Why are travel protection benefits important

So, the other day, I raved about my WOW Air experience. WOW was the airline that offered the $99 one-way fare from Los Angeles to Iceland. Then from Iceland to Sweden, we paid $80 for the one way plane ride. I booked our ticket with our Chase Sapphire Preferred (click here for more info) back in October 2016.

PC: Chase

Everything went well with our check in process at KEF Airport in Iceland. The flight left on time at 6:40am. We arrived in Stockholm-Arlanda Airport (ARN) at 10:45am. Upon arrival, we went directly to baggage claim. That’s when we realized that our main luggage that we checked in was missing. We went to the helpdesk, and were informed that they couldn’t find our claim ticket in the system. I don’t know why I wasn’t upset. I was quite calm the entire time. This has happened to me before, over 20 years ago when I flew Southwest Airlines from Burbank to Las Vegas. My baggage was delayed, and was later delivered to me. I guess I’m the guy who always thinks that the glass is half full.

Once our lost baggage was entered in the system, the guy at the counter gave me a ticket with ways to follow up via email or phone call. But I was optimistic that they will find it. I told Nancy that I will not let this ruin our Sweden vacation.

We boarded the Arlanda Express, a high-speed train that connects passengers to Stockholm’s Central Station. And guess what? They offered high-speed internet during the 15-20 minute non-stop ride to the city. Then it hit me….I booked our trip with a Chase Sapphire Preferred, and I do remember that Chase offers travel protection benefits (at no extra change) that could help us with our situation. Since we booked with our Chase credit card, we were automatically covered:

LOST LUGGAGE REIMBURSEMENT

If you or your immediate family members’ checked or carry-on bags are damaged or lost by the carrier, you’re covered up to $3,000 per passenger.

BAGGAGE DELAY INSURANCE

Reimburses you for essential purchases like toiletries and clothing for baggage delays over 6 hours by passenger carrier up to $100 a day for 5 days.

Click here for a list of Chase Sapphire Preferred’s Travel Protection benefits:

So I wasn’t exactly worried. Upon arriving at our AirBNB apartment, I called WOW Air. They informed me that my luggage went to Paris! Seriously? My luggage was such a jet-setter. The good news was they found the luggage, and it will be on its way to Stockholm later tonight or early Monday morning. Yesssss!!!

However, this baggage delay still left me and Nancy with missing travel essentials. Our toiletries, new clothes, layering of winter clothing, jackets, Iceland souvenir items….you name it. Fortunately, all those items were covered under the Travel Protection provided by our Chase credit card. I called Chase to report the issue. Technically, they can’t file a claim yet until 6 hours from the time of the incident. But, Chase knew that we won’t be getting our stuff until later tonight or tomorrow and they advised us that we would be covered under the benefit. In our case, since we purchased TWO tickets, we have a benefit of $100 a day per ticket, therefore, $200 altogether to purchase clothing and personal items.

I guess this was why I was NOT the least bit worried. So what’s the takeaway here?

Not all credit cards are created equal. Know the benefits of your credit cards. 

Always make sure to book your trip with a credit card that offers travel protection benefits. In my case, I booked our tickets using the Chase Sapphire Preferred. There goes the guy who looks at situation with a glass that’s always half-full. Cheers!!!