The American Airlines (AA) baggage policy for regular basic fares includes the following:
- Bring a carry-on bag with you for free.
- You can also bring one personal item for free. For checked baggage or luggage, fees will be applied based on the number of bags.
- If the bags are oversized or overweight, fees will be applied depending on the weight and size of the bags.
- Certain sports equipment might have additional fees.
American Airlines’ (AA) Carry-On Baggage Policy
- American Airlines (AA) allows passengers one free carry-on bag and one free personal item (such as a purse, briefcase, or laptop bag).
- Your carry-on bag must not exceed 45 inches (22 x 14 x 9) or 115 centimetres (56 x 36 x 23) when adding handles and wheels, and must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.
- The personal item should be small enough to fit under the seat in your front. Jackets, umbrellas, diaper bags, duty-free items, or assistive devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, strollers, child restraints seats, are exempt from the carry-on allowance.
American Airlines’ (AA) Checked Baggage Policy
American Airlines’ (AA) standard checked baggage policy states that two bags are standard, and up to ten bags are allowed for domestic flights within the US, as well as Transatlantic and Transpacific flights.
If your travel includes the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, or South America, the maximum number of bags allowed is five. The maximum dimensions of the bags are 62 inches or 157 centimetres (length + width + height), and the maximum weight is 50 pounds (23 kilograms) for Economy class, and 70 pounds (32 kilograms) for First/Business class.
American Airlines (AA) Baggage Fees
Fees for checked baggage on American Airlines (AA) may vary depending on the type of fare purchased, destination, whether you are an active US military personnel or dependent, your status with AA’s frequent flyer program, an affiliated carrier, or a sponsored credit/charge card.
- For flights within the United States (including Canada, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands), the charge for the first checked bag is $30.00 USD, and the fee for a second checked bag is $40.00 USD.
- Mexico has the same fees, while the Caribbean (excluding Cuba and Haiti) has the first bag fee of $30.00 USD and the second bag fee of $40.00 USD. Cuba’s first bag fee is free ($30.00 USD for Basic Economy) and the second bag fee is free ($40.00 USD for Basic Economy).
- Haiti’s first bag fee is free and the second bag fee is $70.00 USD.
- The first checked bag fee for flights within Central America (but not Panama) is $30.00 USD, and the second checked bag fee is $40.00 USD. For flights to and from Honduras, the second checked bag fee is $55.00 USD.
- Panama’s first bag fee is free ($30.00 USD for Basic Economy) and the second bag fee is $40.
American Airlines’ (AA) Excess Baggage Fee
For American Airlines (AA), excess checked baggage/hold luggage fees are as follows:
- US domestic (including Canada, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands): The third bag will cost $150.00 USD, and any additional bags will cost $200.00 USD.
- Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico: The third bag will cost $150.00 USD, and any additional bags will cost $200.00 USD.
- South America: The third bag will cost $150.00 USD, and any additional bags will cost $200.00 USD.
- Transatlantic: The third bag will cost $200.00 USD, and any additional bags will cost $200.00 USD.
- Transpacific: The third bag will cost $200.00 USD, and any additional bags will cost $200.00 USD.
American Airlines’ (AA) Overweight Baggage Fee
- American Airlines (AA) will charge an additional fee for bags that are heavier than the standard 50 pounds or 23 kilograms.
- Bags weighing between 51 to 70 pounds or 24 to 32 kilograms will cost an extra USD 100.00 per bag, which will be waived for all First Class, Business Class, Advantage Executive Platinum, and Oneworld Emerald passengers.
- Bags weighing between 71 to 100 pounds or 33 to 46 kilograms will cost an extra USD 200.00 per bag, however, this will not be accepted to/from Cuba or on Transatlantic flights and USD 450.00 extra on Transpacific flights (not accepted to/from Australia).
- Bags exceeding 100 pounds or 46 kilograms will not be accepted as checked baggage or hold luggage.
American Airlines’ (AA) Oversize Baggage Fee
- Check American Airlines’ (AA) website aa.com for the most up-to-date baggage pricing.
- Bags that measure between 62-125 inches (158-320 centimeters) will incur a fee of USD 200 for domestic US travel, Caribbean, Central America (except Panama), Mexico, and Transpacific travel.
- For Panama, South America, and Transatlantic travel, the fee for such bags is USD 150.
American Airlines (AA) Sports Equipment Fees
American Airlines (AA) will accept sports equipment such as skis, golf bags, fishing equipment, and hockey, and lacrosse equipment, as long as it meets the size and weight limits. This equipment will count as one checked bag/hold bag, though additional fees may apply.
American Airlines Carry-On Prohibited Items
Any item that is not allowed on the TSA website will not be allowed in American Airlines carry-on luggage.
Examples of prohibited items include but are not limited to, alcohol greater than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres), camping equipment that uses flammable fuel, caustic or corrosive items such as drain cleaner and solvents, firearms and ammunition, fireworks, sparklers, gunpowder and explosives, insect sprays, internal combustion engines, lighter refills, liquids, gels, and aerosols in amounts greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters), paints and thinners, personal air purifiers, poisons, pool chemicals, printer and toner cartridges, propane heaters, radioactive or infectious materials, self-defense sprays such as pepper spray, mace, and bear deterrent, self-heating meals (MREs), sharp objects such as box cutters and carpet knives, signal flares, Sterno, strike-anywhere matches, Styrofoam containers, and wet-cell batteries.
How To Avoid American Airlines Baggage Fees
Earn American Airlines Elite Status
By signing up as an American Airlines AAdvantage member, you and your select travel companions can get free checked bags. The loyalty program has four levels of elite status:
- AAdvantage Gold (one checked bag)
- AAdvantage Platinum (two checked bags)
- AAdvantage Platinum Pro (three checked bags)
- AAdvantage Executive Platinum (three checked bags)
In addition to free checked bags, members can also take advantage of other benefits such as status mileage bonuses, complimentary upgrades, preferred seats, and more. The specific benefits depend on the level of your status.
By using an American Airlines Credit Card
You may qualify for complimentary checked baggage with certain airline credit cards. American Airlines offers co-branded rewards cards through Barclays and Citi. The checked baggage benefits vary depending on the card.
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®*: Cardholders and up to four companions get a free first checked bag on domestic flights operated by American Airlines.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: Cardholders and up to four companions get a free first checked bag on domestic flights operated by American Airlines.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®*: Cardholders and up to eight companions get a free first-checked bag on domestic flights operated by American Airlines.
American Airlines AAdvantage® Mile Up®*: No checked baggage benefit.
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®*: Cardholders and up to four companions get a free first checked bag on domestic flights operated by American Airlines.
AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard®*: Cardholders and up to four companions get a free first-checked bag on domestic flights operated by American Airlines.
Book a Premium Cabin with American Airlines
If you book a higher class ticket, such as first class, business or premium economy, you may be eligible for free checked bags on certain flights. American Airlines and many other airlines do not charge baggage fees on premium cabin fares. However, if you are traveling in economy, you will likely need to pay a fee to check your luggage. Select Flagship First customers are allowed up to three free checked bags.
By using the Travel Credits
If you are unable to get around paying for checked baggage fees, some credit cards provide travel credits that can help offset the extra cost.
- The Platinum Card® from American Express, for instance, gives up to $200 in airline fee statement credits each year for various airline charges, including checked bag fees (enrollment required, terms apply).
- The Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders are also eligible for a $300 annual travel credit that can be used for any travel-related purchase.
- Additionally, certain rewards credit cards allow you to use points or miles to cover your baggage fees.
- The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earn bonus miles for purchases made with the card. Furthermore, you can also redeem Capital One miles to pay for any travel purchases charged to the card.
If You Fly on Another Airline
If you need to check bags and can’t avoid American Airlines fees, you might want to look into booking flights with another airline. Some companies don’t charge for checked baggage, depending on your destination. For example, Southwest Airlines gives two free checked bags per person for all flights. Every airline has its own rules regarding baggage. Check with your airline to find out what the baggage fees are for your trip.