What To Do If Your Baggage Is Delayed

Delayed baggage can usually be resolved quickly if you take the right steps at the airport, keep your evidence organised, and file your claim on time.

Delayed baggage: What to do at the airport and how to claim

If your checked bag doesn't show up on the carousel, remember this. Chances are, it will almost certainly be found and delivered, usually within 24 to 48 hours. Most delays are caused by missed connections, handling errors, or loading issues, so your airline just has to locate it and send it to you.

However, in order for them to find it quickly, you need to take a few steps right away before you leave the airport. This will determine whether you're compensated for the inconvenience or left empty-handed. Here's a map explaining exactly what to do if your baggage is delayed.

The 5 steps to take immediately when your bags are delayed

1. Fill out a Property Irregularity Report (PIR)

This is the single most important thing to do, because everything else depends on it. So, report your delayed baggage right away, before leaving the airport. If there's no one at the baggage help desk, you can usually make a report on your airline's website.

A Property Irregularity Report is the official record that your checked luggage was missing when you arrived. You file it at the airline's baggage desk or lost luggage counter. Without the PIR (also called a Baggage Irregularity Report) airlines will deny compensation and they're within their rights to do so.

When you file your PIR, you'll receive:

• A reference number to track your bag's whereabouts
• An official record that triggers the airline's investigation
• The legal foundation for any compensation claim you make

2. Document and keep evidence of everything

While you're at the baggage desk, ask for written confirmation of:

• The date and time your baggage delay was reported
• Your PIR reference number
• The airline's contact information and next steps

Screenshot it, photograph it, or email it to yourself, because a paper trail of strong evidence will help you get the best possible outcome for your case.

3. Buy the things you need, but stick with the essentials

If you're away from home when your bag is delayed, you're entitled to buy a few things to get you through your trip. But remember, you can't go on a shopping spree. You'll need to stick to the basics like a change of clothes, toiletries, underwear, and perhaps a phone charger.

And, most importantly, keep your receipts. A credit card statement of your purchases alone won't cut it. You need itemised receipts that show exactly what you bought and how much it cost. Without them, the airline has no obligation to reimburse you.

4. Understand your baggage rights & file a claim

Find out which laws apply to your flight, and file your claim within the correct timeframe.

For UK domestic and international flights, you have to file your compensation claim within 21 days of the date your baggage was returned to you.

If your luggage wasn't returned after 21 days of your arrival, your bags are classified as officially lost. So, at that point, you have up to 2 years to file a lost baggage claim.

Not sure which applies to your flight? Enter your flight details, and we'll check.

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5. Follow up with the airline

Once you're home, contact your airline in writing, and check your bag's status using the PIR reference number. Always contact the airline in writing. This way, you'll have a record of what you sent and when. If you write to the airline using a website form, take screenshots of your progress and keep these for your records.

How much can you claim for delayed baggage?

The amount you can claim depends on which law covers your flight.

For international flights, the Montreal Convention sets the rules. If your flight involved any of the 135 countries that have ratified the Convention, you could get as much as $2,000 USD / EUR 1,920 for delayed baggage claims.

The amount you receive depends on how much you spent while your bags were missing and the receipts you can provide to prove these expenses.

What if the airline rejects or ignores your claim?

If your airline is dragging its feet, low-balling your expenses, or has outright rejected your claim, BagHelp can step in to help. We know the regulations, we understand how airlines operate, and we can even take the case to court on your behalf. If you don't want to deal with the airline at all, we can handle it all for you from the beginning. Just enter your basic flight details to begin.

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