United Airlines delayed & lost baggage compensation: What you're legally owed & how to claim it

Joanna Teljeur

By:  Joanna Teljeur

Last Updated:  March 18, 2026

Reviewed by:  Michael Higgins

United Airlines has a legal obligation to compensate you when your baggage is lost, delayed, or damaged, but they won't always tell you that. Under the Montreal Convention, there are strict limits on what they owe you and firm deadlines for claiming it. Miss those deadlines, and you lose your right to compensation entirely.

This guide covers everything you need to know to claim successfully.

Key takeaways

1. United Airlines must compensate you for lost, delayed, or damaged baggage — but you must report the issue first, within strict time limits
2. For international flights compensation is capped at £1,600 ($2,080), under the Montreal Convention. For domestic flights, the compensation limit is £3,500 ($4,700)
3. Delayed baggage that hasn't been returned within 5 days is officially classified as lost by United
4. You must keep all receipts for emergency purchases made because of your missing or damaged baggage. Without them, your claim will be reduced or rejected
5. Damage caused by wear and tear, poor packing, or a TSA inspection is not covered by United Airlines

What are your baggage rights when flying United?

As a United Airlines passenger, you are protected by law if your checked bags are lost, delayed, or damaged. The specific rules that apply depend on whether your flight was domestic or international.

• For international flights, the Montreal Convention governs your rights in most cases.
• For domestic flights within the US, the Department of Transportation holds airlines accountable for baggage mishandling and sets the limits on what they must pay you.

United Airlines delayed baggage

Your bag is considered delayed if it hasn't arrived by the time you reach your final destination. 

If your bag hasn't been returned after 5 days of reporting it, United classifies it as lost, and you can file a lost baggage claim once this happens.

How to report a delayed bag to United

It’s very important to file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) as soon as possible after you notice your bags are missing. Ideally, you should do this before you leave the airport, but you have 24 hours from the time of your arrival to make a report. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to establish that the loss occurred while the bag was in United's care. 

You have a few ways to report your delayed baggage:

1. At the airport: Go to the United Baggage Desk in the baggage carousel area. This is the best option if you're still at the airport, as staff can log the report immediately and, in some cases, schedule delivery on the spot
2. Online or via the United app: Use United's delayed baggage report page, which is especially useful if you've already left the airport or there’s no one at the desk.
3. Via chat: Available on United's website
4. By text: Text "BAGS" to 32050
5. By phone: Baggage Recovery (Europe/UK): 001-866-563-3244 or Toll-Free (Europe/UK): 00-800-33-55-2247

Once your report is submitted, you'll receive a file reference number ending in M (i.e. ORD12345M). Write this down and keep it somewhere safe, because every subsequent step (tracking your bag, claiming reimbursement, and filing a lost bag claim) requires this number. 

Also, after you submit your report, you can schedule a delivery or arrange a pickup directly. 

How much time do you have to file a delayed baggage report with United?

These deadlines are strict. If you miss then, United is within its rights to reject your claim entirely.

The 21-day window for international flights can feel generous, but don't use it as a reason to wait.

Can you get a refund for baggage fees if your bags are delayed?

Most passengers don't know this, but United will automatically refund your checked baggage fee if your bag is delayed for an extended period of time. Also, you don't need to request this from the airline. The refund should be applied without you having to chase it:

When your baggage fees will be refunded

If you don't see this refund appear within a reasonable amount of time, follow up with United directly and reference your PIR number.

Getting reimbursed for essential purchases because your bags were delayed?

If you’re away from home while your baggage is delayed, you can claim back the cost of essential purchases you had to make. This covers things like clothing and toiletries, but United's definition of "reasonable and necessary" means basic essentials, not high-end replacements.

Be sure to keep every receipt to show exactly what you bought and what it cost. Without receipts, United can reduce or reject your claim entirely

UK passengers should note that reimbursement is paid in the local currency of the address on your claim. So, if you're based in the UK, you'll receive payment in GBP, even if your receipts are in another currency.

How to submit a delayed baggage claim with United?

To submit your interim expenses claim, go to United's reimbursement page and enter your file reference number. You'll be asked to upload your receipts and provide your contact and payment details.

These deadlines are separate from the reporting deadlines above. But, if you miss the deadline, your claim will likely be rejected.

Deadlines for submitting a delayed baggage claim

One of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of the Montreal Convention is that the compensation limits are not automatic payouts — they are liability caps. What United Airlines actually owes you depends on the documented value of your loss. That's why receipts and a clear paper trail are not optional extras; they are the foundation of any successful claim. Passengers who report the issue at the airport and document everything from day one are in a significantly stronger position than those who wait. – Michael Higgins, Aviation Lawyer at AirAdvisor

United Airlines lost baggage

If your bag hasn't arrived 5 days after you first reported it as delayed, you should file a lost baggage claim. Unfortunately, United won't automatically escalate your case once your bags are classified as officially lost. You will need to take this step yourself.

Also, you cannot file a lost bag claim without first having reported the bag as delayed. If you're reading this and realise you haven't filed a delayed report yet, do that immediately before anything else.

How to file a lost baggage claim

Go to United's lost bag claim page. You'll need to provide:

• Your file reference number
• A detailed list of the contents of your luggage. Be as specific as possible, including brands, colours, approximate values, and quantities. Vague descriptions like "clothes and toiletries" will slow down your claim and could reduce the amount of compensation you receive.
• Receipts for any items of value where you have them
• A government-issued photo ID

United will use this information to continue searching for your bag. If they cannot locate it, they will use your contents list and receipts to calculate your reimbursement. Any expenses you submitted to United during the delay period will be deducted from your final settlement, so keep a record of what you've already received.

Deadlines for filing a lost baggage claim with United

United Airlines damaged baggage

If your bag arrives visibly damaged, the single most important thing you can do is report it before you leave the airport. Staff at the Baggage Service Office may be able to offer you a replacement bag on the spot, which is worth asking about before you leave.

Also, remember to take photos of the damage so you can submit them as evidence with your claim.

If you've already left the airport and notice the damage at home you can still make a report: 

• Via chat on United's website
• By text: Text "BAGS" to 32050
• By phone: 1-281-821-3526 (domestic: 1-800-335-2247)

Your file reference number for a damaged bag will end in A or D. For example, ORD12345A or ORD12345D. This is different from a delayed bag reference, so make sure you're using the correct one when filing your claim.

How much time do you have to make a damaged baggage report?

What damage will United cover?

United will cover structural damage to a well-packed, roadworthy bag including broken wheels, snapped handles, cracked hard shells, and damaged zippers that occurred while the bag was in their care.

United will not pay compensation for:

• Normal wear and tear: Scuffs, scratches, and minor dents that occur through regular handling are considered inherent to air travel
• Inadequate packing: If contents were damaged because they weren't packed securely, United will argue the damage was avoidable
• Poor-quality or fragile luggage: If your suitcase itself was structurally weak, United is not liable for it breaking
• Pre-existing damage: Anything that was damaged before your flight
• High-value, fragile, or perishable items on domestic flights: Electronics, jewellery, antiques, and similar items are explicitly excluded from United's domestic liability. See their Contract of Carriage for the full list

Compensation for lost, delayed & damaged baggage

The amount of compensation you receive depends on your route, as you can see below.

How to claim compensation for baggage damage

After you file your report, a United agent will direct you on what to do next. 

You have two possible options depending on the nature of the damage:

1. Rynn's Luggage (United's repair partner) If your bag can be repaired, United may direct you to Rynn's Luggage, their official luggage repair partner. Submit your claim at rynnsluggage.com within 14 days of your damage report. This deadline is much tighter than the general claim window, so act fast.
2. Make a claim with United directly If the damage isn't repairable or you're told by the airline to claim directly.

Deadlines for claiming damaged baggage compensation from United

Ignored or denied baggage claims

If United Airlines ignores your claim or turns it down, it doesn’t always mean you’re not entitled to anything. Airlines can reject or delay claims for all sorts of reasons, from missing paperwork to internal processes, even when the claim is valid. 

If your claim was rejected or ignored, the legal team at AirAdvisor can help! To show you what we can do, here’s a recent baggage claim we handled for another United Airlines passenger.

How AirAdvisor secured £1,800 for a United Airlines baggage claim

After a United Airlines flight, a passenger arrived without their checked suitcase. The bag contained essential clothing and personal items, leaving the traveller to replace key belongings while waiting for updates from the airline.

As is often the case, the process quickly became a nightmare with requests for receipts, unclear timelines, and slow responses that made it difficult to move the claim forward.

When AirAdvisor stepped in, we:

• Assessed the case under the Montreal Convention
• Built a clear claim with supporting documents and proof of loss
• Handled all communication and follow-ups with the airline

Result: The passenger successfully recovered $2,300 (around £1,800) in compensation.

Need help with a baggage compensation claim? Just enter your flight details to get started.File your claim

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Author:

Joanna Teljeur

Job/Position: Senior Editor & Content Lead

Joanna Teljeur is a senior editor and writer with 15+ years of experience in editorial leadership, journalism, and content development, specialising in consumer rights, aviation law, and public-interest reporting. Her work focuses on transforming complex regulatory and legal topics into clear, accurate, and accessible content for international audiences.

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