Flight refunds & compensation
Bag lost, delayed or damaged? The airline must pay.
Airlines are liable for your baggage under international law. The catch: strict reporting deadlines and a paperwork process most people give up on.
Prefer to talk? Call +1 844 557-2216 — our agents can also rebook you.
Free eligibility checker
60 seconds. No account. We tell you what you're owed and who can get it for you.
Deadlines that matter
| Problem | Report at airport | Written claim within |
|---|---|---|
| Damaged bag | Yes — get a PIR | 7 days |
| Delayed bag | Yes — get a PIR | 21 days of receiving it |
| Lost bag (21+ days) | Yes — get a PIR | Claim for full value |
The Property Irregularity Report (PIR) number from the baggage desk is essential. Without it, claims are routinely refused.
What you can claim
Under the Montreal Convention, liability is capped at roughly 1,500 SDR per passenger (about $2,000), covering the bag, its contents and reasonable essentials bought while it was missing. On US domestic flights the DOT cap is $4,700. Keep every receipt and list contents with approximate values. Declaring high-value items at check-in (with a fee) raises the cap.
Delayed bag on a trip
Buy only what's reasonable — toiletries, a change of clothes, chargers — and claim the receipts. Airlines pay these even when the bag eventually turns up.
Credit card and insurance
Many travel credit cards include baggage delay cover from 6 hours, paying $100–$500 for essentials without the airline's paperwork. Check your card benefits before you shop.
Common questions
The airline says my bag is 'delayed', not lost. For how long?
After 21 days a delayed bag is legally lost and you can claim its full value up to the cap.
I didn't get a PIR at the airport. Am I out of luck?
Report it to the airline in writing immediately — within 7 days for damage. Some airlines accept late reports with evidence, but it's much harder.
Can I claim for jewellery or electronics?
Only up to the cap unless you declared them. Most airlines exclude fragile and valuable items from checked-bag liability.
How it works
Enter your flight
Airports, airline, date and what went wrong. Our checker applies EU261, UK261, US DOT and Montreal Convention rules instantly.
See what you're owed
A clear answer: compensation amount per passenger, refund rights, care you were entitled to — and the exceptions airlines use to say no.
Hand it to a claim partner
For compensation cases we connect you to licensed no-win-no-fee firms that chase the airline, including in court. You pay nothing unless they win.
Flight disrupted in the last 6 years?
It takes a minute to find out what the airline owes you.