Allegiant Lost Your Bag? Here’s What You’re Entitled To

Picture this: You’ve just landed, ready to start your vacation, but as you stand at the baggage carousel, the crowd thins — and your suitcase is nowhere to be seen. Cue the panic.

The good news? If Allegiant Air has delayed your checked bag, you’re entitled to compensation. But be warned that Allegiant isn’t exactly known for generous customer service policies, and you’ll need to be proactive about filing your claim.

I’ve combed through Allegiant’s policies (so you don’t have to), and here’s exactly what you need to know to get compensated for your delayed baggage.

Your Rights When Allegiant Loses or Delays Your Checked Bag

When Allegiant delays your luggage, they’re responsible for locating it and reimbursing you for reasonable expenses while you wait. 

This isn’t just Allegiant’s policy — it’s backed by federal law under the Department of Transportation (DOT).

Domestic baggage rights

For flights within the U.S., Allegiant must follow DOT regulations, meaning they must compensate you for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses while your bags are delayed. 

The maximum liability under federal law is $4,700 per passenger, but in practice, airlines rarely pay anywhere near this amount, since they only cover “reasonable” expenses. But Allegiant also can’t impose arbitrary daily spending limits on you if your bags are delayed.

International baggage rights

If your flight with Allegiant is international, the Montreal Convention governs your baggage rights. 

This treaty allows passengers to claim compensation for delayed or lost bags, with a cap of $1,700. Unlike U.S. regulations, the Montreal Convention doesn’t specify exact reimbursement policies, leaving much of the process up to the airline’s discretion.

Allegiant’s bag delay policy

Allegiant is required to follow the DOT rules and any applicable international rules, meaning they will reimburse you for “reasonable expenses” if your bag is significantly delayed. 

“Significant” is defined as delayed 12 hours from flight arrival on domestic flights and 15-30 hours for international flights, depending on the length of the flight.

In addition to reimbursement, Allegiant’s bag delay policy states they will promptly refund you the checked bag fee you paid.

Unlike some other airlines, Allegiant does not offer automatic travel credits or miles for delayed bags. However, they still have to reimburse you for necessary daily items like clothing, toiletries, or medication while you wait.

(Note: The DOT has since increased the maximum for lost/delayed bags to $4,700!)

What Expenses Will Allegiant Actually Cover When They Delay Your Bag?

Allegiant will reimburse you for essential purchases made while waiting for your bag. This includes:

• Basic clothing (think: socks, underwear, a t-shirt — not a designer wardrobe overhaul)
• Toiletries like toothpaste, deodorant, and shampoo
• Any necessary medications that were packed in your checked luggage

The key is to keep it reasonable. If you couldn’t justify the expense to an airline rep, it’s probably not going to be covered.

What to Do When Your Bag Doesn't Show Up

If you’re left standing at baggage claim without your suitcase, here’s what you need to do:

1. Don’t leave the airport

Head straight to Allegiant’s Baggage Service Office before leaving the airport. You should report the missing bag immediately — you have to file within 12 hours of your flight’s arrival.

Delays in filing could hurt your chances of getting compensation, and they can’t reimburse you until they have a report.

While you’re at the Baggage Service Office, write down the phone number and email address of the office so you can reach them for updates or questions.

2. File a report

At Allegiant’s Baggage Service Office, an airline representative will assist you in filing a report for mishandled bags. This serves as the official record that the bag is delayed. 

Be sure to ask for a copy and note the claim number — you’ll need this for follow-ups.

You can file the report online, but remember that it must be completed within 12 hours of your arrival, or you’ll lose your eligibility for compensation.

3. Keep all documentation

Hold onto your boarding pass, baggage claim ticket, and the bag report. These documents prove that your bag was checked and delayed.

It doesn’t hurt to have extra documentation, so keep your flight confirmation number and any other identifying documents you might have received related to the flight and your bags.

4. Start saving receipts

Allegiant won’t reimburse you without proof, so save every receipt for essentials you purchase while waiting for your bag. 

A toothbrush from the airport gift shop? Keep the receipt. A pair of jeans from the department store? Keep that receipt, too.

Filing Your Compensation Claim

To get reimbursed for your expenses, you’ll need to submit a claim to Allegiant. Their website is vague about submitting claims, but here’s what it appears you’ll need:

• Your Mishandled Bag Report number
• Your boarding pass and baggage claim ticket
• All receipts for purchases made due to the baggage delay, including:
  • The date of purchase
  • Items purchased
  • Total amount
• Your current mailing address

You can email these items to [email protected], fax them to 702-853-4267, or physically mail them to System Baggage Services, PO Box 371730, Las Vegas, NV 89137.

If you’re having difficulty submitting your claim, you can call the central baggage services for Allegiant at (866) 719-3910.

Be prepared to wait — it may take weeks to receive reimbursement.

What If Allegiant Denies Your Claim?

If Allegiant refuses your claim, don’t give up! Here are your next steps:

• Contact Allegiant’s Customer Care. Sometimes, persistence pays off.
• If you believe the airline is unfairly denying your rights, file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Tips for Avoiding Baggage Hassles

There’s no way to fully prevent baggage delays, but you can take steps to make life easier if it happens to you.

Pack essentials in your carry-on

In my carry-on bag, I always pack:

• One change of clothes
• Essential toiletries
• Valuables and important documents
• Medications
• Chargers for devices

This won’t solve a baggage delay, but it’ll make the experience far less stressful.

Use tracking devices

Consider placing an AirTag or similar tracking device in your checked bag. If your luggage is misplaced, you may be able to track it faster than the airline.

Check your travel insurance and credit card benefits

Travel insurance policies and credit cards that include baggage delay coverage will offer more reliable and thorough compensation than airlines provide. More than likely, these policies come with higher spending limits. 

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 Allegiant Delays Your Bags

Report your missing bag immediately and keep every receipt for essential purchases. Remember that Allegiant must compensate you for reasonable expenses, but you’ll need to justify the costs.

Allegiant’s no-frills business model means you won’t get automatic travel credits or bonus miles for the inconvenience. But that doesn’t mean you have to accept a loss! Now that you know your rights, you can make sure Allegiant pays up when they mishandle your luggage.

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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.