Damaged bag: what to do

Have this ready

• photos of the damage
• bag tag
• report number
• repair estimate or receipt

Steps for any company

1. Report the damage at the airport, or within the airline's deadline after arrival.

2. Photograph the damage before you repair or discard anything.

3. Submit a repair or replacement claim with the estimate.

A company playbook below replaces these generic steps with the company’s own forms, phone numbers and deadlines.

Company playbooks (10)

• Alaska AirlinesReport damage within 24 hours and send written proof within 45 days.
• Allegiant AirReport damage within 12 hours of arrival (24 hours for missing contents; 72 hours for mobility devices).
• American AirlinesReport damage before leaving the airport or within 6 hours of receiving the bag on U.S. flights (7 days international); missing contents within 24 hours.
• Breeze AirwaysReport damage to a Team Member at the arrival airport within one hour of arrival.
• Delta Air LinesReport damage at the Baggage Service Office before leaving the airport; the domestic deadline is 6 hours.
• Frontier AirlinesReport damage within 4 hours of arrival (24 hours for pilferage) and submit documentation within 30 days.
• JetBlue AirwaysReport damage within four hours of landing online, or within four hours of delivery by phone if the damage is found after delivery.
• Southwest AirlinesReport damage in person at the airport within 24 hours and get a Baggage report number.
• Sun Country AirlinesReport damage within four hours of arrival; pilferage claims can be made up to 7 calendar days after arrival.
• United AirlinesReport damage at the Baggage Service Office before leaving, or within 24 hours of arrival (7 days if international); then follow the agent's instructions to claim.

Guides

• Airlines — how complaints work