American Airlines Baggage Fees

American Airlines has made some changes to its baggage fees in 2024, affecting travelers based on destination, elite status, or credit cards.

Dive into this guide to navigate American Airlines baggage policies with ease and ensure your journey is stress-free.

Our tips will help you mitigate these additional costs with the recent higher checked bag fees.

As per the new American Airlines Baggage rules, you will have to pay higher fees for your checked bags on domestic flights purchased on or after February 20, 2024.

Changes in American Airlines Domestic Flights Baggage Fees include:

• The fee for the first checked bag has risen from $30 to $35 when checked in online and $40 if checked at the airport.
• Similarly, the cost of a second checked bag has increased from $40 to $45, applicable regardless of the check-in method.
• $150 for the third checked bag
• $200 for the fourth checked bag

The updated extra bag fees will affect the frequent flyers traveling within the United States. It is important for passengers to factor in these higher baggage fees when planning their travel budgets to avoid surprises at the airport.

This American Airlines domestic baggage fee might vary depending on the region you’re traveling to, fare class, and the AA elite status of the passenger.

Checking luggage on American Airlines flights to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and Guyana has now become more expensive.

Here is the revised American Airlines International Baggage Fees for various short-haul flights:

• First Checked Bag- $35 (purchased online or at the airport)
• Second Checked Bag- $45
• Third and Fourth Checked Bags- $200

These new American Airlines Baggage Fees for international flights, effective February 20, 2024, impact the cost of checking baggage when traveling to specific destinations, including Canada and Mexico.

So, if you’re planning to travel on American Airlines’ short-haul international routes, be aware of this updated pricing structure to better plan your travel expenses.

American Airlines has also implemented significant changes to baggage fees for several international flights, so passengers flying beyond North America will have to pay even more for their checked bags.

American Airlines Checked Baggage Fees for Other International Flights:

American Airlines now holds the highest checked bag fees among major U.S. network airlines with these recent changes. 

Likewise, United Airlines’ new policy does not allow passengers with basic economy tickets to bring full-sized carry-on bags on board and Delta Air Lines has also adjusted their baggage fees by increasing their charges for checked bags on certain routes.

Starting April 17, 2024, American Airlines will have revised overweight and oversized baggage fees for flights. Here’s a breakdown of the new baggage fee changes:

With the American Airlines baggage allowance updates, you also get reduced fees for some oversized luggage, such as up to three pounds over the 50-pound limit will only cost an additional $30, way down from the previous $100-$200 charge.

After April 17, 2024, American Airlines’ oversize limit will change from 126 linear inches to 115 inches, and bags exceeding this allowance will no longer be accepted on American flights.

Travel booked before this date will be charged under the old fee structure. 

Notably, certain destinations like Cuba, Israel, Europe, Qatar, and Australia do not accept overweight bags – check American Airlines’ official website or contact their customer service to get details on specific weight limits and regulations.

Now, checked bags that are 62 inches – 115 inches (if you add length, width, and height) will cost between $30 and $200 each way, depending on where you’re traveling.

Remember American Airlines Overweight Baggage Fees are non-refundable and are charged per person, each way.

When traveling with sports equipment on American Airlines, most items like skis, snowboards, golf bags, and other gear are permitted as part of your standard baggage allowance, provided they meet the size and weight criteria.

It’s essential to understand the comprehensive guidelines provided by American Airlines that offer a list of all the items that can be checked without additional fees to ensure smooth travel with sports equipment.

Effective April 17, 2024, American Airlines Baggage Policy for Sports Equipment will have the following changes:

• A maximum weight limit of 70 pounds for all sports gear.
• $150 fees for Scuba Tanks
• $150 fees for Windsurfing Boards per two pieces
• Items like javelins, pole vaults, and hang gliders will no longer be allowed on American Airlines flights.

For travelers from Spain’s Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD), there are additional restrictions, where the maximum length of any side of a checked item cannot exceed 43 inches.

American Airlines offers generous baggage rules for specific destinations, providing one free checked bag with long-haul international main cabin tickets, excluding basic economy fares.

This waived baggage fee for American flights makes travel more convenient and affordable with eligible tickets. Passengers traveling to the following destinations enjoy complimentary checked bags:

• Latin America – Cuba, Haiti, El Salvador, Panama
• South America – Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay
• Transatlantic flights
• Transpacific flights – China, Hong Kong, India, New Zealand, Australia, South Korea (including U.K. and Europe)
• Middle East – Israel and Qatar

For travelers with basic economy tickets, American Airlines baggage allowance may vary, so it’s essential to verify the specific fees associated with checked bags.

To avoid the American Airlines baggage fee changes, consider traveling in premium cabin classes for enhanced baggage allowance, including complimentary checked bags.

This baggage policy applies to various fare types, ensuring that premium travelers have ample baggage capacity without extra charges.

Premium economy, business class, and domestic first-class travelers are entitled to two free checked bags.

Also, Flagship First and Flagship Business Plus passengers can check up to three bags at no additional cost, varying by destination. 

Whether flying domestically in first class or internationally in premium economy or business class, you can benefit from the added comfort and flexibility of complimentary checked bags.

Using American Airlines co-branded credit cards can be a smart strategy to avoid baggage fees, particularly if you don’t aim for elite status or travel in a premium cabin.

Citi and Barclays are the two primary issuers of American credit cards. The following cards come with a valuable perk of a free checked bag for primary cardholders and travel companions traveling on the same domestic flight.

It’s important to note that the baggage benefits vary based on the American Airlines card you hold and these benefits cannot be stacked with similar perks from other credit cards or elite status.

You can enjoy this complimentary checked bag benefit without using these co-branded cards to pay for your flights as it is linked to your AAdvantage account number.

Simply add your AAdvantage number to your reservation, and the free checked bag perk will apply automatically.

Aiming to achieve elite status with American Airlines can significantly elevate your travel experience with substantial savings, especially in terms of baggage allowance.

The airline offers four elite tiers within its AAdvantage rewards program, each with diverse valuable benefits.

Here is the American Airlines checked baggage allowance for elite members:

• AAdvantage Gold Status – One free checked bag 
• AAdvantage Platinum Status – Two free checked bags 
• AAdvantage Platinum Pro Status – Three free checked bags 
• AAdvantage Executive Status – Three free checked bags 

Remember that additional checked bags will incur standard fees. For instance, if you’re an AAdvantage Gold member and wish to check a second bag domestically, you would be charged the applicable second checked bag fee rather than the first checked bag fee.

Furthermore, Oneworld elite members also qualify for free checked bags on American Airlines-operated flights.

• Oneworld Ruby Members – One free checked bag
• Oneworld Sapphire Members – Two free checked bags
• Oneworld Emerald Members – Three free checked bags

When it comes to covering airline incidentals like checked bag fees, choosing the right credit card can provide excellent benefits and savings.

A few premium travel cards to cover your airline incidentals costs like baggage fees are:

Whether you prioritize specific airline perks or prefer more flexible travel credits, opting for the right credit card can help offset costs associated with checked bag fees and other airline incidentals.

Active duty U.S. military members and their dependents can also avoid changes in the American baggage fees while traveling. 

Military personnel and their dependents can check up to five bags free of charge for official orders, and up to three bags at no cost for personal travel.

Additionally, many airlines also offer this benefit to veterans and retirees under certain conditions, showing appreciation for their service with complimentary checked bag allowances.

This American Airlines baggage rule extends to active duty service members across various branches of the military, offering valuable support and savings for both official and personal travel needs.