JetFools / Your rights / Lost or delayed bag
Lost or delayed bag? What to do and what you're owed (US, 2026)
Report a missing bag before you leave the airport. If a checked bag on a domestic flight is delayed more than 12 hours, you're owed a refund of the bag fee, and airlines can be liable for up to $4,700 per passenger for lost, damaged, or delayed bags on domestic flights.
Last checked October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Rules apply to flights to, from, and within the US.
| First step | File a report at the airport before you leave |
|---|---|
| Bag fee refund | Owed if a domestic bag is delayed more than 12 hours |
| Airline liability (domestic) | Up to $4,700 per passenger |
| Reasonable expenses | Airlines must cover reasonable costs while your bag is delayed |
| International flights | Different limits under the Montreal Convention |
Step by step
- Go to the airline's baggage office before leaving the airport and file a report. Get a copy and a file number.
- Keep receipts for anything you buy while you wait, like toiletries or clothes.
- Ask for your bag fee back if your bag shows up more than 12 hours late on a domestic trip.
- If the bag is declared lost, file a claim with a list of contents and their value.
- Use AirTags or similar trackers. They can help an airline find a bag faster.
Quick answers
- What do I do if the airline loses my bag?
- File a report at the airport before you leave, keep a copy, and save receipts for necessary purchases while you wait.
- Do I get my bag fee back if my bag is late?
- Yes, on a domestic flight if your checked bag is delayed more than 12 hours.
- How much will an airline pay for a lost bag?
- On domestic flights, airlines can be liable for up to $4,700 per passenger for lost, damaged, or delayed baggage.
Sources: US DOT: Mishandled baggage, US DOT: Refunds.
More: Cancelled flight refund, Flight delays, Bumped from a flight.
Waiting it out? Play Final BoardingAn 8-bit airport RPG. At least in this one you can battle the gate agent.