Infrastructure

You Won't Have To Pay Baggage Fees If An Airline Loses Your Luggage

Regulations are coming that will require airlines to refund your baggage fees if they can't find your luggage.

You Won't Have To Pay Baggage Fees If An Airline Loses Your Luggage
Getty Images / Scott Olson
SMS

Everyone hates checking their bags at the airport because airlines are notoriously bad about losing them. 

But soon, new rules will require airlines to refund your baggage fee if they lose your luggage. 

A new federal law requires the U.S. transportation secretary to issue regulations on baggage fee refunds within the year. 

Under the new rules, passengers who don't have their bags returned to them within 12 hours of arrival of a domestic flight will get a refund on their fees. That time limit is extended to 15 hours for international flights. 

SEE MORE: These Are The Airlines That Customers Hate The Least

So at least it won't be like you paid for the airline to lose your stuff, although it's not like it will cover the cost of whatever was in your luggage. 

Baggage fees are actually a big earner for airlines. American Airlines alone brought in almost $900 million in revenue from the fees last year. 

This video includes an image from Getty Images and a clip from Universal Pictures / "Meet the Parents."