What should I do if my luggage is lost?

Report to the airline's Baggage Service Desk before leaving the airport and file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). This enters your bag into WorldTracer, the global tracing system. Then track your bag online and claim reimbursement for essential expenses while you wait.

How much compensation can I get for lost luggage?

On domestic U.S. flights, airlines must compensate up to $4,700 per passenger under DOT rules (14 CFR 254). On international flights, the Montreal Convention caps liability at approximately $2,025 (1,519 SDR). You must file a claim with documentation of your bag's contents.

How long before a delayed bag is declared lost?

Airlines typically search for 5 to 14 days before declaring a bag lost. After 21 days, a delayed bag is officially considered lost under most airline policies. 93% of mishandled bags are eventually recovered, most within 48 hours.

What is the best luggage tracker?

The Apple AirTag ($29) is the best overall luggage tracker for iPhone users, with Precision Finding and a billion-device Find My network. For Android users, the Samsung SmartTag 2 ($30) or Tile Pro ($35) are the top picks. All three use Bluetooth and work inside checked luggage.

The Quick Guide

Your bag is missing.
Here's exactly what to do.

Step-by-step guides for every airline, honest tracker reviews, and plain-English compensation advice. We don't cover anything else — just getting your luggage back.

My Bag Is Lost — Help Me Now Or prevent this next time

33.4M bags mishandled worldwide in 2024 93% of lost bags eventually recovered 1.6 days average reunion time 6.3 bags mishandled per 1,000 passengers $4,700 DOT domestic liability cap $2,025 Montreal Convention cap 21 days before a bag is officially declared lost 50+ airlines now accept AirTag location data 33.4M bags mishandled worldwide in 2024 93% of lost bags eventually recovered 1.6 days average reunion time 6.3 bags mishandled per 1,000 passengers $4,700 DOT domestic liability cap $2,025 Montreal Convention cap 21 days before a bag is officially declared lost 50+ airlines now accept AirTag location data

Airline Guides

Eight major carriers.
One URL away.

Direct links to claim forms, dedicated baggage service phone lines, and step-by-step filing instructions — built from each airline's contract of carriage.

View every airline we cover

Your Rights

Federal law is on your side.
Here's what they owe you.

Domestic liability $4,700 maximum per passenger under DOT rules (14 CFR 254)

Declared lost 21 days after which a delayed bag is officially lost

International cap $2,025 Montreal Convention maximum (1,519 SDR)

Start here

Luggage Trackers

Three trackers we'd actually check a bag with.

Compare all three

Legal framework 14 CFR 254 U.S. Department of Transportation

International law Montreal
Convention Ratified by 140+ countries since 1999

Industry data SITA
Baggage IT Global mishandling insights

Carriers covered 8 major
U.S. airlines Every contract of carriage read

Start with your airline How we research

Your bag is missing.
Here's exactly what to do.

Eight major carriers.
One URL away.

Delta Air Lines

United Airlines

American Airlines

Southwest Airlines

JetBlue Airways

Alaska Airlines

Spirit Airlines

Frontier Airlines

Federal law is on your side.
Here's what they owe you.

How to File a Lost Baggage Claim (Step-by-Step)

Your DOT Rights When Luggage Is Lost

Free Claim Letter Template

Three trackers we'd actually check a bag with.

Apple AirTag

Tile Pro (2024)

Samsung SmartTag 2

Every claim verified.
Every phone number tested.

Your bag is missing. Here's exactly what to do.

Eight major carriers. One URL away.

Delta Air Lines

United Airlines

American Airlines

Southwest Airlines

JetBlue Airways

Alaska Airlines

Spirit Airlines

Frontier Airlines

Federal law is on your side. Here's what they owe you.

How to File a Lost Baggage Claim (Step-by-Step)

Your DOT Rights When Luggage Is Lost

Free Claim Letter Template

Three trackers we'd actually check a bag with.

Apple AirTag

Tile Pro (2024)

Samsung SmartTag 2

Every claim verified. Every phone number tested.

Your bag is missing.
Here's exactly what to do.

Eight major carriers.
One URL away.

Federal law is on your side.
Here's what they owe you.

Every claim verified.
Every phone number tested.