American Airlines Raises Checked Bag Fees

Checking a bag on American Airlines? It will now cost $40 per bag if you don’t prepay online or $35 if you pay in advance. Previously, the airline was charging a flat $30 per checked bag. American has also increased the price of a second checked bag from $40 to $45.

The higher checked bag fee applies to all flights within and between the United States, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands. Checked bags remain free on most international flights with American Airlines for all classes of tickets except for Basic Economy. Checked bags for Basic Economy passengers on international flights start at $75.

American is also increasing checked baggage fees on flights to and from the US to Canada, Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America destinations by $5. The first checked bag will now cost $35, and the second checked bag will cost $45.

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This is the first time the airline has raised its checked baggage fee since 2018, and the increase makes America the most expensive US carrier to check a bag on.

When Will the Changes Begin?

The new checked bag fees began on February 20. Passengers who booked a flight before the fee was announced will not have to pay the increased rate. 

How to Avoid a Checked Bag Fee on American Airlines

The checked bag fee is waived on the first bag for:

• Eligible AAdvantage Aviator and Citi / AAdvantage cardmembers (on domestic American Airlines-operated itineraries)
• AAdvantage Gold status holders
• Oneworld Ruby status holders

American Airlines Checked Bag Fees 2024

Region	Bag 1	Bag 2	Bag 1 Basic Economy	Bag 2 Basic Economy
U.S. (including HI / AK), Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands	$40	$45	$40	$45
Canada and Mexico	$35	$45	$35	$45
Haiti	$0	$65	$35	$65
Caribbean (except Cuba and Haiti)	$35	$45	$35	$45
Central America (except Panama)	$35	$45	$35	$65
Guyana and Suriname	$35	$45	$35	$45
Panama / Colombia / Ecuador / Peru	$0	$100	$45	$100
South America (except Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru and Suriname)	$0	$100	$60	$100
Transatlantic	$0	$100	$75	$100
Transpacific	$0	$100	$75	$100