American Airlines Baggage Fees and Tips on Covering the Expenses

Key Takeaways

• American Airlines’ baggage fees vary by route, fare class, and loyalty status, with standard fees starting at $35 for the first checked bag on domestic flights.
• Additional fees apply for overweight, oversized, or extra bags, and passengers can save by pre-paying for baggage online or via the app.
• Elite status members, premium cabin passengers, and certain credit card holders may receive complimentary checked baggage allowances.

American Airlines baggage fees are pretty consistent with the average when it comes to larger U.S.-based carriers.

If you fly economy, you pay for all checked baggage on domestic flights and routes to or from Canada and Mexico (excluding some status and credit cardholders). For most trans-Pacific and transatlantic routes, your first checked bag is included, providing you haven’t booked a Basic Economy fare.

Where you want to be careful is in the excess baggage policy: If your luggage is both overweight and oversize, American will charge you fees for both.

American Carry-On Allowance

1 personal item: FREE
1 standard carry-on: FREE

Size Restrictions

• Personal: 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 centimeters)
• Standard: 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 centimeters)

Passengers may also take a soft-sided garment bag in place of their carry-on that can measure up to 51 inches (130 centimeters). Bags that require gate-checking may incur a fee.

Lap Infant Carry-On Policy

• 1 diaper bag per child is permitted in addition to the adult’s carry-on allowance.

Stroller-Check Policy

• Each customer is allowed 1 stroller and/or 1 child car seat to be checked free of charge (only 1 item can be checked at the gate).
• Strollers over 20 pounds (9 kilograms) must be checked at the ticket counter.

American Checked Baggage Allowance

All checked bags must 50 pounds (23 kilograms) or less in economy and premium economy and 70 pounds (32 kilograms) or less in business and first class (complimentary bags only). The only exclusion is economy and premium economy passengers flying to Australia or New Zealand, where a single checked bag can weigh up to 70 pounds (32 kilograms) for complimentary baggage and 50 pounds (25 kilograms) for excess charged bags. Checked bags must adhere to maximum linear dimensions of 62 inches (158 centimeters).

Hot Tip:

When talking about baggage allowances, many airlines refer to “maximum linear dimensions” or something similar. This is merely the number you get when you add together the length, width (or height), and depth of a piece of luggage. For example, if you have a suitcase that’s 26 inches long, 20 inches wide, and 16 inches deep, then its linear dimensions are 62 inches, or right at the maximum for many airlines.

Seasonal Baggage Restrictions

Oversize, overweight and excess bag limitations apply for select cities during certain times of the year. Visit American’s baggage limitations page for more details.

Economy Checked Baggage Fees (for Tickets Booked on or After February 20, 2024):

*Each passenger traveling to Cuba may only check up to 2 bags with a maximum weight of 70 pounds/32 kilograms per bag. Up to 3 checked bags allowed seasonally to Havana, Cuba. First and second bags are free when departing Cuba for the U.S. or Canada. When departing the U.S. or Canada for Cuba, baggage fees apply.
**Seasonal pricing or fare rules may apply to select routes. Please review the AA checked baggage policy for more details.

Hot Tip: Basic Economy passengers do not get complimentary checked bags, even on international flights.

Additional and Excess Baggage Fees (One-Way)

Overweight Fees

More than 1 fee may apply per bag that exceeds standard dimensions for both weight and size. For travel on or before April 16, 2024, you pay the checked bag fee plus oversize fee plus overweight fee. For travel on or after April 17, the higher fee (oversize or overweight) applies, in addition to the checked bag fee.

Over 50 pounds (23 kilograms) to 53 pounds (24 kilograms) Travel After April 16, 2024*:

Oversized Fees

For travel on or before April 16, 2024, AA only accepts checked bags up to 126 inches (320 centimeters) in total linear dimensions. For travel on or after April 17, 2024, checked bags over 115 inches (292 centimeters) in total linear dimensions will not be accepted.

For travel on or after April 17, 2024, a $30 fee applies for checked bags over 62 inches (158 centimeters) and up to 65 inches (165 centimeters) in total linear dimensions. There is no change to oversize fees for travel on or before April 16, 2024.

Fees for flights before April 17, 2024 (nonrefundable, each way):

Excess Baggage Seasonal Restrictions

In certain seasons, only 2 bags are permitted for some cities in Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. AA has a list of cities with such seasonal limitations.

Excess Baggage Year-Round Restrictions

Only 2 bags are permitted for select cities in Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. AA has a list of cities with such year-round limitations.

Sporting Equipment and Musical Instruments

Hot Tip: American Airlines accepts oversized sporting equipment and musical instruments within the checked luggage allowance, provided the item weighs less than 50 pounds and does not exceed 126 linear inches for travel on or before April 16, 2024. For travel on or after April 17, 2024, the maximum linear dimensions are 115 inches. This includes equipment such as skis, snowboards, and surfboards, which can now be checked as the first bag from for free to $75 (the fee is route-dependent).

Oversized items such as hang gliders, windsurfing equipment, and scuba tanks will still incur the $150 fee because of their specific handling requirements. You can find more information on specific items on the AA site.

Can I Prepay for Baggage?

American Airlines lets you prepay for luggage online or via the mobile app for certain domestic and Caribbean flights. This can be done when you check in and up to 4 hours before departure.

Here are the ways to prepay:

• Check in for your booking on the American Airlines website and add up to 3 bags.
• Check in for your booking on the American Airlines mobile app and add up to 3 bags.

If you don’t see the option to add baggage when you log in, then you must do it at the airport check-in desk.

Exclusions and Waivers

First checked bag is complimentary for:

• Eligible AAdvantage^® Aviator^® Mastercard^® and Citi^®/AAdvantage^® cardmembers (on domestic American Airlines-operated flights)
• AAdvantage Gold
• Oneworld Ruby (includes Alaska MVP)

First and second checked bags are complimentary for:

• AAdvantage Platinum
• Oneworld Sapphire (includes Alaska MVP Gold)
• Confirmed domestic first customers
• Confirmed business class customers
• Confirmed premium economy customers

First, second, and third checked bags are complimentary for:

• Confirmed Flagship First and Flagship Business Plus customers*
• AAdvantage Platinum Pro
• AAdvantage Executive Platinum
• Oneworld Emerald (includes Alaska MVP Gold 75K and MVP Gold 100K)

*Applicable only to Flagship First International, Flagship First Transcontinental, and Flagship Business Plus. AAdvantage Executive Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum Pro, and Oneworld Emerald members traveling in Flagship First may check a fourth bag at no charge

Active U.S. military and/or dependents with ID traveling on orders: first through fifth bags free of charge

Active U.S. military with ID on personal travel: first through third bags free of charge

Hot Tip: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan elites enjoy baggage benefits when flying on American Airlines.

Credit Cards That Give You a Free Checked Bag With American Airlines

Nearly all American Airlines-branded credit cards provide a free checked bag on your domestic flights with American Airlines. Friends and family can receive a free checked bag when on your itinerary.

Check out the details of each card’s checked-bag benefit below:

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To see more airline baggage fees and policies, click here.