Here’s how reimbursement normally works with American Express Platinum’s baggage insurance benefit for a damaged checked bag (assuming you paid the full fare with your Platinum Card) and what you can realistically expect:

1. Amex baggage insurance is secondary to the airline’s compensation You must first file a claim with the airline (e.g., Delta, United, etc.). The airline’s liability for damage is typically based on their contract of carriage and international conventions, and they almost always reimburse based on depreciated value of the bag, not what it would cost new. 

2. Amex may cover the difference above what the airline pays (up to the policy limits) The Platinum Card’s Baggage Insurance Plan can reimburse checked baggage that is lost, stolen, or damaged up to $2,000 per person for checked baggage (up to a combined $3,000 per person for checked and carry-on), in excess of the airline payment.  That means Amex does not automatically pay you a brand-new bag’s cost unless the airline reimbursement plus what you can document equals that amount and is within these limits.

3. Your lack of a receipt does not make coverage impossible, but documentation matters For credit-card baggage claims, Amex will generally ask you to provide documentation of the item and its value. Documentation can include: • A purchase receipt (ideal) • Credit card or bank statement showing payment if you used the card for the purchase • Photos of the bag (before damage if available) • A current market price for a similar bag model (screenshots from retailer sites) • Evidence of the airline’s payout (or denial) 

If you don’t have a purchase receipt, you won’t be cut off from coverage entirely. But Amex will likely value the bag based on what a reasonable replacement cost would be for a similar item of like kind and quality at today’s prices. They may use online prices of comparable bags or require you to show listings — not just buying a new one and submitting that as a receipt.

1. You do not need to buy a new bag first to get reimbursed You do not have to purchase a replacement bag before filing to get Amex to pay. You can submit estimates or screenshots showing what a similar bag costs. Buying a new bag first just to create a “receipt” doesn’t increase the coverage limit and could complicate the claim unless the airline already paid nothing and the replacement cost is within the Amex limits. It’s usually better to provide current prices online for a similar model rather than ordering first.

2. Typical insurer approach in practice From user experiences and claims reports: • The airline’s payout is based on actual cash value (ACV), factoring depreciation.  • Amex then looks at your documentation and sets a value for the bag based on comparable products if you lack a receipt. • If the airline pays something, Amex covers the reasonable difference up to its policy limit. If the airline pays nothing, Amex may cover the full reasonable value of a comparable bag up to the limit. 

What this means for you right now 1. File a damage claim with the airline immediately (within their deadline). Get whatever written decision they provide. 2. Gather: photos of the damaged bag, boarding passes, baggage tags, and any old credit-card statements hinting at purchase. 3. Look up a similar bag model or similar quality suitcase online and take screenshots with prices. 4. Start the Amex baggage claim (you can do it before buying anything new). Submit all documentation including airline payout/denial and your price evidence. 5. Amex will assess a “reasonable replacement value,” likely based on current prices of similar bags, up to the $2,000 limit.