How to Use the Lost Luggage Compensation Calculator
When checked baggage is lost or damaged, airline liability and travel insurance coverage apply as two separate, stackable limits. This calculator adds them together to show your realistic total compensation — and what portion of your loss you'd still be left covering yourself.
For international flights, the Montreal Convention caps airline liability at about 1,288 SDR per bag, roughly $1,700 depending on the exchange rate. US domestic flights fall under Department of Transportation rules, with a current cap around $3,800 per passenger — this calculator uses that as a default estimate. Actual limits vary by airline and can change, so treat these figures as a starting point.
If the airline's payout doesn't fully cover your loss, a travel insurance policy with baggage coverage can reimburse the remaining amount, up to your policy's limit. Many policies also cap compensation per individual item, so it's worth checking your policy documents alongside this estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Under the Montreal Convention, international flights are typically capped around 1,288 SDR (roughly $1,700, exchange rate dependent). US domestic flights are governed by DOT rules, currently capped around $3,800 per passenger. Actual limits vary by airline's contract of carriage.
If you have travel insurance with baggage loss coverage, it can reimburse the remaining loss above the airline's payout, up to your policy's coverage limit.
File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) at the airport baggage counter immediately, then submit claims to both the airline and your insurer. Keep receipts or other proof of the item's value on hand.