Airline Rules for Lost, Delayed and Damaged Baggage Compensation

A missing or damaged checked bag can derail your travel plans — but it’s possible to get paid for your trouble. Under U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rules for domestic travel and the Montreal Convention for most flights abroad, airlines are required to compensate passengers if their bags are lost, delayed or damaged. However, the specifics vary by airline. Your credit card or private travel insurance plan may also compensate you for mishandled baggage.

» Learn more: Credit cards that offer free travel insurance

Rules for lost, damaged or delayed baggage

An airline’s contract of carriage provides guidance for the process when your checked bag gets lost, damaged or delayed. Airlines may provide a specific dollar amount for what they consider “reasonable expenses,” but there is a minimum amount set by the DOT that airlines are required to pay for incidental expenses arising from the mishandled bag.

Lost or damaged bags

If your bag or its contents are lost or damaged, airlines are responsible for repair or reimbursement. If the damage can’t be repaired, the airline will negotiate a compensation amount based on the depreciated value of the bag and contents, excluding certain items such as fragile items, electronics, cash and perishable items. A full list of exclusions can be found in the contract of carriage from each airline.

Airlines have the following maximum liability for lost or damaged bags and contents:

• For domestic flights, $4,700 per passenger. Airlines are not required to compensate you for excluded items.

• For most international flights, $1,700 per passenger. Airlines are responsible to compensate you for excluded items if they have accepted them for transportation (even if you didn’t disclose the items packed in the bag).

While the airline can choose to provide compensation beyond these limits, they are not required to. These limits include verifiable incidental expenses incurred due to mishandled baggage, such as toiletries and clothes. Just be sure to keep your receipts, as you’ll need to submit them to the airline for reimbursement.

Delayed bags

If your checked bag is delayed, bag fees are refundable under the following circumstances:

• For domestic flights, your bag is not delivered within 12 hours of arriving at the gate.

• For international flights of 12 hours or less, your bag is not delivered within 15 hours.

• For international flights of more than 12 hours, your bag is not delivered within 30 hours. 

The DOT rule requires baggage fees to be automatically refunded within seven business days to 20 calendar days, depending on your form of payment. In addition to the bag fees, airlines are required to compensate you for verifiable incidental expenses incurred during the delay.

» Learn more: Is an AirTag good for lost luggage?

Individual airline policies

While the overall liability for mishandled baggage is the same for every airline, the policies and process for reimbursement varies depending on the carrier.

Alaska Airlines

• Rewards for short delays? Yes, Alaska Airlines has a “20-minute baggage guarantee.” If your bags are not at the baggage claim within 20 minutes of arrival at the gate, the airline offers 2,500 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles or a $25 discount code towards a future flight. You must contact the baggage office within two hours of your flight’s arrival for your discount code or miles.

• When do you report bag issues? 

  • Bags damaged: Within 24 hours for domestic flights and seven days for international flights. For covered damage, an estimate or repair bill must be submitted to the airline within 60 days of your date of travel.

  • Bags delayed: Within 24 hours for domestic flights and twenty-one days for international flights. 

• Where? At the baggage service office of your arrival airport.

• What contents are excluded? Jewelry, cash, personal electronic devices, antiques, medications, optical devices, business papers and contracts.

• How long does it take to get compensated? Generally within four to six weeks from the date of travel.

Allegiant Airlines

• Rewards for short delays? No.

• When do you report bag issues?

  • Bags damaged: For domestic flights, within 12 hours of flight arrival for damaged bags and 24 hours for missing contents. For international flights, within seven days of arrival.

  • Bags delayed: Within 12 hours of flight arrival.

• Where? At the airport’s baggage service office or by submitting a “Mishandled Baggage Report” on the Allegiant website.

• What contents are excluded? Medicines, orthotics, optics, business and personal documents, blueprints, photographs, items intended for sale, business equipment, books and manuscripts, artistic items, fur products, antiques, heirlooms, electronic equipment, collectables, antiques, money, jewelry, silverware, keys, electronic cigarettes, vaping devices and spare lithium batteries.

• How long does it take to get compensated? Up to 45 days.

American Airlines

• Rewards for short delays? No.

• When do you report it? 

  • Bags damaged: Within 24 hours for domestic flights and seven days for international flights. 

  • Bags delayed: Within four hours of flight arrival. 

• Where? At the airport’s baggage service office. An airline representative will provide a code to then submit a claim on the American Airlines website. 

• What contents are excluded? Antiques or artifacts, artwork, books or documents, business equipment or samples, silverware, computers and other electronics, fragile items, furs, heirlooms, jewelry, keys, liquids, medication, money, orthotics or surgical supports, perishable goods, photographic and video equipment, precious metals or stones, securities or negotiable papers, time pieces, and unique or irreplaceable items.

• How long does it take to get compensated? Within four to six weeks after filing.

Delta Air Lines

• Rewards for short delays? Yes. Delta Airlines has a “20-minute bag guarantee.” If your checked bag doesn’t arrive at the carousel in 20 minutes or less after a domestic flight, you can receive 2,500 bonus SkyMiles by completing an online form within three days of arrival. 

• When do you report bag issues? 

  • Bags damaged: Within 24 hours of arrival for domestic flights and seven days for international flights.

  • Bags delayed: Before you leave your arrival airport.

• Where? At the airport’s baggage service office. An airline representative will provide a code to then submit a claim on the Delta website. 

• What contents are excluded? Fragile, perishable or precious items.

• How long does it take to get compensated? Delta doesn’t provide an estimated timeline.

Frontier Airlines

• Rewards for short delays? No.

• When do you report bag issues? 

  • Bags damaged: Within four hours of arrival.

  • Bags delayed: Within four hours of arrival.

• Where? At the airport’s baggage service office. If you were unable or could not report the issue at the airport, fill out a Delayed or Damaged Baggage Form on the Frontier Airlines website.

• What contents are excluded? Alcohol, antiques, art and paintings, art supplies, artifacts, blueprints, books, business documents, CDs, cell phones, tobacco products, collectibles, computer and electronic equipment, dentures, drugs, DVDs, eyeglasses, files, perishable items, fragile items, items for sale, hand and power tools, heirlooms, irreplaceable items, jewelry, keys, machinery, manuscripts, medication,  money, fur products, contracts, optics, orthodontics, orthotics, photographic equipment, precious metals or stones, silverware, sunglasses, surgical supports and toys. 

• How long does it take to get compensated? Frontier doesn’t provide an estimated timeline.

JetBlue Airlines

• Rewards for short delays? No.

• When do you report bag issues? 

  • Bags damaged: Within four hours of arrival.

  • Bags delayed: Within four hours of arrival.

• Where? Either at the baggage service office or filing a claim through the JetBlue website. 

• What contents are excluded? Medicines, money, checks, securities, jewelry (including watches), wigs, cameras, video, audio and other electronic equipment (including computers, software or music devices), CDs, DVDs, automotive parts, boat parts, silverware, optical equipment (including contact lenses), dental and orthodontic devices or equipment, keys, negotiable papers, securities, business documents, samples, items intended for sale, paintings, antiques, artifacts, manuscripts, animal antlers, furs, irreplaceable books, writing instruments, heirlooms, collector’s items or publications and similar valuables contained in checked or unchecked baggage.

• How long does it take to get compensated? JetBlue doesn’t provide an estimated timeline.

Southwest Airlines

• Rewards for short delays? No.

• When do you report bag issues? 

  • Bags damaged: Within four hours of arrival for domestic flights and seven days for international flights.

  • Bags delayed: Within four hours of arrival for domestic flights and seven days for international flights.

• Where do you report it? At the baggage service office or with a QR code on signage outside of the office. If you’ve already left the airport, you can file a report on the Southwest Airlines website.

• What contents are excluded? Money, jewelry, photographic, video and optical equipment, computers and other electronic equipment, computer software, silverware and china, fragile or perishable items, liquids, precious gems and metals, negotiable instruments, securities, business or personal documents, samples, items intended for sale, paintings, artifacts, and other works of art, antiques, collectors items, unique or irreplaceable items, heirlooms, research, experimental, and scholastic items and documents, manuscripts, furs, irreplaceable books or publications, and similar valuables.

• How long does it take to get compensated? Southwest doesn’t provide an estimated timeline.

Spirit Airlines

• Rewards for short delays? No.

• When do you report bag issues?

  • Bags damaged? Within four hours of arrival for domestic flights and seven days for international flights.

  • Bags delayed? Within four hours of arrival for domestic flights and 21 days for international flights.

• Where do you report it? Through the self-serve virtual baggage service office at the arrival airport. 

• What contents are excluded? Antiques, artifacts, art supplies, backpacks not designed for travel, blueprints, maps, historical documents, books, business documents, CDs/DVDs, business equipment, business samples, silverware, glass, ceramics, pottery, collectibles, commercial items, computer hardware and software, cosmetics, drugs, tobacco products, electronics, eyeglasses, sunglasses, binoculars, contact lenses, furs and fur products, fragile items, garment bags not designed for travel, heirlooms, human organs, irreplaceable items, jewelry, keys, liquids, machinery, manuscripts, medications, medical equipment, money, gift cards, securities, musical instruments, orthodontics, perfumes, perishable items, photos and personal documents, photographic and video equipment, precious metals and stones, publications, samples, tools, watches and timepieces, works of art, and other valuable, fragile or perishable items.

• How long does it take to get compensated? Generally within 30 days.

United Airlines

• Rewards for short delays? No.

• When do you report it? 

  • Bags damaged: Within 24 hours of arrival for domestic flights and seven days for international flights.

  • Bags delayed: Within 24 hours of arrival for domestic flights and 21 days for international flights.

• Where do you report it? Delayed and damaged bags should be reported at the airport baggage service office. If you have already left the airport, you can file a report through the United app, via online chat on the United Airlines website or by texting “BAGS” to 32050.  

• What contents are excluded? Antiques, artifacts, collectibles, religious items, antlers, backpacks not designed for travel, business equipment and samples, portable multimedia players, chinaware, glass, ceramics, pottery, computer hardware and software, electronics, items checked in bags that do not have sufficient durability, items checked in corrugated/cardboard boxes, electronic and mechanical items, eyeglasses, binoculars, flowers and plants, garment bags not designed for travel, irreplaceable items, items made of paper, jewelry, keys, liquids, perfumes, alcohol, medicines and medical equipment, money, gift cards, gift certificates, musical instruments, fur products, perishable items, photographic and video equipment, precious metals and stones, tools, battery powered hand tools, recreational sporting goods, silverware, knives, swords, strollers, folding wagons, bassinets, watches and timepieces, and works of art.

• How long does it take to get compensated? United doesn’t provide an estimated timeline.

» Learn more: The guide to baggage delay insurance

How to receive compensation for mishandled baggage

The first step to receive compensation for a lost, damaged or delayed bag is to file a claim with the airline. The easiest place to do this is at the airline's baggage service office at the airport.

If the airline does not have a baggage service desk at the airport or if the baggage service desk is closed, call your airline’s customer service phone number to file a baggage claim. Some airlines also allow you to submit a claim online.

Damaged baggage compensation

Airlines are responsible for repairing or reimbursing a passenger for a damaged bag and contents when the damage occurs while the bag is under the airline’s control. Airlines are not responsible for pre-existing damage to the bag or if the damage was caused by improper packing.

If the bag can’t be repaired, the airline will negotiate a compensation amount based on the value of the bag, subject to depreciation. That means the airline won’t cover the full cost of a brand new bag if your 10-year- old Samsonite bag is damaged. Although airlines are not required to cover fair wear and tear, the airline is still liable for damage to wheels, handles and straps on your bag.

Delayed baggage compensation

Airlines are responsible for locating any bag that does not arrive at its destination. Federal law requires the airline to compensate passengers for incidental expenses they may incur while their bag is delayed, such as clothes or toiletries, up to the maximum liability limit. There is no fixed daily limit for these expenses, despite what some airlines may say. Be sure to keep your receipts to submit for reimbursement.

Lost baggage compensation

Airlines have unique policies to determine when a bag is officially lost. Generally, it’s between five and 14 days after the flight. If the airline refuses to consider a bag lost after it has been missing for an “unreasonable” period of time, the airline could be subject to enforcement by the DOT.

Once a bag is defined as lost, the airline must compensate you for the bag and its contents, subject to depreciation and the maximum liability limit. The airline must also refund any fees you paid to transport the bag and may require receipts to receive compensation for the contents of your lost bag.

Baggage insurance through your credit card

Many travel credit cards offer various types of travel insurance, including coverage for delayed or damaged bags. These policies are generally underwritten through a third party and may provide more accessible coverage than the airline. Policy details will vary depending on the card, so check your terms and conditions to learn more.

For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offer up to $100 per day for up to five days for a baggage delay, and up to $3,000 per passenger for lost luggage.

Travel insurance through a third party

While many airlines will reimburse you for expenses associated with delayed bags, travel insurance can also cover these expenses. Delayed baggage insurance is often included in comprehensive travel insurance plans and may reimburse you at a higher limit than the airline, depending on your specific policy. This can be useful if you travel with more valuable items.