Lost bags throw people off because the first desk you visit isn't always the one that pays. Turns out, the airline that ran the last leg of your trip usually handles the claim. That holds for domestic and international itineraries alike.
Domestic U.S. trips follow DOT rules and the carrier's contract of carriage. Most international trips fall under the Montreal Convention, which sets the liability cap.
Can you still recover if the bag never turns up? Yes. The clock starts early, though, and the paperwork matters more than the anger. Report the bag before you leave the airport. File a written claim with evidence before the deadline.
What Actually Controls a Lost Baggage Claim
Three separate buckets apply: the bag fee, your contents, and your delay expenses. They don't follow the same rules.
| Issue | What controls it | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Checked bag fee | 14 CFR 260.5 | Refund when a bag is lost or significantly delayed. It must be at least the fee you paid. Exceptions apply. |
| Bag contents, domestic U.S. | DOT liability limit and airline contract | Up to $4,700 per passenger. Airline deadlines and proof rules apply. |
| Bag contents, international | Montreal Convention | Cap set in SDRs per passenger. Current figure is 1,519 SDRs. The dollar value moves with exchange rates. |
| Flight delay or cancellation | EU261 for eligible EU flights | Doesn't pay for lost baggage itself. |
The fee-refund rule carries exceptions. Skipping a required pickup and recheck at the first U.S. international entry point can void it. So can agreeing to fly without the checked bag.
At the Airport: Get a Report Number Before You Leave
Head to the baggage service desk before you exit the airport if you can. Ask for a Property Irregularity Report, often called a PIR. Get a copy and photograph it. Keep your bag tag, boarding pass, and ticket receipt.
A PIR isn't a claim. It records the problem and gives you a file ID or PIR number the airline will use to track the bag.
- Report at your final destination, not at the connection point.
- On international trips, file with the airline that flew the last leg.
- Photograph the empty carousel, the desk, and your documents.
- Keep any paperwork from a toiletries kit or interim expense approval.
File the Written Claim
With the PIR in hand, file the airline's formal claim. Most carriers take these online or through their app. Use the PIR number and bag tag. Attach the ticket, boarding pass, ID if asked, and a simple inventory.
Track the bag through the airline's system or WorldTracer. Check daily at first. Most delayed bags turn up within a few days, but a missing one can sit in limbo.
After 21 days on an international itinerary, the bag is usually treated as lost. That's when you can claim contents, not just delay expenses. Domestic timelines differ. Read the contract of carriage, because deadlines can be tighter than you'd expect.
What You Can Recover, and What You Can't
Contents get valued at fair market value, not replacement cost. A two-year-old jacket isn't worth the original tag price. Receipts help. So do photos. Bank statements and replacement estimates can fill the gaps.
Delay expenses are narrower. Keep itemized receipts for clothes, toiletries, and essentials. Airlines may reimburse reasonable amounts, but daily caps are common. Buying a new wardrobe and expecting the airline to cover it won't work.
The checked bag fee is separate. Under 14 CFR 260.5, a lost or significantly delayed bag can trigger a refund. It must be at least the fee you paid. That's not the same as compensation for what was inside.
International claims have a per-passenger cap. The Montreal Convention limit is 1,519 SDRs per passenger, not per bag. The dollar figure shifts with exchange rates, so use the current conversion. Domestic U.S. claims are capped at $4,700 per passenger under DOT rules. The DOT's baggage guidance covers the domestic limit.
Deadlines You Can't Miss
International damage claims need a written complaint within 7 days. Delay claims get 21 days. If the bag is lost, 21 days is usually the trigger. You have up to 2 years to sue, but that doesn't mean you should wait.
U.S. domestic flights follow the contract of carriage instead. Some carriers use hours for damage reports, others use days. Check your airline's page before you file.
Thing is, the PIR may not satisfy the written complaint deadline. Send a separate written claim and keep proof of delivery.
Evidence That Gets Claims Paid
Build a folder. Start with the PIR, bag tag, boarding pass, ticket receipt, and claim number. Add a dated inventory listing each item, purchase date, price, and current value. Photos from before the trip are gold.
No receipts? Most people don't have them. Use credit card statements, order history, or links to comparable items. Write down why you believe the item was in the bag, because a receipt alone doesn't prove it was packed. For expensive items, proof that you carried them matters.
Send a demand letter only after the airline denies or lowballs you. Keep it short. State the claim number, the amount, the rule you rely on, and the response deadline. Attach the key evidence and keep a copy.
If the Airline Denies You
Ask for the denial in writing. Then file a complaint with the DOT. The DOT air consumer baggage page explains the route. A DOT complaint is free. It creates an official record, and the airline generally has to respond.
Credit card chargeback isn't the same as a baggage claim. It can work if you paid for a service the airline didn't deliver, but card networks have their own rules and evidence requirements. Don't use it as a bluff.
Small claims court is an option for clear cases. You'll need to follow local rules and may have to file where the airline does business. The amount and your proof matter more than the threat.
Card Coverage Is a Separate Safety Net
To be honest, card coverage is its own contract. Some travel credit cards include baggage delay or lost luggage coverage. The terms live in the card's Guide to Benefits, not in the airline's contract. You usually need to pay for the trip with that card. Report the loss to the benefit administrator within the policy window.
Don't claim the same expense twice. The airline, your card, and your travel insurance may coordinate or exclude each other. Read the fine print before you accept a settlement.
FAQ
How long do I have to file a domestic lost baggage claim? It depends on the airline. Check the contract of carriage. Many allow a delay claim within days, but damage deadlines can be hours. File as soon as you have the PIR.
What is the Montreal Convention limit for lost baggage? The cap is per passenger and set in SDRs. The current figure is 1,519 SDRs. The dollar value shifts with exchange rates.
Does EU261 pay for lost luggage? No. EU261 covers flight delays and cancellations. Lost or damaged baggage on an international itinerary usually falls under the Montreal Convention.
Can I get my checked bag fee refunded? Under 14 CFR 260.5, yes, if the bag is lost or significantly delayed. The refund must be at least the fee you paid. Exceptions apply.
Should I accept the airline's first offer? Not automatically. Compare it to your documented fair market value. Ask for a breakdown. If it's low, escalate with a written demand and a DOT complaint.
If you're still at the airport, go to the baggage desk now. If you're already home, file the written claim today and put the 21-day mark on your calendar. That's the difference between a complaint and a paid claim.