Flying With American, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue Or Other Airlines Important Details You Need To Know If Your Luggage Is Lost, Delayed Or Damaged

Unlike other aspects of air travel, airlines are not allowed to impose arbitrary daily limits on how much they reimburse for delayed baggage. That said, reimbursement policies can vary, so stay in contact with the airline. Some carriers may even offer goodwill gestures like frequent flyer miles or vouchers if your bag is delayed for an extended period.

Additionally, as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation's new policy, major airlines such as Delta, United, American, JetBlue, and Southwest now offer automatic refunds for travelers.

If your bag is declared lost, the airline must compensate you for the depreciated value of its contents. The compensation cap is $3,800 for domestic flights and approximately $1,700 for international travel. Keep in mind that airlines generally pay for the current value of the items in your bag, not their replacement cost. This means they compensate you based on the condition of the items when they were lost.

If you travel with a mobility device, such as a wheelchair, airlines are held to a higher standard of responsibility. In cases where a mobility device is lost or damaged, the airline must repair or replace it at its full original value. This ensures travelers with disabilities have the tools they need to maintain their independence, even when things go wrong during their journey.