Imagine this: You’ve just landed in Florida for a business conference and you’re waiting at baggage claim for your suitcase to arrive.
One by one, everyone’s bags come tumbling down onto the carousel. But yours is nowhere to be seen.
With a sigh, you accept that your bag is officially missing and begin making a list of all the stuff you’ll have to buy.
Shouldn’t the airline have to pay for it, since they’re the ones that lost your bag?
The answer is absolutely yes. In fact, airlines are required by law to help you cover certain expenses while your bag is missing.
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What Is Delayed Baggage Compensation?
Delayed baggage compensation is a federally protected right of every airline passenger in the U.S.
According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), if an airline loses your checked bag, they’re legally required to:
- Refund your checked baggage fee, and
- Reimburse you for all “reasonable expenses” and “consequential damages” you incur while your bag is missing.
In other words, if Delta or Spirit loses your bag, they’re not only required to refund your checked bag fee, but they’re also responsible for covering the stuff you have to buy while your bag is missing.
But where do they draw the line? Will the airline buy you a new laptop or designer shoes if you truly “need” them for your trip?
@erikakullberg Don’t let the airlines keep this info from you if your bag is delayed 🤯🤫 #lawyer #travel #erikataughtme ♬ original sound – Money Lawyer Erika
What Are You Entitled to If Your Bag Is Delayed?
According to the DOT, airlines are required to compensate passengers for “reasonable, verifiable, and actual incidental expenses” that rack up while they wait for their bag to arrive — up to a certain limit.
Airlines also have to refund the checked bag fee to passengers whose bags aren't delivered to them within 12 hours of the arrival of a domestic flight or 15-30 hours of arrival of an international flight.
The DOT calls this “significantly delayed baggage return.”
Now, while the latter refund is automatic (thanks to new DOT rules), airlines won’t provide delayed baggage compensation until you submit a claim for your expenses.
Two airlines, Alaska and Delta, offer an additional customer satisfaction guarantee: They promise to have your bags out within 20 minutes of the boarding door opening. They'll each compensate you 2,500 bonus miles if your bags take longer than 20 minutes, but you have to be a Delta SkyMiles member (or settle for a $25 discount voucher if you're not an Alaska member).
What are “reasonable, verifiable, and actual incidental expenses?”
This is where things get a little muddy. “Verifiable” and “actual” are pretty straightforward terms, meaning anything you have a purchase receipt for.
But what expenses are considered “reasonable” when your bag is missing?
The DOT and airlines agree that the following purchases qualify as essential:
- Toiletries
- Device chargers
- Non-designer clothing and footwear
Beyond that, “You and the airline may have different ideas of what's reasonable,” says the DOT.
If you can make a compelling case that the following things were truly essential to your trip, the airline may bite and offer partial reimbursement:
- Electronics
- Makeup and cosmetics
- Prescription refills
- Sporting equipment
- Designer goods
What are “maximum liability limits”?
Delta claims that “Reasonable expenses are generally determined as $50 USD per day.”
But don’t let that mislead you.
In truth, the DOT requires airlines to compensate passengers up to $4,700 per trip for missing bags on domestic flights, and $1,700 on international flights.
You probably won’t get that much, but at the same time, you shouldn’t settle for $50 if you have to spend $100+.
READ MORE: Erika's Flight Delay Compensation Guide
How Do You File a Delayed Baggage Claim with an Airline?
The short answer is: Head to the nearest airline-specific helpdesk by baggage claim.
Here’s the long answer to ensure you get all the compensation you’re entitled to:
1. Before you leave, take a photo of the contents of your bag
Knowing what you packed can help you shop for replacement stuff and negotiate reimbursement with the airline.
2. Wait until your bag is officially “delayed”
If you’ve been waiting at the carousel for longer than 20 minutes, it’s time to file a report.
Head to the nearest airline-specific helpdesk to file a lost/delayed baggage report.
3. Have an open conversation about reimbursement
Different airlines cover different things, so it’s helpful to ask the employee helping you what the airline typically does (and doesn’t) cover.
4. Request a printed copy of the report
You’ll want a copy of the report and a phone number to call for follow-up information. Be sure to get your specific report number, too, since you’ll need that to file a claim later.
5. Request miles, cash, fee reimbursement, and an amenities kit
In addition to your baggage delay reimbursement and a refund of your checked baggage fee, some airlines will offer you additional cash or miles on the spot if you ask.
For example, Alaska Airlines will offer you 2,500 bonus miles if your bag doesn’t arrive within 20 minutes.
6. Make your “reasonable” purchases and keep your receipts
Start buying the toiletries, clothes, and other things you need to feel comfortable. Keep and take photographs of every receipt.
Oh, and check your credit card benefits. One or more of your cards might have delayed baggage reimbursement as a free perk, meaning your credit card company may cover some of your interim expenses if your airline doesn’t. But it only works if you make your purchases using that card!
7. Check your phone for bag tracking updates
Most airlines will give you a FedEx-like tracking number for your missing bag and the option for live text updates.
8. Upload your receipts and await reimbursement
Once you get your bag, file a claim online for all of your interim purchases. You’ll need your report number, itinerary details, PDFs for each of your receipts, and more.
As an example, here’s Delta’s claim form.
Generally speaking, you’ll need to file a claim within 30 days of reporting your bag missing.
9. Negotiate if necessary
Once you get your compensation from the airline, don’t hesitate to push back if you feel they shortchanged you.
Remind them that the law entitles you to up to $4,700 in delayed baggage compensation and that your expenses were well within reason for your trip’s needs.
10. File a secondary claim with your travel insurance or credit card
If you made $250 in reasonable purchases but your airline won’t budge past $150, your credit card benefits or travel insurance might compensate you for the remaining $100 if you file a secondary claim.
For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, which is Erika's top pick for a travel credit card, offers up to $100 coverage for essential purchases like toiletries and clothing.
If you have both travel insurance and a credit card with insurance, you’ll typically file with your travel insurance first.
READ MORE: Baggage Delay Insurance: How It Works
Delayed Baggage Policies By Airline
While all U.S. airlines are required to follow the DOT's rules for delayed, lost, and damaged baggage, some go beyond that and offer things like frequent flier miles (Alaska Airlines, Delta) or delivering your baggage to you once it's been found (American Airlines, Southwest, United).
Here's how each airline handles delayed baggage, and how to file your claim with them:
- Alaska Airlines' delayed baggage compensation
- Allegiant Air's delayed baggage compensation
- American Airlines' delayed baggage compensation
- Delta Air Lines' delayed baggage compensation
- Frontier Airlines' delayed baggage compensation
- Hawaiian Airlines' delayed baggage compensation
- JetBlue's delayed baggage compensation
- Southwest Airlines' delayed baggage compensation
- Spirit Airlines' delayed baggage compensation
- United Airlines' delayed baggage compensation
The Bottom Line
If an airline loses your bag, the Department of Transportation requires them to help you cover essential expenses until they find it.
Each airline has a different process, so if your bag goes missing with one of them, check back here for the next steps to maximize your compensation.
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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.
