Lost Luggage? Here’s How Much Alaska Airlines Will Pay You

Ever stood at the baggage carousel watching everyone else grab their suitcases while yours is nowhere in sight? You look down at your comfy travel clothes and realize they won’t cut it for your business meeting the next day.

But not all hope is lost! You're entitled to compensation from Alaska Airlines when they delay your bags.

I've read through Alaska’s' fine print (so you don't have to), and I'm breaking down exactly what you can get and how to claim it. 

Your Rights When Alaska Airlines Loses or Delays Your Checked Bag

When Alaska Airlines delays your bag, they're liable for finding it and covering some of your costs in the meantime. 

This isn't just an airline policy — it's a federal rule under Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. 

They also need to compensate you if they damage it.

Domestic baggage rights

According to regulations set by the DOT, airlines that delay your bags are required to compensate you for reasonable costs you incur while you wait to get your bags back (capped at $4,700).

The airline isn’t allowed to give arbitrary spending limits, either. For example, they can’t say they’ll only reimburse passengers $50 per day that their bag is missing.

International baggage rights

When you fly internationally, you’re protected by the Montreal Convention, a universal treaty that protects passengers by holding airlines accountable for injuries and damages. 

Under the treaty, passengers who’ve lost bags can file claims with the airline for damages. The treaty is more vague than any U.S. rules, and you can only file for damages up to $1,700. 

Alaska Airlines’ bag delay policy

Alaska Airlines actually goes beyond the federal requirements with their own 20-minute baggage guarantee. 

If your bags take longer than 20 minutes to reach the carousel after your plane arrives at the gate, you're entitled to either a $25 travel credit or 2,500 Alaska Mileage Plan miles.

What Expenses Will Alaska Airlines Actually Cover When They Delay Your Bag?

When your bag is delayed, Alaska Airlines will reimburse you for essential items you need while waiting. Think: a change of clothes, basic toiletries, makeup, and any necessary items that were in your checked bag.

But don't go on a shopping spree at Nordstrom — they're looking for reasonable, justifiable expenses. A designer outfit definitely won't get reimbursed, but a few basic clothing items absolutely will.

My rule of thumb is that if you can’t defend why you needed the item, you probably can’t count on getting reimbursed for it.

Getting Maximum Compensation: The 20-Minute Guarantee

Alaska's 20-minute guarantee is the easiest compensation to claim, but you need to act fast. 

If your bags aren't at the carousel within 20 minutes of your plane reaching the gate, head straight to Alaska’s baggage service office. You have just 2 hours to claim either the travel credit or the bonus miles.

My advice: The miles are often worth more than the credit if you use them strategically!

RELATED: When To Use Points vs. Cash for Booking Travel

What To Do When Your Bag Doesn't Show Up

The moment you realize your bag isn't coming down the carousel, here are the steps you need to take:

1. Don’t leave the airport

It’s important that you head straight to Alaska’s baggage service office when it becomes clear your bag has been delayed. You have to file a missing bag report in person within 24 hours of landing. 

The airline cannot compensate you for any expenses until they have a report on file.

2. File a Mishandled Baggage Report

The airline representative will have you file a Mishandled Baggage Report. Be sure to include contact information for the place you’re staying at or the best way to reach you if you’re traveling away from home. 

When you file the report, ask the airline representative for the phone number and email of that baggage service office. You’ll need to contact them for reimbursement later.

3. Keep all documentation

Don’t throw anything away! Hold onto a copy of the baggage report and write down or take a photo of your claim number. 

You should also keep track of your flight information, including your boarding pass, flight number, and any other identification numbers or details you may have from the flight.

4. Start saving receipts

This is a huge one because the airline can’t pay you back for unknown expenses! Save every receipt for those essential items because you’ll need to submit them later for reimbursement.

If it gives you peace of mind, Alaska Airlines claims that most bags show up within 48 hours. The airline even promises to deliver them to your home or hotel once they're found. 

The exception? If you checked the bag in late or switched to a different flight from your bags.

Filing Your Compensation Claim

When it comes to getting reimbursed for your expenses, documentation is everything. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Your Mishandled Baggage Report number
• Original boarding pass
• Baggage claim ticket
• All receipts for purchases you made
• Itemized list of what was in your delayed bag

To submit for reimbursement, you need to contact Alaska’s baggage service office at the airport where you filed your missing bag report. 

If you didn’t get their phone number, they’re listed here on Alaska's website, or you can submit a contact request to their Central Baggage Service (though this option will likely take longer).

You can check the status of your file on Alaska’s baggage portal.

And, as always, keep copies of everything — you might need them if there's any dispute about your claim.

What If Alaska Denies Your Claim?

Don't take no for an answer if your claim is denied! 

If your claim is denied, contact Alaska Airlines Customer Care for reconsideration. And if you still have no luck, you can escalate your complaint to the DOT. 

The two most common reasons for denial are filing too late (remember that 24-hour deadline!) and not having receipts for your purchases.

Tips for When Your Bags Get Delayed 

Frankly, there isn’t much you can do to stop your bags from getting delayed or to speed up the retrieval of a missing bag. But there are some steps you can take ahead of time to make your life easier if it does happen.

Pack essentials in your carry-on

To be a proactive traveler, always pack these in your carry-on:

• One change of clothes
• Essential toiletries
• Valuable items and documents
• Any medication you need
• Phone and laptop chargers

Having these items handy will ease the inconvenience when your bag is delayed. It doesn’t fix the problem, but when a lot of your stuff is in limbo, it helps to have the basics with you.

Use tracking apps

Alaska Airlines offers electronic bag tags (for $89!) or you can drop an AirTag into your checked bag to track it yourself. I do this every time I travel, so I know exactly where my bag is at all times!

Tap into travel insurance

Travel insurance policies and credit cards that include baggage delay coverage will offer additional compensation beyond what airlines provide. 

For example, maybe you have pricey items in your bag that add up to more than what the airline is agreeing to cover. In this case, your travel insurance or credit card would cover what the airline didn’t. 

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve®, for example, both offer up to $3,000 per passenger for lost luggage and up to $100 per day for up to 5 days when your baggage is delayed at least 6 hours.

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TL;DR: Your Rights When Alaska Delays Your Bags

Always report a missing bag immediately — you only have 24 hours, and you have to report it in person. Keep every receipt for things you need to buy while your bag is missing. 

And don't forget about Alaska Airlines’ 20-minute guarantee. An extra 2,500 miles in your account can help take the sting out of a delayed bag!

Remember, airlines count on most people not knowing their rights or not bothering to file claims. Don't leave money on the table — now you know exactly what you're entitled to and how to get it. 

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Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.