American Airways has had fairly a 12 months. Earlier in 2025, the carrier announced improvements to its security screening process with new touchless ID technology, permitting vacationers to maneuver by means of TSA checkpoints with out presenting a bodily ID. Nevertheless, extra lately, the airline faced criticism for widespread disruptions tied to an Airbus software issue that affected thousands of aircraft worldwide, even after repairs had been reportedly accomplished.
Now, American Airways is quietly altering its checked bag charges—and a few passengers will stay exempt. Right here’s what vacationers have to know in regards to the replace and who will keep away from the upper expenses.
American Airways Is Reportedly Rolling Out New Charges Whereas Quietly Conserving Some Passengers Exempt
In keeping with an inside memo obtained by View From The Wing, American Airways elevated the price of a primary checked bag on choose short-haul worldwide routes to $40 every means beginning December 1.
The rise applies to routes to:
- Canada
- Mexico
- The Caribbean
- Central America
- Guyana
The up to date pricing now matches American’s charges for checked baggage on flights inside the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Nevertheless, one element within the memo stood out. Vacationers who booked their flights earlier than December 1 will proceed to “comply with the earlier charge construction.” The doc additionally lists December 2026 because the cutoff date for exemptions, which seems to be a typo that ought to learn 2025.
Passengers who pay prematurely will obtain a $5 low cost on the primary checked bag.
The doc even outlines prompt language for brokers fielding questions on older bookings. If a buyer asks whether or not an October ticket for December journey is topic to the brand new charge, workers are advised to reply:
“Mr./Mrs. Buyer, thanks for asking! The brand new bag charges apply solely to tickets bought on or after December 1. Since you acquire your ticket in October, your authentic bag charge nonetheless applies.”
For now, passengers holding tickets bought earlier than the cutoff, or those that bought on-line, ought to anticipate to pay the decrease fee. And past that group, a number of classes of vacationers can nonetheless keep away from the brand new charge completely.
How Vacationers Flying American Airways Can Keep away from Paying The Newly Elevated Checked Bag Payment
Most vacationers flying in fundamental financial system or important cabin on American Airways don’t obtain a free checked bag, that means the brand new $40 charge applies. Premium cabins, nonetheless, nonetheless provide built-in allowances. Important Plus contains one free checked bag, whereas Enterprise Class clients obtain two free checked baggage no matter vacation spot.
American additionally gives checked baggage perks to its elite members. The airline’s 4 AAdvantage standing tiers embody free checked baggage for the member and companions touring on the identical reservation on American Airways or American Eagle.
AAdvantage Status Checked Baggage Allowances:
|
Tier |
Checked Baggage Allowance |
|---|---|
|
AAdvantage Gold |
One free checked bag |
|
AAdvantage Platinum |
Two free checked baggage |
|
AAdvantage Platinum Professional / Govt Platinum |
Three free checked baggage |
Vacationers with Oneworld status take pleasure in comparable advantages when flying American-operated routes. Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members can test in an additional piece of bags without spending a dime along with the ticketed baggage allowance.
Why Credit score Playing cards Will Not Assist Vacationers Keep away from American’s Latest Bag Payment Improve
A number of American Airways cobranded bank cards—together with the Citi®/AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® and the Citi®/AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®—give the cardholder and eligible companions entry to a free first checked bag.
Though Brian Kelly, founding father of The Factors Man, says in a TikTok video that American’s cobranded bank cards are among the many greatest without spending a dime checked baggage, this perk applies solely to home itineraries. As a result of American’s latest charge improve targets worldwide routes, these bank cards won’t assist vacationers keep away from the up to date short-haul bag expenses.
The transfer to standardize bag charges throughout areas could also be sensible for American Airways, however its debut proper as vacation journey ramps up could go away some vacationers questioning why the change couldn’t wait.
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