Score free checked bags on American Airlines by reaching a qualifying tier of its loyalty program. You can also get free checked bags by flying premium fare classes, flying to certain destinations and if you’re active military personnel.
6 ways to get free checked bags
Here’s how to check your luggage without paying a dime.
A general travel card might come with credits you can use to offset baggage fees, in-flight purchases, airport lounge fees and more.
3. Earn American Airlines elite status.
American Airlines’s loyalty program, AAdvantage, has four elite tiers. Each offers one to three complimentary checked bags on American-operated flights.
Free checked bags for American Airlines elites
AAdvantage Gold
AAdvantage Platinum
AAdvantage Platinum Pro
AAdvantage Executive Platinum
1 bag
2 bags
2 bags
3 bags
4. Earn elite status in oneworld
You’ll get free checked bags on American flights as part of oneworld, an airline alliance that includes American Airlines, British Airways, Alaska Airlines, Cathay Pacific and more.
Free checked bags for oneworld elites
oneworld Ruby
oneworld Sapphire
oneworld Emerald
1 bag
2 bags
3 bags
5. Fly a premium fare class
When flying Business or Premium Economy with American, you can check two bags at no cost. If you fly first class on a three-cabin aircraft, you can check three bags at no cost. On a two-cabin aircraft, you’re allowed two free checked bags.
6. Visit a qualifying destination
When you fly to eligible destinations, you can check one to two bags free.
Destinations with free checked baggage
First checked bag free
Colombia
Ecuador
El Salvador
Haiti
Panama
Venezuela
First and second checked bags free
Argentina
Australia
Bolivia
Brazil
Chile
China
Hong Kong
Japan
New Zealand
Peru
South Korea
Uruguay
Active military members
If you’re an active US military member on personal travel, you can check your first three bags free on each American Airlines flight. If you’re traveling on orders, you and your dependents can each check five bags free.
How much does it normally cost?
These rates apply to bags up to 50 pounds and 62 linear inches on domestic flights.
First bag
Second bag
Third bag
Each additional bag
$30
$40
$150
$200
On First and Business Class flights, the maximum weight per bag is 70 pounds.
American credit cards that get you free checked bags
Use an American Airlines credit card with a free-checked-bag perk. Be sure to open your card at least seven days prior to your flight to receive the baggage benefit. Also, add your American Airlines AAdvantage number to your reservation at least seven days before your flight.
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard®
Annual fee
$99
$99 (waived for the first 12 months)
$99 (waived for the first 12 months)
$450
Number of free checked bags per domestic flight
1
1
1
1
Baggage benefit extends to…
4 companions
4 companions
4 companions
8 companions
Rewards
2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases
1x miles on all other purchases
2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases
2x miles at restaurants and gas stations
1x miles on other purchases
2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases
2x miles on cable and satellite providers, select telecommunications merchants, car rentals and gas station purchases
1x miles on other purchases
2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases
1x miles on other purchases
Other travel benefits
Preferred boarding
In-flight savings
Preferred boarding
In-flight savings
Preferred boarding
In-flight savings
Savings on in-flight Wi-Fi purchases
Admirals Club membership
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit
Priority boarding
In-flight savings
VIP airport experience
Bottom line
American Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the world, and it offers several ways to avoid baggage fees. Upgrading your fare class is probably the easiest method, but it’s worth getting an airline credit card if you travel with checked bags on the regular.
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Is your AA credit card among the four mentioned above? If so, then your card automatically has free checked bags per domestic flight. To receive the benefit, you must:
1. Open your card at least seven days prior to your flight.
2. Add your American Airlines AAdvantage number to your reservation at least seven days before your flight.
If you’d like to get confirmation of your checked bag benefit, please contact your credit card issuer. It’s also important to read the terms and conditions of your card to make sure you can take advantage of this free checked bags feature.
This depends on the cards term and condition.You can get 1 free checked bags per flight using American Airlines credit card. Please review your cards T&C or you can also contact the provider if you have specific questions.
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If I have already purchased my tickets and I receive my AA credit card can I still receive my free checked bags at the airport?
Hi Shawntel,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder.
Is your AA credit card among the four mentioned above? If so, then your card automatically has free checked bags per domestic flight. To receive the benefit, you must:
1. Open your card at least seven days prior to your flight.
2. Add your American Airlines AAdvantage number to your reservation at least seven days before your flight.
If you’d like to get confirmation of your checked bag benefit, please contact your credit card issuer. It’s also important to read the terms and conditions of your card to make sure you can take advantage of this free checked bags feature.
Hope this has helped.
Cheers,
May
If a credit card offers first checked bag free, does this apply to each leg of a multi city trip?
Hi Lauri,
Thanks for contacting Finder.
This depends on the cards term and condition.You can get 1 free checked bags per flight using American Airlines credit card. Please review your cards T&C or you can also contact the provider if you have specific questions.
I hope this helps.
Kind Regards,
Faye