Visitors intending to reach the official website should visit miami-airport.com
Baggage Services at Miami International Airport
Image
Quick Questions about Baggage
- Can I store my bags at the airport? Yes, there are two storage locations: Concourse E (Level 2) and Concourse H (Level 2, near gate 20). Rates range from USD 12 to USD 24 per day depending on suitcase size.
- How long do bags take to come out on the carousel? A long time. The slowness of baggage delivery is one of the most consistent complaints at MIA. There are documented cases of over two hours of waiting.
- What do I do if I lose something? If it's in the terminal, contact the Lost and Found office. If it's on the plane, contact your airline directly. If it was in your checked suitcase, there are reported cases of missing items — check the contents as soon as you retrieve it.
- Are baggage carts expensive? Yes. USD 9 for a self-service cart, a fee that travelers consider high for brief use.
- Do you recommend wrapping luggage? Yes, it's a well-regarded service for protecting suitcases from possible damage or tampering, although its cost is also considered high by some.
Image
AI-generated image
Key Points to Keep in Mind
- Rough baggage handling is a reality: reviews frequently mention rough handling of suitcases. Use sturdy suitcases and pack fragile items carefully.
- Patience is your best ally at baggage claim: slowness in delivery is a chronic problem. Don't make tight plans right after landing.
- Know where you lost your item: management is fragmented. An item lost on the plane is the airline's responsibility; at security, the TSA's; in the terminal, the airport's office.
- International connections with baggage: if you arrive on an international flight and connect to a domestic one, you must collect your checked luggage to go through customs and check it in again. View the full process according to your connection type
- Check your suitcase as soon as you retrieve it: there is at least one documented case of theft from checked luggage (cash and an electronic device missing). It's not a widespread pattern, but avoid leaving valuables in the suitcase you check.
Pros and Cons of Baggage Services
- Pros:
- Lost and Found at no cost: reporting or searching for a lost item at the airport office is free.
- Two storage locations available: in Concourse E and Concourse H, useful for long layovers.
- Wrapping well-regarded: real protection against the reported rough baggage handling.
- Cons:
- Slow baggage claim: one of the most consistent and documented problems at the airport.
- High prices for carts and storage: USD 9 per cart, up to USD 24/day for storage depending on size.
- Fragmented lost and found management: three different entities depending on where the item was lost.
Baggage Claim at the Carousel
User experience:
It's the most consistent complaint about baggage at the entire airport. The pattern repeats across multiple reviews: waits that frequently exceed an hour, and some documented cases of over two hours. Several travelers describe the waiting areas as narrow for the number of people gathered to watch the carousel.
There are also specific reports of flights that arrived later receiving their luggage before others that landed first, and some cases of checked suitcases showing signs of having been opened, with items missing. If your flight arrives at Concourse D, factor in extra walking: the actual distance to the baggage area can approach a mile when combining the route from the gate.
Strategy: don't plan activities with tight schedules right after landing, and check the contents of your suitcase as soon as you retrieve it, before leaving the baggage area.
Lost and Found
The Lost and Found office is located on the fourth level of Concourse D. Open daily from 8:00am to 6:00pm.
The office does not charge any fee to file a lost item report or to obtain assistance in searching for it. It is not affiliated with any company or website that charges a fee to search for lost items. All items found in the terminals, parking lots, ramp areas, or employee transportation service are stored securely for 30 days.
To report a lost item, complete the official form. If the item was stolen, you can also file a report with the Miami-Dade airport police.
Once ownership is confirmed, it can be picked up by presenting photo ID and the claim number. Shipping costs are the passenger's responsibility, including taxes and customs fees if being sent outside the U.S.
For items lost on the plane, contact your airline directly. Items forgotten at TSA checkpoints are only received on the next business day. For items lost at the car rental center, call +1 888 761 8227.
User experience:
The process generates frustration due to the lack of communication between the different entities (airline, TSA, airport) — each manages its own circuit, and it's not always clear who to contact first. The wait for lost or delayed luggage becomes especially tense when it contains important items or medication.
Strategy: identify where you lost the item first before filing any claim — it saves time to call the correct entity from the start rather than being passed around.
Luggage Storage
Two locations: Concourse E (Level 2) and Concourse H (Level 2, near gate 20), both open from 5:00am to 9:00pm. Rates depend on suitcase size:
- Up to 18 inches: USD 12/day
- 18-24 inches: USD 14/day
- 24-32 inches: USD 16/day
- 32-40 inches: USD 18/day
- 40 inches to 4 feet: USD 22/day
- Over 4 feet: USD 24/day
With proper identification (driver's license, birth certificate, passport), notarized affidavits can be obtained for USD 10 at the storage counter. Notary services and travel accessories are also available. More information: +1 305 869 1163 or Communitel's official site.
User experience:
Highly valued by passengers with long layovers who want to explore the city without carrying luggage. The most repeated drawback is the cost, especially for large suitcases or multi-day storage.
Strategy: if you have a long layover and large luggage, compare the cost of official storage against third-party options outside the airport — they are sometimes cheaper for stays of more than one day.
Luggage Wrapping
Available at stations along the second level of the terminals, before security. The wrap is a non-toxic, 100% recyclable, tamper-resistant plastic film.
User experience:
Considered practical and effective for protecting suitcases from theft or damage, given the airport's reputation for rough baggage handling. It provides peace of mind, although the cost is perceived as high compared to other airports.
Baggage Carts
Self-service carts for USD 9, available in all concourses, parking lots, and within the Federal Inspection Services facilities.
User experience:
A practical and necessary resource due to the airport's enormous distances. The USD 9 fee is considered excessive by travelers almost unanimously, especially for just a few minutes of use.
