CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Travelers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport were hit with a huge headache Sunday night when a reported breakdown at baggage claim had people waiting up to an hour for their bags.
Do you know your rights as a passenger if an airline delays or misplaced your bags? WCNC Charlotte's Verify team went to the experts to find out if airlines are required to reimburse travelers when they lose their luggage.
THE QUESTION
Do airlines need to reimburse you for a lost or delayed bag?
OUR SOURCES
- Lousson Smith, poduct specialist at Going
- Department of Transportation
THE ANSWER
Yes, you can get reimbursed if your bag is delayed or lost.
WHAT WE FOUND
Airlines are responsible for compensating passengers for "reasonable, verifiable and actual incident expenses if their bag is lost or delayed," according to the DOT.
But how much?
"If your bag is lost, then the airline is responsible for compensating you for the contents of that bag up to a certain point," Smith said.
That point is $3,800 for domestic flights and $1,780 for international travelers. Those are the maximum prices airlines are liable for if a bag is lost, damaged or delayed. However, you shouldn't expect to get that much money.
"The airlines do have the availability to pay above that, but in most cases, they will just tap out at the limit," Smith said.
If your bag is delayed, the cost of the luggage should be reasonable, Smith explained. So what exactly is a reasonable amount?
Delta Air Lines determines a reasonable fee of $50 per day for the first five days a bag is delayed. No other major airline clearly defines reasonable expenses in their baggage policy. Smith said it's important to keep your receipts if you plan on trying to get reimbursed.
"If your bag is delayed and you have to purchase clothing, just make sure you can keep your receipt," Smith said. "In due time, you will get reimbursed up to those amounts."
If an airline loses your bag, Smith says the first thing you should do is file a claim. Remember, the airline's only going to reimburse you for a reasonable amount, so you can't go out and buy an entirely new wardrobe expecting them to cover the bill.
Contact Meghan Bragg at mbragg@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
WCNC Charlotte's Verify series is all about trying to make a difference in the Carolinas by making sure the community has the correct information. WCNC Charlotte outlines concisely what we know and what we don't know. Sometimes the answer can be surprising. Watch previous stories where we verify social media claims in the YouTube playlist below and subscribe to get updated when new videos are uploaded.