How to File a Missing Bag Report (PIR)

A Property Irregularity Report (PIR) is the single document that starts the search for your missing bag. Without one, the airline has no formal record that your luggage was mishandled, and your right to compensation may be compromised. Filing takes about 10 minutes.

What a PIR is and why it matters

A PIR is an official airline form that records the details of delayed, lost, or damaged baggage. When an agent files your PIR, the information goes directly into WorldTracer — a global baggage tracing system operated by SITA and IATA, used by over 500 airlines at approximately 2,800 airports. ^[1]

Once your PIR is in WorldTracer, the system begins automatically matching your report against “on-hand” bags — bags that have turned up at airports without a matching passenger. This matching runs continuously, 24/7, using your surname, bag tag number, routing, bag description, and contents description. ^[1]

The PIR also serves as the legal foundation for any future claim. If your bag isn’t found and you need to file for compensation — up to $4,700 on domestic flights under 14 CFR 254 ^[4] or approximately $2,025 (1,519 SDR) on international flights under the Montreal Convention ^[5] — you’ll need the PIR reference number and the documentation trail that starts with it.

Without a PIR, airlines can and do reject reimbursement requests for interim expenses and lost-bag claims. ^[2]

What information you need

Gather these items before you reach the Baggage Service Desk. Having everything ready speeds up the process and ensures the report is accurate.

Flight details:

• Flight number and date
• Departure airport and final destination
• Connection airports, if any (41% of all mishandled bags are lost during transfers) ^[9]

Bag description:

• Type: hard case, soft case, duffel, backpack, garment bag
• Color and brand
• Size (carry-on size, medium, large)
• Distinguishing features: stickers, colored straps, monograms, luggage tags, unusual markings

Contents description:

• Be specific. “Blue men’s dress shirt, silver laptop, black toiletry bag” is far more useful than “clothes and electronics.” WorldTracer’s matching engine uses content descriptions to identify bags when external tags are damaged or missing. ^[1]

Baggage claim tag:

• The small barcode sticker attached to your ticket jacket at check-in. This contains the tag number linked to your bag in the airline’s system.

Contact and delivery information:

• Phone number and email address
• The physical address where you want the bag delivered when found. Airlines deliver recovered bags at no charge. ^[7]

Boarding pass:

• Paper or mobile. This confirms your itinerary and helps the agent verify your routing.

How to file: step by step

Where to file: desk, app, or online

At the airport desk remains the fastest method. The agent can immediately enter your report into WorldTracer, ask clarifying questions about your bag, and give you a reference number on the spot.

Through the airline app. American Airlines, Delta, and United all support filing delayed baggage reports from their mobile apps. ^{[6] [7] [8]} This is useful if the line at the desk is long or if you’ve already left the airport. Delta’s Fly Delta app integrates RFID tracking and sends push notifications as your bag moves through the system. ^[7]

Online. Most airlines offer web-based delayed baggage reporting:

• American Airlines: centralbaggage.aa.com
• Delta: delta.com/bag-claim
• United: united.com/bagdelivery

SITA WorldTracer Self-Service also lets you report, track, and manage delayed bags from a smartphone, tablet, or PC without visiting a desk. Surveys show 65% of passengers would use their mobile device to report a mishandled bag. ^[1]

Your WorldTracer reference number explained

The reference number isn’t just an ID. It connects your specific report to WorldTracer’s global matching engine, which runs across approximately 2,800 airports and 500+ airlines. ^[1]

WorldTracer maintains your record for up to 100 days. During that time, the system automatically compares your bag description against every on-hand bag reported worldwide. When a match is found, the station that has your bag receives an alert and can arrange to forward it to you. ^[1]

WorldTracer’s Auto Reflight module can rebook a mishandled bag onto a new flight in as little as 2 seconds, using the original bag tag — no manual retagging required. At Munich International, Lufthansa’s implementation automatically reflighted 8 out of 10 mishandled bags without human intervention in the first year. ^[1]

What happens after you file

Immediate matching. WorldTracer begins scanning for your bag the moment the PIR is entered. If your bag is already sitting “on-hand” at another airport — common when you had a tight connection — a match can happen within hours. ^[1]

Resolution timeline. 66% of mishandled bags were resolved within 48 hours in 2024. ^[3] Most delays happen because the bag missed a connection (41% of all mishandling) or was loaded onto the wrong flight (16%). ^[9]

Delivery. When found, the airline delivers your bag to the address on your PIR at no charge. Standard delivery timelines vary — United estimates up to 8 hours for domestic U.S. addresses, with an 11 PM cutoff for residential deliveries. ^[8]

If not found. Airlines typically search for 5 to 14 days before declaring a bag officially lost. After 21 days without arrival, the Montreal Convention considers the bag lost on international flights. ^[5] At that point, you’ll transition from a delay claim to a compensation claim.

Common mistakes to avoid

Leaving the airport without filing. This is the most damaging mistake. Your claim starts when the PIR is filed, not when you call the airline later from your hotel. Some carriers interpret a late report as evidence the bag wasn’t truly missing at arrival.

Vague bag descriptions. “Medium black suitcase” describes millions of bags. Include the brand, distinguishing features, and specific contents. The more data WorldTracer has, the faster it matches.

Not saving the reference number. Every subsequent interaction — tracking, phone calls, expense claims, compensation filings — requires this number. Without it, you’re starting from scratch each time.

Forgetting to update your delivery address. If you’re traveling and your location changes, update the delivery address through WorldTracer or the airline’s app. A bag delivered to the wrong address creates a second logistics problem.

Waiting too long to follow up. If you haven’t received an update within 24 hours, call the airline’s baggage service number. Don’t assume no news is good news. Active follow-up keeps your case visible in the system.

Filing only online when you’re still at the airport. If you’re standing in the terminal and the desk is open, file in person. The agent can catch errors, ask questions you wouldn’t think to answer, and ensure the report is complete.

Next steps

Once your PIR is filed:

1. Track your bag using WorldTracer or the airline’s app. Learn how to track your missing bag.
2. Claim interim expenses for essentials like clothing and toiletries while you wait. See what you can claim.
3. Check back at the lost luggage hub for guidance on every stage of the process, including what to do if your bag is declared lost.