Bags

How does it work?

• You can pay for up to 3 checked bags (per person) before arriving at the airport. Multiple passengers traveling in the same reservation will need to select bags and check in at a kiosk together.
• Pay during check-in on aa.com or in the app if it’s available for your trip.
• You can pay for bags starting 24 hours and up to 2 hours before your scheduled departure.
• You can't pay for bags online if you’re waitlisted, standing by for another flight, or had a flight disruption and you haven’t confirmed your new flights.
• You can receive the best price available if you pay for bags online or in the app.
• If you're checking more than 3 bags per person, additional bags must be added at the airport. Oversize, overweight and excess bag charges may apply.
• Charges are calculated based on standard bag sizes for flights, per person, each way.
• You can pay for bags online ahead of time when traveling on eligible American Airlines marketed and operated flights.
• Combined bag fees for multiple passengers: Passengers traveling together in a single reservation with multiple bags will receive the best online bag prices applied across all passengers
• Other special bags with a specific charge (i.e. cabin pets) require payment at the airport.
• Standard baggage terms, conditions and liability standards still apply.
• American Airlines reserves the right to change the rates, terms and conditions at any time before payment, with or without notice.

Bag and optional fees

What if I change my flight?

If you take a different domestic flight than your original flight, you will need to pay for checked bags on your new trip.

Can I get a refund?

We promptly and automatically refund you for delayed or lost checked bags if we received a mishandled baggage report that you filed when the bag was not delivered or picked up by you or an authorized person within:

• 12 hours of completing the last segment for domestic itineraries
• 15 hours of completing the last segment for international itineraries (nonstop flight duration between the U.S. and international point was less than 12 hours)
• 30 hours of completing the last segment for international itineraries (nonstop flight duration between the U.S. and international point was greater than 12 hours)

• Refund FAQs
• Request a refund Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

Refunds are not available if you:

• Cancel your domestic flight on a non-refundable/non-changeable ticket (includes Basic Economy).
• Decide not to fly.
• Change your mind and decide you no longer need to bring the number of bags you paid for.
• Have a fully refundable ticket and you wish to refund your ticket (ticket will be refunded but bags won’t).
• Buy or get an upgrade that includes free checked bags.

If you believe you've been incorrectly charged for bag fees, contact an American representative for help or file a refund claim within 45 days.