United was the first airline to integrate AirTag sharing. If your bag is missing, that tech advantage matters.
United’s middling mishandling rate (0.66%) won’t win any awards, but where the airline stands out is recovery tools. It’s the first U.S. carrier to let you share your AirTag location directly with baggage agents, and it offers more ways to file a report — phone, text, app, and web — than any other Big Three airline. You’ve also got the longest domestic expense claim deadline at 45 days.
Quick Facts
- Mishandling rate: 0.66 per 100 passengers (full-year 2024) — second-highest among major U.S. carriers [3]
- Max compensation (domestic): $4,700 per passenger [4]
- Max compensation (international): ~$2,025 (1,519 SDR under the Montreal Convention) [1]
- Interim expenses: “Reasonable” — no published daily cap; evaluated case-by-case [2]
- Phone: 1-800-335-2247 (Baggage Recovery Center) [2]
- Text: Text “BAGS” to 32050 [2]
- Delayed bag report: united.com/bagdelivery/start [5]
- Expense claim form: united.com/claimform (interim) [6]
- App: United app with real-time bag tracking and AirTag integration [2]
How to Report Lost Baggage with United Airlines
Report at the airport or through any channel
Go to the United Baggage Service Office at the airport if you can. Bring your baggage claim ticket and photo ID. If the office is closed or the line is long, you have alternatives most airlines don’t offer: call 1-800-335-2247, text “BAGS” to 32050, or file through the United app. United’s domestic reporting window is 24 hours — the most generous among the Big Three. [2]
File your delayed bag report online
Visit united.com/bagdelivery/start to submit a delayed baggage report. Enter your flight details, a detailed bag description, and your delivery address. You can redirect delivery to a hotel, office, or alternate address at any time. Your file reference number will end with “M” — save it somewhere you won’t lose it. That number is how you track every update. [2] [5]
Track your bag and share your AirTag location
The United app provides package-delivery-style tracking for checked bags. If you’ve got an AirTag in your luggage, this is where United really shines: share the location directly with United through Apple’s Share Item Location feature. United was the first U.S. airline to integrate this (December 2024). Create a Share Item Location link in the Find My app, attach it to your baggage report, and United agents can view your bag’s location on an interactive map with automatic updates. [2]
File for interim expenses or compensation
While your bag is delayed, file an interim expense claim at united.com/claimform (interim). You have 45 days from arrival for domestic flights — the longest deadline among the Big Three. If your bag isn’t found within 21 days, it’s declared lost. File a formal loss claim at united.com/claimform (loss) with an itemized list of contents and supporting documentation. [1] [6] [7]
Compensation and Policy Details
Liability Limits
United’s maximum liability for lost, delayed, or damaged checked baggage is $4,700 per ticketed passenger on domestic flights, per 14 CFR Part 254. [4] On international flights governed by the Montreal Convention, the limit is 1,519 SDR (approximately $2,025 USD). [1]
Compensation is based on depreciated value, not replacement cost. You’ll need to document what was in your bag and provide evidence of value. Receipts, bank statements, and photographs all strengthen your claim. For a complete breakdown of your federal rights, see our airline baggage compensation guide.
Interim Expenses
United reimburses passengers for “reasonable, verifiable, and actual incidental expenses” with no stated daily limit. [2] Claims are evaluated case-by-case. Covered expenses include a change of clothes, basic toiletries, and other necessary items. Designer or high-end purchases are typically denied. Unlike Delta’s clear $50/day figure, United’s “reasonable” standard leaves more room for interpretation — which can work for or against you.
Filing Deadlines
| Situation | Domestic | International |
|---|---|---|
| Report delayed bag | Within 24 hours of arrival | Within 21 days of arrival |
| Report damaged bag | Within 24 hours of arrival | Within 7 days of arrival |
| Submit interim expense claim | Within 45 days of arrival | Within 21 days of arrival |
| Montreal Convention complaint | N/A | 7 days (damage), 21 days (delay) |
Source: United Airlines Contract of Carriage. [1]
The 45-day domestic expense claim deadline is the longest among the Big Three. American Airlines gives you 30 days. That extra time matters if you’re traveling and can’t file immediately.
Required Documentation
To process your claim, United requires:
- File reference number (ends with “M”)
- Original boarding pass
- Valid photo ID
- Baggage claim ticket
- Dated receipts for all interim purchases
- Itemized list of delayed or lost bag contents
Reimbursement processing typically takes 4-6 weeks after filing. [2]
Bag Fee Refunds
United automatically refunds your checked bag fee when delivery exceeds these thresholds:
| Route Type | Refund Trigger |
|---|---|
| Domestic | Not delivered within 12 hours |
| International (short-haul) | Not delivered within 15 hours |
| International (long-haul) | Not delivered within 30 hours |
Source: United Airlines baggage policy. [2]
Delivery Policy
When your delayed bag is located, United delivers it within approximately 8 hours for U.S. locations, with an 11 PM cutoff for residential deliveries. Bags are held for pickup for 5 days. You can redirect delivery to a hotel, office, or any alternate address. [2]
Excluded Items
United has the most extensive liability exclusion list among the Big Three. Excluded items include: antiques, artifacts, collectibles, antlers, backpacks, business equipment, electronics, items in corrugated boxes, eyeglasses, flowers, garment bags, jewelry, keys, liquids, medicines, money, musical instruments, furs, perishable items, photographic equipment, precious metals, tools, strollers, watches, and artwork. [1]
How United Compares
United ranks second-worst among the Big Three carriers for baggage handling, trailing only American Airlines. Its full-year 2024 rate was significantly better than American but well behind Delta. [3]
| Rank | Airline | Mishandling Rate (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Allegiant Air | 0.20% |
| 2 | JetBlue Airways | 0.35% |
| 3 | Frontier Airlines | 0.40% |
| 4 | Hawaiian Airlines | 0.41% |
| 5 | Southwest Airlines | 0.42% |
| 6 | Delta Air Lines | 0.44% |
| 7 | Alaska Airlines | 0.58% |
| 8 | United Airlines | 0.66% |
| 9 | American Airlines | 0.79% |
Source: DOT Air Travel Consumer Report, full-year 2024. [3]
United handles bags better than American but not as well as Delta. Its AirTag integration and text-based support give passengers more recovery tools than most carriers, but the underlying mishandling rate still lags behind most of the industry. See how all airlines compare in our complete airline rankings.
Traveler Tips for United Airlines
Share your AirTag location through the United app
United was the first U.S. airline to integrate Apple’s Share Item Location feature (December 2024). If you have an AirTag in your bag and iOS 18.2 or later, create a sharing link in the Find My app and attach it to your delayed baggage report in the United app. United agents can see your bag’s location in real time on an interactive map. It’s the fastest way to help the airline find your bag — and it turns a $29 AirTag into your most valuable travel accessory. [2]
Text “BAGS” to 32050
United is the only Big Three carrier to offer text-based baggage support. Text “BAGS” to 32050 for quick assistance. This is especially useful if you’re on the move and can’t make a phone call or sit at a computer.
Take advantage of the 45-day expense deadline
United gives you 45 days from arrival to submit interim expense claims on domestic flights. That’s 15 days longer than American Airlines. If you’re traveling and can’t file right away, you still have time — but don’t wait until the last day. [1]
Use MileagePlus status
If you have MileagePlus Premier status (Silver, Gold, Platinum, or 1K), mention it when filing your report. Premier members get priority bag handling and access to dedicated support channels.
Photograph your bag and contents
Before checking your bag, snap a photo of the exterior and a quick picture of the contents. If your bag is declared lost, this documentation supports your compensation claim and speeds up the process. Pair that with a Bluetooth luggage tracker and you’ll always know where your bag is — even if United doesn’t.
Redirect delivery if your plans change
United lets you redirect a recovered bag to a hotel, office, or any alternate address. If you’ve moved on from the airport and are staying somewhere other than home, update the delivery address through the app or by calling 1-800-335-2247. [2]
Related Airline Guides
- American Airlines Lost Baggage Guide — Worst mishandling rate among the Big Three (0.79%)
- Delta Air Lines Lost Baggage Guide — Best baggage handling among the Big Three (0.44%)
- Southwest Airlines Lost Baggage Guide
- JetBlue Lost Baggage Guide
- Alaska Airlines Lost Baggage Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is United Airlines' phone number for lost baggage?
- Call United's Baggage Recovery Center at 1-800-335-2247. You can also text 'BAGS' to 32050, file through the United app, or submit a report online at united.com/bagdelivery/start.
- How much does United pay for lost luggage?
- United's maximum liability is $4,700 per passenger on domestic flights and approximately $2,025 on international flights under the Montreal Convention.
- How long do I have to file a baggage claim with United?
- You have 24 hours to report a delayed bag on domestic flights and 45 days from arrival to submit interim expense claims -- the longest deadline among the Big Three carriers.
- Can I share my AirTag location with United Airlines?
- Yes. United was the first U.S. airline to integrate Apple's Share Item Location feature (December 2024). Create a sharing link in the Find My app and attach it to your baggage report so agents can view your bag's location in real time.
- Does United reimburse expenses when your bag is delayed?
- Yes. United reimburses 'reasonable, verifiable, and actual incidental expenses' with no stated daily limit. Claims are evaluated case-by-case. Keep all receipts.
Sources
United Airlines Contract of Carriage -- baggage liability limits, filing deadlines, excluded items
united.com/en/us/fly/contract-of-carriage.htmlUnited Airlines Delayed, Damaged, or Lost Baggage Policy -- reporting process, interim expenses, AirTag integration, delivery
united.com/en/us/baggage/issues-with-your-checked-bagsDOT Air Travel Consumer Report, Full Year 2024 -- mishandled baggage rates for all reporting carriers
transportation.gov/briefing-room/air-travel-consumer-report-december-2024-full-year-2024-numbers14 CFR Part 254 -- Domestic Baggage Liability, setting $4,700 minimum liability floor effective January 2025
ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-II/subchapter-A/part-254United Airlines delayed bag report online form
united.com/en/us/bagdelivery/startUnited Airlines interim expense claim form
united.com/en/US/claimform/loginUnited Airlines lost bag claim form
united.com/en/US/claimform/login