If you’re flying between the United States and Canada or onward to another international destination, you have strong rights under both WestJet’s Tariff and the Montreal Convention. Knowing what to do in the first hours after you arrive will make a huge difference in finding your bags but also for a reimbursement or compensation claim later. This guide walks you through exactly how WestJet handles delayed, lost, and damaged baggage, what you’re owed, and how to get it.
Your Baggage Rights for US - Canada Flights
If you flew WestJet to or from the United States, your baggage rights are backed by the Montreal Convention, the international treaty that governs baggage delays, damage, and loss.
Here’s what the Montreal Convention guarantees:
- Up to 1,519 Special Drawing Rights (SDR) in compensation for baggage damage, delay, or loss, roughly $2,080 USD, depending on exchange rates.
- Reimbursement for essential items you had to buy while waiting for a delayed bag.
- Compensation for permanently lost belongings if your bag is never found.
What to Do if Your WestJet Baggage is Delayed
When your luggage doesn’t arrive when you do, you must make a report, known as a Property Irregularity Report (PIR).
WestJet asks passengers to create a baggage report within 12 hours of landing at your final destination. You can do this:
- Online by describing your bag, providing your contact information, and giving any unique identifiers, or
- By speaking to a WestJet Baggage Services Agent at the airport.
Once your report is filed, you’ll receive a tracking number (a PIR number) and automatic email updates to keep you informed about your bag’s status.
Reimbursement for Essential Expenses
If you had to buy necessities such as clothing or toiletries while you were waiting, WestJet will most likely reimburse you if you filed a report within the specified time frame. The amount they offer varies by route:
- Flights within the Americas: Up to $100 USD/CAD for the first 48 hours. After 48 hours, up to an additional $150, for a total maximum of $250.
- Flights into Europe or Japan: Reimbursement up to the equivalent of $100 CAD in the local currency.
These allowances do not replace your Montreal Convention right to claim additional damages based on receipts. They are only the initial interim amounts. If your bag is never returned to you, these interim payments will be deducted from your final settlement.
When Your Baggage is Lost
A bag is typically considered lost if it hasn’t been found within 21 days. If you submitted a delayed baggage report (a PIR), but still haven’t gotten your luggage back, WestJet treats it as a loss.
You may be reimbursed for the value of the bag and its contents up to the maximum amount of roughly $2,080 as well as any baggage fees you paid. Just submit your compensation request online through WestJet’s baggage claim portal.
To do this, you will need:
- Your PIR number
- A completed inventory of the bag’s contents
- Receipts or proof of value if you have them
If Your WestJet Bag Arrives Damaged
If your luggage shows up broken, dented, torn, or otherwise damaged, after an WestJet flight you must:
- File a PIR (damage report) online within 5 days of receiving your bag, or
- Visit a Baggage Services Agent within 7 days of receiving your bag
It’s always best to make your report while you’re still at the airport. The agent will inspect the damage and photograph it, but it’s a good idea to take your own photos of the damage as well.
Next, WestJet will review the damage and offer to repair or replace it, OR reimburse you up to $2,080 for international flights. WestJet will also refund any baggage fees paid for a damaged or lost item.
Remember, that airlines do not cover "normal wear and tear," such as scuffs or scratches from handling.
Which WestJet Routes Have the Most Baggage Issues?
The WestJet routes most likely to have mishandled luggage are the ones involving connections through the airline’s major hubs, including:
- Calgary (YYC) – WestJet’s main hub
- Toronto Pearson (YYZ) – YYZ has high volumes of international arrivals and onward domestic connections
- Vancouver (YVR) – YVR is a long-haul gateway with heavy peak-season traffic
Also, most mishandled baggage happens during flight connections, not on direct flights. This pattern is typical for hub-and-spoke airlines and doesn’t indicate poor performance by WestJet itself. It simply means that there’s a greater chance of your bags getting lost or delayed whenever it has to be unloaded, sorted, and transferred quickly.
If You Need Extra Help
Filing a baggage claim can be tedious, especially if receipts are missing or WestJet is slow to respond. If you’re struggling with unreturned messages, or low settlement offers, AirAdvisor can handle the claim for you and help maximize your compensation.
We deal directly with the airline, gather documentation, and make sure your rights under the Montreal Convention and WestJet’s own tariff are honored.
If WestJet delayed or lost your luggage, let AirAdvisor help you recover what you’re owed without the stressEnter your flight details to start your claim today.Start your claim now!
