Delayed, Lost or Damaged Baggage

If your bags are delayed, notify one of our representatives. You will get a file reference number, which you will need to initiate claims or inquire about your items. You may be eligible for a bag fee rebate if your first or second paid checked bag(s) have been delayed for more than 12 hours after being reported to a baggage service agent/office.

Check Bag Status

For those customers who paid Delta for a checked bag, and had at least one Delta operated flight, you may be eligible for a rebate in the form of an electronic travel voucher (ETCV) for the applicable amount paid in the event that you do not receive your bag within the first 12 hours from reported delay. To be eligible for this rebate, you must have paid for the bag that has been delayed. ETCVs will be issued per paid piece delayed – for example, if you paid to check multiple bags, and one bag is delayed, you can expect an ETCV for the first bag fee. If two bags are delayed, you can expect an ETCV for the first and second bag fee, etc. 

Rebates will be sent to you via email only and you must apply using the online application form. Rebate is in the form of an electronic travel voucher that can be used for future ticketing on Delta Air Lines.  Simply complete the Delayed Bag Rebate Form to request your rebate.

Start Delayed Bag Rebate Form, opens in a new window

If you lost an unchecked item onboard a Delta flight, in the Delta gate area or at a Delta Sky Club^®, we will make every effort to return it to you as quickly as possible. Please report your lost unchecked item using the lost item form. For any items left at the TSA security checkpoint, please call the TSA at 866-289-9673 or visit tsa.gov, opens in a new window for more information.

Start Lost Item Claim, opens in a new window

If you're missing an item from your checked luggage, please see the Report Missing Items, Go to footer note section. If you did not receive a reference number, please contact us through our comment or complaint form, opens in a new window and choose “Baggage or Damaged Baggage^” from the menu options.

From a Checked Bag

If you have discovered there are items missing from your bag, please report the missing property to a Delta representative immediately at 800-325-8224, or 404-209-3043 if the toll-free number is not available in your area. Items missing from checked baggage must be reported within 24 hours for domestic travel and 7 days for international travel. Once a Delta representative has provided a reference number, please complete and submit the claim form above (select "damage/missing property claim") within 30 days from the date reported.

CALL 800-325-8224

Or, call 404-209-3043 

If a reference number was not given to you, please contact us using through our comment or complaint form, opens in a new window and choose "Baggage/Damaged Baggage" under "Tell Us About Your Experience."

If you feel your baggage was damaged during a flight, bring it to the Delta Air Lines Baggage Office immediately after arrival. All damages must be evaluated in person by a Delta representative at the baggage service office. A Delta representative will direct you to fill out a damaged bag form if needed. You must report your claim within 24 hours for travel in the United States, and within 7 days for international travel.

Start Damaged Baggage Claim Form

Normal Wear & Tear

Delta assumes no liability for preexisting damage, including minor cuts, scratches, and broken zippers as a result of over packing, or for wear and tear resulting from ordinary handling of baggage.

Random Search Damage

If the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has made a random search of your bag, you will find written notification inside your luggage or a seal outside of your luggage, informing you of such. If you feel they damaged your bag during a random inspection, you can contact them at 866-289-9673.

If your bag was delayed and you had to make purchases because you did not receive your bag, you are entitled to reasonable expense reimbursements due to the delay of your bag(s).

Expense Reimbursement Details

• Reasonable expenses are generally determined as $50 USD per day¹ for the first 5 days that the bag is delayed.
• Your reimbursements will be deducted from the final claim settlement if the bag is not located.
• You must have already submitted the baggage claim form, opens in a new window to receive expense reimbursement.
• Receipts must be presented for all reasonable expense reimbursements incurred due to the delay of your bag(s).

 ^{1. The guidelines for reasonable expenses are NOT daily limits or a cap, as additional expenses may be incurred   and will be handled on an individual basis up to the limit of liability} 

How to Submit a Claim

1. If your bag is still missing, you must submit a baggage claim form.
2. Once you have entered your first name, last name and file reference number, choose the "Out of Pocket Expense" option on the form.
3. The "Out of Pocket Expense" form is only for the reimbursement of incidental expenses incurred while your bag was delayed.
4. Please upload your receipts at time of submission for consideration of reimbursement.

Liability for lost, delayed, or damaged baggage is limited. Here are the details:

*SDR (Special Drawing Rights) is an International Monetary Fund unit of currency. SDR's will be converted to U.S. Dollars using the rate in effect on the mishandled baggage settlement date.

Delta assumes no liability for preexisting damage, including minor cuts, scratches, and broken zippers as a result of over packing, or for wear and tear resulting from ordinary handling of baggage.

Here are all of the liability restrictions and exceptions:

• Maximum liability is not automatic — damage or loss value must be proven.
• No maximum liability applies to wheelchairs or assistive devices.
• Delta is not liable for unsuitably packed items.
• Delta is not liable for loss, damage, or delay of baggage that may result from a security search conducted by any local, state, or federal agency.

All items with declared excess value may be inspected by the check-in agent.

**Effective January 31, 2017, checked baggage for tickets purchased on or after this date are not eligible for excess valuation.**

Delta Air Lines is not liable for checked or unchecked baggage in excess of the limits described above unless you decide to claim excess valuation on your belongings. Here are the details if you decide to declare a higher valuation:

• The declared value may not exceed $5,000.
• The item is properly described and properly packaged and undamaged.
• You pay an excess value fee at check-in.

The excess valuation charge is applicable only when the declared value is greater than the applicable liability limit. This option is not available for tickets purchased on or after January 31, 2017.

DOMESTIC EXCESS VALUATION CHARGES FOR TICKETS PURCHASED BEFORE JANUARY 31, 2017

(Continental U.S., Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands)

INTERNATIONAL EXCESS VALUATION CHARGES FOR TICKETS PURCHASED BEFORE JANUARY 31, 2017

(Bermuda, Bahamas, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa)

Delta is not responsible or liable for cash, camera equipment, commercial effects, computer software and equipment, electronic equipment, fragile articles, jewelry, lifesaving medication, negotiable papers, irreplaceable business documents, works of art or other similar valuable items contained in checked or unchecked baggage. These types of items should be carried on — and kept in sight.

Delta will only collect excess valuation for declared baggage from your point of origin to:

• a Delta destination
• the first Delta stopover
• your point of transfer to another carrier

Note: You must re-declare and pay the applicable charges each time you check your excess baggage.

See Delta's Contract of Carriage for complete Baggage Liability rules.

As we work to locate your baggage, we’re here on the phone if you need assistance. Start by filling out the Submit a Claim form using your Baggage Service Number, if you’re in the United States. If you’re outside of the United States, find assistance by calling our country-specific customer-service phone numbers. 

Within The United States

Delta representatives are available to help with baggage-related issues anytime.

Call toll-free: 800-325-8224

Or if toll-free is unavailable, call: 404-209-3043

Outside Of The United States

For baggage-related issues in countries outside the United States, use the phone numbers listed for that country.

Delayed Baggage Issues From Europe

If your bags are delayed in arriving, speak with a customer service associate using the listed phone numbers.

European Baggage Customer Service Phone Numbers

If you have an unresolved issue with your baggage in any of these European countries, please contact us during business hours at the phone number listed

European Baggage Customer Service Addresses By Mail

If you’re having any issue with baggage and want to write to Delta customer service, please address any correspondence to the following addresses by country.

For Other Baggage Issues From Europe

General opening hours: Mon-Fri 08:00 - 20:00, Sat 09:00 - 17:30*

Please check your SPAM box and verify the email address that you entered into your Lost Item Report to be sure we have your correct email address.

You will receive an email from Delta’s Lost & Found Central when you file the report for your lost item. If we find an item that matches the description of your lost item, we will send you an email notification with further instructions to allow for confirmation that the item is yours. While we are searching for your lost item we will update you via email throughout the process.

A thorough search will take place for approximately 14 days after we receive the lost item report. If we are unable to find your item, you will receive an email notification informing you that we have been unsuccessful in our efforts.

If we locate an item that matches the description of your lost item, Lost & Found Central will contact you via email and/or phone to verify that the item is yours and arrange for delivery of the item.

Lost & Found Central will provide you with a link to the shipping checkout page. You will be able to verify your shipping information and provide credit card information for shipping charges. 

• Military IDs will be sent to the Department of the Navy, NAS-JRB ID Office. This department will then facilitate the return to the various military branches.
• Passports will be sent to the U.S. Department of State, CA/PPT/S/L/LE, ATTN: CLASP
• All other personal documents that we are unable to return will be destroyed.

We understand that every lost item is very important to each individual and undergo an exhaustive search to locate every single item reported. Please be assured that we take each Lost Item Report very seriously and will do our best to locate and return your lost item(s).

Yes. Although we are conducting an exhaustive search and hope to locate your item, you should immediately deactivate any associated data plans for your own protection. We recommend that you leave call service activated on phones for a period of one week to assist in our search and verification process.

Please provide detailed, accurate descriptions on the Lost Item Report Form. If possible, gather the descriptive information about the item(s) prior to filling out the form and be sure to include any and all identifiable details to help in our search. Please enter the information just as it appears on the item.

Also, be sure to include the flight date and flight number reflecting when your item(s) were lost. You may also provide additional information in both the "brief description" field, as well as the "help us find your item" area. Failing to include information in either of these fields will limit our ability to find your item. We also ask that you file your report within 7 days of your item becoming lost. Reports filed after 7 days have a decreased chance of item recovery.

You can update the information on your Lost Item Report up to two weeks after filing it by clicking on this link Lost Item Update., opens in a new window Please be ready to provide your Lost Item Report number and the last name included on the report.

The time a bag takes to arrive at the baggage claim is measured by Delta's baggage tracking system, where available. If the time elapsed between aircraft door open and delivery of the bag to the baggage claim carousel is longer than 20 minutes, the customer is eligible to earn 2,500 miles. This offer is valid on domestic flights within the U.S. 50 and Puerto Rico, marketed and operated by Delta Air Lines and Delta Connection® carriers.

If any of your bags arrive late, you are eligible for the guarantee. However, there is a limit of one request per passenger per departing or returning itinerary, regardless of number of checked bags. This offer is valid on domestic flights within the U.S. 50 and Puerto Rico, marketed and operated by Delta Air Lines and Delta Connection® carriers.

Complete the form at delta.com/bagsontime no later than three days after your flight's arrival. Requests should only be submitted after your flight. Please allow up to two weeks after submitting your request for your bonus miles to appear in your account. This offer is valid on domestic flight within the 50 U.S. and Puerto Rico, marketed and operated by Delta Air Lines and Delta Connection® carriers.