What Airlines Must Pay You When Your Luggage Goes Missing

Airlines have legal limits on what they owe you for lost baggage, and the amount depends on whether your flight was domestic or international

When an airline loses your luggage, you are not may have access to to the full replacement cost of everything inside. Instead, the airline owes you compensation based on actual cash value — what those items were worth before they were lost, not what new versions cost today. For a domestic flight within the United States, the limit is $3,800 per passenger. For international flights, the limit is roughly $1,600 per passenger, though this amount can shift slightly based on international treaty updates.

The airline does not automatically pay this amount. You have to file a claim, document what was in the bag, and prove the value of those items. The process takes weeks or months, and the airline will often offer less than you ask for. Knowing what you can actually recover — and what steps to take immediately after discovering the loss — saves you time and money.

Key Takeaways

• Domestic flights cap airline liability at $3,800 per passenger; international flights cap it at roughly $1,600, though airlines may offer less.
• You must file a written claim with the airline within 21 days of discovering the loss, or you lose the right to compensation.
• The airline owes you the depreciated value of items, not replacement cost, so a five-year-old suitcase is worth far less than a new one.
• Receipts, photos, and credit card statements showing what you bought and when are the strongest proof of what was in the bag and its value.
• If the airline denies your claim or offers too little, you can pursue the case in small claims court or through a dispute resolution process.

The 21-day filing deadline and what happens if you miss it

The moment you realize your bag is lost, the clock starts. You have 21 days from the date you discovered the loss to file a written claim with the airline. This is a hard deadline. If you miss it, the airline can refuse to pay anything, and you will have no legal recourse.

File in writing — email, certified mail, or the airline's online claim form all work. Do not rely on a phone call or a conversation at the baggage desk. Include your name, confirmation number, flight details, the date you discovered the loss, and a description of the bag and its contents. Keep a copy of everything you send.

Many travelers wait weeks hoping the bag will show up, then file a claim at the last minute. If you wait past 21 days, the airline owes you nothing. File the claim even if you think the bag might still arrive — you can always withdraw it later if the luggage turns up.

How airlines calculate what your lost items are actually worth

Airlines use depreciation to reduce what they pay you. A two-year-old laptop is worth less than a brand-new one, even though it works the same way. A suitcase you bought five years ago is worth a fraction of its original price. The airline will research typical resale or replacement values for used versions of the items you list and offer you that amount, not what you paid.

This is where documentation matters. If you can show a receipt from when you bought something, you can argue for a higher depreciated value. If you have no receipt, the airline will estimate based on the item's age and condition. A receipt from two years ago for a $400 suitcase might support a claim of $200 to $250 in current value. No receipt for the same suitcase might result in an offer of $75.

Clothing depreciates fastest. A jacket you bought last month might be worth 80 percent of its purchase price. A jacket you bought three years ago might be worth 20 percent. Electronics depreciate quickly too — a phone from two years ago is worth a fraction of its original cost. Jewelry, documents, and irreplaceable items are harder to value and often become points of dispute.

What to include in your claim to maximize your payout

Your claim should list every item you can remember, with as much detail as possible. Do not just write "clothes" — write "two pairs of jeans, size 32, blue and black; five shirts; one winter coat, navy, wool blend." Include brand names if you remember them. The more specific you are, the easier it is for the airline to research typical values and the harder it is for them to lowball you.

Attach receipts for anything you have them for. Credit card statements showing purchases from the relevant time period also help — they prove you bought something and roughly when. Photographs of the bag itself and any distinctive items inside are useful too. If you took a photo of your suitcase before the trip, or a photo of items you packed, include those.

For high-value items like cameras, jewelry, or electronics, research the typical resale value of used versions online. Include that research in your claim. If you bought a camera for $800 two years ago and can show that used versions of the same model currently sell for $400 to $500, that supports your claim for $450.

The difference between checked bags and carry-on luggage

Airlines are liable for checked baggage that they lose. They are not liable for carry-on bags you bring onto the plane yourself, because you retain control of those bags. If you lose a carry-on bag in the airport terminal or on the plane, that is your loss, not the airline's.

The liability limits apply only to checked bags. If you check two bags and the airline loses both, you can claim up to $3,800 per bag on a domestic flight — $7,600 total. If you check one bag and lose a carry-on, you can only recover for the checked bag.

This is why travelers with expensive items often carry them on rather than checking them. A laptop, camera, jewelry, or medication is safer in your hands than in the cargo hold. If the airline loses a checked bag with a laptop inside, you can claim the depreciated value of the laptop. If you carry the laptop on and lose it yourself, the airline owes you nothing.

International flights and the Montreal Convention limits

International flights are governed by the Montreal Convention, a treaty that sets liability limits for airlines. The current limit is roughly 1,288 Special Drawing Rights, which converts to approximately $1,600 to $1,700 in US dollars depending on exchange rates. This limit is lower than the domestic limit and applies to all international carriers.

Some airlines offer optional coverage called excess valuation or additional insurance that lets you declare a higher value for your checked bag. If you buy this coverage before your flight, the airline will pay up to that declared amount if the bag is lost. The cost is usually a few dollars per $100 of declared value. If you are traveling internationally with expensive items, this coverage can be worth the cost.

The Montreal Convention also sets a 21-day deadline for filing claims on international flights, the same as domestic flights. The process is otherwise similar — you file a written claim, provide documentation, and the airline calculates depreciated value.

What to do if the airline denies your claim or offers too little

If the airline denies your claim or offers significantly less than you believe is fair, you have options. First, respond in writing with additional documentation. If you have new receipts, photos, or research on resale values, send those. Sometimes a second submission with stronger evidence will prompt the airline to increase their offer.

If the airline still refuses or the offer is too low, you can file a complaint with the Department of Transportation. The DOT does not resolve individual disputes, but it tracks complaints and can pressure airlines that have patterns of underpaying claims. You can file at transportation.gov.

You can also pursue the claim in small claims court. The filing fee is usually $50 to $200 depending on your state, and you do not need a lawyer. Bring your receipts, photos, documentation of the claim you filed, and the airline's response. Many small claims judges are familiar with airline luggage disputes and will award the depreciated value you can support with evidence.

Travel insurance and what it actually covers for lost luggage

Travel insurance policies vary widely in what they cover for lost baggage. Some policies cover only the airline's liability limit — meaning they pay what the airline would have paid, which is not useful. Other policies cover the full replacement cost of items, which is more valuable. Some policies have a per-item limit, so a single expensive item might not be fully covered.

Read the fine print before you buy. Look for policies that cover "baggage delay" (when your bag arrives late) separately from "baggage loss" (when it does not arrive at all). Baggage delay coverage is useful for trips where you need clothes immediately; baggage loss coverage is what protects you if the bag never arrives.

If you have homeowners or renters insurance, check whether it covers luggage and its contents while traveling. Some policies do; others exclude travel-related losses. A call to your insurance agent before your trip can clarify what you are covered for and whether buying additional travel insurance makes sense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim items that were damaged in my checked bag instead of lost?

Yes, but the process is the same. You have 21 days to file a claim, and the airline owes you the depreciated value of the damaged item. Damage claims often result in lower payouts than loss claims because the item still exists and has some value. Take photos of the damage before you file.

What if I packed something valuable and did not declare it?

You can still file a claim for it. The airline does not need you to have declared the item beforehand. However, if the item is extremely valuable — jewelry, cash, electronics worth thousands — the airline may question whether it was actually in the bag. Receipts and photos help prove it was.

Does the airline owe me anything for the inconvenience of not having my bag?

Not under federal law. The airline owes you the value of the items inside the bag, not compensation for the inconvenience, stress, or cost of buying replacement clothes while you wait. Some airlines offer small gesture payments or vouchers, but they are not required to.

How long does it take to get paid after I file a claim?

Most airlines take four to eight weeks to respond to a claim. Some take longer. There is no federal deadline for the airline to pay you, only for you to file the claim. If the airline approves your claim, ask how they will send the payment — check, credit card refund, or airline credit.

Can I claim items I bought during my trip and packed in the checked bag?

Yes. If you bought souvenirs or gifts during your trip and packed them in the checked bag that was then lost, you can claim their value. Keep receipts from your purchases. The airline will pay the depreciated value, which for new items is close to what you paid.