Nothing tests a traveler’s patience quite like the airport baggage carousel. You stand there with hope, optimism, and a growing suspicion that your suitcase has betrayed you. Then, two days later, your bag finally appears on your doorstep looking like it moonlighted as a chew toy. Your clothes are ruined, your patience is shot, and now you’re wondering whether the standard baggage refund even begins to cover this chaos. The good news is that federal rules give you more protection than many travelers realize—if you know how to use them.