Updated October 2026
Baggage Liability Limits
Flight Type
Maximum Liability
Domestic (US)
$3,800 per passenger
International (Montreal Convention)
~$1,780 per passenger
Domestic: 14 CFR Part 254. International: Montreal Convention (1,288 SDR). These are per-passenger limits, not per-bag.
File a report at the airport baggage office — before you leave
Go to the baggage service office (usually near baggage claim) and file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). Get a copy with your file reference number. This is critical — without it, your claim is much harder to pursue. Do this before you leave the airport.
Get the airline's tracking link and phone number
Most airlines have online bag tracking. Get the direct URL and your file reference number. Also get the baggage office phone number — you'll want to call for updates rather than waiting.
Buy essentials and keep every receipt
You can purchase toiletries, underwear, and a change of clothes while your bag is missing. Keep all receipts — the airline must reimburse reasonable essential purchases. Stick to basics: a $20 pack of underwear will be reimbursed, a $200 designer shirt probably won't.
Insist the airline delivers the bag to you
When your bag is found, the airline must deliver it to your address at no cost. You should not have to drive back to the airport. If they ask you to pick it up, push back — delivery is standard practice and expected by the DOT.
If 21 days pass: file a formal lost baggage claim
After 21 days, your bag is legally lost. File a written claim with the airline listing every item in your bag and its value. Include receipts or photos if you have them. The airline is liable for the depreciated value of your belongings up to the $3,800 domestic limit.
Get your free complaint letter
Select "baggage delayed" or "baggage lost" — we'll generate a complaint letter with the regulations and your claim details.
How much can I claim for lost luggage?
For domestic US flights, airlines are liable for up to $3,800 per passenger for lost, damaged, or delayed baggage under 14 CFR Part 254. For international flights covered by the Montreal Convention, the limit is approximately $1,780 (1,288 Special Drawing Rights). These are maximum liability limits — you can claim the actual value of your lost items up to these caps. Keep receipts or proof of value for everything in your bag.
How long before a bag is considered lost?
A bag is legally considered lost after 21 days of being missing. Before that, it's classified as delayed. Most airlines will begin processing a lost baggage claim after 5-14 days, but the 21-day mark is when DOT regulations consider it definitively lost. During the delay period, you can buy essential items (toiletries, underwear, basic clothing) and request reimbursement from the airline.
Does the airline pay for replacement items?
Yes. While your bag is delayed, you can purchase essential items — toiletries, underwear, a change of clothes — and the airline must reimburse you. Keep all receipts. Most airlines define 'reasonable essentials' conservatively, so stick to basics rather than designer replacements. If the bag is declared lost after 21 days, you can claim the depreciated value of everything in the bag up to the $3,800 domestic limit.
What if my bag is delayed, not lost?
If your bag is delayed but not yet lost, file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) at the airport baggage office before you leave. The airline must deliver the bag to your address at no cost — you should not have to return to the airport to pick it up. While waiting, buy essential items and keep receipts for reimbursement. If the bag hasn't arrived after 21 days, it's legally lost and you can file a formal claim for the full value of your belongings.