Howdy folks….I know you have all missed hearing from me tremendously since I posted last, so I’m back! I’ve been a bit busy, but will try to keep posting as often as I can! I wanted to bring to your attention a relatively little-known benefit of some credit cards. In general, whichever card you use to purchase your flights will be the one to extend the coverage. Typically, you become eligible for the coverage if your luggage is lost for at least 4 hours. In other words, if the airline loses your luggage but delivers it to you within a few hours, you would not be eligible (you couldn’t run right out to the store and immediately start buying things). But after several hours (or sometimes up to a day or so, depending on the type of card), you can have certain expenses reimbursed.

MasterCard

If your MasterCard is a “World MasterCard” (take a look at the front of the card, or check the documentation that came with the card – or feel free to ask me in a comment or email), your lost luggage protection kicks in just 4 hours after your arrival. If the airline has not gotten your bag to you within 4 hours, you are eligible for up to $100 per day in reimbursement, up to a maximum of $300.

Visa

If your Visa is a “Signature Visa” card (take a look at the front of the card, or check the documentation that came with the card – or feel free to ask me in a comment or email), your lost luggage protection kicks in 18 hours after your arrival. After 18 hours, if the airline still has not delivered your luggage, you are eligible for up to $100 in reimbursements every day, up to a maximum of $300.

Visa TravelMoney

If you don’t have a “World MasterCard,” “Visa Signature,” or other card with luggage protection, certain prepaid Visa cards may actually be able to save you as well. Visa TravelMoney cards offer up to $250 in protection if your luggage is lost by the airline, and unlike the World MasterCard and Visa Signature cards described above, with the Visa TravelMoney card, there is apparently no requirement that you book your travel with the card. So, theoretically, as long as you have one of those prepaid cards, it doesn’t matter how you pay for your flights, you would be eligible for up to $250 in protection. I can’t say I’ve specifically utilized this so I can’t guarantee the exact coverage, but you can check out the details yourself at Visa’s website.

While the above information is subject to change, this is definitely something to keep in mind. Nobody likes to think about the possibility of lost luggage, but it can be a nightmare when it happens. So take a minute to review the benefits of your card(s) and keep it in the back of your mind so you know what coverage you have.