Lost Baggage Claims & Airline Liability
A bag declared lost after days of delay entitles you to a settlement — but only if you submit a complete, documented claim. Here is how to do it right.
What the DOT Requires
Your rights are protected by the US Department of Transportation. Use this information to escalate your case.
A bag is generally declared 'lost' after 5–14 days of being delayed (the threshold varies by airline). At that point, you are entitled to a settlement for the depreciated value of your belongings.
Domestic liability for lost baggage is capped at $3,800 per passenger under 14 CFR 254.5, though settlements are based on the current depreciated value of contents.
For international flights under the Montreal Convention, the liability limit is approximately 1,288 SDR (around $1,780 USD).
What to say to the airline
Knowing exactly what to say to the customer service agent increases your chances of immediate resolution.
If your bag has been delayed beyond the airline's 'lost' threshold, formally request in writing that the status be escalated from 'delayed' to 'lost.'
Submit a detailed contents inventory with every item listed, along with purchase dates and estimated current depreciated value.
If the settlement offer is below the actual value of your belongings, counter with your documented inventory and ask for a written explanation of their depreciation methodology.
Avoid: Do not accept the first settlement offer without submitting a full contents inventory — initial offers are typically low.
Avoid: Do not discard the Property Irregularity Report (PIR) number from the airport — it is required to file the formal lost baggage claim.
Ready to demand compensation?
Don't start from scratch. Build a professional, polite, and effective complaint that quotes the right regulations.
Start Your Message