Did Allegiant Lose Your Luggage? Do These 5 Things Immediately.

Nothing puts a damper on the start of your vacation quite like an airline losing your luggage. If you fly Allegiant and your luggage doesn't come down the bag carousel, take these steps immediately.

Here is a guide to securing Allegiant Air compensation after your bags go missing.

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If Allegiant loses your luggage

What happens after your bags go missing is determined by two sets of guidelines:

  • United States DOT guidelines
  • Allegiant's Contract of Carriage

DOT guidelines

The United States Department of Transportation mandates that airlines compensate passengers in the event that their luggage is damaged, delayed, or lost. More specifically, airlines must:

  • Repair or reimburse passengers for damaged bags or possessions within lost bags
  • Keep customers updated with updates and have well documented compensation procedures
  • Provide compensation up to $3,800 per passenger to cover possessions lost or damaged

Always make sure to read the contract of carriage carefully, as Allegiant is allowed to exclude certain items from reimbursement. More on this in a moment.

Allegiant's Contract of Carriage

Allegiant's own contract of carriage provides more clarity and passenger rights if your baggage doesn't show up when you go to claim it. Allegiant guarantees that:

  • They accept responsibility for your luggage and poseessions within from the moment you check-in at the counter before your flight until the moment you take your bags off the carousel after your flight
  • You have the right to reimbursement for any lost possessions within luggage, except for items Allegiant waives liability on

Allegiant does not accept responsibility for any medications, electronics, art, documents, identification, or other items of substantial value that may be in your bags. Valuable and important documents should always be placed in your carry-on bags and kept on your person.

How to get lost baggage compensation from Allegiant

If you think that your bags have gone missing, you should follow these 4 steps to ensure that you receive any and all compensation that you're eligible for.

1. Visit Allegiant's baggage claim office

At most all airports, airlines have their own staffed offices in the baggage claim office. Here, you'll be able to report missing luggage, file your initial report, and ensure that the carrier is aware of your needs. Once you visit Allegiant's baggage claim office, you should inform the representative on staff that you want to file a missing bag report.

Alternatively, you may contact Allegiant's lost and found at (866) 719-3910, but we recommend that you connect with a live airport employee if you have the ability to.

2. File your lost baggage report

Allegiant will have you complete a missing luggage report, which must be filed within 4 hours of your arrival for domestic flights within the United States. Passengers on international itineraries have 7 days to make their initial baggage claim.

In a little known fact, Allegiant will refund your baggage fees in cases of delay, loss, or damage, so be sure to request this.

After you file your missing baggage report, you'll be provided with a claim number, tied to your incident, that you can use to receive periodic status updates from Allegiant.

3. Buy replacement items

Of course, if you're on vacation, you don't need to wait 21 days to buy replacement toiletries, clothing, or other reasonable expenses. You will be responsible to proactively purchase new items, but remember to save your receipts, as Allegiant will reimburse you for the items you purchase.

There is no policy that entitles you to a certain amount per person or day. Rather, Allegiant will handle and reimburse impacted passengers on a case-by-case basis.

4. Embrace the waiting period

Unfortunately, at this point, you're stuck in a bit of a waiting pattern. Allegiant officially has 21 days to find your bags before they will be deemed lost, so you'll have to wait for more updates.

If, after 21 days, your luggage has not been returned to you, you'll officially become eligible for compensation up to the DOT limit of $4,700.

In the meantime, though, you should begin to gather proofs of purchase or value for items that were within your bags, as Allegiant will ask for them to determine your settlement amount.

5. Submit your claim for reimbursement

Once your bags are deemed lost by Allegiant, you'll need to submit for reimbursement. You may be asked for proof of purchase or value for higher-ticket items if they were in your luggage, but if submitting for general clothing, toiletries, and things like hair straighteners or makeup, you won't have a problem.

Unforuntately, your rembursement will not be instant, and it could take as long as 6 weeks in some cases.

Other lost luggage compensation

Just because you've been compensated by Allegiant for your lost/damaged bag and reimbursed for the expenses you've incurred doesn't mean that you have to be satisfied with the outcome.

Allegiant has already done everything that they are legally obligated to, but you have a right to file an additional complaint and seek compensation if you've:

  • Experienced unprofessional customer service
  • Been lied to
  • Provided incorrect information
  • Been given an unfair compensation amount

Additionally, you may earn further lost luggage compensation via an existing travel insurance policy or credit card perk as well.

1. Filing a complaint with Allegiant

If you felt like the resolution to your delayed or lost baggage was inadequate, you should consider filing an additional complaint with Allegiant. Depending upon your unique circumstances, you may even secure additional compensation via a flight credit or future travel voucher. You have three options to file your complaint once you're ready:

We'll work directly with Allegiant on your behalf to earn you further compensation for your frustration.

2. Travel insurance

Many homeowner's insurance policies also have benefits for lost or damaged luggage, so be sure to reference your policy to see if may earn extra compensation.

Unsure? Call up your insurance provider and ask for a copy of your policy or more directly whether lost/damaged luggage protection is offered.

3. Credit card perks

Many credit cards, particularly travel cards, offer luggage protection as a perk while you travel. Typically, you'll need to book your airfare with these cards to qualify. Do keep in mind that this is not financial advice, and you should consider other factors before you open a new credit card. Anyway, here are some of the top credit cards offering lost baggage insurance:

1. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

With protection up to $3,000 for lost checked/carry-on bags, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card can be a solid option. Additionally, eligible cardholders can receive up to $100 per day for up 5 days, even if your bag is not lost, but delayed more than 6 hours. At last check, the annual fee was $95, much lower than many other travel cards on the market today.

2. Chase Sapphire Reserve

Another Chase Sapphire card, the Reserve card, carries a much stiffer annual fee, at $550. Lost and delayed luggage reimbursement amounts are the same as The Preferred card. What is different, though, is an additional level of trip delay, cancellation, and interruption coverage, in addition to other premium travel perks and lounge access.

3. The Platinum Card from American Express

American Express's Platinum Card is another option for those anxious about their luggage being lost. This card covers up to $2,000 for checked bags and $3,000 for carry-on bags, though the annual fee is extremely pricy, at $695. For this fee, though, you'll also find coverage for accidental loss or damage.

4. American Express Gold Card

American Express's Gold Card carries luggage insurance similar to the Platinum Card, though reimbursement amounts are lesser:

  • $500 for checked bags
  • $1,250 for carry-on bags

So while the benefits are not the most robust, this card is a solid option for more casual travelers who want some additional protection.

5. United Club Infinite Card

One more card worth a look is the United Club Infinite Card. Offering luggage protection, United Club lounge access, priority boarding, and additional perks, this United card includes supplemental lost luggage reimbursement of $3,000 per passenger and baggage delay insurance as well.

Frequently asked questions

Lost luggage can be a nerve-wracking experience. Here are answers to some of the questions on your mind.

1. Am I guaranteed lost luggage reimbursement from Allegiant Air?

Yes, each passenger is protected up to the DOT limit of $4,700. You will not automatically receive this amount, though. Instead, Allegiant will ask you for a list of lost items and their value, which will then be used to determine your settlement amount.

2. Am I entitled to other compensation if my bags are lost?

No. But while passengers are not entitled to any other compensation in the event their bags are delayed or missing, further compensation is still possible if you have a good reason and opt to file a complaint with Allegiant directly. This may be done through their web portal, the U.S. DOT, or through us.

3. How do airlines lose baggage?

Allegiant, and other airlines, lose baggage primarily for one of 3 reasons:

  • Human error: A bag can be left behind and not loaded onto an aircraft
  • Itinerary changes: If you change your connection city after check-in, your bag could end up being flown to the wrong city
  • Flight delays or cancellations: Ground crew may not have ample time to load your luggage onto your connecting flight