Baggage issues
Despite our best efforts, baggage sometimes gets delayed or damaged. We apologize for this inconvenience. If you're having issues with your checked baggage, or forgot something onboard your flight, we can help.
Our 20 minute baggage guarantee
We know that instead of waiting at baggage claim you'd rather be out enjoying your destination, or settling in back at home. That's why we are committed to getting you on your way faster, and we've been making that commitment for years.
Since 2010 we have put a guarantee behind our baggage delivery. If your bags are not at baggage claim within 20 minutes of your plane’s arrival at the gate, we’ll offer you a $25 discount code for use on a future Alaska Airlines flight, or 2,500 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan™ bonus miles.
In the rare instance that we don't meet our 20 minute guarantee, just get ahold of us at the baggage office within 2 hours of your flight's arrival for your discount code or miles. You can simply speak with one of our customer service agents at the airport.
Report baggage issues immediately
We cannot award compensation for damaged or missing items without a report on file. Hold on to your ticket receipts and baggage claim checks until your file is closed.
- If your bag is damaged, report it to an agent immediately after you pick it up from the baggage carousel.
- You must report all other issues in-person to the baggage service office at your arrival airport within 24 hours.
- Once you have reported the issue, you will receive a confirmation email with the File ID.
- To check the status of your report contact the airport service baggage office where you filed the report, or log into the baggage tracing portal "This indicates a link to an external site that may not follow the same accessibility or privacy policies as Alaska Airlines. By selecting a partner link you agree to share your data with these sites." with your File ID.
Most bags are located within 48 hours.
We'll deliver your recovered bags to your home or hotel — unless you checked your baggage in late, or you chose to take a flight other than the one your bags were tagged for.
Get reimbursed on essentials
If you need to purchase any travel essentials (such as toiletries and clothing) while your bag is missing, we’ve got you covered. Speak to an agent at the airport baggage service office where you filed your report for reimbursement options.
Find out more about reimbursement coverage on our Limitations of liability page.
If your bag is still delayed after 5 days
- Your filed report automatically transfers to Alaska’s Central Baggage Service office. They’ll do a comprehensive computer search of airlines worldwide.
- The Central Baggage Service office will email a statement of mishandling form within one week.
If you have any further questions, you can contact the Central Baggage Service Office number: 1-877-815-8253 (6:00 am – 10:00 pm PT) or contact us with the online Central Baggage Service contact form.
We’ll make every effort to locate your bags for up to 6 weeks from your date of travel.
Leave something behind?
Left on board items: Complete the form at alaskaair.com/leftonboard "This indicates a link to an external site that may not meet accessibility guidelines." and we'll contact you if we locate your item.
At a security checkpoint:
Visit
tsa.gov "This indicates a link to an external site that may not
meet accessibility guidelines."
Elsewhere at the airport:
Call that airport's lost and found.
Place an identification tag inside your bag.
In the rare event that your bag is misplaced, this free downloadable tag will make the identification and return process quicker. Simply complete the form and place it inside your bag.
Download a baggage ID tag. (PDF File is 343K)