Page Contents<\/p>
- What Does American Airlines Charge for Checked Bags?<\/a>
- American Airlines bag fees for domestic and international travel<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- How to Check Bags With American for Free<\/a>
- Carry an American credit card<\/a><\/li>
- Earn AAdvantage elite status<\/a><\/li>
- Book an eligible fare<\/a><\/li>
- Use a credit card travel credit or airline fee credits<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Bottom Line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n
What Does American Airlines Charge for Checked Bags?<\/span><\/h2>\n
The cost of a checked bag will depend on your route, fare class, and when you purchase the bag.<\/p>\n
American Airlines bag fees for domestic and international travel<\/span><\/h3>\n
American Airlines charges as little as $45 for a first checked bag and $55 for a second on domestic flights, including Hawaii and Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These rates also apply to flights between the U.S. and the following regions:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Canada<\/li>\n
- Mexico<\/li>\n
- Caribbean (except Cuba and Haiti)<\/li>\n
- Central America (except Panama)<\/li>\n
- Guyana<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Here's the current American Airlines checked baggage fee chart<\/a> for bags purchased on or after April 9, 2026<\/strong>:<\/p>\n
![\"Screenshot](\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\")
Screenshot of AA baggage fee chart<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n As you can see, this chart has a slew of asterisks and footnotes. Here's how to read it: For flights to the regions we've already discussed, travelers can save $5 off their first and second checked bag fees by prepaying their checked bag on American Airlines' website or app. In other words, your first checked bag is $45 instead of $50, and your second is $55 instead of $60. This doesn't apply to flights to other markets or for additional checked bags.<\/p>\n
If you're flying to other markets, you get a free checked bag when you book any fare class other than basic economy<\/a>. So, if you book a basic economy ticket to Haiti, you'll pay $45 for a checked bag if you prepay or $50 if you don't. If you're traveling in basic economy to South America (except Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, or Peru), you'll pay $70 for your checked bag, and so on.<\/p>\n
The only destinations where you can receive a free checked bag when flying in basic economy are Australia and New Zealand.<\/p>\n
How to Check Bags With American for Free<\/span><\/h2>\n
For many loyal readers of the AwardWallet Blog, the American Airlines checked bag fee should be a non-issue. That's because travelers have several ways to avoid paying American Airlines checked bag fees.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n Carry an American credit card<\/span><\/h3>\n
For most travelers, getting an AAdvantage credit card is going to be the easiest way to avoid paying checked bag fees on American Airlines. Most American Airlines credit cards<\/a> offer cardholders a free checked bag on domestic American Airlines flights (including Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands), plus flights between the U.S. and Canada. This perk generally extends to the other travelers in your reservation, making getting an AAdvantage card a must-have for families and groups.<\/p>\n
Now that Citi is the sole issuer of AAdvantage cards, here are your options:<\/p>\n
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- Citi\u00ae<\/sup> \/ AAdvantage\u00ae<\/sup> Platinum Select\u00ae<\/sup> World Elite Mastercard\u00ae<\/sup><\/a> and Citi\u00ae<\/sup> \/ AAdvantage Business\u2122 World Elite Mastercard\u00ae<\/sup><\/a>: First checked bag free on domestic itineraries for you and up to four companions on the same reservation.<\/li>\n
- Citi\u00ae<\/sup> \/ AAdvantage\u00ae<\/sup> Globe\u2122 Mastercard\u00ae<\/sup> and Citi\u00ae<\/sup> \/ AAdvantage\u00ae<\/sup> Executive World Elite Mastercard\u00ae<\/sup><\/a>: First checked bag free on domestic itineraries for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/div><\/div>Citi\u00ae<\/sup> \/ AAdvantage\u00ae<\/sup> Platinum Select\u00ae<\/sup> World Elite Mastercard\u00ae<\/sup><\/div>Welcome Offer<\/strong>\r\nEarn 60,000 American Airlines AAdvantage\u00ae<\/sup> bonus miles after $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.<\/div><\/div>How to Apply<\/a><\/div>Annual Fee<\/strong>$99, waived for first 12 months<\/p><\/div>
Credit Score<\/strong>Excellent, Good<\/p><\/div><\/div>
- \r\n
- Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent at restaurants<\/li>\r\n
- Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent at gas stations<\/li>\r\n
- Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases<\/li>\r\n
- Earn 1X mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Citi\u00ae<\/sup> \/ AAdvantage\u00ae<\/sup> Executive World Elite Mastercard\u00ae<\/sup><\/div>Welcome Offer<\/strong>\r\nEarn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage\u00ae<\/sup> bonus miles after $7,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.<\/div><\/div>How to Apply<\/a><\/div>Annual Fee<\/strong>
$595<\/p><\/div>
Credit Score<\/strong>Excellent, Good<\/p><\/div><\/div>
- Earn 10X miles for every $1 spent on eligible hotels booked at aa.com\/hotels and eligible rental cars booked through aa.com\/cars<\/li>\r\n
- Earn 4X miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases (increased to 5X miles through the end of the calendar year after you pass $150,000 in purchases annually)<\/li>\r\n
- Earn 1X mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Citi\u00ae<\/sup> \/ AAdvantage Business\u2122 World Elite Mastercard\u00ae<\/sup><\/div>Welcome Offer<\/strong>\r\nFor a limited time, earn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage\u00ae<\/sup> bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first 5 months of account opening.<\/div><\/div>How to Apply<\/a><\/div>Annual Fee<\/strong>
$99, waived for first 12 months<\/p><\/div>
Credit Score<\/strong>Excellent<\/p><\/div><\/div>
- \r\n
- Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent on cable and satellite providers<\/li>\r\n
- Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent at gas stations<\/li>\r\n
- Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent on select telecommunications merchants<\/li>\r\n
- Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent on car rentals<\/li>\r\n
- Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases<\/li>\r\n
- Earn 1X mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
Earn AAdvantage elite status<\/span><\/h3>\n
The other primary way of avoiding checked bag fees on American Airlines is to have elite status through American Airlines AAdvantage or another Oneworld airline:<\/p>\n
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- First checked bag free: <\/strong>AAdvantage Gold, GOL Diamond Smiles members, and other Oneworld Ruby elites all get one free checked bag on all American Airlines flights.<\/li>\n
- Two free checked bags: <\/strong>AAdvantage Platinum<\/a> and other Oneworld Sapphire elites get two checked bags on any flight operated by American Airlines.<\/li>\n
- Three free checked bags:<\/strong> AAdvantage Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum, and Oneworld Emeralds can check up to three checked bags at no cost.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Related: A Complete Guide to American Airlines AAdvantage Elite Status<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
Book an eligible fare<\/span><\/h3>\n
If you don't want to pay for a checked bag, but you don't hold AAdvantage elite status or a co-branded credit card, you'll need to book a fare that includes a checked bag:<\/p>\n
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- Two free checked bags:<\/strong> Customers flying in domestic first, business, or premium economy can each check two free bags.<\/li>\n
- Three free checked bags:\u00a0<\/strong>Passengers flying in Flagship First or Flagship Business Plus can each check three bags at no cost.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Photo by JT Genter \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n Related: How to Fly American Airlines' Best Business (and First) Class Seats Within the U.S.<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
Use a credit card travel credit or airline fee credits<\/span><\/h3>\n
Your last option for getting a free checked bag is to utilize a credit card that offers an airline incidental fee credit<\/a>. The most popular card with this style of credit is the American Express Platinum Card\u00ae<\/sup><\/a>. It offers up to $200 back in statement credits each year for incidentals charged by an airline of your choosing.<\/p>\n
Luckily, American Airlines is included among the eligible airlines. As long as you select American (and enroll in the benefit) before you make your purchase, you'll be reimbursed for checked bags, up to $200 each year.<\/p>\n
\n\n\nAmerican Express Platinum Card\u00ae<\/sup><\/div>\n<\/div>\n How to Apply<\/a><\/div>\nRates & Fees<\/a>
(Terms apply)<\/span><\/div>\nWelcome Offer<\/strong>\r\nAs High As 175,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> Points after spending $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n American Express Platinum Card\u00ae<\/sup><\/strong>\nWelcome Offer<\/strong>\r\nAs High As 175,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> Points after spending $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.<\/div>\nAnnual Fee:<\/strong>$895<\/b><\/div>\nShow more<\/a>Why We Like It<\/a>Highlights<\/a>Earning Rates<\/a>Cardholders can access more than 1,550 airport lounges worldwide, take advantage of up to $200 in annual airline fee credits, up to $209 in CLEAR+ credits, and TSA PreCheck\u00ae<\/sup> or Global Entry fee credits. The card also includes an annual hotel credit worth up to $600 on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts\u00ae<\/sup> or The Hotel Collection bookings (The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay), Hilton Honors\u2122 and Marriott Bonvoy\u00ae<\/sup> Gold Elite status, and a suite of benefits with Fine Hotels + Resorts\u00ae<\/sup>. Additional perks include $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership credit (with applicable sales taxes and Plus Ups not include), up to $300 in annual digital entertainment credits, up to $300 Equinox credits, and up to $200 annual Uber Cash and $120 Uber One Credit. Enrollment required for select American Express benefits.<\/div>\n\n\n- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount - all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.<\/li>
- Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.<\/li>
- With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges.* As of 07\/2025.<\/li>
- $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.<\/li>
- $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.<\/li>
- $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.<\/li>
- $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you.<\/li>
- $209 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.<\/li>
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.<\/li>
- Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.<\/li>
- $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That's up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.<\/li>
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.<\/li>
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24\/7.<\/li>
- $895 annual fee.<\/li>
- Terms Apply.<\/li><\/ul><\/body><\/html>\n<\/div>
- \r\n
- Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel\u00ae<\/sup> (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).<\/li>\r\n
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel\u00ae<\/sup>.<\/li>\r\n
- Earn 5X points on Fine Hotels + Resorts\u00ae<\/sup> and The Hotel Collection bookings.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel\u00ae<\/sup>.<\/li>\r\n
- Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel\u00ae<\/sup> (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).<\/li>\r\n
- Three free checked bags:\u00a0<\/strong>Passengers flying in Flagship First or Flagship Business Plus can each check three bags at no cost.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Two free checked bags: <\/strong>AAdvantage Platinum<\/a> and other Oneworld Sapphire elites get two checked bags on any flight operated by American Airlines.<\/li>\n
- First checked bag free: <\/strong>AAdvantage Gold, GOL Diamond Smiles members, and other Oneworld Ruby elites all get one free checked bag on all American Airlines flights.<\/li>\n
- Citi\u00ae<\/sup> \/ AAdvantage\u00ae<\/sup> Globe\u2122 Mastercard\u00ae<\/sup> and Citi\u00ae<\/sup> \/ AAdvantage\u00ae<\/sup> Executive World Elite Mastercard\u00ae<\/sup><\/a>: First checked bag free on domestic itineraries for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Citi\u00ae<\/sup> \/ AAdvantage\u00ae<\/sup> Platinum Select\u00ae<\/sup> World Elite Mastercard\u00ae<\/sup><\/a> and Citi\u00ae<\/sup> \/ AAdvantage Business\u2122 World Elite Mastercard\u00ae<\/sup><\/a>: First checked bag free on domestic itineraries for you and up to four companions on the same reservation.<\/li>\n
- Earn AAdvantage elite status<\/a><\/li>
- How to Check Bags With American for Free<\/a>
- American Airlines bag fees for domestic and international travel<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
![\"Screenshot](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AA-Bag-Fee-April-2026.png\")
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