[2025] An American Airlines Lost Luggage Compensation Guide
Immediately file a claim with American to be compensated/reimbursed for your lost luggage.
Here is everything you need to know about compensation for lost baggage.
Get Compensation NowOn most flights, there won't be any issues with your bags if you decide to check them. But unfortunately, on occasion, airlines lose luggage, usually on itineraries with short connections, flight delays, or last second changes.
When it happens on American Airlines, your baggage may be delayed or lost. Delayed baggage is inconvenient, but typically arrives on the next flight. Lost baggage, on the other hand, may be misplaced temporarily or for up to 5 days before you become eligible for compensation.
If American Airlines loses your luggage
If you deplane, head down to baggaga claim, and your luggage is nowhere to be found, you'll want to act quickly to maximize the chances your bags are located.
Follow these steps to ensure you stay in compliance with American Airlines policies and reimbursement procedures.
1. Report your missing bags
On domestic flights, American Airlines policies mandate that passengers report missing luggage within four hours of your arrival. In our experience, you should file your initial claim before leaving the airport. This is required for international itineraries.
You can do this by proceeding the American Airlines baggage office, which will be located adjacent to baggage claim at most airports. There, an AA employee will ask you to file a report, which should take between 5-10 minutes.
You'll then be provided a 13-character file ID number, which both you and AA will use to provide/check status updates on your luggage.
You may also receive updates by calling the American Airlines lost luggage phone number at (800) 433-7300.
Report missing bags to your credit card company
Certain credit cards, particularly travel specific cards, offer protections for travelers with lost baggage. Typically, your airfare needs to be paid for with the card to qualify for any benefits.
Unsure whether you have benefits? Call your card's customer service and ask. If so, file an initial claim, which typically requires:
- Your flight number
- Date of travel
- AA file ID number
In most cases, claims can be submitted online and may ask for proof of purchase/value for lost items, as well as your flight receipt and other information.
Some of the most popular travel cards with lost luggage protection include:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred
- Chase Sapphire Reserve
- The Platinum Card (American Express)
- American Express Gold Card
- Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
2. File a reimbursement claim
American Airlines passengers are entitled to compensation in the interim while their bags are delayed.
If you're on vacation, or away from home, you'll likely need to purchase clothing, toiletry items, replacement medications, and other personal items. When you do, remember to retain your receipts, as AA will reimburse you. To be reimbursed, submit your online claim through AA's delayed baggage compensation portal.
All receipts must be submitted within 30 days.
American Airlines lost luggage compensation
After American Airlines deems your bags lost, you'll be eligible for compensation from American, and potentially from your credit card company, travel insurance, and homeowner's insurance policies as well. Typically, AA will pay out first, and this amount will be deducted from further claims that you file.
AA compensation
American Airlines is mandated by the United States Department of Transportation to compensate passengers up to $3,800 per passenger for domestic flights. American Airlines international itineraries are instead governed by The Montreal Convention, which currently caps compensation at about $1,700 per passenger.
Airlines may compensate passengers above these minimum required thresholds, but these instances are few and far between.
American passengers should also be careful, though, as their Contract of Carriage excludes the following items as compensable in the event of loss or damage:
- Cash
- Jewelry
- Perishables
- Cameras
- Other valuables as determined by AA
Credit card compensation
As we alluded to, some credit cards offer luggage protection in the event of airline loss or damage.
Of course, card benefits and processes vary based on which card you have. Here are protections for a couple of the more common travel cards out there:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve: $3,000 in coverage per traveler on your reservation, but limits of $500 for jewelry/watches, cameras, and electronic equipment
- Chase Sapphire Preferred: $3,000 in coverage, plus up to $100/day once a baggage delay hit 6-hours (Reserve has this as well.)
Travel and homeowner insurance policies
Many