American & Delta Baggage Claim: Lost, Delayed, and Damaged Bags in 2026

Both airlines are bound by the same underlying rules — US Department of Transportation limits on domestic flights, the Montreal Convention internationally — so what changes is the paperwork, not your fundamental rights. Items left in the terminal or at security are lost and found, not this process. United's claim path is separate: United lost or delayed baggage.

The rules that cover both airlines

Before the airline-specific steps, the framework that applies to each:

• Domestic flights: the DOT (14 CFR Part 254) requires reimbursement of reasonable, verifiable expenses from a delay, up to $4,700 per passenger. Neither airline may impose arbitrary daily caps — that violates DOT rules. (Delta publishes a $50-per-day guideline for the first five days; it is not a cap, and extra documented costs can still be reviewed up to the liability limit.)
• International flights: the Montreal Convention caps liability at 1,519 SDRs per passenger (about $2,175 on DOT's published conversion), not per bag. ICAO raised that figure from 1,288 SDRs on 28 December 2024 — older guides still quote the previous limit.
• Damage exclusions: airlines aren't liable for pre-existing damage or damage from improper packing, and they negotiate a depreciated value when a bag can't be repaired. TSA inspection damage is a TSA matter, not the airline's.
• File at the final destination and, for connections on a bag checked through, you claim from the airline that operated the final leg.

Checked-bag fees and size limits: American checked baggage and Delta checked baggage.

American Airlines

Report it: at the airport, an American agent gives you a 13-character file ID when you file a report. You use that file ID to submit your claim and to track your bag. On US, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands arrivals you can also start from a QR code in baggage claim without visiting the desk.

Deadlines (from American's delayed-or-damaged page — confirm if your ticket is unusual):

• Delayed bag, US trips: report within 4 hours of arriving at your destination (within 12 hours if you used Bags VIP Luggage Delivery). International: report on arrival before you leave the airport.
• Damaged bag: file a report before leaving the airport, or within 6 hours of receiving your bags on US flights; within 7 days of receiving them on international flights.
• Delayed-bag expenses: send your reimbursement information within 30 days of the delay, with the file ID, ticket receipt, bag tags, and original dated itemised receipts.

How it resolves: American's Central Baggage Resolution Office searches for the bag. If your bag has been missing 5 or more days, submit an online claim with the file ID. If they can't find it, a final decision is emailed to you under American's conditions of carriage. American reimburses reasonable, necessary items you needed while away without your bag — and any expense reimbursement is deducted from the final settlement if the bag is ultimately declared lost. Submitting online is the fastest route.

Delta Air Lines

Report it: file at the Delta Baggage Service Office and reference the PIR / file reference number from that initial report on any later claim.

Deadlines — note the 8 October 2025 change:

• Damaged bag, domestic: report in person at the Baggage Service Office within 6 hours of arrival for tickets issued on or after 8 October 2025 (it was 24 hours for tickets issued before that date). Exceptions (mobility devices; damage not obvious from the outside; delayed bags returned later; unaccompanied minors and passengers with disabilities) still have a 24-hour path, including via Reservations or delta.com. International damage remains 7 days.
• Delayed bag, 5 days or less: the BSO report is enough for delivery if they find it. File an Out-of-Pocket Expense Claim with itemised receipts if you needed essentials.
• Delayed bag, 6 days or more: submit a Potential Property Loss Claim online referencing your PIR.
• Lost: if the bag is not located within 21 days of arrival, Delta treats it as lost and contacts you about settlement. International Montreal windows still apply — delay within 21 days, damage within 7.

The 20-minute guarantee: on eligible domestic US and Puerto Rico flights marketed and operated by Delta or Delta Connection, SkyMiles members can request 2,500 bonus miles if a checked bag is not on the carousel within 20 minutes of gate arrival. File at delta.com/bagsontime (or delta.com/bag-guarantee) within two hours of arrival — not a few days. Oversized, overweight, and special items are excluded. It is a perk, not delay compensation.

What to keep, for either airline

• The file reference (American's 13-character file ID / Delta's PIR number)
• Boarding pass and checked-bag tags
• Itemised receipts for everything bought during the delay — both airlines deny undocumented claims
• Photos of any damage
• All correspondence

What belongs in the hold versus the cabin is a different question: what you can pack in checked baggage.

If you booked with one airline but flew another

File with the airline that operated the final leg of your trip — they handle all baggage issues for that itinerary. Delta adds a useful backstop: if you booked through Delta and the operating carrier hasn't responded within 30 days, Delta says to contact them for help.