We’ve all experienced the anxiety of waiting at the baggage carousel, eagerly anticipating the arrival of our checked luggage. When that moment finally comes, we often breathe a sigh of relief, grab our bags, and continue our journey. However, there are times when that moment doesn’t arrive. In fact, last year in the United States, airlines misplaced or damaged about one out of every 200 checked bags. While this may seem like a small percentage compared to the millions of bags transported each year, the impact of a lost bag can be significant.

Airlines have established a series of steps that passengers should follow to efficiently locate their lost items—or at the very least, to receive compensation. It’s important to brace yourself, as this process can often be time-consuming.

First, double-check and wait at least another 20 minutes.

When your bag fails to make an appearance on the carousel, the first thing to remember is that it’s typically just delayed rather than lost. Take a moment to scan the carousel again and also check any separate oversize luggage area. Additionally, consider utilizing the airline’s app; many carriers, such as Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, provide real-time tracking options that allow you to see when your bag was loaded or unloaded from the plane.

File a missing-bag report as soon as possible.

If your bag still hasn’t shown up, it’s crucial to act quickly. To report a missing bag, you typically need to file a report within a few hours of your arrival for a domestic flight, and within a week for an international flight. If your journey involved multiple airlines, make sure to file your claim with the airline that operated the final leg of your trip.