You’re Entitled to Lost Baggage Compensation: Here’s How Much [2025]
Air travel can be unpredictable. Weather can cause delays and cancellations, for instance. But sometimes, even when your flight is on time, things can go wrong, lost luggage being at the top of the list.
Thankfully, the United States Department of Transportation protects passengers if their baggage is lost or damaged by their airline in the form of compensation. Understanding your lost baggage compensation rights not only ensures that you receive all compensation you're entitled to, but it can also mitigate the inconvenience and stress that you feel as you begin your vacation or return home.
In this lost luggage compensation guide, we'll dive into the intricacies regarding passenger rights concerning lost baggage and luggage damaged by airlines, as well as provide you with the knowledge and power you need to seek proper compensation/complaint resolution.
Prevent Lost LuggagePassenger rights after lost/damaged baggage
Air travelers in the United States are protected by both the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Montreal Convention (an international treaty). Under these codes, airlines are liable (and can be held liable) for not only lost or damaged luggage but delayed baggage as well.
Each airline handles lost baggage claims differently, but the United States DOT sets regulations to prevent airlines from dragging out the claim process unnecessarily.
Typically, you become eligible for compensation after your bags have been missing for 5-7 days, at which point you’ll be able to begin your claim. International flights, covered under the Montreal Convention, have 21 days to locate your possessions.
The compensation you’re eligible for also varies depending on your flight:
- Domestic flights: Up to $3,800 per passenger
- International flights: Up to $1,700 per passenger
What to do when your luggage is missing
Before you can create a claim for your delayed baggage, you'll want to complete the following five steps:
Report lost baggage immediately
When your luggage does not arrive at baggage claim, proceed to your air carrier's baggage service office. These offices are typically in the baggage claim area, near the exit to ground transportation. Remember to take notes about every part of the process. For example, if you need to wait in line for 45 minutes to talk to an airline rep, make sure to document that, as it could help a future complaint resolution from a compensation perspective. Some airlines mandate that you file the claim in person, while others allow you to do it via phone or online form.
Complete a delayed baggage report
When you connect with an airline employee, you'll most likely be asked to complete a claim form. This form will ask you for flight information, as well as some detail about the lost items within your luggage. Make sure to be as specific as you can to remove ambiguity about missing contents or their value. This is not your formal claim, which will occur if your missing bags don’t turn up.
Receive a copy of the form
Before you leave the airport, make sure to receive a copy of your claim form for your records. It may prove helpful if your missing bags don't turn up and you need to communicate further with your airline.
Track your luggage
When you checked your bag prior to your flight, you were provided with a claim number that can be used to monitor the status of your lost baggage. Don't be hesitant to use your airline's online tools to find updates. When we travel, we always keep Apple AirTags in our checked bags to help us keep track of where our stuff is. It is always a relief to land and see my AirTag’s location at my destination.
Purchase essentials and keep receipts
Even if you're on vacation miles from the airport you arrived at, it will be your airline's responsibility to deliver your bags to you if/when they arrive. However, in the meantime, it is possible that you'll need to purchase essentials. If you do so, remember to keep every receipt. Airlines will reimburse reasonable expenses incurred as a result of missing luggage. Complaints can also be filed if you run into trouble.
File a claim (if necessary)
Though you can’t file a claim for 5 days after your flight, you should use this time to prepare any documentation that may be required to get reimbursed as soon as possible. Pull any receipts or proof of value for anything in your suitcase(s) so that you can itemize your missing possessions to your airline.
Airline compensation for lost baggage
If/when your luggage is officially declared lost, you'll officially become eligible for the entitled compensation. Remember - domestic United States travelers are entitled to up to $3,800 per passenger, while international flights have baggage protections up to $1,700 per passenger.
We've also written airline-specific guides on dealing with lost or missing luggage:
Delayed baggage compensation policies by airline
- Allegiant Airlines: Lost baggage compensation
- American Airlines: Lost baggage compensation
- Delta Air Lines: Lost baggage compensation
- Frontier Airlines: Lost baggage compensation
- JetBlue Airways: Lost baggage compensation
- Southwest Airlines: Lost baggage compensation
- Spirit Airlines: Lost baggage compensation
- United Airlines: Lost baggage compensation
FAQs: Lost, damaged, and delayed luggage questions
Q: What do I do if my luggage is delayed?
If, for whatever reason, your baggage is not lost but did not make your flight, make sure you report it to your airline right away. There is good news for you in this, though. Your airline cannot force you to come back to the airport to retrieve your possessions when they arrive. Instead, you should provide the airline with your phone number and address where you'll be staying (or home address if returning home). When your luggage arrives, your carrier will arrange to have your bags delivered to you. If you need to buy anything essential in the meantime, remember to submit it for reimbursement.
Q: What do I do if items were stolen from my bags?
In addition to lost, delayed, or damaged bags, you may at some point discover items missing from your bags. Should this happen to you, you can claim compensation for missing items. Report the loss to the airline, list the missing items on the claim form, and provide proof/documentation of their value. Remember, we're happy to handle complaint resolution on your behalf.
Q: I flew on multiple airlines. Who is responsible for my lost luggage?
Typically, the last airline you flew on your itinerary is responsible for handling your claim, since no United States-based airlines will transfer bags across different carriers.
Q: Are there exceptions to what airlines will reimburse me for?
Unfortunately, yes. Generally, airlines cannot be held liable for higher-ticket items such as electronics, jewelry, cash, and important documents. So, if you need to travel with items like these, you are better off keeping them on you in your carry-on or personal item.
Conclusion
Having your luggage lost or damaged is a huge inconvenience to deal with, regardless of whether you’re just departing on a trip or returning home from one. But should you find yourself in this position, understanding your passenger rights should help reassure you financially.
As long as you promptly report the problem, complete documentation with your airline, and not accept less compensation than you're entitled to, you'll be able to navigate the situation more effectively. And with these proper precautions and knowledge, lost luggage doesn't need to derail your trip or vacation.