If you have ever lost your luggage, then you understand the sinking feeling as you watch the empty carousel at the baggage claim. As hope dwindled and the conveyor belt emptied, I remember standing there alone, realizing that I wouldn’t be leaving the airport with my belongings. Although losing your luggage is bad enough, the dread of spending the rest of my evening filling out forms and calling customer service was much worse. It’s a horrible way to start your trip. And, it becomes even more stressful if their customer service makes you jump through hoops. The good news is that you may be entitled to compensation for the inconvenience. But, how much do airlines pay you for lost luggage?
Why Does It Seem Like More Luggage is Lost?
Although many of us have been in this situation, airlines don’t lose as many bags as you might think. In 2020, TSA reported that 3.5 of every 1,000 bags were mishandled, with only 4% disappearing altogether. However, lost luggage is an inherent problem if you frequently travel.
And, let’s not forget that the pandemic has brought new challenges as well. The understaffing issues became even more extreme with the outbreak of new COVID-19 variants. Since more employees were in quarantine, there are fewer people to assist with flight operations and customer service.
With fewer crew members, that means more flight delays and cancellations. This in turn leads to more rerouting of passengers and reloading of luggage. The more times the bags are moved, the more chances for mistakes to happen. And, it also means it takes longer to track down and return lost bags. So even though the number of lost bags hasn’t changed drastically, the response time has.
When Is It Considered Lost Luggage?
The time required to declare luggage officially “lost” varies between airlines. But, it typically ranges between 5 and 14 days after the flight. Keep in mind that international flights have different policies, so your itinerary could affect this timeline.
However, there are instances in which the airline drops the ball. If the bag has been missing for an unreasonable length of time and you still have not received a response, the DOT may have to enforce action.
How Much Do Airlines Pay You for Lost Luggage?
Although individual airline policies may vary, most carriers offer compensation for lost luggage after 24 hours. You can usually expect a refund for baggage fees and about $50 per day for the first 5 days. In addition to covering the cost of basic necessities such as toiletries, they will also compensate you for the value of your bag’s contents. Be aware that they will ask you to inventory your belongings and possibly provide receipts or proof of purchase for more valuable items.
However, there are limits to liability. The maximum amount for domestic flights is $3,800 while international flights cap the amount at approximately $1,780. Although not required by the DOT, airlines can exceed this limit at their discretion.
How Can You Claim Compensation?
Once you determine if you are eligible for compensation, the next questions are how much do airlines pay for your lost luggage and how to claim it. Unfortunately, there is a lot of paperwork and steps you must take to get your money.
1. Contact the airline customer service.
The first step is to notify the airline that your bag is missing. However, if you flew multiple carriers, this can become confusing. If you had flights on different airlines, the final one is responsible for lost and damaged luggage.
2. Request a refund.
Many airlines will refund any fees you paid for your checked bags. But, there’s a catch. The stipulation usually states they will refund the money if your bags are delayed 12 hours after you submit the claim. Therefore, time is of the essence.
3. File a Property Irregularity Report.
If your bags are delayed by more than 24 hours, most airlines offer compensation. Once again, time is critical. So, before you leave the airport, make sure you file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) with the agents at the check-in or baggage claim desk.
The total amount of compensation you can claim depends on the value of the contents in your luggage. If you are trying to get the full amount for your lost possession and incidentals, you’ll need to list the contents and value on the claim.
And, be sure you leave your local contact information and preferred delivery address once it arrives. If you are unable to file right away, these are the domestic carriers customer service lines for baggage inquiries:
- Alaska (877) 815-8253
- American (800) 535-5225
- Delta (800) 325-8224
- Frontier online form
- Hawaiian (866) 389-6654
- JetBlue (866) 538-5438
- Southwest (888) 202-1024
- Spirit online form
- United (800) 335-2247
4. Make copies and document everything.
I can’t count how many times I’ve lost compensation because I didn’t have all the paperwork in order. So, make copies of the claim report, keep your receipts, and document everything. I go as far as to write down my claim number and the information of the agent assisting me as well. I firmly believe it’s better to have too much information than not enough.
5. Check your insurance policies and membership benefits.
If you purchased travel or home insurance, your policy could provide coverage for lost luggage. You should also check with your credit card since some also offer compensation as well.
What Can You Do to Avoid Lost Luggage?
Unfortunately, you never know when bad luck will strike and your bag will be the one they lose. However, there are a few things you can do to make it easier to locate your luggage or avoid the hassle altogether.
- The only surefire way to avoid lost luggage is by not checking bags. If you only travel with a carry-on, you’ll never have to deal with lost luggage at the baggage claim.
- Look for direct flights or ones with fewer connections. The less your bag has to be unloaded and reloaded, the less likely it will get lost.
- Make sure your bag is easily identifiable. Many bags look similar, so choose a different color or add something unique to your luggage in case the tags go missing.
- Take photos of your luggage and claim tickets. This will be helpful if you have to file a claim.
- When flying multiple carriers, check with all the airlines.
No one wants to wind up in this situation. But, if the airlines lose your bag, review your Contract of Carriage. Then, you’ll know their policies and what you’re entitled to. Not only will this save agents the time of explaining it to you, but it will also ensure you get to the right department faster. The truth is that few bags are permanently lost; it just may take some time to track it down. In the meantime, you may as well take advantage of the benefits and find the silver lining in an inconvenient situation.
Read More
- Unclaimed Airport Luggage Auction: How Does it Work?
- Things You Can Do Now To Prepare For Your Next Trip
- Airline Discounts You Should Be Using Now
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Jenny Smedra is an avid world traveler, ESL teacher, former archaeologist, and freelance writer. Choosing a life abroad had strengthened her commitment to finding ways to bring people together across language and cultural barriers. While most of her time is dedicated to either working with children, she also enjoys good friends, good food, and new adventures.
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