JetBlue Delayed Your Bags? Here’s What You’re Owed

You're playing that all-too-familiar airport game: checking your phone, glancing at the carousel, checking your phone again, while your heart sinks a little more each time another black suitcase appears that isn't yours.

But not all hope is lost! You're entitled to compensation from JetBlue when they delay your bags.

I've read through JetBlue's fine print (so you don't have to), and I'm breaking down exactly what you can get and how to claim it.

Your Rights When JetBlue Delays Your Checked Bag

When JetBlue delays your bag, they’re responsible for locating it and covering reasonable expenses in the meantime. 

These aren’t just airline policies — these are federal rules under Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations.

Domestic baggage rights

According to DOT regulations, airlines must compensate passengers for reasonable expenses incurred while waiting for their delayed bags, with a maximum liability of $4,700 per person. 

Airlines can’t impose arbitrary daily spending limits, either, so if JetBlue tells you they’ll only reimburse up to, say, $50 per day, they’re incorrect. You have legal backing to request full reimbursement for your necessities.

International baggage rights

When you fly internationally, you’re protected by the Montreal Convention, a universal treaty that protects passengers by holding airlines accountable for injuries and damages. 

Under the treaty, passengers who’ve lost bags can file claims with the airline for damages. The treaty is more vague than any U.S. rules, and you can only file for damages up to $1,700. 

JetBlue’s bag delay policy

Unlike some airlines that offer automatic credits for delayed baggage, JetBlue’s bag delay policy doesn’t offer compensation beyond the DOT’s requirements. 

The exception is that JetBlue refunds the checked bag fee if it becomes “significantly” delayed. This is defined as your bag missing for longer than 12 hours after your domestic flight lands or 15 hours after your international flight lands.

Once it’s been located, you‘ll have the option to pick up your bag from the airport or have it delivered to the address on your claim, which you can change up until the delivery driver has picked up the bag. 

(Note: The DOT has since increased the maximum for lost/delayed bags to $4,700!)

What Expenses Will JetBlue Actually Cover When They Delay Your Bag?

JetBlue will reimburse you for essential items you need while waiting for your bag. This includes:

• Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.)
• Clothing (a change of clothes, undergarments, sleepwear)
• Other necessary items that were in your checked bag

That doesn’t mean you can splurge on designer outfits or luxury skincare products. A basic outfit from a department store? Yes. A shopping spree at a high-end boutique? Not so much.

My rule of thumb is that if you can’t defend why you needed the item, you probably can’t count on getting reimbursed for it.

What to Do When Your Bag Doesn’t Show Up

If your bag is missing, here’s what to do:

1. File a report immediately

You need to report the missing bag within 4 hours of your flight's arrival. As soon as it becomes clear your bag isn’t coming, either head to the JetBlue Baggage Service Office located in the baggage claim area or submit a report online.

They won’t know the bag is missing until you file the report, and they definitely can’t reimburse you without a report on file.

Make sure to provide contact information, a description of your bag, and details about your flight.

2. Hold onto all documentation

Keep a copy of the baggage report, your flight details, and any baggage claim tags. These are necessary when you begin filing a claim for reimbursement.

3. Save all receipts

If you need to purchase essentials while your bag is delayed, keep every receipt! JetBlue won’t reimburse you without proof.

I recommend taking pictures of each receipt to make sure you’ve got proof of expenses.

Filing Your Compensation Claim

Hopefully, by the time you’re filing for reimbursement, your bag is safely within your care again. 

You have 3 weeks from the flight date to file, so gather all your receipts and documentation ASAP.

Submit your claim through JetBlue’s baggage portal. You’ll need to provide: 

• A copy of your baggage report
• Your boarding pass
• The baggage claim tag
• Receipts for any purchases
• A list of essential items that were in your checked bag

You can track the status of your claim through JetBlue’s portal.

What If JetBlue Denies Your Claim?

If JetBlue denies your claim, don’t give up. Here’s what you can do:

1. Contact JetBlue Customer Support (1-866-538-5438) for reconsideration. 
2. If that doesn’t work, file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Most claim denials happen because passengers either waited too long to file a report or didn’t submit receipts.

Tips for Avoiding Baggage Headaches

While you can’t prevent bag delays, you can make the experience easier by taking a few precautions.

Pack essentials in your carry-on

To be a proactive traveler, always pack these in your carry-on:

• One change of clothes
• Essential toiletries
• Valuable items and documents
• Any medication you need
• Phone and laptop chargers

Having these items handy will ease the inconvenience when your bag is delayed. It doesn’t fix the problem, but when a lot of your stuff is in limbo, it helps to have the basics with you.

Use tracking apps

JetBlue has a mobile app you can use to track your checked bags. It won't prevent delays, but at least you'll know roughly where your stuff is.

You can also drop an AirTag into your checked bag to track it yourself. I do this every time I travel, so I know exactly where my bag is at all times!

Tap into travel insurance

Travel insurance policies and credit cards that include baggage delay coverage will offer more reliable and thorough compensation than airlines provide. More than likely, these policies come with higher spending limits. 

For example, maybe you have pricey items in your bag that add up to more than what the airline is agreeing to cover. In this case, your travel insurance or credit card would cover what the airline didn’t.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve®, for example, both offer up to $3,000 per passenger for lost luggage and up to $100 per day for up to 5 days when your baggage is delayed at least 6 hours.

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TL;DR: Your Rights When JetBlue Delays Your Bags

Report your missing bag immediately — you have just 4 hours to file a claim. Start saving all receipts for purchases you make while waiting for your bag. 

JetBlue doesn’t set a strict spending limit, but they will only reimburse reasonable expenses. File for reimbursement through JetBlue’s Central Baggage Service, and if your claim is denied, escalate it to JetBlue’s Customer Support or the DOT.

Most passengers don’t realize they’re entitled to reimbursement when their bag is delayed. Now that you know your rights, don’t leave money on the table!

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Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.