If your checked luggage goes missing, arrives damaged, or is severely delayed, the Montreal Convention holds airlines financially responsible for your proven losses.
For international flights, your baggage is protected under a treaty called the Montreal Convention. Unlike flight delay compensation (which pays out a flat rate based on distance), baggage compensation requires you to prove the financial value of what was lost, damaged, or purchased due to delay.
Effective December 28, 2024, the liability limit for baggage claims was officially increased to 1,519 Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) per passenger.
A Special Drawing Right is an international monetary unit created by the International Monetary Fund. Because currency values fluctuate, the exact payout in your local currency will vary depending on the exchange rate the day your claim is settled. However, 1,519 SDRs roughly equates to £1,600 or €1,900.
Airlines only pay for proven damages. You cannot automatically claim the maximum amount just because your bag was delayed. You must provide receipts to prove the value of the items you are claiming.
If your luggage does not arrive on the carousel with you, it is considered delayed. You are legally entitled to purchase essential items (such as toiletries, basic clothing, or underwear) to tide you over until your bag is delivered. The airline must reimburse you for these reasonable expenses.
If your baggage has not been found and delivered to you within 21 days of your flight, it is considered “lost” under the Montreal Convention. At this point, you can file a claim for the entire value of the suitcase and its contents.
If your suitcase is visibly damaged (e.g., broken wheels, slashed fabric, crushed casing) or items inside are destroyed, you can claim the cost of repairing or replacing the bag and the damaged contents.
The single most common reason airlines reject baggage claims is because the passenger left the airport without reporting the issue. You must visit the baggage claim desk and request a Property Irregularity Report (PIR).
This document is your legal proof that you reported the issue directly to the airline on the day of travel. Ensure you keep your copy of the PIR and your original baggage tags.
Tell us what happened with your luggage, and we’ll help you figure out your next steps for getting compensated.
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