Thinking about flying with American Airlines and wondering about your luggage? You've come to the right place! Dealing with airline baggage policies can be a bit of a maze, but American Airlines offers a straightforward system once you understand the ins and outs. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about buying bags on American Airlines, from understanding their policies to paying fees and avoiding surprises.
How to Buy Bags on American Airlines: A Step-by-Step Guide
Let's dive right in and get your bags sorted for your next American Airlines flight!
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| How Do You Buy Bags On American Airlines |
Step 1: Understand American Airlines' Baggage Basics - What Can You Bring?
Before you even think about paying for a bag, it's crucial to know what kind of bags American Airlines allows and what their general rules are. This will help you decide if you need to buy a checked bag at all, or if your existing luggage qualifies as a free carry-on.
Sub-heading 1.1: Carry-On vs. Personal Item
American Airlines generally allows one carry-on bag and one personal item per passenger for free. This is your first opportunity to save money!
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Personal Item: This is a smaller item that must fit under the seat in front of you. Think of it as a purse, a small backpack, a laptop bag, or a briefcase. The maximum dimensions are typically 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm).
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Carry-On Bag: This larger bag needs to fit in the overhead bin. The standard maximum dimensions are 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm), including handles and wheels. While there's generally no specific weight restriction for carry-on bags, you must be able to lift it into the overhead bin yourself. If your carry-on is too large or the overhead bins are full, you may be required to gate-check it, potentially incurring fees if it's over the checked bag limits.
Sub-heading 1.2: Checked Baggage Allowance (and When You Pay)
This is where "buying bags" comes into play. For most fares, especially Basic Economy and Main Cabin on domestic flights, you will likely need to pay for checked bags. The number of free checked bags, if any, often depends on:
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Your Fare Class: First Class, Business Class, and Premium Economy generally include more free checked bags than Basic Economy or Main Cabin.
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Your Destination: International flights, particularly transatlantic and transpacific, often include at least one free checked bag even for Economy passengers. However, some international routes to specific regions (like parts of the Caribbean, Central America, or South America) may still have fees.
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Your AAdvantage® Status or Credit Card: Elite status holders (e.g., AAdvantage Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro, Executive Platinum) and certain American Airlines co-branded credit cardholders often receive free checked bag allowances. Always check your specific benefits!
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Dimensions and Weight: Standard checked bags typically have a maximum dimension of 62 linear inches (length + width + height) and a weight limit of 50 lbs (23 kg) for Economy. For First and Business Class, the weight limit is often 70 lbs (32 kg). Exceeding these limits incurs additional overweight and oversized baggage fees.
Step 2: Determine Your Bag Needs - How Many Bags Do You Need to Check?
Tip: Be mindful — one idea at a time.
Now that you understand the different types of bags, assess your packing list.
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Are you a light packer who can manage with just a carry-on and personal item?
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Do you need to bring larger items, liquids, or simply more clothes that require a checked bag?
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Are you traveling with sports equipment or musical instruments? These often have specific rules and fees. It's crucial to check American Airlines' "Special Items" policy for these.
Think carefully about what you truly need versus what would be nice to have. Minimizing checked bags is often the easiest way to save money.
Step 3: Calculate the Cost - American Airlines Baggage Fees
This is the most critical part of "buying" bags. American Airlines' baggage fees are dynamic and depend heavily on your route, fare class, and the number of bags you're checking. Fees are generally:
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Per bag, per person, each way. So, a round trip with one checked bag means paying the fee twice.
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Non-refundable.
Sub-heading 3.1: Domestic Flight (U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada) Examples
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First checked bag: ~$35 - $40 (often $35 if paid online, $40 at the airport)
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Second checked bag: ~$45
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Third checked bag: ~$150
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Fourth+ checked bag: ~$200 per bag
Sub-heading 3.2: International Flight Examples (Varies Greatly!)
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Transatlantic/Transpacific: Often one free checked bag for Main Cabin, with subsequent bags costing $100+ for the first additional and $200+ for others.
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Mexico, Caribbean, Central/South America: Fees can vary, but generally expect to pay for the first and second bags, similar to domestic rates, or sometimes a bit higher, depending on the specific destination.
Sub-heading 3.3: Overweight and Oversized Fees
These are in addition to the standard checked bag fees.
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Overweight (51-70 lbs / 23-32 kg): ~$100 - $200, depending on the route.
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Overweight (71-100 lbs / 32-45 kg): ~$200 - $450, depending on the route. Bags over 100 lbs (45 kg) are generally not accepted.
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Oversized (over 62 linear inches): ~$150 - $200, depending on the route. Bags over 126 linear inches (320 cm) are generally not accepted.
Pro Tip: Always visit the official American Airlines website's "Checked Bag Policy" or "Optional Services Fees" page for the most up-to-date and accurate pricing for your specific itinerary. They have a handy calculator tool.
Tip: Highlight what feels important.
Step 4: When and How to Pay for Your Bags - The "Buying" Process
American Airlines offers several convenient ways to pay for your checked bags. Paying online or via the app is usually the cheapest option.
Sub-heading 4.1: Online During Booking
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Ideal Time: This is often the first opportunity to indicate and pay for your checked bags, especially if you know upfront that you'll need them.
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How: As you proceed through the booking process on AA.com, after selecting your flights and passenger details, you'll typically be prompted to add optional services, which include checked bags. The system will display the applicable fees.
Sub-heading 4.2: Online or via the American Airlines App (After Booking, Before Check-in)
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Benefit: This is often the best way to save a few dollars compared to paying at the airport. You can usually do this up to 24 hours before your flight's departure, during the online check-in process.
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How:
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Log in to your trip: Go to AA.com and click on "My Trips" or "Check In." Enter your 6-character confirmation code and last name, or log in with your AAdvantage® number.
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Access your reservation: Once your trip details appear, look for an option to "Add Bags," "Manage Baggage," or "Check In."
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Select and Pay: The system will guide you to select the number of bags you want to check and display the associated fees based on your itinerary. You can then pay with a credit card.
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Express Bag Tags: For many domestic flights, if you pay online, you can use "Express Bag Tags" at select airports. You simply scan your boarding pass at a self-service kiosk, and it prints your bag tags automatically. Then, you just drop off your tagged bags at the "Bag Drop" counter.
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Sub-heading 4.3: At the Airport (Kiosk or Ticket Counter)
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When: If you haven't paid online or if you decide last minute that you need to check a bag, you can do so at the airport.
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How:
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Self-Service Kiosk: Many airports have American Airlines kiosks. You can check in, select the number of bags, pay the fees (usually with a credit card), and print your bag tags. Then, proceed to the bag drop.
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Ticket Counter: If you need assistance or are checking unusual items, you can pay for your bags at the American Airlines ticket counter. Be prepared for potentially longer lines and slightly higher fees compared to online payment for some domestic routes.
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Important Note: Even if you have free checked bags due to your fare, status, or credit card, you still need to declare them and get them tagged, whether online, via the app, or at the airport.
Step 5: Prepare Your Bags for Check-in - Don't Get Surprised!
Properly preparing your bags is just as important as paying for them.
Sub-heading 5.1: Weigh and Measure
QuickTip: Look for lists — they simplify complex points.
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Crucial Step: Before you leave for the airport, weigh your checked bags with a home luggage scale. Measure their dimensions (length + width + height). This is the best way to avoid unexpected overweight or oversized baggage fees.
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Repack if necessary: If your bag is over the limit, remove items or distribute them into another bag (if you're checking more than one) or your carry-on/personal item.
Sub-heading 5.2: Label Your Bags
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Internal and External: Always place an identification tag inside your bag with your name, phone number, and email address. Use a sturdy external luggage tag as well.
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Why? In case your bag is misplaced, this significantly increases the chances of it being returned to you.
Sub-heading 5.3: Pack Smartly
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Valuables and Essentials: Never pack valuables, electronics, medications, important documents, or irreplaceable items in your checked luggage. Always keep these in your carry-on or personal item.
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Prohibited Items: Be aware of items prohibited in checked luggage (e.g., certain lithium batteries, e-cigarettes) or carry-on luggage (e.g., large liquids, sharp objects). Check the TSA website and American Airlines' restricted items list.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 common "How to" questions about American Airlines baggage, with quick answers:
How to: Avoid American Airlines baggage fees?
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Travel light with only a carry-on and personal item.
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Hold AAdvantage® elite status (Gold, Platinum, etc.).
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Use an eligible American Airlines co-branded credit card.
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Fly a fare class that includes free checked bags (e.g., First, Business, Premium Economy, or certain international Main Cabin fares).
How to: Check bag dimensions for American Airlines?
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For carry-on: 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm) including handles and wheels.
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For personal item: 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm).
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For checked bags: 62 linear inches (sum of length + width + height).
How to: Check bag weight limits for American Airlines?
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Economy/Basic Economy checked bags: 50 lbs (23 kg).
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First/Business Class checked bags: 70 lbs (32 kg).
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Overweight fees apply for bags between 51-100 lbs (23-45 kg). Bags over 100 lbs (45 kg) are generally not accepted.
Reminder: Take a short break if the post feels long.
How to: Add a checked bag to my American Airlines reservation online?
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Log in to "My Trips" on AA.com or use the American Airlines app.
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Go to your reservation, typically within 24 hours of departure, and during the online check-in process, select the option to add or pay for checked bags.
How to: Pay for bags at the American Airlines airport kiosk?
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Scan your boarding pass or enter your confirmation code/AAdvantage® number at the kiosk.
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Follow the prompts to select and pay for the number of bags you're checking.
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Print your bag tags and attach them to your luggage before proceeding to the bag drop.
How to: Know if my American Airlines flight includes free checked bags?
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Check your fare rules on your booking confirmation email or itinerary.
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Review American Airlines' official baggage policy page for your specific route and fare class.
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Look up your AAdvantage® status or credit card benefits.
How to: Handle overweight luggage on American Airlines?
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Remove items to get below the weight limit (50 lbs for Economy, 70 lbs for First/Business).
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If you can't reduce weight, be prepared to pay the overweight baggage fee (typically $100-$450, depending on weight and route).
How to: Pack liquids for American Airlines flights?
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Carry-on: Liquids must follow the 3-1-1 rule (3.4 oz/100 ml containers or less, fit in one 1-quart/liter clear, sealable bag, one bag per passenger).
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Checked bag: No volume restrictions, but ensure containers are securely sealed to prevent leaks.
How to: Travel with musical instruments on American Airlines?
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Small instruments may count as your carry-on if they fit in the overhead bin or under the seat.
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Larger instruments may be checked baggage, subject to standard checked bag fees plus potential oversized/overweight fees.
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You may also purchase an additional seat for a very fragile or valuable instrument if it fits in the seat. Always check American Airlines' specific policy for musical instruments.
How to: Find American Airlines' detailed baggage policy?
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Visit the official American Airlines website (AA.com) and navigate to the "Travel Information" section, then "Baggage." Look for "Checked Baggage Policy" and "Optional Services Fees" for the most current details.
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