American Airlines baggage fees and how to avoid paying them

American Airlines recently updated its policy regarding checked baggage fees and carry-on guidelines. It includes increased fees for checked bags and changes to size and weight allowances.

If you’re flying soon, it’s worth studying up to ensure that you’re not faced with unexpected charges — or, worse, not able to check your luggage at all.

In many cases, American Airlines customers will enjoy a free first checked bag or even two depending on their destination, elite status or whether they carry one of the American Airlines credit cards.

This guide will cover all the information you need to know about American’s baggage policy and how you might be able to save money by not paying any fees at all.

American Airlines carry-on guidelines

All passengers are entitled to bring a full-size carry-on bag and a personal item onto every flight, even customers who booked an American Airlines basic economy fare.

According to American, a personal item should be no larger than 18 inches by 14 inches by 8 inches, and it should fit underneath the seat in front of a passenger. Examples of personal items are backpacks, purses, briefcases, laptop bags and approved pet carriers.

The maximum size of a carry-on bag allowed on an American Airlines flight is 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches. All carry-on luggage must fit in the sizers available at the airport and/or in the overhead bin or under your seat.

Soft-sided garment bags, up to 51 inches, are also allowed as carry-on items.

Related: How to change or cancel an American Airlines flight

American Airlines checked bag fees

If you’re flying on a domestic, transatlantic or transpacific American Airlines-operated flight, you can check up to 10 bags (with fees attached, explained below).

Those traveling through Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, South America and Brazil can check up to five bags — but possibly with some seasonal or route restrictions.

American Airlines checked bag fees vary according to several factors, which include:

American Airlines domestic and short-haul international baggage fees

As of Feb. 20, American Airlines now holds the dubious title of “most expensive checked bag fees” for all the major U.S. network airlines.

For domestic flights, you will now pay:

• $35 for the first checked bag purchased online
• $40 for the first checked bag purchased at the airport
• $45 for the second checked bag purchased online or at the airport
• $150 for the third bag purchased at the airport
• $200 for the fourth bag purchased at the airport

For short-haul international flights, including Canada and Mexico routes:

• $35 for the first checked bag purchased online or at the airport
• $45 for the second checked bag purchased online or at the airport
• $200 for the third and fourth bags purchased at the airport

American Airlines baggage fees for other flights

If you’re boarding an international flight that takes you beyond North America, you can expect to pay even more for your checked bags with American Airlines.

Transatlantic and transpacific flights

All passengers (except those on basic economy fares) get one free bag for transatlantic and transpacific trips. Basic economy passengers will pay $75 for the first checked bag.

A second checked bag will cost $100, while fees for a third bag or more are $200 per bag.

South America flights

Fees for checked bags on travel to/from South America — excluding Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru and Suriname — start at $60 for a first bag and $100 for a second bag. A third bag or more will be charged at $200 per bag.

If you’re flying to/from Colombia, Ecuador or Peru, basic economy fares will be charged $45 for the first bag, $100 for the second, and $200 for the third and each additional bag.

Travelers flying to Guyana and Suriname on a basic economy fare will be charged $35 for the first bag, $45 for the second, and $200 for the third and each additional bag.

American Airlines’ overweight and oversize bag fees

Along with changes to checked baggage fees, American Airlines recently changed its fee structure for overweight and oversize bags for all travel on or after April 17.

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

The fees for overweight and oversize bags are as follows:

Note that after April 17, American Airlines’ oversize limit will change from 126 linear inches to 115 linear inches. Bags that exceed this allowance will no longer be accepted on American flights, and you will not be able to pay extra to fly with them.

The airline has detailed rules for checked bags to Cuba and Haiti on its website.

Traveling with sports equipment on American Airlines

Skis, snowboards and many other items can count as checked bags as long as they meet the overall size and weight requirements. American Airlines maintains an extensive list of items that you can check.

For the most part, there are no additional fees beyond normal checked bag fees — except for scuba tanks and windsurfing boards. For those items, you’ll be charged a fee regardless of any free checked bag entitlements.

For scuba tanks, this fee is $150 up to 70 pounds. For windsurfing boards, you’ll be charged $150 for every two pieces up to 70 pounds.

From April 17, you can no longer travel with javelins, pole vaults or hang gliders on American.

The general size and weight requirements for sports equipment are as follows:

• Travel on or before April 16: Maximum linear size (length plus width plus height) of 126 inches, with a maximum weight of 70 pounds.
• Travel on or after April 17: Maximum linear size (length plus width plus height) of 115 inches, with a maximum weight of 70 pounds.

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

How to avoid American Airlines baggage fees

Thankfully, there are several options if you want to avoid paying American’s checked baggage fees.

Pay with the right credit card

American Airlines has two primary card issuers: Barclays and Citi. With various cards across multiple issuers, the checked baggage benefit varies widely based on what credit card you hold.

The premium Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® comes with a free first checked bag for yourself and up to eight traveling companions on domestic flights operated by American Airlines. It also offers other American perks, such as Admirals Club membership and access for up to two guests traveling with you.

AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard and Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® holders get a first free checked bag for themselves and up to four traveling companions on domestic flights operated by American.

Some American Airlines cards, including the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®, don’t offer any checked baggage benefits.

Also, note that free bags for the first and second checked bag fee and can’t be “stacked” on top of other similar deals you may have from a different credit card or your elite status.

For example, an American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum member who also holds the AAdvantage Aviator Red card can’t get a total of three free checked bags when traveling domestically, even though they’re entitled to two as a Platinum member and one free checked bag with the credit card.

The information for the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard, Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard and American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: These credit cards can get you free checked bags

Take advantage of elite status allowances

All four elite status tiers in American Airlines’ AAdvantage program offer checked bag benefits.

• AAdvantage Gold and Oneworld Ruby members receive a first checked bag for free on all flights for themselves and up to eight traveling companions on the same reservation, up to 50 pounds per bag.
• AAdvantage Platinum and Oneworld Sapphire members can check up to two bags for free on all flights for themselves and up to eight traveling companions on the same reservation, up to 50 pounds per bag.
• AAdvantage Platinum Pro, Executive Platinum and Oneworld Emerald members can check three bags of up to 50 pounds apiece on all itineraries for themselves and up to eight companions on the same reservation.

Note that additional checked bags will be charged the standard amount for the additional luggage, rather than charged as if it’s your first checked bag.

For example, say you have AAdvantage Gold status and you’re flying domestically within the U.S. If you wish to add a second checked bag, you would be charged the $45 second-checked-bag fee rather than the $40 first-checked-bag fee.

Related: What is American Airlines’ elite status worth?

Book a premium cabin

Passengers flying on premium fares receive an increased baggage allowance.

The following fare types allow for at least two checked bags for free:

• Domestic first class
• International premium economy
• International business class

Flagship First and Flagship Business Plus passengers are able to check up to three bags for free.

Related: Chasing American Airlines elite status? Here are 15 ways to earn Loyalty Points

Use credit card travel credits to cover fees

Several travel rewards cards come with annual statement credits toward travel purchases. Some cards offer a credit that you can use for various travel purchases, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve and its $300 annual travel credit.

On the other hand, many American Express cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, offer annual airline fee credits, which are specifically for airline incidental fees. As long as you enroll in this benefit and select American as your airline of choice, you can get American Airlines baggage fees reimbursed by the credit.

Travel to one of these destinations

Excluding basic economy fares, passengers traveling to any of the following destinations are entitled to one free checked bag:

• Transatlantic flights (including to the U.K. and Europe)
• Argentina
• Australia
• Brazil
• Chile
• China
• Colombia
• Cuba
• Ecuador
• El Salvador
• Haiti
• Hong Kong
• India
• Israel
• Japan
• New Zealand
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Qatar
• South Korea
• Uruguay

Bottom line

While relatively straightforward in terms of its baggage policy, American Airlines now has the highest checked bag fees of all major U.S. network airlines.

All is not lost, though. There are still several ways to avoid checked baggage fees with American based on the flight you book, your elite status or your credit card.

The airline also allows a full-size carry-on bag and a personal item on all tickets.