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

You've just landed for vacation, but your suitcase decided to take a trip of its own — somewhere far away from Southwest's baggage carousel. 

As you stare at the empty baggage claim, the sinking feeling hits that your vacation essentials probably won’t show up anytime soon.

But don't panic! When Southwest delays your bags, you're entitled to compensation.

I've read through Southwest Airlines' 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 Southwest Airlines Delays Your Checked Bag

When airlines delay 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.

Domestic baggage rights

According to DOT rules, 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.

Southwest Airlines' bag delay policy

Southwest Airlines’ baggage policy doesn't offer much additional compensation beyond what's legally required when they delay your bags. 

However, they do have a streamlined reporting process and will deliver your bag to your preferred location once they locate it.

While Southwest has long been loved for its generous checked bag policy (your first and second checked bags fly free), sadly, that perk is ending May 27, 2025.

Currently, their contract of carriage only mentions that if you paid an oversized bag fee and your bag is significantly delayed, the fee will be refunded. It doesn’t clarify yet about fees for regular checked bags also being refunded.

“Significantly delayed” is defined as still missing 12 hours after a domestic flight arrival and 15-30 hours after an international flight arrival (depending on flight length).

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

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

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

But don't go on a shopping spree — 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.

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 report your missing bag to Southwest Airlines within 4 hours of arriving at your destination. This is crucial — the airline cannot compensate you for any expenses until they have a report on file.

2. File a report

Southwest gives you multiple ways to file a report:

• Online: Skip the line by submitting a report on their website.
• QR Code: Scan the QR code on signage outside their Baggage Service Office.
• In-person: Visit the Baggage Service Office in the baggage claim area or at the ticket counter.

If you've already left the airport, you can still create a report online, but it's always best to file before leaving so you don’t forget and miss the 4-hour deadline.

When you file the report, you can opt in for text notifications to receive regular status updates about your bag. This is also your opportunity to provide a delivery address where you'd like your bag sent once it's found.

3. Keep all documentation

After filing your report, you'll receive an incident number. This is your golden ticket for tracking your bag and filing any claims later.

Hold onto any documentation you receive about your delayed bag, including your baggage claim ticket and boarding pass. It’s also a good idea to hold onto other flight information in case you need it later to file a compensation claim.

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.

I recommend taking pictures of every receipt you get, just to have backups.

Filing Your Compensation Claim

You'll need to submit receipts for reimbursement of all purchases you had to make. Here's how:

1. Access Southwest's Baggage Claim Web Portal.
2. Enter your incident number to log in.
3. Upload your receipts for interim expenses.

Remember, Southwest (like all airlines) will only reimburse you for reasonable and necessary items, so keep your purchases practical.

When “delayed” becomes “lost”

If your bag hasn't been located after 5 days, Southwest considers it “lost” rather than just delayed. At this point:

1. You'll need to submit a formal claim through the same Baggage Claim Web Portal.
2. Use your incident number to access the portal.
3. Provide details about your bag contents and value.

While Southwest will continue searching for your bag, filing this claim starts the process for potential compensation for the bag and its contents.

What If Southwest Denies Your Claim?

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

If your claim is denied, contact Southwest Airlines Customer Service for reconsideration. And if you still have no luck, you can escalate your complaint to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The two most common reasons for denial are filing too late (remember that 4-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

Southwest Airlines offers bag tracking on their website. 

You can also 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 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.

. . .

. . .

TL;DR: Your Rights When Southwest Delays Your Bags

Always report a missing bag immediately — you only have 4 hours to file a report. Keep every receipt for things you need to buy while your bag is missing. 

Southwest will deliver your bag to your location once they find it, but if it's not found within 5 days, you'll need to file a formal lost baggage claim.

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!

. . .

---

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.