world is huge

Don't miss any of it

Travel news, itineraries, and inspiration delivered straight to your inbox.

By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

X

Lost luggage? You’re in luck!

We’ve seen a massive increase in the amount of checked baggage since the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) adjusted its carry-on rules in the wake of the alleged London-based air terror plot of 2006.

The result of the new policy has been a similarly massive breakdown of the baggage handling system. More bags are getting lost than ever before.

Now the Department of Transportation (DOT) wants to do something about it. If your checked bag gets lost, delayed, or damaged on a domestic flight, you’ll soon be eligible for a little extra compensation.

The DOT plans to raise the “minimum baggage liability limit” from $2,800 to $3,000 effective February 28.

Travel Weekly (free registration required) notes that “airlines can set their minimum higher than $3,000 if they choose to,” but with the airlines losing about 10,000 bags a day, I wouldn’t go holding my breath waiting for that to happen.

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

Top Fares From