How does it work?

• You can pay for up to 3 checked bags (per person) before arriving at the airport.
• Pay during booking or check-in on aa.com or in the app if it’s available for your trip.
• You can pay for bags starting within 30 days 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 when bags are selected for each passenger.
• 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 change your flight, in most cases your bags will carry over to your new flight. If your bags do not carry over, we’ll refund the fees as Trip Credit, which count toward a future flight or bag payments on aa.com or the app. You’ll need to pay for checked bags on your new flight.

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

Trip Credit is available if you:

• Cancel your flight on a non-refundable / non-changeable ticket (including Basic Economy).
• Want to refund your fully refundable ticket (ticket will be refunded, but bag fees will be returned as a Trip Credit).
• Change your flight and your bags cannot be carried over to your new trip.
• Buy an upgrade that includes free checked bags.

Refunds are not available if you:

• Decide not to fly.
• Change your mind and decide you no longer need to bring the number of bags you paid for.
• Get an upgrade that includes free checked bags.

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