If Delta breaks your bag, you may be entitled to a new one. Here’s how it works.
Checking a bag is becoming more expensive than ever. Gone are the days of airplane tickets including checked bags by default—now, if you want to check a bag, you’re likely going to pay at least $35 for the privilege.
This shift toward checked bag fees has created several new issues. For example, a growing number of airlines are requiring passengers to check their carry-on bags at the gate. There have also been disputes over bag sizes, as some airlines insist on charging passengers for bags that are just a few millimeters over their limit.
Just because an airline offers to check your bag doesn’t mean they’re going to be careful with it. Recently, one woman revealed that an airline broke her bag—and she managed to get some free luggage out of it. This is how it happened.
Did Delta Break This Woman’s Bag?
In a video with over 164,000 views, TikTok user Megan Vincent (@meganlvincent) shares the reason why she flies Delta.
According to Vincent, she got off her flight, then journeyed to baggage claim to collect her bag. While there, she discovered that a wheel broke off from her luggage during transit.
“All of a sudden, I go up to a woman, and she gives me a completely new bag,” she says. The TikToker then shows a small black carry-on.
“I love Delta,” she declares.
How You Can Get A Free Bag From Delta
Airlines don’t damage checked bags very often. According to SITA’s 2026 Baggage IT Insights report, about 5 million checked bags were damaged across the entire world in 2025. Given that an estimated 5 billion people traveled by air that year, that’s a pretty good track record.
Still, bags do occasionally lose a wheel or have their zipper break. When this happens, many airlines have policies in place to either repair the bag or replace it entirely.
Delta’s policy on damaged baggage states that, “If your bag is damaged in transit, we may be able to repair or replace it.”
To get a repair or replacement, Delta requires passengers to visit a Delta Baggage Service Office to report the issue. The passenger must do this within 6 hours of arrival for a domestic flight, or 7 days of arrival for an international ticket. From there, the passenger must file a claim. Provided that everything checks out, they should receive a replacement bag or compensation.
A spokesperson for Delta told BroBible that the baggage policies are listed in its Contract of Carriage and on Delta.com. They claim that if a customer believes their checked baggage “was damaged while in Delta’s care,” they are told to report the issue to a Delta Baggage Service Office for inspection upon arrival.
“Depending on the circumstances, we may repair, replace or reimburse covered baggage damage. As outlined in our Contract of Carriage, limitations and exclusions apply, including for normal wear and tear, preexisting damage and damage resulting from government security inspections,” they added.
Delta is not alone in having such a policy. In fact, it’s a requirement from the Department of Transportation. The DOT website states, “Airlines are responsible for repairing or reimbursing a passenger for damaged baggage and/or its contents,” provided that the damage occurred when the baggage was under the airline’s control.
What If The TSA Breaks My Bag?
This is a slightly different situation. If you get your bag back, it’s broken, and it has a tag noting that it was inspected by the Transportation Security Administration, your airline may refuse to compensate you or replace your bag.
Instead, the airline will likely recommend that you take the issue up with the TSA itself.
Thankfully, this is not a difficult process—though it does take a while. Affected passengers can file claims on the TSA website. After submitting their claim and evidence, a passenger will receive an acknowledgement letter within four to six weeks. Investigation of the claim may take up to six months. If the TSA truly is responsible, the agency will reach out to you to discuss a settlement.
Viewers Say It’s Common
In the comments section, viewers reiterated that Delta is not the only airline providing this service. This means that, if you fly in the United States and your bag is damaged, you should take up the matter with your airline. In the end, you might get a free bag.
“Honey most carriers carry replacement bags,” a user wrote. “Delta ain’t special.”
“Delta busted my cheap large checked bag and replaced it with a $300 Ricardo,” stated another.
That said, others weren’t so lucky.
“Delta asked me for 96 pictures of verification and still denied my claim,” said a commenter.
“I flew Spirit and my bag came out missing a wheel. I filed a claim and received the fastest customer service response I have ever gotten: immediate denial,” recalled a second.
BroBible reached out to Vincent via Instagram and TikTok direct message.