American Airlines lost and found and lost luggage
The short answer: if you left it on the plane, at the gate or in an Admirals Club, file a lost and found report with American, which says it will search for your item for up to 30 days. If you lost it in the airport, contact the airport; if you lost it at security, contact TSA.
A missing checked bag is different: American says to file a claim at the airport Baggage Service Office.
Checked on October 28, 2026 against American's lost and found page. This is an independent guide from TangoTag, not American Airlines's own page, and policies change, so confirm anything important there.
Where you lost it decides who has it
- On the plane, at the gate or in an Admirals Club: American. File a lost and found report on its page; you get email updates on the status, and delivery instructions if it's found.
- In the airport: American sends you to the airport's own lost and found. For Los Angeles, see our LAX guide.
- At security: TSA's lost and found for that airport, listed on tsa.gov.
- Not sure: American says to file a report with it anyway.
Report something left on board
- Open American's lost and found page and choose "File a lost and found report."
- Describe the item: brand, color, case, anything written on it, plus your flight and seat.
- Watch your email (and spam folder) for status updates. American searches for up to 30 days.
Delayed or damaged checked bags
- Report before you leave the airport. For trips ending in the U.S., Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, you can also scan the QR code on American's sign at baggage claim and file on your phone.
- Delayed, flights within the U.S.: report within 4 hours of arriving (12 hours if you used Bags VIP Luggage Delivery). International: on arrival, before leaving the airport.
- Damaged: within the U.S., before leaving the airport or within 6 hours of getting your bag; international, before leaving or within 7 days. You get a 13-character file ID to use for the claim.
- Missing items from a delayed or damaged bag: claim within 24 hours of getting the bag for U.S. flights, or 7 days for international.
- Got an AirTag in the bag? American's form takes a shared Find My item link, which it says helps it find your bag faster.
If it doesn't turn up
- Check the airport's and TSA's lost and found too, in case it was handed in elsewhere.
- Keep your report reference, boarding pass and bag tag receipt together.
- For an expensive item, check whether your home or travel insurance covers it.
Next time
A lost-and-found form is where things wait. Something with a way to reach its owner usually goes home faster: the cleaner, driver or passenger who finds it can contact you directly instead of hoping it reaches the right desk.
A TangoTag sticker on your bag, keys or laptop does that. Whoever finds it scans the code with their phone camera and can call, text or leave you a note, without seeing your address. It isn't a tracker and can't show where something is; it only helps when a person finds it and scans it. How it works.
Other guides
- Who has my lost item? All the guides, by place
- Delta lost and found
- LAX lost and found
Questions
How long does American Airlines look for a lost item?
American's lost and found page says it searches for your item for up to 30 days after you file a report, and emails you status updates.
I lost something in the airport, not on the plane. Who do I contact?
The airport's own lost and found, from the airport's website. If it was at the security checkpoint, contact TSA's lost and found for that airport.
How long do I have to report a delayed bag to American?
For flights within the U.S., within 4 hours of arriving (12 hours with Bags VIP Luggage Delivery). For international flights, on arrival and before leaving the airport.
Can I report a delayed American bag on my phone?
Yes, for trips ending in the U.S., Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands: scan the QR code on American's sign at baggage claim, then enter your last name and confirmation code or bag tag number.