Checked baggage: how do I hate thee? Let me count the ways: (1) fees; (2) time lost at check-in counters manned by (3) uncaring staff; (4) possible damage in transit; (5) lost baggage; (6) filing claims for said lost or damaged baggage…

And most of all, (7) waiting around like a doofus at baggage claim when I’m tired and cranky and just want to get a move on already, with no info from the airline about when the baggage will arrive. More times than I’d care to count, I could have been home by the time my baggage and I were reunited at the carousel.

Finally, one of the big three U.S. airlines is doing something about it. Delta’s Bags on Time program – started on a trial basis in February and made permanent last week – promises to deliver luggage from domestic flights to the baggage carousel within 20 minutes after the plane door opens. If the wait is longer than 20 minutes, members of Delta’s SkyMiles frequent flier program can claim 2,500 frequent flier points. That’s a penalty with some teeth since it’s the same award basic SkyMiles members would get for purchasing $500 in airfare.

Next time Delta customers have to wait for more than 20 minutes at baggage claim, they could be compensated with 2,500 frequent flier points (Photo by Jessica McGowan/Getty Images)

Since the February trial launch, “Customer feedback has been positive, and employees are rallying to achieve the 20 minute threshold,” says airline spokesperson Morgan Durrant.

To me, the peace of mind of knowing when my luggage will arrive takes the pain out of gate-checking my bag when the overheads are full, and it might just tip me toward paying $25 for the first bag ($35 for the second bag? Meh, still not so much.). After all, at many airports, it can take 20 minutes just to get from one’s seat to baggage claim.

Bags on Time does not cover damaged or lost baggage, or checked baggage on international flights.

Why is Delta doing this? Let me count the ways (they’re a lot simpler). (1) Customers like it: it’s an excellent differentiation point from the other big carriers. (2) Competition: Delta’s been trying to build up its hub in Seattle, where its main competition, Alaska Airlines, has had a similar 20-minute bag delivery policy for years. Although Delta probably won’t admit this, it would be foolish not to keep up.