If you have ever lost your luggage or had it stolen, you know how frustrating and time-consuming the whole process can be. But, thanks to United Airlines lost and found policy, you can at least rest assured that your belongings will find their way back to you sooner rather than later. This new policy allows passengers to file a claim online to have their property returned to them faster. You can also report a missing bag by filling out a 24-hour report, but we recommend doing so as soon as possible after reporting it missing so it can be properly entered into the system.

And, once your property has been located, you can easily pick it up at a United baggage claim area without having to wait in line. You can even print off a free proof of loss form to bring with you to your pick-up location to speed up the process even further.

United's Lost and Found process is entirely self-service and streamlined so you don't need to wait in line to speak to an agent to file a report. Once you complete your claim online, you'll receive confirmation within three business days that the claim has been received and processed. You will then be notified of where your property was found and the next steps you should take to get it back in your hands. And, although each case is different, the average wait time for the return of lost property is 7-10 days from the time the airline receives a claim.

How to report a lost or found item:

You can file a report by visiting https://united.com/baggage/lost-or-found or by logging onto united.com and selecting "Lost Luggage" in the drop-down menu. You can choose to fill out the online form or download the PDF form and mail it in. You can also download the free mobile app from iTunes or Google Play to report your lost property on the go. The forms can be printed and completed offline at any time and are available for free at any United ticket counter. Or you can download the form directly here.

Claiming an item found on United:

If you find a piece of luggage on United or one of its partner airlines, please take note of the bag tag number and make a note of the travel itinerary so the owner can be notified. Then, visit your nearest United baggage claim to notify the ticketing agent about the property and let them know where you found it. Be sure to hold onto the item until a claim representative comes to collect it.

Please note that if the property belongs to you, you must provide proper identification, such as a photo I.D. to claim your property. United reserves the right to request verification from any claimant to ensure the validity of any claim.

Travelers flying with United Airlines can quickly and easily file a claim by logging onto their online portal at www.united.com and selecting “Lost Luggage” from the drop-down menu. United recommends filing a claim as soon as possible so that a flight disruption can be avoided and the traveler can get on their way as quickly as possible.