Where’s your bag?

01Delayed and Lost Baggage Compensation in the USA, EU, and Other Flights

Nothing is ever more frustrating than reaching your destination only to realize that your luggage is nowhere to be found. Fortunately, you can claim compensation for all types of luggage issues, especially for delayed and baggage compensation and luggage damaged by the airline. Should these issues happen during your flight, you can initiate a baggage compensation claim directly with the flight company or contact StopDelay to make things easier.

As an extra, if you are dealing with delays or cancellations, you can ask for StopDelay to check your eligibility and seek compensation on your behalf. This can be done whether or not your luggage went through any issues.

02How Can You Get Compensation for Delayed Baggage in the US?

When dealing with inconveniences such as delayed baggage, there are specific steps you should take to receive justice. Below is a delayed baggage compensation guide to help you secure your reimbursement:

Hang Onto the Travel Documents and Receipts

When dealing with lost or delayed luggage, you must hang onto two documents: your boarding pass and the checked luggage receipt. If you misplaced or lost your boarding pass, don’t worry; what’s important is the booking reference number. You can find that six-digit code on your flight documents, so start by checking your email.

Let the Airline Know About Your Baggage Situation

Next, you need to inform the airline immediately that your luggage did not turn up. Most airlines make it a requirement, but it can depend on who you are flying with. Make sure to do your research beforehand.

Fill Out a Property Irregularity Report

The next step is filling out a property irregularity report (PIR). Once that’s done, you should be given a file reference number. Hang onto these reports at least until your luggage turns up

Ask for a Bag Fee Rebate

If you were charged a bag fee, chances are that some airlines will give you a rebate if you ask for it. This could depend on the airline you flew with, but it’s worth asking for it. Most airlines will try to give airline credit instead, but if possible, ask for cash. If they still don’t budge, you might want to add this to their compensation claim.

Track the Luggage

With your file reference number, it is time to start tracking your bag. Most airlines have these tools that can give you an idea of where your bag is and when you may be able to get it back.

Keep the Receipts

You brought luggage for a reason, such as bringing clothes and necessities. When those are gone, you are forced into getting new ones. After you file a claim, you may be able to get reimbursed for those unnecessary expenses.

File a Claim

If the delay or baggage loss led to unnecessary expenses, then this can entitle you to file a claim. Keep in mind that if you have any plans to file the claim, you have to do it within 45 days. This might vary from one airline to another, so do your research first.

Following these steps is simple enough, and by doing so, you can get your delayed baggage compensation for flights within the US.

03Receiving Compensation for Delayed Baggage in EU and Other International Flights

If your checked-in luggage doesn’t make it to your destination when flying internationally or within the EU, you need to learn how to file for delayed baggage compensation. Below are a couple of steps for you to do so:

Keep Your Travel Documents

Your boarding pass and your checked luggage receipt are the ultimate proof that you were supposed to get your luggage. If you can’t locate your boarding pass, don’t fret; you’ll need the booking reference number. You can find that on any document related to your flight reservation.

Notify the Airline

Next, you should tell the airline that your luggage was nowhere to be found. Ideally, this should be done before you leave the airport.

Fill Out the PIR

The next thing on the list is filling out your property irregularity report (PIR), officially informing the airline that something is amiss with your luggage. Keep all the related documents, as you might need them later on.

Track the Luggage

When you file the report, you’ll receive a reference number to track where your luggage is and how long it will take until it reaches you.

Keep the Receipts

If your lost luggage contained essentials such as underwear or toiletries that you had to replace, then you should keep your receipts. This way, you should be able to seek reimbursement for them.

File a Claim

Once you get your luggage back, you have 21 days to file a compensation claim, where you can get reimbursed for unnecessary expenses. Make sure to hang onto the receipts, as these will be needed for validation.

04Claiming Compensation for Lost Luggage in US Fights

When flying domestically within the US, filing for lost baggage compensation as soon as possible is essential. Below are the steps to follow to secure it:

Keep the File Reference Number

When you file a Property Irregularity Report, you will receive a file reference number that lets you track your suitcases. Make sure to hang onto it, as it will serve as proof that you tried to get your luggage back.

Hang Onto Potential Receipts

Don’t be tempted to throw the receipts in the bin like you usually do. Keeping them proves that you had to spend unnecessary funds on essentials such as underwear and toiletries, and the receipts could help you get reimbursed.

Make a List of Things in Your Luggage

If your luggage is completely lost, you should be reimbursed for the contents – but you’ll also need to give them a list of what was inside. Be as detailed as possible because there’s a chance you might get reimbursed a rounded amount of money that could cover everything you packed.

File a Compensation Claim

With everything said and done, the last thing you will have to do is contact the airline to see if there’s a deadline for filing lost baggage compensation. Sticking to these timelines is essential – otherwise, your claim will be considered invalid. Add all the documents that would serve as proof, as this should make your compensation for lost luggage case more powerful.

By diligently following these steps, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to get compensation for lost baggage when flying within the US. Make sure to scan through the airline’s policy to be certain you don’t accidentally miss any deadlines.

05Getting Compensation for Lost Luggage in EU and International Flights

When traveling within the EU or internationally, you should follow some standard steps when your baggage gets misplaced. Here is how you can seek compensation for lost luggage:

Keep the File Reference Number

You will get a file reference number once you file the PIR report and notice that your bags are not there. The luggage is considered officially lost if 21 days have passed and the airline has been unsuccessful in locating the bags for you.

Hang Onto Receipts

Did you buy any toiletries or underwear while the baggage was lost? Perhaps your only change of clothing was on yourself because the rest was checked in. If that’s the case, having those receipts could prove that you had to spend money unnecessarily.

Create a List of the Contents

The next step would be to create a list of items in your bag. If you still have the receipts for them, whether they are in physical form or fished from your email, add them to your claim. This will help you get the appropriate value based on the contents.

File the Claim

Now that all your documents are well in order, it is time to file a claim for lost luggage. Make sure to add every piece of information you can get your hands on, including potential receipts.

By following these steps, it should be easy for you to file for compensation for delayed and lost luggage.

We also use our knowledge of the Montreal Convention to ensure you get compensated for damaged, delayed, or lost luggage. We can help you get up to 1,500 EUR (1,700 USD) in compensation for any inconveniences you may have encountered.

06Filing for Damaged Baggage Compensation for US Flights

Sometimes, the luggage may arrive at the destination, but the condition of the suitcase or contents may not be as peachy. Should this happen, you might want to follow the steps below to get your compensation for damaged luggage:

Get Your Travel Documents

The most important documents in this case are your checked luggage receipt and boarding pass. If you can’t seem to locate your boarding pass, just take your booking reference number from any flight document for this specific trip.

File Before Leaving

Ideally, you should file the report before you leave the airport, as most airlines won’t let you do that after you exit those gates. Some airlines still let you do it at a later point if it was not possible at first, but you may want to check their policy first.

Fill Out a PIR

The next thing you’ll have to do is fill out a Property Irregularity Report. They’ll probably ask you to do it even if you went to them, as it is an official document.

Show Proof of Damage

Ideally, you should present your bags to be inspected right before you leave the airport. If they allow you to do it later, make sure to show pictures. From that point, they can determine whether repairing or replacing the entire broken item is cheaper.

File a Claim

There may be some cases where the airline may try to shift responsibility, but provided your case is compelling, you should get compensated for the damaged items. You just need to prove they were essential for you.

07Getting Damaged Baggage Compensation in the EU or International Flights

If you fly internationally or in the EU, you may file for compensation for damaged baggage if your belongings don’t arrive in one piece. Here’s what you’ll have to do:

Keep Your Travel Documents

Don’t be so quick to throw away your boarding pass or checked luggage receipts. They can help you prove your case. If you don’t have your boarding pass, you can take the booking reference number from the ticket or email containing your reservation.

Report It Immediately

The more time passes, the more difficult it will be to prove that the damage occurred while the airline handled the bags. This is why you should file before you exit the airport.

Fill Out the Damage Claim Form

The next step is to fill out the Property Irregularity Report (PIR). You can do it either at the airport or sometimes online, on the airline’s website.

Show Proof of Damage

Ideally, you should have the luggage inspected by the airline staff before you step out of the airport. They will then decide the following steps (i.e., whether to replace or repair the item).

File a Claim

The airline may try to resist and claim they are not liable for the damage, but if your case is compelling enough, you may get compensated for it.

If your flight was canceled or delayed, leading to your luggage being lost, StopDelay can help you get compensation. Regardless of the airline or country, we charge no fee for the process unless we win the case!