Frontier Airlines Delayed Baggage Compensation: Your Entitlements

Frontier Airlines is one of America’s budget carriers. As such, many passengers find subpar customer service experiences part of the journey. But even if your flight is timely and goes well, you still need to complete one more step: picking up your checked luggage at baggage claim. And let’s be real. Lost, damaged, or delayed bags can really start your vacation off on the wrong foot. Besides costing you precious vacation time in the airport, you’ll also face the prospect of being away from home without anything that you had packed.

So, what are your passenger rights when Frontier delays or loses your luggage, and you’re away from home? This Frontier Airlines guide to dealing with delayed or damaged baggage will answer all your questions, and we will show you how to maximize your compensation in the event something goes awry. These are your passenger rights.

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How does luggage get lost?

There are many culprits for lost baggage, including human error, flight delays, cancellations, itinerary changes, flight bumps, and even tarmac delays.

There are three times when bags are most likely to be lost:

  • At your departure airport
  • When connecting between flights
  • Upon arrival at your destination

If your bags were lost after a lengthy delay or cancellation, you may be eligible for additional compensation in addition to reimbursement for your lost possessions.

Oftentimes, flight delays, cancellations, tarmac delays, and denied boardings carry additional compensation requirements, which we’ve written guides about.

Frontier Airlines’ lost baggage policies

No matter if your bags are delayed or lost, you have passenger rights that Frontier must meet. These rights vary based on whether you flew domestically or internationally and are a combination of airline policies (as outlined in Frontier’s contract of carriage), as well as regulatory policies outlined by governing agencies.

Domestic itineraries in the U.S.

According to the US DOT, airlines are liable for up to a maximum of $4,700 per passenger in the event of a bag loss, delay, or damage. And while airlines are free to compensate passengers above this threshold, these cases are quite rare and should not be an expectation for passengers.

Airlines must also compensate passengers for expenses incurred during their bag search, without arbitrary limits. So while an airline cannot provide you a $50 per diem each day to manage without your possessions, the expenses you submit for reimbursement should still be reasonable and limited to replacing what is missing.

International itineraries

International flights, which are limited but do exist on Frontier, are instead governed by the Montreal Convention. Any luggage delay, damage, or loss leaves passengers eligible to claim up to $1,950 in reimbursements/compensation. Like DOT regulations, carriers can offer additional compensation at their own discretion.

Before you are reimbursed and claim other compensation, Frontier’s contract of carriage requires you to take the following steps:

  • File a missing bag report
  • Wait up to 21 days
  • Provide itemized list of lost possessions
  • Get reimbursed

File a missing bag report

Once you realize your bags did not make your flight, you’ll need to report it to Frontier as soon as you can. Its contract of carriage notes that passengers must make their initial report within 4 hours of arrival.

Frontier may not have a staffed baggage service office at some of its non-focus cities, or if you arrive late at night. In this case, you should proceed to the ticket counter and speak to an airline employee there. When speaking with a Frontier agent, you should mention that you’ll need reimbursement for expenses until your luggage is returned to you. If you’re purchasing medication, clothing, toiletries, and other related items, there should not be an issue. Remember to keep all of your receipts for the compensation process.

If you’re trying to catch a train, cruise, or are in a hurry, you may file an online claim for a delayed bag, damaged bag, or missing item.

✅TIP: If you’re missing special items such as a baby car seat, stroller, wheelchair, scooter, or another assistive device, you may chat with a Frontier customer service representative here.

Contacting Frontier Airlines

Get in contact with Frontier regarding luggage:

Wait up to 21 days

Though you’ve reported missing bags, Frontier won’t skip right to compensating you for items until they’ve completed a thorough search for your bag(s). Roughly 90% of missing luggage is returned to its owner within 48 hours, so this makes sense. However, if you’re on vacation and need to buy items to replace those within your bags, you can submit these receipts to Frontier for reimbursement.

If your bags are located, the onus is on Frontier to deliver them to you, regardless of whether you are on vacation or at home.

Provide an itemized list of possessions

If your luggage does not turn up within 3 weeks, you’ll be asked to submit a list of items you need reimbursement for.

Technically, Frontier can ask for proof of purchase for items that you declare, and they are more likely to if you’re seeking reimbursement for more expensive items.

✅TIP: Many passengers worry that they don’t have receipts for items lost in their luggage. In our experience, this usually isn’t an issue, particularly for reasonably valued clothes, toiletries, and other possessions.

Frontier does not assume liability for the following items if packed in checked luggage:

  • Items of necessity: Passports, travel documents, medication, keys, etc.
  • Electronics: Laptops, tablets, smartphones, readers, cameras, etc.
  • Valuables: Cash, jewelry, items of substantial material or sentimental value

Get reimbursed

After your claim is approved, Frontier will process the payment and reimburse you for your losses. This can take a few weeks, but don’t afraid to be persistent to expedite the process.

TIP: If Frontier’s offer to you does not reflect a fair reimbursement, you are no under pressure to accept their first offer. Airlines oftentimes lowball passengers at first to try to save money. If you’re having trouble getting fair compensation, we’re happy to help.

Also, don’t forget to ask for reimbursement for any bag fees you paid to Frontier while you traveled. Little known, they will reimburse these fees.

What if Frontier damages your bags?

Discovering damaged bags or contents upon arrival can be almost as bad as your luggage being lost. If you find damage, complete these steps as soon as possible:

1. Assess the damage in baggage claim

Do not leave the baggage claim area until you’ve completed an inspection of your luggage and its content. If something is not right, head to Frontier’s baggage office immediately. The minute you leave the airport, you can no longer prove that the damage was caused by Frontier.

2. Complete a damage report

After finding a Frontier employee to talk to:

  • Ask to complete a Damage Baggage Form (you can also do this online)
  • Show the damage to your bag (Frontier does not assume liability for wear and tear, scratches, small rips, tears, and dirt) and emphasize what is broken/damaged
  • Document the damage on record through photos or clear descriptions

You have 4 hours to report the damage after you land on a domestic itinerary.

3. Submit your claim

Submit your claim, either in person with the Frontier baggage employee, or online. Verify that you’ve provided an accurate phone number, confirmation code/ticket number, travel date, and other requested information.

✅TIP: Don’t be afraid to advocate for your rights if Frontier tries to assume no responsibility for damage clearly beyond standard wear and tear. For this reason, we always recommend taking before/after photos of your bags when you travel.

4. Wait for next steps

Frontier will review your claim and decide as to its legitimacy. It is possible that you will be contacted for additional information, such as proof of value for your damaged items/bags. Make sure to respond right away to keep your claim review on track. You may check the status of your claim online or by calling Frontier directly at 801-401-9000.

5. Receive reimbursement

Depending upon the value of your bag and extent of damage, Frontier may opt to repair or replace your bag, or they may offer you compensation instead. Remember to archive your claim information and document any phone or email interactions you have in case you must prove a certain commitment was made to you.

Maximizing your damaged/lost/delayed baggage compensation

Consider travel insurance

Passengers may purchase travel insurance from a third-party prior to travel. These policies may cover anything from weather disruptions, to cancelled flights, to delayed or lost baggage. You want to read the fine print before purchasing a policy, as many require you to receive reimbursement from your airline before being eligible for additional compensation, which may only be available if your airline reimbursement didn’t make you whole.

Book your airfare on a travel credit card

Many travel credit cards, both those with annual fees and those without, offer luggage insurance as an added perk. To qualify, you need to buy your tickets with the credit card.

Again, read the fine print, as some cards cover only the card holder, while others may cover your entire traveling party.

Travel credit cards with luggage protection

With so many travel credit cards on the market today, it may be worthwhile to choose one with baggage insurance. The Frontier Airlines World Mastercard does not provide this, but plenty of others do, including:

  • Chase Sapphire Preferred
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve
  • The Platinum Card from American Express
  • American Express Gold Card

Review your homeowner’s insurance policy

Oftentimes, homeowners have delayed/lost baggage compensation available to them through their home’s insurance policy. Renters may also have this benefit, though it is dependent upon your policy.