How much does an airline owe me for a lost bag on a US domestic flight?
The short answer
On a domestic US flight, DOT regulation lets airlines cap their liability for a lost, damaged or delayed bag. DOT's current baggage page gives the maximum the regulation allows as $4,700 per passenger. The airline pays for the contents subject to depreciation, so the real payout is usually based on what your items were worth, and it must also refund the bag fee.
What is the domestic limit?
For domestic flights, DOT regulation allows airlines to limit their liability for a lost, damaged or delayed bag. Airlines are free to pay more than the limit but are not required to. DOT's Lost, Delayed, or Damaged Baggage page, last updated 29 October 2025, states that the maximum liability amount allowed by the regulation is $4,700 per passenger.
Older figures, including $3,800, may still appear on airline pages and in older guides. The DOT page we read gives $4,700, so use that figure and check your airline's contract of carriage.
What will the airline actually pay?
Once an airline declares your bag lost, it is responsible for compensating you for the bag's contents, subject to depreciation and the maximum liability limit. Airlines may ask for receipts or other proof for valuable items.
The limit is a ceiling, not a set payout. If the bag is damaged and cannot be repaired, the airline negotiates compensation based on the value of the bag and its depreciation.
When is a bag treated as lost?
Airlines set their own policies. DOT says most declare a bag lost between five and fourteen days after the flight, but it varies by airline and itinerary. If an airline unreasonably refuses to treat a bag as lost after an unreasonable period, it could face DOT enforcement action.
What else can I claim?
- A refund of the bag fee if the airline declares the bag lost.
- A refund of the bag fee if the bag is significantly delayed. On domestic flights that means not delivered within 12 hours of your flight arriving, and you must file a mishandled baggage report.
- Reasonable, verifiable, actual expenses while a bag is delayed, such as essentials, subject to the liability limit. Airlines cannot set an arbitrary daily cap, for example a flat $50 a day.
- Repair or reimbursement for damage that happens while the bag is in the airline's care. Airlines cannot exclude liability for damage to wheels, handles or straps, although fair wear and tear is not covered.
What will the airline not cover?
On domestic travel, airlines are not required to pay for items they have excluded in their contract of carriage, which often include fragile items, electronics, cash, perishables and other valuables. They are also not responsible for pre-existing damage or damage caused by improper packing.
Assistive devices are treated differently. On a domestic flight the airline's liability for a lost or damaged assistive device is its original purchase price, not the baggage cap.
DOT notes passengers may want extra insurance for valuables, and suggests keeping cash, medicine, keys, passports and similar items in a carry-on.
Sources: US Department of Transportation: Lost, Delayed, or Damaged Baggage. Read 5 November 2026. Rules and fees change, so check the official page before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Is the limit $3,800 or $4,700?
DOT's current baggage page says the maximum liability allowed by the regulation is $4,700 per passenger. Figures such as $3,800 appear in older material, so rely on the current DOT page.
Do I get the full limit if my bag is lost?
Not automatically. The airline compensates for the contents subject to depreciation and the maximum, and may ask for receipts or proof for valuables.
When do I get my bag fee back?
You are entitled to a refund if the airline declares the bag lost or it is significantly delayed. On domestic flights, significantly delayed means not delivered within 12 hours of arrival, and you need to have filed a mishandled baggage report.
Does this apply on international flights?
No. For most international flights the Montreal Convention applies. DOT's page gives its limit as 1,519 Special Drawing Rights, approximately $2,175 per passenger.
When should I file a claim?
As soon as possible. DOT says passengers should file a baggage claim with the airline promptly and stay in close contact with it. If your bag arrives open or damaged, report it before leaving the airport and insist on a written report.