Airline Lost Your Baggage? Here's What They Owe You

For domestic US flights, DOT regulations set a maximum liability of approximately $3,800 per passenger for lost, delayed, or damaged checked baggage. This is a liability cap, not a guaranteed payout. You must document the value of what was in your bag.

File your claim within 24 hours. Most airlines require baggage claims to be filed within 24 hours of arrival for domestic flights. Waiting longer can weaken or void your claim.

For international flights, the Montreal Convention sets a liability limit of approximately 1,288 Special Drawing Rights (about $1,700 at current exchange rates) per passenger. This applies to most international flights from or to the US.

The Montreal Convention also sets strict deadlines: you must report damaged baggage within 7 days and delayed baggage within 21 days of receiving it. Missing these deadlines can void your claim entirely.

Under the DOT's final refund rule, airlines must now refund your checked bag fee if your bag is not delivered within specific timeframes: 12 hours for domestic flights and 15 to 30 hours for international flights (depending on flight length). This refund is automatic and separate from any claim for the bag's contents.

This is a new right. Even if your bag eventually shows up, you are entitled to a refund of the bag fee if it was late. This applies to all airlines operating flights to or from the US.

1. 1

   Report the missing bag at the airline's baggage service counter at the airport before leaving.

2. 2

   Get a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) with a reference number.

3. 3

   File a written claim with the airline within 24 hours (domestic) or 7 days (international for damage).

4. 4

   List every item in the bag with estimated values and purchase dates.

5. 5

   Attach receipts if available, but estimates are accepted if receipts are lost.

6. 6

   Keep the PIR reference number and all correspondence.

If the airline does not resolve your claim satisfactorily, file a DOT complaint at transportation.gov/airconsumer. See our complaint guide for the full process.

Keep a packing list for every trip. Photograph the contents of your suitcase before checking it. Keep receipts for expensive items. Consider excess valuation coverage (available at check-in for a fee) for bags containing valuables. If you need to buy essentials while your bag is delayed, keep receipts. These interim expenses are reimbursable in addition to the bag fee refund.

For additional guidance on writing effective complaint letters to airlines, see our complaint letter guide. To check your eligibility for other compensation, use our tool.