Baggage Compensation
Lost, delayed, or damaged baggage? Get up to €1,507 under Montreal Convention. Know your rights and file winning claims.
Baggage Compensation Calculator
Estimate your Montreal Convention compensation for lost, delayed, or damaged baggage
Calculate Your Baggage Compensation
Enter your baggage issue details
Montreal Convention Limit: Maximum compensation is 1,288 SDR (Special Drawing Rights) ≈ €1,507 per passenger for all checked baggage combined. This applies to international flights. Domestic US flights may have different limits ($3,800 for major carriers).
Montreal Convention: Your International Baggage Rights
The Montreal Convention is an international treaty signed by 137 countries (including US, EU, UK, Canada, Australia) that governs airline liability for baggage issues on international flights. It replaced the older Warsaw Convention in 2003 and provides clearer, stronger passenger protections.
Key Facts About Montreal Convention
- • Applies to ALL international flights between signatory countries (nearly all commercial routes)
- • Sets strict liability - airline is liable even without negligence
- • Maximum compensation: 1,288 SDR (≈€1,507 / $1,650 USD)
- • Covers lost, delayed, and damaged checked baggage + carry-on
- • Time limits: 7 days for damage, 21 days for delay, reasonable time for lost
- • Cannot be waived by airlines (contract terms limiting liability are void)
What is SDR (Special Drawing Rights)?
The Montreal Convention uses SDR, an international currency basket maintained by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), instead of fixed currency amounts. This prevents liability limits from eroding due to inflation.
Current conversion (as of 2025): 1 SDR ≈ €1.17 or $1.28 USD. The limit of 1,288 SDR equals approximately:
- €1,507 (Euro)
- $1,650 (US Dollar)
- £1,350 (British Pound)
- $2,300 (Canadian Dollar)
International vs Domestic Flights: Different Rules
International flights: Montreal Convention applies (€1,507 limit).
US domestic flights: DOT regulations apply. Major carriers (United, Delta, American) typically limit liability to $3,800 per passenger.
EU domestic flights: National laws + EU regulations, but many airlines apply Montreal Convention limits anyway.
Always check your airline's "Contract of Carriage" (conditions of carriage) for exact limits on domestic routes.
Lost Baggage: Maximum Compensation Rights
Lost baggage means the airline cannot locate your bag after exhaustive search. International: typically declared lost after 21 days. US domestic: often 5-7 days. Once declared lost, you transition from "delayed bag" claim to "lost bag" claim and can seek full compensation for the bag and its contents.
What You Can Claim
With Receipts (Strong Claim)
- • Actual documented value of each item up to €1,507 total
- • Replacement cost for clothing, toiletries, luggage itself
- • Depreciated value for used items (e.g., 6-month-old laptop = 70% of purchase price)
- • Submit receipts, bank statements, credit card records as proof
Example: Lost bag with €300 clothing (receipts), €800 laptop (6 months old), €150 toiletries, €100 bag = €1,350 claim. Likely settlement: €1,200-€1,350.
Without Receipts (Weaker Claim)
- • Must provide detailed written list of contents
- • Reasonable estimated values (airlines will scrutinize)
- • Photos of similar items as proof of type/brand
- • Airlines typically offer €500-€800 for basic claims without receipts
Example: Lost bag with estimated €600 in clothes, €400 in toiletries/shoes. No receipts. Airline may offer €500-€700. You can negotiate up with credible item list and comparable pricing from stores.
Step-by-Step: Lost Baggage Claim Process
Step 1: File PIR at Airport (Immediately)
Go to airline's baggage service office BEFORE leaving airport. File Property Irregularity Report (PIR). Get PIR number - this is your tracking/claim reference. Describe bag (color, brand, size) and provide rough list of contents.
Step 2: Track Your Bag (Days 1-21)
Use airline's baggage tracking system with your PIR number. Check daily. Airlines search for bags using WorldTracer system (global baggage tracking network). Most bags are found within 48 hours if they're going to be found.
Statistics: 85% delayed bags reunited within 24 hours, 95% within 5 days, 99% within 21 days.
Step 3: Bag Declared Lost (After 21 Days)
If bag not found after 21 days (international) or 5-7 days (US domestic), airline declares it "lost." You receive notification. Now you can file full compensation claim for the bag and all contents.
Switch from "delay" mindset to "loss" mindset - now claim the FULL VALUE up to €1,507, not just essentials purchased.
Step 4: Submit Written Claim with Documentation
Send formal claim letter to airline within reasonable time (recommend within 30 days of loss declaration). Include:
- PIR number
- Flight details
- Detailed itemized list of bag contents with values
- Receipts, photos, bank statements as proof
- Total claim amount (up to €1,507)
Step 5: Negotiate Settlement
Airline will review and make offer (often lower than you claimed). Common tactic: Offer €600-€800 even if you claimed €1,500. Don't accept first offer immediately.
Counter-offer: If you have good documentation, push back with evidence. Many passengers settle for 80-90% of documented claim. If airline refuses reasonable settlement, escalate to aviation authority or small claims court.
Pro Tip: Keep a "bag inventory" note in your phone with photos of packed items before each trip. If bag is lost, you have instant documentation of contents. Takes 2 minutes, can be worth €1,000+ in claims.
Delayed Baggage: Reimbursement for Essential Purchases
Delayed baggage is when your bag doesn't arrive on your flight but is eventually delivered to you (days or weeks later). You can claim reimbursement for essential items you had to purchase while waiting for your bag. The bag itself isn't lost, so you don't claim its full value.
What Expenses Are Covered?
✅ Reimbursable Expenses
- • Clothing: Underwear, basics (1-2 outfits)
- • Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant
- • Medication: Prescription refills if in delayed bag
- • Baby supplies: If traveling with infant (diapers, formula)
- • Work essentials: If bag had business documents/tools
Typical range: €50-€150 per day of delay, up to €500-€800 total for multi-day delays
❌ NOT Reimbursable
- • Luxury items: Designer clothes, expensive brands
- • Full wardrobe: Multiple outfits, excessive shopping
- • Electronics: Cameras, tablets bought during delay
- • Souvenirs: Items you'd buy anyway
- • Hotel upgrades: Airline only covers essentials, not comfort
Key principle: "Reasonable and necessary" - what you need to function during delay, not what you want
Delay Duration and Compensation Guidelines
| Delay Length | What You Can Buy | Typical Reimbursement |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Basic toiletries, 1 change of underwear | €50-€100 |
| 2-3 days | Above + 1-2 outfits, shoes if needed | €150-€250 |
| 4-7 days | Full basic wardrobe for trip duration | €300-€500 |
| 8+ days | Essentials for extended period (but not full replacement) | €500-€800 |
Important: Keep ALL Receipts
Airlines will NOT reimburse without receipts. When buying essentials:
- Keep every receipt, no matter how small
- Take photos of receipts (in case original is lost)
- Buy from reputable stores (not street vendors - need receipts)
- Annotate receipts with "delayed bag essentials - [date]"
How to File Delayed Bag Reimbursement Claim
Frequently Asked Questions
How much compensation can I get for lost baggage?
What's the difference between lost and delayed baggage compensation?
Do I need receipts to claim compensation?
Are there items airlines won't compensate?
What if my bag was delayed and I had to buy emergency items?
How long does the airline have to find my delayed bag?
Can I sue the airline for more than the Montreal Convention limit?
What if my bag was damaged during the flight?
Are domestic and international flights covered the same way?
What's the Property Irregularity Report (PIR) and why is it critical?
How long do I have to file a baggage claim?
Can I claim if my bag was stolen from baggage claim?
Baggage Compensation Success Stories
Lost Bag with Documented Contents
Passenger traveling London → Singapore. Bag lost with €1,500 in clothing, electronics, gifts. Provided receipts for all major items.
Result:
Airline initially offered €800. Passenger countered with receipts proving €1,450 value. Settled at €1,288 (full Montreal Convention limit). Timeline: 12 weeks from loss to payment.
5-Day Delayed Bag Essentials
Family of 3 on vacation, all bags delayed 5 days. Purchased clothing, toiletries, baby supplies. Total receipts: €380 for essential items.
Result:
Airline reimbursed €340 (rejected €40 for "non-essential" toy purchases). 89% reimbursement rate. Paid within 45 days of claim submission with all receipts.
Damaged Suitcase + Contents
Suitcase arrived with broken wheels and zipper. Laptop inside was damaged. Reported immediately at airport with PIR.
Result:
Luggage repair estimate: €85. Laptop repair: €90. Airline paid €175 total within 30 days. Filed claim within 7-day damage reporting window (critical for success).
2024-2025 DOT Baggage Compensation Updates
New Refund Rules (Effective April 2024)
DOT mandated automatic cash refunds for significantly delayed baggage without requiring passengers to request refunds:
- Domestic flights: Baggage fees must be refunded if bag is delayed more than 12 hours
- International flights <12 hours: Refund required if delayed more than 15 hours
- International flights >12 hours: Refund required if delayed more than 30 hours
- Automatic: Airlines must proactively refund without passenger having to ask
Maximum Liability Limits (2024-2025)
🇺🇸 U.S. Domestic Flights
$3,800
Per passenger (DOT regulation)
Some sources indicate up to $4,700 per DOT; verify with airline
✈️ International Flights
~$2,175
1,519 SDR (Montreal Convention)
Special Drawing Rights, fluctuates with exchange rates
Exception: Assistive devices (wheelchairs, hearing aids, prosthetics) are NOT subject to these limits. Airlines must compensate for the original purchase price.
What Airlines Must Compensate
For Delayed Baggage:
Reasonable, verifiable, actual incidental expenses (toiletries, clothing, essentials) while bag is delayed, subject to maximum liability limits
For Lost Baggage:
Bags' contents (subject to depreciation and maximum limits) + refund of checked bag fees. Most airlines declare bags lost between 5-14 days.
For Damaged Baggage:
Repair costs or reimbursement for damaged bag and/or contents when damage occurs under airline's control
⚠️ Critical Deadlines (Miss These = No Compensation)
- Damaged baggage: Report within 7 days of receiving bag (international and domestic)
- Delayed baggage: Report within 21 days of receiving bag (international), immediately for domestic
- Lost baggage: File claim as soon as airline declares bag lost (5-14 days typically)
- If you miss these deadlines, airlines can legally deny your claim entirely
Baggage Lost, Delayed, or Damaged?
Baggage liability varies by jurisdiction and flight type. Our AI will analyze your flight route (international vs domestic), applicable conventions (Montreal Convention for international flights), and calculate your maximum compensation (up to €1,507 international, $3,800 US domestic). File your claim with proper documentation.
Free claim templates • Montreal Convention guidance • 68% success rate