How long do I have to file a damaged baggage claim?

Under the Montreal Convention (international flights), 7 days from receipt of the damaged bag for written notice. Under domestic US rules and most contracts of carriage, 24 hours is the contractual deadline though courts often accept 'reasonable notice' interpretations. Always file the PIR at the airport before leaving and the formal written claim within 7 days.

What is the maximum I can claim for damaged baggage?

Up to 1,288 Special Drawing Rights (about USD 1,800) per passenger under the Montreal Convention for international flights. Up to USD 3,800 per passenger under 14 CFR Part 254 for domestic US flights. The cap is per passenger, not per bag. Stacking with credit card coverage and travel insurance can recover additional amounts.

Can the airline claim 'normal wear and tear' to refuse my claim?

Not under strict liability. The Montreal Convention and 14 CFR Part 254 impose liability for damage during airline custody regardless of fault. 'Normal wear and tear' is a marketing defence, not a legal one. Submit photos showing fresh damage clearly distinguishable from wear. Reject the defence in writing.

Do I need receipts to claim for damaged contents?

Receipts strengthen the claim but are not strictly required. The Convention does not require receipts. Reasonable estimated value with affidavit is acceptable. For electronics, jewelry, and items over USD 500, receipts (or photos of receipts) significantly improve the chance of full recovery.

What if my bag is damaged but not destroyed?

File the same way: PIR at airport, photos, repair estimate. The airline's settlement is anchored to whichever is lower of repair cost, depreciated value, or the federal cap. For minor damage where repair is feasible, repair estimate is typically the right anchor. For total loss, depreciated value or the cap applies.

Can I claim damage to contents of a damaged bag?

Yes. The damage compensation covers both the bag itself and damaged contents inside. Photograph the contents at the baggage office, document each damaged item with estimated value, and include in the formal written claim. Most airline settlements include both.

What if the airline offers me a voucher instead of cash?

Reject in writing. Baggage damage compensation under the Montreal Convention and federal rules is monetary, not voucher. Voucher acceptance is voluntary and often forfeits the cash claim. Demand cash settlement to your original payment method or bank.

Should I use a service to file the claim?

For damage under USD 200, DIY is rational because the time saved by a service may not justify the fee. For damage over USD 200, a flat-fee service compresses the back-and-forth (typically 3 to 6 messages with the airline) into a single intake. TravelStacks files baggage claims for a flat fee with built-in escalation. See the [airline lost baggage pillar](/blog/airline-lost-baggage-compensation-guide).

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BaggageApril 27, 2026•10 min read

Damaged Baggage Claim: Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Paid

Loren Castillo

Founder, TravelStacks

Damaged baggage claim guide: airlines reject most claims for one of three documented reasons (missed reporting window, no photo evidence, normal wear and tear claim). The Montreal Convention and 14 CFR Part 254 both impose liability but require documentation that most passengers do not gather in time. This is the step-by-step playbook from the moment you spot the damage at baggage claim.

Damaged Baggage Claim Guide: Why Most Get Rejected

Damaged baggage claim guide searches usually return airline-friendly content that buries the federal liability framework. The reality: international flights are governed by the Montreal Convention with a per-passenger cap of about USD 1,800 (1,288 SDR). Domestic US flights are governed by 14 CFR Part 254 with a USD 3,800 per-passenger cap. Both frameworks impose strict liability for damage during airline custody, meaning the airline does not need to be at fault. Most claims are rejected for procedural reasons (missed reporting window, no photos) rather than substantive ones. The right documentation, filed in the right window, recovers the cap.

Strict liability means the airline owes you regardless of fault. Reject any 'normal handling' or 'wear and tear' framing. Document the damage and demand cap-level settlement.

Step 1: Spot the Damage and File the PIR Before Leaving

The single most important step: file the Property Irregularity Report (PIR) at the baggage office before leaving the airport. The PIR is the airline's own claim reference document. Without it, the airline has a strong procedural defence. Inspect the bag at the carousel before leaving the secure area. Look for: cracked or split shells, broken wheels or handles, torn straps, water damage from soaked outer surface, missing zippers or locks (sign of forced entry), and any damage to contents visible through transparent panels. If damage is found, go directly to the baggage office. Do not leave the airport without filing the PIR. See baggage claim deadline don't miss it.

Step 2: Photograph Everything Before Touching It

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Wide shot of the bag: shows the entire damage in context, with bag tag visible.
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Close-up of each damaged area: cracked shell, broken wheel, torn fabric, water staining, etc.
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Damage to contents: open the bag at the baggage office and photograph any internal damage.
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Bag tag and PIR reference number side by side: links the photos to the official report.
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Original bag photo if available: pre-trip photo of the bag in undamaged condition is gold.

Save the photos to cloud storage immediately. If your phone is lost or damaged later, the cloud copy preserves the evidence.

Step 3: Document the Bag Value and Repair Cost

Within 7 days of arrival, gather: original purchase receipt for the bag (or photo of the receipt), repair estimate from a luggage repair shop (bag stores or shoe repair shops typically write these for free), replacement cost for damaged contents (with receipts where possible), and any photos of the bag in undamaged condition (vacation photos often work). The airline's settlement is anchored to whichever is lower: repair cost, current depreciated value, or the federal cap. Submitting all three numbers gives the airline a higher anchor than 'estimate of damage' alone.

Step 4: File the Formal Written Claim

File the formal written claim within the deadline. International flights: within 7 days of receiving the damaged bag under Montreal Convention Article 31. Domestic US flights: within 24 hours per most airline contracts of carriage, though courts have generally held that 'reasonable notice' meets the requirement. File via the airline's website claim form or by certified mail. Include: PIR reference number, photos, repair estimate or replacement quote, original purchase receipt, your booking reference, and explicit citation of Montreal Convention Article 22(2) (international) or 14 CFR Part 254 (domestic). See damaged luggage compensation step by step and Montreal Convention baggage limit 2026.

Step 5: Reject the Lowball First Offer

Airlines often respond with a lowball offer of USD 50 to USD 200 framed as 'goodwill gesture' or 'estimated repair'. Reject in writing within 7 days. Cite the strict liability framework, your itemised documentation, and the federal cap. Resubmit with the repair estimate and any additional evidence. Most airlines escalate to a higher settlement when pushed with proper documentation. The first offer is rarely the legal cap. See airline baggage value declaration: is it worth it.

A polite 'thank you for considering my claim' email accepts the lowball offer. Always reject in writing and resubmit with documentation. Airlines escalate when pushed.

Step 6: Stack with Credit Card and Travel Insurance

Premium credit cards (Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum, Citi Prestige) include baggage damage coverage as a secondary benefit, typically USD 1,000 to USD 3,000 per bag. Travel insurance with baggage coverage adds another USD 500 to USD 1,500 layer. Stack the recovery: airline pays Montreal Convention or domestic cap, then card or insurance covers the gap. File the secondary claims in parallel and disclose each to the other (failure to disclose can void the secondary coverage). See baggage claim vs travel insurance: double recovery.

Step 7: Escalate If the Airline Refuses

If the airline refuses to pay reasonable damage compensation after multiple submissions, escalate. For US-handling carriers, file a DOT complaint at transportation.gov/airconsumer. For EU and UK carriers, file with the relevant national enforcement body (CAA in the UK, DGAC in France, Luftfahrt-Bundesamt in Germany). Small claims court is rational for clear cases under USD 5,000 because airlines typically settle to avoid legal cost. See lost and damaged baggage 2026 guide and how to file a DOT complaint against an airline (step-by-step).

Common Airline Defences and How to Beat Them

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'Normal wear and tear': not a valid defence under strict liability. Submit photos showing fresh damage clearly distinguishable from wear.
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'Pre-existing damage': defeated by pre-trip photos or proof of purchase on a recent date.
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'You did not file in time': defeated by the PIR reference and timestamps. The 7-day Montreal Convention rule starts from receipt, not from PIR filing.
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'High-value items not declared': limits liability on undeclared electronics or jewelry, but does not eliminate liability on the bag itself or on standard-value contents.
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'No receipt for content X': airlines must accept reasonable estimated value with affidavit when receipts are not available. The Convention does not require receipts.

For the broader picture, see the airline lost baggage compensation pillar. Start a claim with TravelStacks for a flat fee.

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