Your flight lands. You clear customs. You walk to baggage claim. You wait. And wait. Everyone else grabs their bags and leaves. The carousel slows. Stops. Your bag never showed up.
It's one of the most frustrating travel situations you can face. But lost luggage doesn't have to destroy your trip if you know what to do next.
Here's exactly how to handle it, what you're entitled to, and how to reduce the chances of it happening again.
What to do immediately (before you leave the airport)
Don't leave the airport until you've reported it. This is critical.
Find the airline's baggage services desk—usually near baggage claim. If you can't find it, ask airport staff or check your airline's app for the location.
File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). This is the official record that your bag is missing. You'll need:
- Your baggage claim ticket (the tag attached to your boarding pass)
- Flight details - Description of your bag (colour, brand, size, distinctive features)
- Contents estimate (approximate value)
- Delivery address (where you want the bag sent when found)
Get a reference number. This is how you'll track your case. Write it down. Take a photo. Save it in your phone. You'll need it for every follow-up.
Ask about compensation for essentials. Many airlines provide immediate funds for toiletries and clothing if your bag is delayed. The amount varies, but it's usually enough for basics. Ask specifically—they won't always offer unprompted.
Don't assume your bag is permanently lost yet. Most "lost" bags are just delayed and show up within 24-48 hours. Airlines call this "mishandled baggage," not lost baggage.
Track your bag actively
Don't just wait for the airline to contact you. Stay on top of it.
Check the airline's baggage tracking system regularly. Most airlines have online portals or apps where you can enter your PIR number and see status updates. Check it daily.
Call the baggage services number if there's no update after 24 hours. Be polite but persistent. Have your reference number ready. Ask specific questions: Where was the bag last scanned? What's the expected delivery timeframe?
If you have a Universal Tracker For Luggage And Keys attached to your bag, check it.
If you have a tracker attached to your bag (for example, a Bluetooth tracker that works with Apple Find My), you may be able to see a location or last known location and play a sound when you’re nearby. It won’t replace the airline’s system, but it can give you an extra data point to share with baggage services.
Keep records of everything. Screenshot tracking updates. Save emails. Note down who you spoke to and when. If you need to claim compensation later, documentation matters.
What you're entitled to (and how to get it)
Airlines often compensate, depending on the route/airline/regulations, for delayed or lost baggage. The specifics depend on the airline, route, and local regulations, but here are the general rules. Rules and limits vary—check your airline and travel insurer for your route.
For delayed bags (bags that eventually arrive): You can claim reasonable expenses for essentials you had to buy while waiting. This typically includes:
- Clothing and underwear
- Toiletries
- Medications (if you can't get a local prescription)
Keep all receipts. Buy only what you genuinely need. Airlines won't reimburse you for designer clothes or luxury items, but they will cover basics.
Submit your claim with receipts and your PIR number. Most airlines have a time limit (usually 21 days from when your bag is returned) to file expense claims.
For permanently lost bags (after 21 days, bags are usually declared lost): You're entitled to compensation up to a maximum limit set by international agreements. For most international flights, this is around 1,700 SDR (Special Drawing Rights), which equals roughly AUD 3,400-3,600 depending on exchange rates.
This doesn't mean you automatically get the maximum. You need to prove what was in your bag and its value. Receipts help. Photos of packed items help. Even credit card statements showing recent purchases can support your claim.
Airlines will try to settle for less. Don't accept the first offer if it's unreasonably low. Push back with documentation.
Travel insurance may cover the gap. If your bag's contents exceeded the airline's liability limit, your travel insurance might cover the difference. Check your policy and file a claim with both the airline and your insurer.
Buy what you need (smartly)
If your bag is delayed and you need essentials, buy strategically.
Prioritise absolute necessities first:
- One or two changes of clothes (enough to get by)
- Underwear and socks
- Basic toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap)
- Any urgent medications
Don't go overboard. Airlines reimburse reasonable expenses, not shopping sprees. A $200 outfit is harder to justify than $50 worth of basics.
Keep receipts for everything. Photograph them as backup in case you lose the physical copies.
Consider buying cheaper items if you're confident the bag will arrive soon. You're not building a permanent wardrobe—you're covering a few days. Discount stores work fine.
If your bag doesn't arrive and you need more, buy incrementally. It's easier to justify gradual purchases over several days than one large shopping trip.
How to avoid it next time
Lost luggage happens, but you can reduce the risk significantly.
Pack essentials in your carry-on. Always. One change of clothes, medications, toiletries, chargers, and important documents. If your checked bag goes missing, you can still function. A well-organised Carry-On Suitcase with a few essentials means you're inconvenienced, not stranded.
Use a universal luggage tracker. Attach a GPS or Bluetooth tracker to your checked bag. If it goes missing, you may be able to see its location or last known location. This takes the guesswork out of tracking and gives you concrete information to share with the airline.
Make your bag distinctive. Bright luggage tags, colourful straps, stickers—anything that makes your black suitcase stand out from the other 50 identical black suitcases. This reduces the chance of someone else grabbing your bag by mistake.
Take a photo of your bag before checking it. If it goes missing, you have a clear visual to show airline staff. Include any unique markings or damage.
Remove old baggage tags. Leftover tags from previous flights can confuse baggage handlers and send your bag to the wrong destination.
Double-check your baggage tag at check-in. Make sure the destination code matches where you're actually going. Mistakes happen, and catching them early prevents problems.
Avoid tight connections. If you're transferring between flights with only 45 minutes between them, your bag might not make it, even if you do. Longer layovers give your luggage a better chance of keeping up.
What if your bag is truly lost (not just delayed)?
After 21 days, most airlines declare a bag officially lost. At this point, the process shifts from tracking to compensation. You'll receive a final notification from the airline. This triggers the formal claims process.
File your claim immediately. Submit:
- Your PIR reference number
- Receipts for the bag itself (if you have them)
- Receipts or proof of contents value
- Photos of packed items (if available)
- List of contents with estimated values
Be thorough but honest. Claiming your bag contained $10,000 worth of designer goods when you have no proof won't work. Airlines investigate high-value claims.
Expect negotiation. The airline's first offer is often lower than what you're entitled to. Counter with documentation and justification for a higher amount.
Use travel insurance if the airline's payout doesn't cover your loss. Many policies include baggage coverage that supplements airline compensation. Replace what you lost strategically.
If you were travelling with well-used items, you're not entitled to brand-new premium replacements. Compensation is based on depreciated value, not replacement cost.
Stay calm and document everything
Lost luggage is frustrating. It derails plans. It costs money and time.
But getting angry at airline staff doesn't speed up the process. Stay polite, stay persistent, and keep records.
The better your documentation, the smoother your claim process. The calmer you stay, the more helpful people will be.
Most bags show up eventually. The ones that don't get compensated if you follow the process properly.
Prepare for the possibility by packing smart, keeping essentials in your Travel Backpack. Prevention beats compensation every time.Â
The bottom line
Losing your luggage doesn't have to ruin your trip. File a report immediately. Track actively. Know your rights. Buy what you need and keep receipts. Document everything. And next time, pack essentials in your carry-on and use a tracker.
Being prepared means you're inconvenienced, not helpless. Most lost bags eventually turn up. The ones that don't can be claimed and compensated. Either way, you'll get through it.
