Lost luggage — first 24 hours
What to do in the first 24 hours after your bag doesn't arrive: file the PIR, track the bag through WorldTracer, buy essentials against your rights, and claim what you're owed.
A missing bag isn't lost — 97% of delayed bags are reunited with their owner within 48 hours. The first 24 hours decide how fast, how comfortable, and how much of it the airline pays for. This is the calm playbook.
The Property Irregularity Report is the only proof your bag is missing. Without it, no claim, no reimbursement, no tracking — even if the airline knows the bag is late.
Go to the airline's baggage service office in the arrivals hall — never leave without a filed PIR.
Get the 10-character reference (5 letters, 5 digits) — this is your WorldTracer ID.
Photograph the PIR and the baggage tag stub before you leave.
Nearly every airline uses the same global system: WorldTracer. Your PIR reference lets you check the bag's live status from any device, in any language.
Enter the reference at worldtracer.aero or the airline's own tracker.
Refresh every 6–12 hours; the status updates as the bag is scanned.
'Located' means the bag is found — delivery usually follows within 24 hours.
Airlines legally owe you reasonable essentials when your bag is delayed away from home. 'Reasonable' means toiletries, one change of clothes, medication — not a full new wardrobe.
Montreal Convention: up to ~€1,780 (SDR 1,519) per passenger for delayed baggage costs.
Buy from a normal pharmacy or department store — receipts must be itemised.
Keep every receipt; submit within the airline's window (usually 21 days).
Update the delivery address as your plans change
The airline delivers to the address on the PIR. If you're changing hotels, moving city, or heading home, update it — otherwise the bag sits at the wrong front desk.
Update via the airline's baggage tracker or by calling the local baggage office.
Give a phone number the courier can reach on the day of delivery.
For remote or resort hotels, confirm the hotel accepts courier drops.
File the full claim if the bag isn't found in 21 days
After 21 days, delayed baggage becomes 'lost' under Montreal Convention rules — you can claim the full contents value, up to the SDR 1,519 cap, plus documented essentials.
Submit via the carrier's own claim form — include the PIR, the tag stub, and an itemised contents list.
Attach receipts for high-value items (electronics, jewellery) if you have them.
Travel insurance often adds another layer on top of the airline's payout.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a PIR and why do I need it?
- A Property Irregularity Report (PIR) is the official record of your missing bag. Without it, the airline has no legal record of the delay and won't reimburse expenses or process a claim. Always file before leaving the airport.
- How much can I spend on essentials while my bag is delayed?
- Under the Montreal Convention, up to roughly €1,780 per passenger. 'Reasonable' means toiletries, one change of clothes, and any medication you need — not a full new wardrobe. Keep every receipt.
- What percentage of lost bags are actually found?
- About 97% of delayed bags are reunited with their owner within 48 hours, per SITA industry data. Only around 0.03% are permanently lost.
- When does 'delayed' become 'lost'?
- Under the Montreal Convention, baggage is officially declared lost after 21 days. At that point you can claim the full contents value, up to the treaty cap of roughly €1,780 per passenger.