I have not missed a flight in 30 years. Check a bag is something I don't do. I wrote in a newsletter earlier this year that I wouldrather die than check a bag. I don't have the patience to get checked baggage back after a flight.

Some of you prefer to check bags when flying. I promise to only judge you for doing so, but I don't think it's necessary to check a bag beyond the time you wait for it to arrive on the luggage carousel. If you miss your flight you will have your bag checked.

If you miss your flight, you have to rebook yourself on a new flight or cancel altogether.

When your flight is delayed, you miss a connecting flight.

What can you do to get your luggage back? Most airlines will attempt to get a passenger's bag to their final destination.

The guide shows how five major U.S. airlines deal with these scenarios and what happens to checked luggage when a traveler fails to board a flight.

Delta Air Lines

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The situation depends on why the passenger missed their flight.

They wouldn't have been able to check their bag if it was due to being late. If a passenger checks their bag on anywayanydaynywayanydaynywayanydaynywayanydaynywayanyday, their bag will be re-routed to the final destination of thenywayanydaynywayanydaynywayanydaynywayanyday

The customer can expect to get their checked bags back if the flight is canceled. This is the case for people who miss flights.

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Delta told me that if a customer has a very tight connection and doesn't make it, there is a chance that the bag will not go to the destination.

Delta was the first airline to allow travelers to track their checked bags in real-time via the Fly Delta App.

United Airlines

The bag tag is re-routed if a customer is re- booked or re-routed.

The best-case scenario is that your bag will miss the connection if you miss it on a United flight.

If your bag doesn't get to your final destination with you, United encourages you to file a delayed baggage claim.

The United mobile app allows flyers to track their bags in real-time from the time they check in at their departure airport to the time they arrive at their destination airport. You will need your confirmation number or bag tag number to do it.

The airline couldn't find my luggage.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska has a different policy for domestic and international flights.

If a guest doesn't board, we have to pull a bag. Domestically, there is no requirement and actions may be based on a number of factors.

In the case of missed domestic flights, checked bags will be re-routed to one's final destination pending transfer in time, keeping in line with the other airlines.

The bag would travel on to the final destination if it was transferred in time even if the guest wasn't there.

American Airlines

American Airlines has one rule for missed flights and another for canceled flights.

If a customer misses a flight, their bags will be routed to their final destination and can be picked up from the luggage claim. Baggage will be returned if a flight is canceled.

Southwest Airlines

Baggage on domestic Southwest flights will usually make it to the customer's final destination on a baggage tag.

Southwest travelers should look for their baggage at Southwest's baggage service office at the final airport location to claim it once they arrive.

Bottom line

Travelers and airlines want the same thing. Airlines will try to get a passenger's bag back to its final destination.

Customers with tight flight connections and little time for error can make it difficult to make that happen. If you don't have a bag, you should check the baggage service office at your final airport. The baggage claim area is where this should be located.

The mobile app for each carrier can be used to track your bags. Purchase and use Apple AirTags, which allow you to track your bags, if you want more reassurance.

Read this for seven steps to take if you discover that your baggage has been lost.