When you’re a heavy packer, American Airways will quickly cost you extra — until you propose forward.
The airline on Wednesday introduced it is elevating charges for passengers’ second checked bag … that’s, in the event that they wait till they arrive on the airport to pay.
Going ahead, bag No. 2 will value prospects $50 on the terminal. That is $5 greater than the airline at the moment expenses for a second bag.
Nevertheless, flyers who prepay for his or her baggage on-line earlier than their journey will get a $5 “low cost” — wherein case the payment would keep the identical as it’s proper now ($45).
How a lot checked luggage value on American Airways
Here is how American’s charges for purchasers’ first two checked luggage will look going ahead:
| Checked baggage state of affairs | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
First checked bag payment if pay as you go on-line
|
$35 |
No change |
|
First checked bag payment if paid on the airport
|
$40 |
No change |
|
Second checked bag payment if pay as you go on-line
|
$45 |
No change |
|
Second checked bag payment if paid on the airport
|
$50 |
Up from $45 beforehand; applies to all bookings from Feb. 18 on |
These expenses are for home and choose short-haul worldwide flights. See the full details on American’s website.
What this modification means: Going ahead, American will incentivize prospects to prepay for his or her second checked bag, similar to it at the moment does with their first bag.
Prime competitor United Airways uses a similar formula for its bag charges.
Why the change?
American appeared to border its determination to hike second-bag charges for purchasers who pay on the airport as a strategy to nudge extra vacationers to e book their baggage forward of time, which may help scale back check-in and bag-drop strains contained in the terminal.
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In current weeks, the Fort Value-based provider has beefed up its mobile app and on-line instruments for purchasers, making it simpler so as to add luggage to reservations and make different flight modifications.
“Any time we will make the journey expertise streamlined and extra handy earlier than arriving on the airport is a win for our prospects,” American’s Chief Buyer Officer Heather Garboden mentioned in a statement.
Have in mind, all members who earn elite status in American’s AAdvantage loyalty program get at the very least one free checked bag. Members with Platinum standing and better get at the very least two free luggage on all flights.
Plus, most American cobranded credit card holders get their first checked bag free on home itineraries.
Learn extra: American Airlines baggage fees and how to avoid paying them
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American’s tweak to its baggage coverage comes roughly two years after airlines across the industry hiked bag fees in 2024.
It additionally comes simply weeks after American reported its 2025 earnings had been down sharply from a 12 months prior, disappointing Wall Avenue and sparking outcry amongst a few of its largest unions.
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