Baggage claims are won or lost on the clock. The deadlines are short, they start the moment you get the bag back, and missing them can bar the claim entirely. Knowing the dates is most of the battle.
For international flights, baggage is governed by the Montreal Convention, and its written-notice windows are strict. Report the problem at the airport and get a file reference, but the deadline that actually protects you is the written notice you send afterward.
| What happened | Written notice deadline |
|---|---|
| Damaged checked bag | 7 days from receiving the bag |
| Delayed bag | 21 days from the day it is returned |
| Lost bag (declared lost) | Treated as delayed, then claim the contents |
| Court claim deadline | 2 years from arrival |
File a damaged or delayed baggage report at the airline's baggage desk and get the file reference number. Photograph the damage and the bag tag while you are there.
Within 7 days for damage or 21 days for delay, send a written claim citing the Montreal Convention, the file reference, and the amount. Keep dated proof you sent it.
Attach receipts, photos, and a contents list. For delayed bags, keep receipts for the essentials you had to buy while you waited. You claim proven value, so evidence sets the payout.
If the airline denies or underpays, you can pursue it in small claims court within two years of arrival. See suing an airline.
On international flights the airline's liability for lost, damaged, or delayed baggage is capped at roughly $2,100 CAD per passenger under the Montreal Convention. That covers both the bag and its contents combined. You claim the actual proven value up to the cap.
If your belongings are worth more than the cap, you have two options. Declare a higher value at check-in for a fee, or rely on travel insurance, which many premium travel cards include. Check the certificate for baggage coverage and limits.
For damaged checked baggage under the Montreal Convention, send written notice within 7 days of receiving the bag. For delayed baggage, the window is 21 days from the day it is returned. Miss these and the claim can be barred. Report at the airport first, but the written notice is what protects the claim.
Not strictly, but it is the safest way to prove the airline received your notice on time. An email or online form can work too, as long as you keep dated proof you sent it within the deadline.
Generally no. A CPAP is usually treated as medical equipment and does not count toward your carry-on allowance. Carry it in the cabin, keep it cased, and notify the airline ahead. Confirm the rule with your carrier, since policies vary.
On international flights, liability is capped at roughly $2,100 CAD per passenger for the bag and contents combined. You claim the proven value, so receipts, photos, and a contents list matter. For higher-value items, declare a higher value at check-in or rely on travel insurance.
Come in for a free conversation. We can help you hit the deadlines and build the claim before the window closes.