[2025] Spirit Airlines Lost Your Baggage – Do This to Get Compensated ASAP

Tens of millions of passengers per year are drawn to carriers like Allegiant, Spirit, and Frontier by the allure of no-frills, cheap airfare. And most of the time, passengers that don’t buy seat assignments or need carry-ons can save money.

Still, things can go wrong. Flight delays and cancellations can be annoying, but not much is worse than arriving at your destination to find your checked bags didn’t make it with you.

This guide is intended to understand your passenger rights, take the proper action, and get compensated as soon as possible if Spirit misplaces your luggage.

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How does Spirit lost baggage anyway?

Lost luggage is a phenomenon neither unique to Spirit, nor any other budget carrier for that matter. In fact, each time you fly, you’re at risk of your items being lost.

Most luggage delays/losses occur for one of these 3 reasons:

  • Human error, like forgetting to load baggage on a plane
  • Itinerary changes, like connecting through a new city to avoid a delay or cancellation
  • Short connection times, where an airport ground crew doesn’t have the time to transfer your bags

While you’re entitled to compensation/reimbursement for lost or delayed bags, you may also be entitled to compensation if you faced a lengthy delay, cancellation, tarmac delay, or were bumped from an overbooked flight.

Check out the guides we’ve written about all these interruptions.

Spirit Airlines lost baggage policy

Should your luggage be lost or delayed on a Spirit flight, you’ll be subject to the carrier’s baggage policy, in addition to government regulations, which vary depending on your flight.

Domestic flights

Domestic flights within the United States are governed by the DOT. Airlines can be held liable up to $4,700 per passenger in the event of delayed/lost bags. Additionally, passengers must be compensated for reasonable expenses while awaiting updates on your bags. You’ll need to produce receipts for reimbursement, but if you limit purchases to necessities like clothing, toiletries, medications, etc.

Spirit is not allowed to limit you to a daily limit of per diem, but it is best to not submit any questionable expenses for reimbursement.

International itineraries

While Spirit does not fly between the United States and Europe or Asia, they do fly international routes to Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America, itineraries that are subject to regulations set by the Montreal Convention, rather than the U.S. DOT. Montreal Convention flights carry airline liability of up to $1,950 in passenger compensation. Of course, airlines may offer additional compensation at their own discretion, though you should not count on this, particularly with budget carriers like Spirit and Frontier.

Excluded items

Spirit, like all carriers, excludes certain valuables from its liability in the event of lost luggage. This list includes:

  • Items of personal importance: Car keys, travel documents, medications, passports
  • Electronics: Laptops, tablets, smartphones, readers, cameras, etc.
  • Valuables: Cash, jewelry, artwork, and items of significant value

Getting reimbursed for delayed, lost, or damaged bags

The way in which you get this reimbursement from Spirit is outlined in their contract of carriage. You’ll need to complete these 5 steps:

1. Alert Spirit of the problem

Contact Spirit as soon as possible to maximize the chances of your bags turning up. Every minute and hour counts, so the sooner you can file a report, the better. We recommend that you find a Spirit customer service agent near baggage claim, but if you’re in a hurry to leave to catch a cruise, train, or other mode of transportation, you can make initial contact online.

2. File an initial baggage report

The report that you file depends upon your bag’s status:

  • For delayed bags, complete the “Did not arrive” section through Spirit’s Baggage Service Portal
  • For damaged bags, complete the “Mishandled Bag” section

If you file your report in person, at your arrival airport, make sure to ask about reimbursement for expenses you’ll encounter without your bags. Remember – Spirit cannot give you a daily per diem to limit your expenses. You have a responsibility to only submit reasonable expenses, however, for clothing, medication, toiletries, etc. Remember to hold onto your receipts, since you’ll need those.

Technically, you must file your initial report within four hours of landing on most flights to be eligible for compensation.

✅TIP: If you’re missing assistance devices such as wheelchairs or scooters, or baby supplies like car seats or strollers, it is best to find a Spirit employee live to connect with.

Spirit Airlines baggage contacts

If you need to get in touch with Spirit, you can do so:

3. Wait up to 21 days

Spirit does have the right to search for your missing luggage for a period of time – 21 days to be exact. If/when your bags show up, Spirit will automatically bring them to you, regardless of whether you’re still near your arrival airport or not. If nothing turns up in three weeks, they’ll officially deem your bags lost, providing you the opportunity to claim reimbursement for your lost possessions.

In most cases, bags are found in the first 24-48 hours after your flight arrives.

4. Itemize your possessions

After 21 days, you’ll be provided the opportunity to submit a list of lost possessions to receive compensation. This process will play out through Spirit’s baggage portal where you first filed your missing bag report. You should be precise as possible and do your best to provide each item’s corresponding value.

✅TIP: Though Spirit can and may ask for proof of purchase for higher-value items, typically, you don’t need to worry about this for clothing, toiletries, and other standard items.

5. Get reimbursed

If Spirit counters your original claim with a settlement amount that you feel is low, you are not required to accept this first offer. Unfortunately, the reimbursement process oftentimes turns into a negotiation and airlines trying to use leverage over passengers to save money.

You should also ensure that Spirit reimburses you for any checked baggage fees that you paid. If nothing else, this will help increase your reimbursement amount.

If needed, call 1-855-728-3555 to escalate your case. We’re also happy to work on your behalf.

Preventing lost/damaged luggage in the future

There are things within your control to help limit the risk of baggage delays when you fly. For example:

  • Placing an Apple AirTag in your checked baggage: If your luggage does not arrive on your arriving flight, you’ll be able to assist Spirit in reuniting it with you. Make sure you note which airport you’ve tracked your bags to (and when!).
  • Mark your bag as fragile: Putting a fragile label on your bag may help TSA and Spirit ground crew be gentler when handling your bag.
  • Don’t overpack your bag: Spirit’s contract of carriage limits its liability in damaged bag cases when it deems bags to be overstuffed or packed, so you don’t want to give them a reason to deny a claim.

Spirit baggage frequently asked questions

1. Can I track my lost baggage online with Spirit?

Yes, Spirit offers the ability to track the status of your bag online or through the Spirit Airlines app, if you have your name, address, flight information, and bag details (claim ticket you were provided at check-in).

2. How likely is Spirit to lose your luggage?

It is still rare to face a delayed/lost bag. In 2023, Spirit mishandled 0.53% of checked bags, which includes damage and loss. Spirit did lose or damage the highest percentage of wheelchairs and scooters, however, at 5.35% of devices in 2023.