American Airlines charges for checked bags on most tickets
American Airlines charges $35 for your first checked bag and $50 for your second on domestic flights. The fee applies to standard economy tickets. You pay at the airport or online before you travel. If you book basic economy — the lowest fare tier — you cannot check a bag at all unless you pay the fee, and you also lose the ability to choose your seat or carry a full-size carry-on.
The $35 and $50 amounts have held steady for several years. International flights to and from destinations outside North America follow the same structure. Oversized or overweight bags (over 50 pounds or larger than 62 inches total dimensions) cost an additional $100 per bag on top of the standard fee.
Some passengers do not pay these fees. American Airlines AAdvantage frequent flyer members at certain elite tiers, passengers with premium cabin tickets, and military personnel traveling in uniform all check their first bag free. If you hold an American Airlines credit card, you also get one free checked bag on tickets you purchase with that card.
Key Takeaways
- First checked bag costs $35 and second costs $50 on domestic American Airlines flights booked in economy or basic economy.
- Basic economy fares do not include a checked bag at all — you must pay the fee to check anything.
- AAdvantage elite members, premium cabin passengers, and American Airlines credit card holders check their first bag free.
- Bags over 50 pounds or 62 inches in total dimensions cost an extra $100 on top of the standard checked bag fee.
- You can pay the fee when you book online, at check-in, or at the airport ticket counter.
How to pay the checked bag fee
The easiest way to pay is during online check-in, which opens 24 hours before departure. Log into your American Airlines account, find your reservation, and select the option to add a checked bag. You will see the $35 charge and can pay by credit card right then. This also lets you know the fee is covered before you arrive at the airport.
If you did not pay online, you can add a bag at the airport ticket counter or baggage drop desk when you arrive. The fee is the same — $35 for the first bag — but you will be charged at that moment. Some passengers wait until the airport hoping to negotiate or avoid the fee, but American Airlines does not waive it at check-in unless you may have access to for an exemption.
You cannot add a checked bag through the American Airlines app once you have already checked in. If you realize at the gate that you need to check a carry-on, speak to a gate agent, but expect to pay the standard fee if you do not already may have access to for a free bag.
When you do not pay the checked bag fee
AAdvantage elite members — those at Silver, Gold, Platinum, or higher status — check their first bag free on all American Airlines flights. Status is earned by flying a certain number of miles or segments in a calendar year, or by holding the right American Airlines credit card. If you are unsure of your status, log into your AAdvantage account to check.
Passengers holding first class, business class, or premium economy tickets do not pay for checked bags. These are higher-priced fares that include the bag fee as part of the ticket cost. Main cabin extra tickets, which are a step above basic economy but below full economy, also include one free checked bag.
The American Airlines Citi credit card and the American Airlines Business credit card both come with one free checked bag per person per flight when you use that card to purchase your ticket. Military personnel in uniform traveling on any American Airlines ticket check their first bag free. Unaccompanied minors and passengers with disabilities also receive one free checked bag.
Basic economy and checked bags
Basic economy is American Airlines' lowest fare category, and it does not include a checked bag. You get a personal item (purse, backpack, or small laptop bag) and a carry-on roller bag at no extra cost, but anything you want to check must be paid for separately. This is different from standard economy, where the first checked bag is included in the ticket price.
If you book basic economy and later decide you need to check a bag, you will pay the $35 fee. You cannot avoid it by upgrading your ticket after purchase — you have to pay the bag fee separately. Some travelers book basic economy to save money on the ticket, then add a checked bag, and end up paying more than they would have with a standard economy ticket. Compare the total cost before you book.
Basic economy also restricts your seat selection and carry-on options. You cannot choose your seat in advance (you get assigned one at check-in), and you cannot bring a full-size carry-on roller bag — only a personal item. If you need both a carry-on and a checked bag, basic economy becomes expensive quickly.
Oversized and overweight bag charges
American Airlines allows checked bags up to 50 pounds and 62 inches in total dimensions (length plus width plus height). If your bag exceeds either limit, you pay an additional $100 fee on top of the standard $35 or $50 checked bag fee.
Bags between 51 and 100 pounds cost the extra $100. Bags over 100 pounds are not accepted. Oversized bags — those larger than 62 inches but under 100 pounds — also cost the extra $100. If your bag is both overweight and oversized, you still pay only one additional $100 fee, not two.
Weigh and measure your bag before you arrive at the airport. Many travelers discover an overweight bag at check-in and have to pay the fee on the spot with no time to rearrange their luggage. A luggage scale costs $10 to $20 and pays for itself the first time you avoid an unexpected charge.
Comparing American Airlines to other carriers
United Airlines and Delta Air Lines charge the same $35 for a first checked bag and $50 for a second on domestic flights. Southwest Airlines does not charge for checked bags at all — your first two bags fly free on every ticket. If you fly Southwest frequently, the lack of checked bag fees can save you hundreds of dollars per year.
Budget carriers like Frontier, Spirit, and Allegiant charge for checked bags on all fares, sometimes as low as $25 for the first bag if you pay in advance, but the fees add up if you check multiple bags. If you are comparing ticket prices, add the checked bag fee to the base fare to see the real cost.
American Airlines' fee structure is standard among full-service carriers. The main way to avoid paying is to may have access to for an exemption through elite status, a premium ticket, or a credit card benefit. If you fly American Airlines regularly, the credit card fee waiver often pays for itself in the first year.
What happens if your bag is delayed or lost
If American Airlines loses your checked bag, you do not get a refund of the checked bag fee. The airline is responsible for locating your bag and delivering it to you, but they do not reimburse the $35 you paid to check it. You may be reimbursed for essential items you had to buy while waiting for your bag, up to a limit set by federal law.
If your bag is delayed and arrives after you do, American Airlines will deliver it to you at no extra charge. Keep your baggage claim ticket — you will need it to track your bag and prove you checked it.
Travel insurance and some credit cards offer baggage delay coverage that reimburses you for items you buy while waiting for a delayed bag. This is separate from American Airlines' responsibility and can be worth the cost if you travel frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I avoid the checked bag fee by packing lighter?
No. The $35 fee applies whether your bag weighs 10 pounds or 50 pounds. The only way to avoid it is to not check a bag at all, or to may have access to for a free checked bag through elite status, a premium ticket, or a credit card benefit. Packing lighter does not reduce the fee.
Do I pay the checked bag fee if I book a round trip?
The $35 fee covers one checked bag per direction of travel. A round trip means you pay $35 for a checked bag on your outbound flight and $35 again on your return flight, for a total of $70 if you check one bag each way. Some passengers do not realize this and are surprised by the return flight fee.
What if I check a bag at the gate instead of at the ticket counter?
If you did not pay the fee before arriving at the gate, you will be charged $35 at the gate. American Airlines does not waive the fee for gate-checked bags. It is better to pay online during check-in so you know the cost is covered and you avoid a last-minute charge.
Does the American Airlines credit card fee waiver explore to my family members?
No. The free checked bag benefit applies only to the person whose name is on the credit card. Your spouse, children, or travel companions do not get a free bag unless they also hold the card or may have access to for a free bag through their own elite status or ticket type.
Can I pack a second bag for free if I only check one?
No. You pay $35 for your first checked bag and $50 for your second. There is no way to check two bags for the price of one. If you need to check two bags, budget for both fees unless you may have access to for a free bag through elite status or a premium ticket.