Guide to Delayed Baggage Compensation

• If your bag is delayed, be sure to file a report with your airline before you leave the airport. 
• Airlines will typically reimburse you for “reasonable” expenses up to a certain amount. 
• Take photos of all your receipts for items you want to be reimbursed for; you will need to itemize these when you file for compensation. 

As a travel writer, there’s a sight I dread even more than a mile-long line at security. Picture this: I’m standing in baggage claim, waiting for my luggage to come out when the conveyor belt suddenly stops, signaling that all the bags from my flight have been unloaded. My bag is delayed at best, lost at worst. So far, I’ve never had an airline lose my luggage indefinitely. But in the last two years, I’ve had my bags delayed three times; they arrived about four days after I reached my destination. It was inconvenient, but I was compensated.

Since 2003, airline passenger rights—including those pertaining to your personal property—have been protected under an international treaty known as the Montreal Convention. The treaty determined that passengers are entitled to compensation if their bags are delayed, with a limit on that amount. For years, it was capped at around $1,600 per bag, but I have good news. To keep up with inflation, that amount was upped to approximately $2,000 per bag in 2025.

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics and the latest report from SITA, airlines are getting better at delivering luggage on time. Still, there are no guarantees that if you check a bag, it will arrive at your destination on time. If you’re one of the unlucky passengers who find themselves staring at an empty conveyor belt, here’s what you need to know. 

What to Do If Your Baggage Is Delayed

Eric Napoli, chief legal officer at AirHelp, says leaving the airport without reporting the delayed baggage is the biggest mistake a traveler can make. The first thing you should do is head to your airline’s customer service desk, usually in the baggage claim area. Report your bag lost—they’ll ask for a description of it—and show them your claim ticket. If you’re lucky, they’ll be able to look it up in the system and see where it is and tell you approximately when it will arrive.

In the meantime, you’ll have to fill out a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). “You’ll also be given a file reference number for your case,” explains Napoli. Do not lose this. If it’s on a piece of paper, take a photo of it. At smaller airports, or if you’re flying a smaller airline, there’s a chance the airline won’t have a desk at baggage claim. In that case, call the airline or chat with them online to report your missing bag, but again, don’t leave the airport until you do so. 

Passenger Rights for Delayed Baggage

Your rights as a passenger depend on where you’re flying. If you’re traveling domestically, you’re covered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, which states that “Airlines are required to compensate passengers for reasonable, verifiable, and actual incidental expenses that they may incur while their bags are delayed.” It also mandates that airlines can’t set a daily amount for expenses. That said, there is a maximum liability limit that airlines have to pay. That amount recently increased from $3,800 per passenger to $4,700 per passenger. 

Internationally, the Montreal Convention most likely has your back. Unfortunately, its maximum liability is less: approximately $2,000 per passenger. Seems straightforward? It is, until you consider that the European Union also determines its own limit, currently around $1,400. EU air passenger rights go into effect if your flight is within the EU, if your flight arrives in the EU (it has to be operated by an EU airline), or if your flight departs from the EU. 

How to Determine Compensation for Delayed Baggage

The key word in determining how much you’ll be compensated is “reasonable.” Airlines only want to reimburse you for expenses they deem sensible. For example, if your delayed bag contains three designer suits and your socks and underwear, the airline may push back on reimbursing you for the designer suit when you could buy something more affordable. That said, I personally haven’t had issues with airlines pushing back. Delta once sent me a check for around $1,500 when I was traveling from the U.S. to Iceland. Goods are very expensive in Iceland, so I paid a premium for everything I had to replace, which included a rain jacket, waterproof pants, and boots. 

Another time, I was traveling to the Canary Islands when my bag was delayed. Expenses I deemed essential in order for me to enjoy my vacation included a bikini, sunglasses, sandals, sunscreen, and a couple of pairs of shorts and tank tops. I got reimbursed for everything. Most recently, in January, Delta reimbursed me for a $400 claim I submitted when my bag got lost in Norway. I needed snow boots, a down jacket, gloves, and other winter wear—none of which is cheap. While I shopped for quality items, I definitely didn’t get the most expensive items in the store. Keep in mind that you’ll have to foot the bill if the airline doesn’t deem it “reasonable.” 

Travel Insurance Coverage for Delayed Baggage

While most travel insurance plans include a baggage delay benefit, there is a catch. “It’s usually considered secondary or ‘excess’ coverage, meaning that the airlines’ policy and other forms of insurance may need to cover the delay or loss before the travel coverage does,” explains Erin Fish, co-founder of travel insurance agency Wanderwell. If you’re shopping for coverage, Fish recommends noting if your plan’s baggage delay benefit has a time-sensitive trigger. Some benefits don’t kick in until a day later, while others kick in after just eight hours. Even if you have travel insurance, still file a claim with your airline, as most insurance companies require proof of loss. Fish says many claims are settled within three to 10 working days. 

How to Submit Delayed Baggage Compensation Claims

The process for submitting a delayed baggage compensation claim varies by airline, but they all require you to file a PIR. Usually, the PIR form asks for the style, brand, and color of your bag. It may also ask where you’ll be staying, as many airlines will arrange delivery when your bag finally arrives. At this point, you’ll get a file reference number. You’ll need this to submit your claim. 

While Napoli recommends submitting the claim after you’ve been reunited with your bag, I’ve submitted claims immediately after shopping to replace essential items. It’s imperative that you keep receipts of everything you purchase, as you’ll need to submit them when you file your claim. I always submit my claims online. It takes about 10 minutes, and usually there’s an option to have the airline reimburse you via check or direct deposit. Direct deposit is usually faster. In December, I filed a claim online with Delta on a Thursday, and the money was in my account the following Tuesday. 

Delayed Baggage Policies of Major U.S. Airlines

Delayed baggage policies also vary by airline. Which U.S. airline has the best policy? “Looking at U.S. airlines, Alaska Airlines and Delta stand out for their proactive compensation guarantees,” says Napoli. “Alaska Airlines has put a guarantee behind their baggage delivery since 2010—if a passenger’s bags are not at baggage claim within 20 minutes of their plane’s arrival at the gate, Alaska Airlines will offer a $25 discount code for use on a future Alaska Airlines flight, or 2,500 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan bonus miles.” Similarly, Delta takes pride in its 20-minute guarantee. If you’re flying domestic and your bag doesn’t arrive within 20 minutes, you have three days to fill out a form online to receive 2,500 bonus miles. 

Alaska Airlines

Report your delayed bag in person at the airport within 24 hours of arriving at your destination. Alaska Airlines says that most bags are located within 48 hours; all recovered bags are delivered, free of charge, to your home or hotel. Regarding reimbursement, talk to the agent when you report your delayed bag. Alaska’s delayed baggage policy does not cover a long list of items, including electronics and eyeglasses. 

American Airlines

In a rush? American Airlines has added a QR code, which is usually posted on a sign in baggage claim, so you can report your delayed bag without having to stand in line at the counter. If you’re flying within the U.S., you have to report your delayed bag within four hours of touching down at your destination. If you’re flying internationally, you must report your delayed bag immediately upon arrival; do not leave the airport. To be reimbursed for necessary items, you must file a claim—with itemized receipts and copies of your baggage claim checks—within 30 days of the delay. 

Delta Air Lines 

Report your delayed bag in person at Delta’s baggage services desk at the airport. There, they’ll issue you a file reference number, which you will need to file your claim for reimbursement. Delta also offers refunds for checked baggage fees.

United Airlines 

United Airlines allows you to report your delayed bag via phone, text message, online, and in its app. If you’re flying domestically or to Guam, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, you have 24 hours from when you touch down to report your delayed bag and 45 days to submit a claim for reimbursement. If you’re traveling internationally, you have 21 days to report your delayed bag and file a claim for reimbursement. Most claims are processed within four to six weeks.  

JetBlue

Report your delayed bag within four hours of touching down via JetBlue’s website or by calling. The online portal also has a place where you can upload receipts for reimbursement. 

Southwest Airlines 

Like American Airlines, Southwest Airlines typically has a sign with a QR code in baggage claim where you can report your delayed bag online. You can also report, in person, at Southwest’s baggage service desk or the ticket counter in departures. You have four hours from touchdown to make this report if you’re flying domestically. If you’re flying internationally, you have 21 days. To get reimbursed for essential items, you’ll have to upload receipts via its online customer portal.