Delayed, Lost, or Damaged Baggage: Guide for US Travelers
So what can you expect if your bags are delayed, lost, or damaged? Our experts have compiled this guide to help you determine if you’re eligible for compensation and how to take the next step to get reimbursed or compensated. ... We've been assisting passengers for over 8 years. Join more than 500,000 passengers who’ve trusted AirAdvisor with their airline compensation claims... You’ve waited days for your luggage to arrive but it didn'tDon’t let the airline get away with it. Start your claim today · But let’s take a closer look at the different baggage claim categories, how they’re defined, and what you can expect.For airlines in the US, luggage is considered officially lost if it hasn’t been located and returned to you after 21 days. So, once 21 days have passed, you can submit a compensation claim if your baggage has yet to be found.Check with your airline for specifics on how to file a claim with them. Sometimes they will make you complete more than one form, and if you fail to do this correctly or within the right time frame, it could eliminate your chances of compensation. It’s also important to understand that filing a lost baggage claim with an airline does not entitle you to the entire $4,700 compensation limit.Once you’ve filed your claim, you can expect to wait up to 3 months for compensation. Lastly, don’t be surprised if the airline offers you free flights instead of a cash settlement. This can sometimes be a bonus as the free ticket value is usually more than what you’d be offered in cash. Just be sure to ask about any limitations the free tickets might have. If you’ve had connecting flights and encountered baggage issues, you will need to file a claim with the airline that operated the last leg of your itinerary.