Airlines must compensate you for lost luggage, but the amount and process depend on where you're flying and what's in the bag

When an airline loses your luggage, you have a legal right to money for your loss — but you will not get a blank check. The airline's liability is capped by federal and international rules. In the United States, domestic flights are limited to about $3,800 per bag under federal law. International flights follow the Montreal Convention, which caps liability at roughly $2,800 per passenger, though some airlines offer higher limits voluntarily. The airline will not pay the full replacement cost of your bag and contents; instead, they pay the depreciated value — what your items were worth at the time of loss, not what you paid for them.

The process starts the moment you discover your bag is missing. You must report it to the airline before you leave the airport, or within a strict window afterward — usually 24 hours for domestic flights and 7 days for international ones. Missing this important date can forfeit your right to compensation entirely. The airline will ask you to file a written claim, which requires an itemized list of what was in the bag with the original purchase price and date of purchase for each item. You will also need your baggage tag number and boarding pass.

Key Takeaways

  • Report a lost bag to the airline before leaving the airport or within 24 hours for domestic flights; missing this important date can eliminate your right to compensation.
  • The airline will pay depreciated value, not replacement cost, so a five-year-old suitcase worth $200 originally may be valued at $50.
  • You must provide receipts or proof of purchase for items in the bag; without documentation, the airline can deny individual claims or offer a lower amount.
  • If the airline denies your claim or offers too little, you can file a complaint with the Department of Transportation or pursue small claims court.
  • Airlines often recover lost bags within days or weeks; if yours is found, they will deliver it to you at no cost, even if you already received compensation.

How the airline values your belongings

The airline will not accept your word for what was in the bag or what it cost. They will ask for receipts, credit card statements, or other proof of purchase. For items you cannot document — a gift, something bought years ago, or a secondhand purchase — the airline will estimate the value based on what similar used items sell for. A designer handbag you bought for $800 five years ago may be valued at $200 if the airline can show comparable bags selling for that price online.

Depreciation is the biggest reason claims are denied or reduced. Airlines typically deduct 10 to 20 percent per year from the original purchase price, though the exact formula varies by airline. A three-year-old laptop originally worth $1,200 might be valued at $600 or less. Clothing depreciates faster than luggage or electronics. If you cannot prove the original cost, the airline will use their own estimates, which are often lower than what you remember paying.

Some items have little to no depreciation in the airline's eyes: cash, jewelry, and electronics with no serial numbers are often denied outright because they cannot be verified. Medications and perishables are typically not covered. Fragile items like glasses or cameras may be denied if you did not declare them as fragile at check-in.

What to do when ready after discovering your bag is missing

Do not leave the airport without reporting the loss. Go to the airline's baggage office, usually located near baggage claim. Tell them your bag did not arrive and provide your baggage tag number and boarding pass. The airline will file a report and give you a reference number. Ask for a written receipt of the report; this is your proof that you reported it on time.

If you discover the loss after leaving the airport, contact the airline's baggage department by phone or online within 24 hours. Have your confirmation number, flight details, and baggage tag ready. The airline will open a trace — a search for your bag in their system. Bags are often found in sorting facilities or on connecting flights within 24 to 48 hours.

While the airline searches, start gathering documentation. Find receipts for items that were in the bag. If you do not have original receipts, look for credit card statements showing the purchase, emails from the retailer, or photos of the items. Take screenshots of similar items for sale online to establish current market value. The more documentation you have, the stronger your claim.

Filing a claim and what the airline will ask for

After the airline confirms the bag is lost (usually after 21 days of searching), they will send you a claim form. Some airlines allow you to file earlier if you prefer not to wait. The form asks for a detailed inventory of what was in the bag, the original purchase price of each item, and the date you bought it. Be specific: instead of "clothing," list "two pairs of jeans, three shirts, one jacket" with prices for each.

Include receipts, credit card statements, or other proof with your claim. If you have photos of the items or the packed bag, include those too. The airline will review your claim and either approve it, deny it, or offer a lower amount than you requested. This process typically takes 4 to 8 weeks. If they approve your claim, they will send a check or credit to your original payment method.

Do not inflate the value of items or claim things that were not in the bag. Airlines investigate claims and may deny the entire claim if they find dishonesty. Stick to what you can document.

What to do if the airline denies or underpays your claim

If the airline denies your claim or offers significantly less than you requested, you have options. First, send a written response to the airline explaining why you disagree. Include any additional documentation you have — more receipts, photos, or evidence of the item's value. Some airlines will reconsider if you provide new information.

If the airline will not budge, you can file a complaint with the Department of Transportation. Go to the DOT's Aviation Consumer Protection Division website and file a complaint. The DOT does not settle disputes directly, but they track complaints and can pressure airlines to improve their practices. A DOT complaint may prompt the airline to reconsider.

For amounts under your state's small claims court limit (usually $5,000 to $10,000), you can sue the airline in small claims court. You will need to show your documentation and explain why the airline's valuation was unreasonable. Small claims court is faster and cheaper than hiring a lawyer, and you do not need one to file.

When the airline finds your bag after you've been compensated

If your bag turns up weeks or months later, the airline will contact you and offer to deliver it. You can accept the delivery at no cost. In most cases, you keep both the compensation you received and the bag. Some airlines include a clause requiring you to return the compensation if the bag is found, but this is rare and often unenforceable. Check your airline's policy, but assume you are may have access to to keep both.

If the bag is found but damaged, the airline may offer additional compensation for the damage. If items inside are missing or broken, report it when ready and file a supplemental claim.

How to avoid losing luggage in the first place

Use a distinctive luggage tag or wrap your bag in bright tape so it stands out on the carousel. Take a photo of your packed bag and your baggage tag before checking in; this serves as proof of what was inside and when. For valuable items, carry them in your personal bag instead of checking them. Medications, electronics, jewelry, and important documents should never go in checked luggage.

If you are checking a bag with expensive or fragile items, declare them to the airline at check-in. Some airlines offer additional coverage for declared items, though this usually costs extra. For international flights, consider purchasing baggage insurance if your bag contains items worth more than the airline's liability limit.

Label your bag inside and out with your name, phone number, and email address. If your bag is found by another passenger or airport staff, they can contact you directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the airline have to search for my bag before declaring it lost?

Most airlines search for 21 days before officially declaring a bag lost. Some will allow you to file a claim sooner if you do not want to wait. After 21 days, the bag is presumed lost and you can proceed with your claim.

Can I get money for the inconvenience of not having my bag, like buying emergency clothes?

The airline's liability is limited to the depreciated value of the items in the bag. They do not compensate for inconvenience, emergency purchases, or hotel stays. However, some credit card companies offer baggage delay coverage that reimburses you for emergency purchases if your bag is delayed more than 12 or 24 hours. Check your card's benefits.

What if I was connecting through another airline and my bag was lost on the second flight?

Report the loss to the final airline you flew with, not the first one. The final carrier is responsible for the bag once it is in their system. If the bag was lost during a connection, the final airline will investigate which carrier lost it and may pursue them for reimbursement, but you file your claim with the airline you arrived on.

Does travel insurance cover lost luggage?

Some travel insurance policies include baggage coverage, but it varies widely. Check your policy's fine print. Travel insurance often covers baggage delay (when your bag arrives late) better than baggage loss. Baggage coverage through your credit card or homeowner's insurance may be more useful.

What if the airline loses my bag on an international flight?

International flights are covered by the Montreal Convention, which limits the airline's liability to about $2,800 per passenger. The process is the same: report it when ready, file a claim with documentation, and follow up if denied. Some airlines voluntarily offer higher limits on international routes, so check your airline's policy.