Just wanted to share a data-point.

Some of you may have seen that TikTok video going around about how passengers can get up to $3800 in reimbursement when bags are delayed.

I had this happen to me yesterday. I had 3 checked bags, only 2 made it. One decided to vacation in Detroit overnight.

The baggage office at my final destination told me the bag could be to me by 10 AM the next day but urged me to fill out an “out of pocket expenses” voucher for all my things that were delayed.

Well, that bag had Christmas gifts (which were new dress clothes for work), including my winter parka in it that I packed in anticipation of the pending winter storm. So I went online, purchased everything out of pocket to replace these items, and submitted the receipt IMMEDIATELY (as you have only 24 hrs from time of delay to file a claim).

Today, Delta emailed me telling me they were going to cut me a check for the entire amount. I told them the bag had ended up arriving. They said it doesn’t matter and to cash the check anyways.

I’ll save my receipts and if the check doesn’t come, I’ll return the items. But for what it’s worth, the process worked smoothly and was contacted in less than 48 hours.

I also got 2500 bags-on-time miles and 10,000 “service recovery” miles.