November 5, 2024: Delta offers a simple promise to travelers within the U.S.: Your bags will be delivered to the baggage claim within 20 minutes or less, or you’ll get 2,500 miles.
Here’s what you need to know about Delta’s Bags on Time Guarantee.
The guarantee: Bags in 20 minutes or you get 2,500 miles
Delta’s bags on time guarantee is simple: If you don’t get your bags in 20 minutes, you’ll get 2,500 SkyMiles.
Of course with any guarantee, the devil is in the details. Fortunately the details of Delta’s bags on time guarantee are pretty straightforward.
First, you must be a SkyMiles member and have the SkyMiles member number attached to your ticket.
Second, the guarantee applies only to domestic flights in the U.S. If the final segment of your travel is marketed and operated by Delta Air Lines or a Delta Connection Carrier and is a flight entirely within the U.S. and Puerto Rico, your flight is eligible for a bags on time claim.
The 20 minute timer starts from the time your flight arrives—usually when the airplane door is opened. If your bag isn’t delivered to the baggage carousel by then, you are eligible to submit a claim.
Submitting a claim: An easy process that takes about a minute
Delta doesn’t make it simple to find where to submit your bags on time claim, but here’s the link: https://www.delta.com/bags/bagsClaimAutomation.action
Fortunately, it takes less time to submit the form than it does to find the link. You just need to enter some basic information about your trip at the website above. Here’s what you’ll need to submit a bags on time guarantee claim:
- Name
- SkyMiles number
- Departure city
- Date of departure
- Arrival city
- Trip confirmation number
Delta will inform you instantly if your bags on time guarantee was accepted. If successful, you’ll get a message similar to this:
My take: Miles are great, but I like the incentives better
Getting 2,500 miles is great, but you know what I like better? Arriving at the baggage claim and having my bags ready for me.
I’m solidly on team checked bags. Checking a bag and picking it up at my destination is massively more convenient to me than dragging all of my stuff through the airport (and needing to get special sizes of toiletries for travel). And having baggage delivered quickly adds to the convenience.
Since implementing this guarantee, Delta has upped its cost of delivering baggage late. And I’ve noticed that Delta has been consistently improving baggage delivery times. I’ve gotten 2,500 miles on occasion, but more often my bags have been waiting for me when I’ve gotten to the baggage carousel, and I’m very happy with that.
Bottom line: Bags on time or get 2,500 miles
When you travel with Delta and check bags, your bags will be delivered to the baggage claim within 20 minutes of arrival or you’ll get 2,500 miles on U.S. domestic flights. Delta’s bags on time guarantee has pushed Delta to be better and consistently deliver bags within the U.S. in 20 minutes or less.
