Flying with American Airlines and wondering how to simplify your airport experience? The American Airlines app is your secret weapon for managing your trip, including the often-dreaded task of checking bags. Gone are the days of endless lines just to declare your luggage! With a few taps, you can streamline your check-in process, pre-pay for bags, and even track them along their journey. Ready to become an American Airlines app pro? Let's dive in!
Unlocking the Power of the American Airlines App for Bag Check
The American Airlines app is designed to be your ultimate travel companion. From booking flights to navigating airports, it puts crucial information and functions right at your fingertips. When it comes to checked bags, the app offers a convenient way to declare and pay for your luggage before you even set foot in the terminal, potentially saving you time and money.
Why use the app for bag check?
Save Time: Pre-paying for bags means less time spent at the check-in counter or kiosk.
Best Price: Often, you get the best available price for checked bags when you pay online or through the app.
Peace of Mind: You can track your bags from the moment you check them in until they arrive at your destination.
Flexibility: Manage your bag selections and payments from anywhere, 24/7.
Let's walk through the steps to master checking bags on the American Airlines app.
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| How To Check Bags On American Airlines App |
Step 1: Download and Log In – Your Digital Boarding Pass to Convenience!
So, you're ready to make your travel life easier? Fantastic! The very first thing you need to do is ensure you have the American Airlines app on your mobile device.
Sub-heading: Getting the App on Your Device
For iPhone Users: Open the App Store on your iPhone. In the search bar, type "American Airlines" and hit search. Look for the official American Airlines app (it usually has their distinctive eagle logo). Tap "Get" or the cloud icon to download and install it.
For Android Users: Head over to the Google Play Store on your Android device. Similarly, search for "American Airlines," find the official app, and tap "Install."
Sub-heading: Logging In or Continuing as a Guest
Once the app is installed, open it up. You'll likely see options to log in or continue as a guest.
Logging In (Recommended): If you have an AAdvantage® account, it's highly recommended to log in. This allows the app to automatically pull up your upcoming trips, apply any AAdvantage® benefits (like free checked bags), and save your preferences. Enter your AAdvantage® number or username and password. If you've forgotten them, there are "Forgot password" or "Forgot username" options available.
Continuing as a Guest: If you don't have an AAdvantage® account or prefer not to log in, you can continue as a guest. You'll need your 6-character confirmation code (Record Locator) and your last name to access your reservation. Keep this information handy!
Step 2: Accessing Your Trip – Your Journey Begins Here
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Now that you're in the app, it's time to locate your specific flight. The app is quite intuitive and will often surface your upcoming trips right on the home screen if you're logged in.
Sub-heading: Finding Your Reservation
If Logged In: Your upcoming trips should appear prominently on the home screen. Simply tap on the trip you want to manage.
If Continuing as a Guest: On the home screen, look for an option like "Find Reservation" or "Check In." Tap this and then enter your confirmation code (the 6-character alphanumeric code) and your last name as it appears on your reservation. Once entered, tap "Find Trip" or "Continue."
Sub-heading: Confirming Your Flight Details
After selecting your trip, you'll be presented with a summary of your flight details, including your departure and arrival times, flight number, and seat assignments. Double-check that all the information is correct to ensure you're managing the right flight.
Step 3: Initiating Check-in – The Gateway to Bag Management
Paying for bags through the app is typically integrated into the online/mobile check-in process. You can usually begin checking in 24 hours before your scheduled departure and up to 45 minutes before domestic flights (90 minutes for international flights).
Sub-heading: Starting the Check-in Process
On your trip details screen, you should see a prominent button or option to "Check In" or "Start Check-in." Tap this to begin.
Sub-heading: Navigating Through Check-in Questions
The app will guide you through a series of questions and confirmations. These usually include:
QuickTip: Pause before scrolling further.
Confirming Passengers: If there are multiple people on your reservation, confirm who is checking in.
Reviewing Travel Requirements: The app may display important travel requirements for your destination (e.g., visa requirements, health declarations). Pay close attention to these!
Acknowledging Restricted Items: You'll be asked to confirm that you are not carrying any prohibited items in your checked or carry-on luggage.
Emergency Contact Information: You might be prompted to provide or confirm emergency contact details.
Step 4: Declaring and Paying for Your Bags – The Core of the Process
This is where the magic happens! During the check-in flow, you'll reach a dedicated section for managing your baggage.
Sub-heading: Selecting Number of Bags
You'll see an option to indicate how many bags you plan to check.
Carefully select the correct number of bags for each passenger. Remember, American Airlines generally allows you to pay for up to three bags per person through the app or online. If you have more than three bags, you'll typically need to add and pay for the additional bags at the airport.
Keep in mind baggage policies and limitations, including weight and size. Standard checked bags are usually limited to 50 lbs (23 kg) and a total linear dimension (length + width + height) of 62 inches (158 cm). Bags exceeding these limits will incur additional fees at the airport.
Sub-heading: Reviewing Bag Fees
Once you select the number of bags, the app will display the calculated fees.
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Be sure to review these fees carefully. The cost of checked bags can vary based on your fare type, destination, AAdvantage® status, and whether you hold an American Airlines co-branded credit card.
Note: If you are an AAdvantage® status member (e.g., Gold, Platinum, Executive Platinum) or an eligible American Airlines credit cardholder, you may receive complimentary checked bags. Ensure your AAdvantage® number is linked to your reservation for these benefits to apply automatically.
Sub-heading: Completing Payment
After reviewing the fees, you'll proceed to the payment screen.
Enter your credit card details securely within the app.
Confirm the payment. You'll receive a confirmation that your bag fees have been paid.
Important: While you're paying for the bags through the app, you will still need to physically drop off your bags at the airport at an American Airlines bag drop counter or kiosk. The app payment merely covers the fee and streamlines the process.
Step 5: Receiving Your Mobile Boarding Pass & Bag Tag Instructions – Your Final Digital Steps
Once you've successfully checked in and paid for your bags, the app will finalize your mobile check-in.
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Sub-heading: Accessing Your Mobile Boarding Pass
Your mobile boarding pass will be generated and made available within the app.
This digital boarding pass is what you'll use to go through security and board your flight. It will typically display your name, flight details, gate number, and a scannable barcode.
You can often add your mobile boarding pass to your device's digital wallet (e.g., Apple Wallet, Google Wallet) for even quicker access.
Sub-heading: Understanding Bag Tag Instructions
The app will provide clear instructions on what to do with your bags at the airport.
Express Bag Tag Kiosks: At many airports, American Airlines offers Express Bag Tags. After checking in and paying via the app, you can scan your mobile boarding pass at a self-service kiosk to automatically print your bag tags. You then attach these tags to your bags and take them to the designated bag drop area.
Bag Drop Counter: If Express Bag Tags aren't available or you prefer, you can go to a dedicated American Airlines bag drop counter. Present your mobile boarding pass and ID, and an agent will print and attach your bag tags for you.
Step 6: At the Airport – The Physical Bag Drop
Even with the convenience of the app, you still need to get your bags to the airline!
Sub-heading: Head to the Bag Drop
Upon arrival at the airport, proceed to the American Airlines check-in area.
Look for signs indicating "Bag Drop," "Self-Service Bag Tag," or "Kiosks."
If you've printed your bag tags at a kiosk, simply take your tagged bags to the "Bag Drop" line. An agent will verify your ID and ensure the bags are properly tagged and within weight limits.
If you need an agent to print your tags, head to the regular check-in counter or a designated bag drop counter.
Sub-heading: Confirming Your Bags Are Accepted
An American Airlines agent will weigh your bags to ensure they comply with the airline's limits. If any bags are overweight or oversized, additional fees will apply, payable at the airport. Once everything is confirmed, your bags will be accepted, and you'll be on your way to security!
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Step 7: Tracking Your Bags – Peace of Mind in Your Pocket
One of the most valuable features of the American Airlines app is its bag tracking capability.
Sub-heading: How to Track Your Bags
After your bags have been scanned at the bag drop, you can go back into the American Airlines app.
Navigate to your trip details or look for a "Track Bags" option.
You can usually track your bags using your record locator (confirmation code) or the bag tag number provided at check-in.
The app will provide real-time updates on your bag's journey, from check-in to loading on the aircraft, during connections, and finally, arrival at baggage claim. This is incredibly useful for peace of mind!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about checking bags with the American Airlines app, with quick answers:
How to pay for bags on American Airlines after booking but before check-in? You typically pay for bags as part of the online or app check-in process, which opens 24 hours before your flight. You cannot usually pay for bags separately before this window through the app.
How to add more bags to my American Airlines trip if I already paid for some online? If you've already paid for bags online, you generally cannot add more through the app later. You'll need to add and pay for additional bags at the airport check-in counter or kiosk.
How to find my bag tag number on the American Airlines app? Your bag tag numbers are typically generated and displayed after you complete the bag check-in and payment process through the app, or after the tags are printed at the airport. You can usually find them within your trip details or bag tracking section.
How to know if my American Airlines flight allows online bag check? Most American Airlines marketed and operated flights are eligible for online bag check via the app, especially for domestic travel. Certain international destinations or complex itineraries might have limitations. The app will notify you if online bag check isn't available for your specific flight.
How to check if my AAdvantage® benefits apply to checked bags on the app? Ensure your AAdvantage® number is linked to your reservation. When you proceed to the bag payment screen during check-in on the app, your eligible free bag allowance should be automatically reflected.
How to get a refund for checked bags on American Airlines if my plans change? Generally, checked bag fees paid online or via the app are non-refundable if you cancel your trip or if you take a different domestic flight than your original. Refunds are typically issued if American Airlines mishandles your baggage (e.g., lost or significantly delayed).
How to track a delayed bag using the American Airlines app? Within the app, navigate to "Track Bags" and enter your record locator or bag tag number. The app provides updates on your bag's status and location, even if it's delayed.
How to know the weight and size limits for checked bags on American Airlines? Standard checked bags are limited to 50 lbs (23 kg) and 62 linear inches (158 cm, length + width + height). Overweight and oversized fees apply for bags exceeding these limits. This information is available on the American Airlines website and often within the app's baggage policy section.
How to use Express Bag Tags at the airport after checking in on the app? After checking in and paying for bags on the app, simply scan your mobile boarding pass at an American Airlines self-service kiosk at the airport. The kiosk will print your bag tags, which you then attach and take to the bag drop.
How to get help if I encounter an issue checking bags on the American Airlines app? The American Airlines app offers 24/7 virtual help through its chat tool. You can also find contact information for customer service within the app or on the American Airlines website if you prefer to speak directly with a team member.
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