We usually don’t expect our luggage to get lost. However, even the best-laid travel plans can go awry.
When they do, here are seven easy things you can do when your bag is delayed — or lost — by an airline.
How to determine if your luggage is lost
There are some instances where bags appear to be lost even when they’re not.
Before concluding your bags are truly lost, try these three steps:
Be patient
Airport baggage procedures can be complex at large hubs, so waiting 30 to 45 minutes for bags can be normal. Luggage can come in waves from a single flight as well, so just because your suitcase didn’t arrive initially doesn’t necessarily mean it’s lost. Patience goes a long way in times like these.
Look elsewhere
If your bag doesn’t come off its designated carousel, there’s a chance it could have made the flight but been offloaded elsewhere. Take a quick look at other carousels to see if the bag somehow beat you there. It could also be waiting in the airline’s baggage office or another holding area.
In theory, something like this should not happen. However, it’s worth double-checking before reporting your bag as missing to the airline.
Stay calm
If you’ve done the first two steps and still can’t find your bag, it’s time to alert the airline.
Before you do, take a deep breath and try to stay calm so as not to elevate the situation further.
courtesy car seats if your child’s seat was delayed. In addition, they should provide some reimbursement for reasonable expenses.
Double-check your airline’s policy for delayed bags, some of which are outlined below:
Alaska Airlines: Allows reimbursement for “travel essentials.”
American Airlines: Allows reimbursement “for items you need immediately while away from home without your bags.”
Delta Air Lines: Allows “reasonable expense reimbursements” of generally $50 per day for the first five days.
United Airlines: Allows “reimbursement for expenses” based on acceptable proof of claim.
Southwest Airlines: Allows for “reimbursement of reasonable expenses you may have incurred.”
The agent with whom you file the missing bag report should be able to provide you with the guidelines for the given carrier, including whether or not you’re eligible for a refund of any checked baggage fee you paid.
Just note that if you’re arriving home after a vacation or business trip, the airline usually won’t cover any expenses for delayed baggage aside from returning your bag to you.
If you’re traveling on Delta or Alaska, submit a baggage guarantee claim because both carriers will offer 2,500 bonus miles if your bags aren’t delivered to the carousel within 20 minutes of arrival in most circumstances.