Spot the damage while you are still in the baggage hall. Take clear photos from several angles right away, showing the broken zipper, cracked shell or torn fabric, and include the bag tag in at least one shot if possible. Then go straight to the airline baggage desk and report it. Staff will open a Property Irregularity Report or similar form. Get a copy with the reference number before you leave.

Describe the damage accurately on the form and note any items inside that were also affected. Keep the boarding pass and the original bag tags. If the desk is closed or hard to find, some airports let you file online later the same day, but doing it on the spot is stronger.

Airlines generally expect a written claim within seven days of receiving the bag on international flights. That deadline comes from the main global rules and missing it can close the case. Domestic limits sometimes differ so check the exact window for your route. Submit the photos, the report copy, a repair estimate or the cost of a similar replacement, and any receipts for damaged contents.

Payouts usually cover repair if the bag can be fixed, or the depreciated value of a replacement. Real cases often settle between a few hundred dollars for a scuffed suitcase up to the full liability limit when the bag is wrecked. On most international journeys the ceiling sits around two thousand dollars or the local equivalent under the Montreal Convention. Higher caps apply on some domestic routes. Fragile or high-value items may need a special declaration at check-in to raise the limit.

Once you send the claim follow up in writing if you hear nothing after a couple of weeks. Keep every email and photo. Acting at the airport and documenting the damage immediately gives the claim the best chance of a fair outcome.