Lost or delayed luggage: what to do, and who to contact
A missing bag is usually a delayed bag, and most are found and delivered. File a report with the airline before you leave the airport, keep your reference number and receipts, and know that US rules can entitle you to a refund of your bag fee if it's significantly delayed.
In this article · 5 sections
The short answer
If your bag doesn't come off the belt, it's very likely on its way on another flight. DOT's consumer guide notes that airlines track down the vast majority of misplaced bags and return them to their owners within hours.2
What helps most is a few calm steps before you leave the airport.
Step by step
- Report it before you leave. Go to your airline's baggage service office in the claim area and file a report. DOT encourages filing as soon as you learn your bag didn't arrive.1
- Keep three things: the report's file reference number, your bag tag receipt from check-in, and receipts for anything you have to buy while you wait.
- Give a delivery address and a phone number that works where you're staying.
- Ask what the airline will cover. DOT says airlines will in many cases absorb reasonable expenses while they look for your bag, though what's reasonable can be negotiated.2
- Track it using the airline's online tracking or the number on your report.
- If it's damaged, report that too, take photos, and check the airline's deadline for damage claims on its baggage page.
Your rights under DOT rules
Bag fee refunds. If you paid to check a bag and it's significantly delayed, you're generally entitled to a refund of that fee, as long as you filed a mishandled baggage report.15 DOT defines significantly delayed as not delivered within:1
| Flight | Bag not delivered within |
|---|---|
| Domestic | 12 hours after your flight arrived |
| International, flight of 12 hours or less | 15 hours after arrival |
| International, flight over 12 hours | 30 hours after arrival |
There are some exceptions, which DOT lists on its refunds page.1
When is a bag "lost"? Airlines set their own policies. DOT says most declare a bag lost between five and fourteen days after the flight.1 If a bag is lost, the fee for it should be refunded, and you can make a claim for its contents with the airline.
Rules and limits. DOT collects the baggage rules, including how much airlines can be liable for, on its baggage page.3 If you can't resolve a problem with the airline, you can file a complaint with DOT.4
Official baggage pages of major US airlines
These are each airline's own pages for delayed, lost or damaged bags. Phone numbers appear only where the airline lists one on that page.
| Airline | Official baggage help |
|---|---|
| American Airlines | Delayed or damaged baggage |
| Delta Air Lines | Delayed, lost or damaged baggage. Baggage: 800-325-8224 (as listed on Delta's site, checked Oct 2026) |
| United Airlines | Issues with your checked bags. Baggage Recovery: 1-800-335-2247 (as listed on United's site, checked Oct 2026) |
| Southwest Airlines | Lost, damaged or delayed baggage |
| Alaska Airlines | Delayed, damaged or missing bags and the baggage claim form |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Delayed, damaged or missing bags |
| JetBlue | Bag claims. Central Baggage Services: 1-866-538-5438 (as listed on JetBlue's site, checked Oct 2026) |
| Frontier Airlines | Customer service and help center |
| Allegiant Air | Contact us |
For every airline's general contact pages, see the airline contact directory.
The calm takeaway: a late bag is an inconvenience, not a disaster. File the report before you leave, keep your receipts and reference number, and the system for reuniting you with your bag takes it from there.
Keep reading
Quick answers
What should I do first if my bag is missing?
Go to the airline's baggage service office before leaving the airport and file a mishandled baggage report. Keep the file reference number, your bag tag receipt and any receipts for things you have to buy.
Do I get my checked bag fee back if my bag is late?
Under DOT rules, if you file a mishandled baggage report and a domestic bag isn't delivered within 12 hours of your flight's arrival (15 or 30 hours for international flights, depending on flight length), you're generally entitled to a refund of the bag fee.
When is a bag considered lost?
Airlines set their own policies. DOT says most declare a bag lost between five and fourteen days after the flight, but it varies.
Will the airline pay for things I need while I wait?
DOT says that in many cases airlines will cover reasonable expenses while they look for your bag, though the amount can be negotiated. Ask the airline and keep receipts.
Sources
(5)
- U.S. DOT, Refunds (lost and significantly delayed bags, bag fee refunds)
- U.S. DOT, Fly-Rights: A Consumer Guide to Air Travel (Baggage)
- U.S. DOT, Baggage (rules and guidance)
- U.S. DOT, File a consumer complaint
- eCFR, 14 CFR 260.6, Refunds for fees for lost or significantly delayed bags
Facts last checked against these sources: October 25, 2026.