In a nutshell: To report damaged baggage with American Airlines, submit a report within 24 hours for domestic flights or within seven days for international flights. After filing, you'll receive a 13-character incident number needed for claims. Follow specific steps to file your report, including completing forms and
Are your bags damaged? For domestic flights within the United States, you must submit a report within 24 hours or before leaving the airport. For international flights, file a report within seven days of receiving your luggage, or before leaving the airport if possible. After filing a report, American Airlines will provide you with a 13-character incident number, which you’ll need when submitting a claim. Once your claim is reviewed, American Airlines may provide compensation for damaged baggage. Continue reading for step-by-step instructions on filing a baggage report and submitting a claim.
We recommend that you don't leave the airport immediately when your bags are damaged. File a report by scanning the QR code.
Check the box stating that you understand American Airlines will review your damaged checked item report.
Enter your last name and American Airlines confirmation code and click Find Your Trip. You'll be able to submit a bag report on the succeeding pages. Follow the on-screen prompts to file for a damaged bag report successfully.
Wait for the 13-character incident number before filing a claim. Once you have it, proceed to the next step.
Fill out the form completely and provide a valid email address and phone number. American Airlines will use the contact details to reach out to you regarding the claim.
Use the incident number provided by AA. You also need to fill out the item category, bag size, estimated value of the bag, brand, place of purchase, and the number of bags damaged.
Any additional information you can share about your damaged items? Type them in the Additional Information section and submit the required documents. Upload valid identification, a photo of the damaged bags, receipts, airline ticket receipts, and baggage claim checks. Then, click Submit.
After submitting the claim, American Airlines will review it and get back to you. Note that American Airlines doesn't accept liability for damage due to security searches led by state, local, or federal agencies, and for items not packed properly. The limit for domestic travel is about $4,700. If your bag is worth more than $5,000, it's better to purchase additional insurance.
Can't submit your claim online? You can also write to American Airlines. Use this address:
American Airlines Central Baggage
P.O. Box 619619
DFW Airport, TX 75261-9616
Before sending your claim, ensure you have completed the Passenger Property Questionnaire. Fill out the form completely and don't forget to affix your signature. Make sure to include all required documents to ensure you receive compensation for the damaged bags.
If you traveled on a partner airline, keep in mind that they may have their own policies for handling damaged bags.
Filing a baggage report and submitting a claim can take time, and compensation may not always cover the full value of your damaged luggage. To reduce the risk of damage, avoid overpacking, as this can strain zippers and seams. It’s also best not to travel with worn or aging bags, since they are more likely to break during transit. Consider using high-quality luggage, especially for international trips, and avoid packing restricted or fragile items in checked baggage. Still have questions about what to do if your baggage is damaged? Contact American Airlines Support for further assistance.
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