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Delayed, Lost or Damaged Baggage Compensation: How Much You Can Claim in the US

Delayed, Lost or Damaged Baggage Compensation: How Much You Can Claim in the US
Anton Radchenko
Reviewed by a licensed lawyer Anton Radchenko.
Last Updated: January 29, 2025

You could get as much as $4,700 for lost, damaged, or delayed luggage!

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, airlines in the US handled 45.6 million bags as of July 2023. Unfortunately, they go on to report that the percentage of mishandled luggage increased by 0.75%.

So what can you expect if your bags are delayed, lost, or damaged? Our experts have compiled this guide to help you determine if you’re eligible for compensation and how to take the next step to get reimbursed or compensated.

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KEY POINTS

  1. When it comes to baggage claims, the US Department of Transportation sets liability limits for US domestic travel is $4,700 per passenger.
  2. For round-trip international flights that originate in the US, the Montreal Convention sets baggage liability limits for airlines which is currently $2,080 depending on exchange rates.
  3. Whether your bag is lost, delayed, or damaged, you’re entitled to compensation from airlines up to the liability limit. This, however, is not a guarantee. You must follow specific procedures in order to be eligible for compensation and reimbursement.

Your Baggage Rights as a US Passenger

Domestic Flights

In the US, airlines are responsible for your luggage from the moment you drop it off until the moment you retrieve it at your final destination. This means that if your belongings go missing or are damaged, airlines must compensate you for as much as $4,700 per passenger as regulated by the Department of Transportation.

So, If you must check baggage with contents worth more than the liability limit of $4,700 you should ask the airline about buying excess valuation when you check in.

warning

Buying “excess valuation” doesn’t work like insurance. Instead it increases the amount that you would be compensated. Also, airlines have the right to refuse to sell you this if you’re trying to check items that are especially delicate and valuable.

International Flights

If you have a round trip ticket to an international destination, then the liability limit for mishandled baggage compensation is established by the Montreal Convention.

Under the rules of this treaty, compensation limits are set by Special Drawing Rights which are currently 1,519. This means that if you started your trip in the States and traveled to another country that ratified the Montreal Convention, and you had a problem with your luggage, the airline is only responsible for paying you up to $2,080.

But let’s take a closer look at the different baggage claim categories, how they’re defined, and what you can expect.

Baggage Compensation and Reimbursement in the USA

Baggage compensation and reimbursement in the USA

Damaged baggage

Damage would include any harm done to your checked bags or suitcases as well as any damage to items inside your bags.

Airlines will reimburse you for any repairs that you need to make to your luggage, but if the damage is extensive, then they will try to negotiate a payment for the depreciated value of your bags.

If items inside your suitcase are damaged, airlines will try to determine whether the harm was caused because of the delicate nature of the item itself. For example, they might not be willing to reimburse you for the broken wine glasses you tried to pack.

Delayed baggage

If your luggage doesn’t arrive at your destination the same time you do, then it is considered delayed. Most often, delayed bags are delivered to you within a few hours, but if they are not, then the airline will reimburse you for any reasonable purchases you need to make while your bags are delayed as long as you are away from home when the delay happens.

Interestingly, most airlines have guidelines allowing airport employees to give you cash or vouchers  for emergency purchases.

warning

It’s important to understand that if the airline doesn’t agree with what you consider a reasonable purchase, they will likely try to negotiate an amount to cover the expense.

Bottom line: don’t assume they’ll reimburse you for a shopping spree. Get what you need and keep all your receipts.

Lost baggage

For airlines in the US, luggage is considered officially lost if it hasn’t been located and returned to you after 21 days. So, once 21 days have passed, you can submit a compensation claim if your baggage has yet to be found.

Check with your airline for specifics on how to file a claim with them. Sometimes they will make you complete more than one form, and if you fail to do this correctly or within the right time frame, it could eliminate your chances of compensation.

It’s also important to understand that filing a lost baggage claim with an airline does not entitle you to the entire $4,700 compensation limit. In fact, airlines will ask you to provide detailed information and even sales receipts for the luggage that has gone missing. Then, they will determine the depreciated value of your belongings the same way insurance companies do.

The upshot here is to provide as much detailed information as possible along with documentation to support your claims. Once you’ve filed your claim, you can expect to wait up to 3 months for compensation.

Lastly, don’t be surprised if the airline offers you free flights instead of a cash settlement. This can sometimes be a bonus as the free ticket value is usually more than what you’d be offered in cash. Just be sure to ask about any limitations the free tickets might have.

warning

If you’ve had connecting flights and encountered baggage issues, you will need to file a claim with the airline that operated the last leg of your itinerary.

Assistive devices

Liability limits do not apply to lost, damaged, or delayed assistive devices. For domestic flights in the US, the airline is required to cover the entire cost of assistive devices that have sustained damage or have gone missing.

The DOT defines an assistive device as, 

quotes

any piece of equipment that assists a passenger with a disability in coping with the effects of his or her disability.

Assistive devices include:

  • Prescription medications as well as any devices you need to take the medicine like syringes.
  • Portable oxygen concentrators (POCs)
  • Continuous positive airway pressure machines (CPAPs)
  • Wheelchairs
  • Hearing aids
  • Crutches, canes, and walkers
  • Braces and prosthetics.

If your assistive device is damaged or lost during your travel in the US, contact an airline employee as soon as possible for assistance. If they are unable to provide the help you need, you can contact the airline’s Complaint Resolution Official (CRO). As an expert on disability accommodations, a CRO is available at every airport, and you can speak with them in person or by phone.

If you cannot reach the CRO, you can also reach the DOT Disability Hotline at 1-800-778-4838 from 8:30am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday.

warning

Find out more about baggage claim compensation.

How to file a US baggage claim

How to Submit a Baggage Claim

As soon as you’re aware of a luggage problem, you should first file a Property Irregularity Report at the baggage help desk in the airport. Then, you’ll need to write to the airline or contact them through a dedicated form. Make sure to gather all the relevant documentation including:

  1. Checked luggage receipts
  2. Boarding passes or ticket receipts
  3. A copy of the report you filed at the airport (Property Irregularity Report). This sometimes includes a number or code that you’ll need to reference in your claim.
  4. A copy of your photo ID
  5. Original receipts for purchases made because of a delayed bag
  6. Photos of the inside and outside of your bags before your flight
  7. Receipts and/or an itemized list of your luggage contents that were damaged or lost
tip

As we mentioned, make sure you submit your claim within the correct time frame. If you do this later than the allotted times, your claim will be rejected.

Here are the claim submission deadlines for a few US airlines:

American

For lost bags, file your claim within 30 days of your travel date and within 21 days for lost or missing baggage.

Southwest

For any baggage issue, you must file a claim within 4 hours after your arrival for domestic flights and within 7 calendar days for international flights. For international bag delays, you have up to 21 calendar days to file.

United

For damaged bags, you have 7 days to file and for delayed bags you have up to 21 days to file a claim.

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Conclusion

To recap, you are entitled to compensation and reimbursement from airlines in the US for lost, damaged, or delayed luggage up to $4,700 for domestic flights and up to $2,080 for international travel. Each airline has their own unique rules and processes that govern how these amounts are distributed to you. Make sure you contact your airline for complete details.

Your Luggage Rights When Visiting Europe & the UK

Tools to Help You Out

See our list of FREE tools in the links below:

Resources & Additional Reading

Some extra resources to help you better understand flight delay compensation:

Flight Delays by Issue

Read more about the most popular flight delay causes:

US baggage claims FAQ

What do I do if my bag is damaged by the TSA (security check)?

If your luggage was inspected and subsequently damaged by the TSA, you will need to file a claim with them on their site. Airlines will not compensate you for any damage caused during security screenings.

How much can I be reimbursed for purchases while my bag is delayed?

If your baggage is delayed while you are away from home, most airlines will reimburse you for any necessary purchases that you need to make. There is no set limit for daily purchases, but you will need to prove the airline with original receipts for anything you need to buy.

If I have travel insurance, can I still get compensation from the airlines for my baggage loss or damage?

When you check your bags, you enter into a contract with the airline, so the airline would be primarily responsible for compensating and/or reimbursing you. If you have travel insurance, check your individual policy for details.

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