Few things sour a trip faster than watching the baggage carousel empty without your suitcase. The good news is that federal rules give you real leverage. The key is acting fast, at the airport, and knowing the dollar limits that apply.
File the report before you leave the airport
The single most important step is to report a missing, delayed, or damaged bag at the airport, before you leave, and get a written report with a reference number. Many airline contracts set tight deadlines, sometimes as short as 4 hours for damage, to report a problem, and waiting can cost you the claim. Keep your bag tags and boarding pass.
Domestic flights: up to $4,700 per passenger
For travel entirely within the United States, DOT rules (14 CFR Part 254) cap an airline’s liability for lost, damaged, or delayed baggage at $4,700 per passenger (raised from $3,800 in 2025). That is a maximum, not an automatic payout: airlines pay the depreciated value of your bag and its contents, so keep receipts and photos to prove what you lost. Airlines can exclude fragile or valuable items like electronics, jewelry, cash, and important documents, which is why you should carry those in your cabin bag.
International flights: the Montreal Convention
For international itineraries, a treaty called the Montreal Convention governs, and the limit is set in special currency units (roughly $1,700 to $1,900 per passenger, adjusted periodically). The same idea applies: report immediately, document your losses, and file within the treaty’s deadlines (generally 7 days for damage and 21 days for delay).
Delayed bags: you may get your bag fee back
Under a DOT rule that took effect in late 2024, if you paid to check a bag and it is significantly delayed, you are entitled to an automatic refund of the checked-bag fee, provided you filed a mishandled-baggage report. “Significantly delayed” generally means the bag is not delivered within 12 hours of a domestic flight’s arrival, or 15 to 30 hours for international flights. Separately, airlines must reimburse reasonable interim expenses (like clothing and toiletries) while your bag is missing, up to the liability limit.
How to file and follow up
Report the problem at the airport and get a written reference number.
Submit an itemized claim with receipts, photos, and the depreciated value of contents.
Ask for your checked-bag fee back if a bag was significantly delayed.
Keep receipts for interim purchases while your bag is missing, and claim them.
If the airline denies or underpays a valid claim, escalate to the DOT.
This is general information, not legal advice. For a large or disputed loss, consider talking to an attorney or filing a DOT complaint.
Frequently asked questions
How much will an airline pay for lost luggage?
For domestic flights, DOT rules cap liability at $4,700 per passenger, paid as the depreciated value of your bag and contents. International flights fall under the Montreal Convention, which is lower, roughly $1,700 to $1,900.
Do I get my bag fee back if my luggage is delayed?
Yes, if you filed a mishandled-baggage report and the bag is significantly delayed, generally more than 12 hours for domestic flights. A late-2024 DOT rule requires an automatic refund of the checked-bag fee in that case.
What should I do first when a bag is lost or damaged?
Report it at the airport before you leave and get a written report with a reference number. Airline deadlines can be very short, and waiting can void your claim. Keep your bag tags and boarding pass.
Are electronics and jewelry covered in checked bags?
Often not. Airlines can exclude fragile and high-value items like electronics, jewelry, cash, and documents from checked-bag liability, so carry those in your cabin bag.
This article is general legal information, not legal advice, and may not reflect the most current law or the law in your jurisdiction. Laws vary by state and change over time. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.
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