If you’re a frequent flyer, you know how frustrating it can be to wait for your checked bag at the baggage carousel. Sometimes it feels like you could have walked to your destination faster than your bag arrives.
This is where Delta Air Lines steps in with their 20-minute bag guarantee. This service ensures that your checked bag will be delivered to the carousel within 20 minutes of your plane’s arrival. If this doesn’t happen, Delta compensates by offering 2,500 bonus miles.
Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, not quite.
In this post, we’ll explain everything you need to know about Delta’s 20-minute bag guarantee and how to claim it.
What Is Delta’s 20-Minute Bag Guarantee?
Delta’s 20-minute baggage guarantee is a promise from the airline that your checked bag will arrive at the carousel within 20 minutes of the boarding door being opened.
If your bag takes longer than 20 minutes to reach baggage claim, you may be eligible to receive 2,500 bonus miles as compensation.
How the Baggage Guarantee Works
To take advantage of this service, you need to be a member of Delta’s loyalty program, SkyMiles. You can join for free on Delta’s website or by using the airline’s Fly Delta app. You also need to add your SkyMiles number to your reservation.
If your bag is delayed by more than 20 minutes, you need to submit a claim online within three days of your flight arrival. You will need to provide your name, SkyMiles number, ticket number, departure and arrival cities, and trip confirmation number. You can find this information on your boarding pass or e-ticket receipt.
If your claim is approved, you will receive 2,500 bonus miles in your SkyMiles account within two weeks.
When Does the 20-Minute Bag Guarantee Apply?
Delta’s 20-minute baggage guarantee applies for certain conditions:
- Type of travel
- Type of checked baggage
Let’s explain each of these points:
Type of Travel
Delta’s 20-minute baggage guarantee is not available for all flights and destinations. It only applies to domestic flights within the continental United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. The guarantee doesn’t extend to international flights.
You must have checked in your bag at least 30 minutes before your flight’s scheduled departure. Some domestic airports have earlier check-in times when checking in baggage. This can be up to 1 hour before your flight.
Also, it only applies to flights that are sold by Delta and operated by the airline or one of its affiliates.
Delta’s affiliates include:
- Endeavor Air
- Republic Airways
- SkyWest Airlines
The guarantee also applies to codeshare flights, as long as Delta operated the last segment of your itinerary.
Type of Checked Baggage
The baggage guarantee applies to regular checked baggage that doesn’t require special handling.
This means that your checked baggage must be within Delta’s standard size and weight limits:
- Size limit: 62 linear inches (157 centimeters)
- Weight limit 50 pounds (23 kilograms)
Oversized and/or overweight baggage doesn’t qualify for the guarantee.
Nor does it apply to special baggage. This includes items such as:
- Sports equipment
- Musical instruments
- Medical, mobility, and assistive equipment
How Is the 20 Minutes Measured?
The 20-minute timer starts when the plane’s door opens and ends when the bag is scanned onto the carousel. You can track your bag’s status using the Fly Delta app or the online baggage tracker.
How To Claim Delta’s 20-Minute Bag Guarantee?
If your bag takes longer than 20 minutes to arrive at the carousel, you can submit a claim online within three days of your flight’s arrival.
You will need to provide the following information:
- Your first and last name
- Your SkyMiles number
- Your departure and arrival cities
- Your date of departure
- Your trip confirmation number
You should receive an email confirmation of your claim within 24 hours. If your claim is approved, you should see the bonus miles in your SkyMiles account within two weeks.
What Are the Limitations of Delta’s 20-Minute Bag Guarantee?
Before you get too excited about Delta’s 20-minute bag guarantee, you should be aware of some of the limitations that apply.
We have already mentioned a few of them throughout this post, but we’ll include them here as well, for your reference:
- The guarantee applies to domestic flights and travel to Puerto Rico on Delta Air Lines only.
- You must be a SkyMiles member to claim the bonus miles. If you’re not a member yet, you can join for free here: https://www.delta.com/profile/enrolllanding.action
- Your SkyMiles number must be added to your reservation. You can do so by accessing your booking on Delta’s website.
- You can only claim one bonus per flight. If you have multiple bags or multiple flights on the same itinerary, you can only receive one bonus of 2,500 miles.
- You must submit your claim within three days of your flight’s arrival. Claims submitted after that won’t be accepted.
- You must have checked in for your flight at least 30 minutes before departure. Some airlines have earlier check-in requirements.
- The guarantee applies to standard checked baggage only. Oversized, overweight, or special baggage doesn’t qualify.
How Does Delta’s Baggage Guarantee Compares to Alaska Airlines?
Alaska Airlines also offers a 20-minute baggage guarantee for domestic flights in the U.S.
For the most part, the guarantee is identical, but there are some notable differences:
- The claim can only be made in person, at your airport of arrival. The claim can’t be submitted online.
- You can choose to redeem the benefit as 2,500 bonus miles or a $25 travel voucher.
Final Thoughts
Delta’s 20-minute baggage guarantee is a great perk for travelers who check their bags and value their time. By offering bonus miles for delayed bags, Delta shows its confidence in its baggage handling performance.
If you want to take advantage of this guarantee, make sure you join Delta’s SkyMiles program, and submit your claim online within three days of your flight. You’ll soon enjoy 2,500 bonus miles on your account that you can use for future travel or other rewards.
Remember to always check Delta Air Lines’ website or contact their customer service for the latest information on baggage policies.
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