Delayed bag: what to do

Have this ready

• bag tag
• file reference number from the baggage report
• receipts for essentials

Steps for any company

1. Report it at the airport baggage office before you leave. Get the file reference number.

2. Buy only reasonable essentials and keep every receipt.

3. Submit the expense claim within the airline's deadline.

4. If the bag was late by more than the threshold in rules/dot-refunds-rule, ask for the checked bag fee back.

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

Company playbooks (10)

• Alaska AirlinesReport the missing bag within 24 hours, then give written notice and proof within 45 days.
• Allegiant AirComplete a Mishandled Baggage Report at the airport within 12 hours of arrival, then mail or email receipts to System Baggage Services.
• American AirlinesReport before leaving the airport (within 4 hours of arrival on U.S. flights), keep the 13-character file ID, and claim expenses within 30 days.
• Breeze AirwaysReport the missing bag to a Team Member at the arrival airport within one hour; follow up through the Contact Center after 10 days.
• Delta Air LinesFile a delayed-bag report at the Baggage Service Office, keep the file reference number, and claim essentials with receipts.
• Frontier AirlinesReport within 4 hours of arrival at the Baggage Service Office, then track and claim through the NetTracer portal.
• JetBlue AirwaysFile the online bag claim within four hours of landing and upload receipts for essentials.
• Southwest AirlinesReport a missing bag within 4 hours of arrival and get a Baggage report number; bag fees are refunded at 12 hours.
• Sun Country AirlinesFile a Mishandled Baggage Notice within four hours of arrival, then complete the claim within 45 days.
• United AirlinesReport the bag within 24 hours of arrival (21 days if international), then claim clothes and toiletries within 45 days (21 days if international).

Guides

• Airlines — how complaints work