Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways Episode: Lost Bag Bailout: How Travel Insurance and Credit Cards Can Save You Thousands
Release Date: August 6, 2025
Hosts: Sally French & Meghan Coyle
Guest: N/A

Introduction

In this episode of Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways, hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle delve into the often overlooked but critical aspects of travel protection—specifically focusing on how travel insurance and credit cards can mitigate the financial and emotional turmoil of lost or delayed luggage. Drawing from Meghan's personal ordeal, the episode offers invaluable insights and actionable tips to ensure that travelers can safeguard their belongings and finances effectively.

Travel Demand and Market Trends [02:40 - 04:11]

Sally and Meghan begin by discussing recent shifts in travel demand. According to the U.S. Travel Association, June 2025 saw a slight decline in travel spending by 0.4% year-over-year, marking the slowest growth month for global air traffic per the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Despite this minor dip, other regions like Asia Pacific and Europe continue to experience growth, albeit at a slower pace.

Meghan emphasizes:
“Demand softening often leads to, you guessed it, deals.”
[03:56]

This trend indicates potential opportunities for travelers to snag attractive summer travel deals as airlines and hotels adjust to changing demand.

Current Travel Deals and Strategies [04:11 - 08:29]

Glamping with World of Hyatt:
From August 8th through December 1st, travelers can enjoy a 15% points rebate when booking stays at Hyatt’s glamping brands—Under Canvas or Illum locations. This offer requires registration on Hyatt’s website by November 28th.

Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary Offer:
Disneyland is celebrating its 70th anniversary with special tickets available until August 14th. Guests can purchase four-day, one-park-per-day tickets for as low as $100 per day. Sally remarks on the value of this deal compared to other entertainment options, noting the added attractions like the new "Paint the Night" parade.
[05:47]

United Club at Denver Airport:
The hosts also highlight the opening of the new United Club at Denver Airport, praising its modern, two-story design similar to the Seattle Delta Club. This addition promises enhanced amenities for travelers seeking comfort and convenience at the airport.

Labor Day Travel Tips:
Sally advises against flying on peak days such as Friday, August 29th and Monday, September 1st to avoid crowds and higher prices. Instead, she recommends booking flights on Tuesdays, which are generally less busy and more affordable.
[07:09]

Meghan’s Lost Luggage Saga [08:29 - 29:57]

The Incident [08:29 - 14:28]

Meghan recounts her unfortunate experience of losing her luggage during a trip to Italy for two weddings. Despite taking precautionary measures—such as using an AirTag and packing essentials in her carry-on—the checked bag never arrived.
Meghan states:
“Your baggage getting delayed or lost is actually a bit rare. Do you want to guess how often it happens?”
[08:29]

She reveals that the mishandling rate is 6.3 bags per 1,000 passengers (over 0.6%), making it a relatively rare occurrence, yet representing millions of lost bags globally due to high travel volumes.

Immediate Actions Taken [14:28 - 16:02]

Upon realizing her bag was missing, Meghan promptly used the Find My app to locate the AirTag, which indicated the bag was still in Paris. She rushed to the Lost and Found office at the Florence airport to file a claim. Although optimistic, the airline initially failed to locate the bag, prompting her to make urgent purchases to meet her wedding commitments.

Meghan advises:
“Keep all receipts. You'll need them.”
[18:33]

Navigating Reimbursements [19:20 - 24:26]

Frustrated by the delays, Meghan explores reimbursement avenues. She discovers that her American Express Platinum card—which she used to book the flight—did not cover baggage loss because the flight was booked with Flying Blue points. In contrast, Chase Sapphire Reserve offers up to $100 per day for baggage delay, totaling up to $500.

Sally emphasizes the importance of understanding your credit card’s travel protections:
“Many of these credit cards offer travel protection for trips paid for on those cards. This includes delayed or lost baggage protection.”
[21:25]

Additionally, Meghan highlights Blue Ribbon Bags, a standalone baggage insurance company offering $1,000 coverage per bag for a flat fee of $5. This service handles all interactions with the airline, saving travelers time and stress.

Resolution and Reimbursement [25:10 - 29:57]

After persistently pursuing the matter, Meghan eventually reclaims her bag on the 12th day of her trip. Despite initial setbacks, including miscommunication from Air France and the need to purchase emergency items, she successfully files a claim and is reimbursed nearly $2,000 for her expenses.

Meghan shares:
“They gave us back almost $2,000. It was literally everything I submitted a receipt for.”
[29:44]

Essential Tips for Handling Lost Luggage [30:11 - 31:41]

In wrapping up the ordeal, Meghan and Sally provide a comprehensive list of tips for travelers to minimize the impact of lost or delayed luggage:

1. Rethink Checked Bags:

   • Assess whether you truly need to check a bag. Opting for carry-on only can eliminate the risk altogether.

2. Book Nonstop Flights:

   • Minimizes the chance of mishandling during layovers.

3. Document Your Luggage:

   • Use luggage tags, take photos of your bag inside and out, and utilize electronic trackers like AirTags.

4. Understand Your Insurance:

   • Familiarize yourself with the travel protections offered by your credit cards or travel insurance policies.

5. Restrict Special Items to Personal Items:

   • Keep valuables, essential items, and irreplaceable belongings in your carry-on or personal item.

6. Save Receipts:

   • Essential for reimbursement claims in case of lost luggage.

Sally emphasizes:
“Do not put anything special... Keep it with you.”
[31:24]

Conclusion and Hot Takes [31:48 - 34:18]

The episode concludes with a light-hearted "hot take" where Sally argues that it is impossible to underpack, sparking a playful debate with Meghan. They agree on the importance of packing essentials and avoiding excessive belongings to reduce travel stress.

Sally introduces an upcoming episode on the "Ten $10 Rule" for smarter packing, encouraging listeners to share their packing tips for future discussions.

Key Takeaways

• Understand Your Travel Protections:
  Always know what your credit cards and travel insurance policies cover regarding lost or delayed luggage.

• Minimize Checked Bags:
  Traveling light with carry-ons can significantly reduce the risk of luggage mishandling.

• Document and Track:
  Use tools like AirTags and keep thorough documentation to aid in recovery and reimbursement processes.

• Act Quickly:
  Promptly report lost luggage and keep meticulous records of all expenses incurred due to delays.

• Choose the Right Credit Card:
  Opt for credit cards like Chase Sapphire Reserve that offer robust travel protections.

Notable Quotes:

• “Demand softening often leads to, you guessed it, deals.” – Meghan Coyle
  [03:56]

• “Do not put anything special... Keep it with you.” – Sally French
  [31:24]

• “They gave us back almost $2,000. It was literally everything I submitted a receipt for.” – Meghan Coyle
  [29:44]

For more detailed insights and additional tips, listeners are encouraged to visit NerdWallet's Travel Section and follow the Smart Travel podcast for future episodes.