You watch the carousel empty, and your bag is not on it. Most delayed bags turn up, but what you do in the next few minutes affects how easily you can claim later. Here is what to do for a delayed, lost or damaged bag, with the deadlines people most often miss.
At the airport: do this before you leave
- Go to the airline's baggage desk. On a trip with several airlines, it is normally the last airline that flew you, even if another one checked the bag.
- File a report and keep the reference. It may be called a Property Irregularity Report. Do this in person before leaving, because a report made later can be harder to prove.
- Keep your bag tag and boarding pass. A photo works as a backup, but keep the paper too.
- Describe the bag precisely. Give the brand, color, size and any ribbon or tag. Photos taken before the trip help.
- Ask what the airline covers. Before you buy anything, ask what essentials it will reimburse and what proof it wants.
- Give a delivery address and dates. If you are moving between hotels, give the full plan.
The deadlines that matter
On most international trips, the Montreal Convention sets the framework. These are the time limits to remember:
- Damaged bag: 7 days. Complain in writing within 7 days of receiving the bag.
- Delayed bag: 21 days. Complain in writing within 21 days of receiving it.
- Lost bag: 21 days. A bag that has not arrived after 21 days can be treated as lost, and you can then claim for it as lost.
Airlines may have their own shorter steps for domestic flights, so read the airline's conditions and act right away. A report at the airport is not always the same as a written claim. Send the claim through the airline's official form or by email, and keep a copy.
Delayed bags: what you can claim
A delayed bag is the most common problem. Reasonable costs for essentials, such as toiletries and basic clothes, can usually be claimed if you keep receipts. "Reasonable" is the important word, because airlines are unlikely to pay for items you would have bought anyway, or for luxury replacements. Ask first, buy modestly, and save each receipt.
In the US, federal rules also require airlines to refund a checked bag fee when a bag is significantly delayed, so ask about this too. The Department of Transportation publishes the current time limits on its consumer pages.
Lost bags: what to prepare
A claim for a lost bag usually asks you to list each item, when you bought it and what it was worth. Airlines generally pay depreciated value rather than the price of a new replacement, and they often ask for proof. There is also a legal limit on how much they have to pay, so high-value items carry real risk in checked bags.
- Keep receipts and bank statements for expensive items.
- Photograph your packed bag before you close it.
- Check whether your credit card or travel insurance covers baggage, and whether you must claim from the airline first.
- Carry valuables, medication, documents and electronics with you, as our carry-on packing guide suggests.
Damaged bags: what counts
Report damage before you leave the airport if you can, and take photos straight away. Airlines commonly exclude normal wear, such as scuffs, and may exclude certain parts like wheels, handles and straps, so check the conditions. Keep the damaged bag until the claim is finished, because the airline may ask to inspect it.
How to lower the risk before you fly
- Choose longer connections. Tight connections are a common cause of bags missing a flight. See our layover guide.
- Check the tag at check-in. Make sure it shows your final airport code.
- Remove old tags and stickers. Old barcodes can confuse scanners.
- Put your name and contact details inside the bag. Outer tags can come off, and an inside label helps if that happens.
- Add a tracker. A small tracker can show where your bag is. Check your airline's rules for devices with batteries.
- Check allowances early. Our guide to airline baggage rules explains carry-on limits, checked bags and fare families.
If the airline stops replying, send a dated written follow-up with your reference number. For a flight to or from the US, you can also file a complaint with the Department of Transportation. In Europe, the national enforcement body in the relevant country can help.
