American Airlines Raises Baggage Fee After 5 Years

Image: American Airlines planes lined up at their gates.  (Photo Credit: American Airlines Media)
Image: American Airlines planes lined up at their gates. (Photo Credit: American Airlines Media)
Lacey Pfalz
by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 2:20 PM ET, Tue February 20, 2024

American Airlines is raising the price to check bags for travel booked on and after February 20, 2024, in an effort to encourage more travelers to become AAdvantage members, who don’t need to pay baggage fees.

According to Reuters, travelers on domestic flights will now pay $35 for their first bag if the service is booked online in advance, or $40 at the airport. A second checked bag will cost $45 no matter the purchase method. For Canada and short-haul international flights, the first bag will cost $35 and the second will cost $45.

Travelers who purchase premium cabins on domestic and international flights will continue to receive complimentary checked baggage, while oversized baggage fee for bags that weigh 50-53 pounds will drop to $30, while the current fee charges $100-$200. The full list of changes can be found here.

We want to make it more convenient for customers to enjoy the value and magic of travel,” said Vasu Raja, American Airlines’ Chief Commercial Officer. “Not only does booking directly with American provide the best possible experience, it's also where we offer the best fares and it's most rewarding for our AAdvantage members.”

It’s the first time since 2018 that the airline has raised prices on checked bags. 

 


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Lacey Pfalz

Lacey Pfalz

Senior Editor, News & Features

Lacey Pfalz is Associate Editor at TravelPulse. She's a passionate advocate of responsible travel and believes the best travel experiences happen outside of a planned itinerary. Lacey currently lives in rural Wisconsin. She can be reached at [email protected].

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