Get airline compensation for lost or delayed luggage

Summary

You’re more likely to get compensation if you act quickly. You should: * report the problem to the airline straight away * check deadlines \- you may have to claim within 7 days of your flight If you have travel insurance or home contents insurance that covers luggage, you’re likely to be better off making an insurance claim instead. You’ll probably get more money and find it easier to claim this way. What you can get from the airline is usually limited to money for: * the bare essentials you need if your luggage is delayed, eg toiletries and underwear * part of the cost of replacing or repairing lost luggage and contents If you have to collect delayed luggage yourself, you may be able to get the airline to pay for transport costs. Airlines often want receipts for everything included in your claim, and they won’t usually pay: * ‘new for old’ replacement for anything lost or damaged * for anything valuable, fragile or perishable in checked-in luggage * more than around £1,000 total compensation - and it’s usually a lot less * for stress, inconvenience or other things that happen because of a problem with your luggage, eg you miss a connection Report the problem to the airline.

Key information

• •report the problem to the airline straight away
• •check deadlines \- you may have to claim within 7 days of your flight
• •the bare essentials you need if your luggage is delayed, eg toiletries and underwear
• •part of the cost of replacing or repairing lost luggage and contents
• •‘new for old’ replacement for anything lost or damaged
• •for anything valuable, fragile or perishable in checked-in luggage
• •more than around £1,000 total compensation - and it’s usually a lot less
• •for stress, inconvenience or other things that happen because of a problem with your luggage, eg you miss a connection
• •if your luggage was faulty
• •your luggage labels (these have a bar-code and number to identify your luggage)
• •proof you reported the problem, eg your PIR form or email from the airline
• •receipts for things you had to buy because of a delay

Practical guidance

• •Source: [Get airline compensation for lost or delayed luggage](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/holiday-cancellations-and-compensation/get-airline-compensation-for-lost-or-delayed-luggage/)

Related topics