Michael Turner
Quick recommendation: Add any hold bag during booking or via Manage Trips in the American Airlines app or website to lock in the lowest available charge. Typical domestic amounts: first hold bag $30 when added online, second hold bag $40 online; airport counter and kiosk amounts commonly $35 and $45 respectively.
How to complete the transaction: Open Manage Trips, enter passenger last name and record locator, select “Add bag”, choose quantity, then complete payment using credit/debit card or mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay) in the app or on the website. Airport kiosk and ticket counter accept major cards; gate agents can add hold bag items but expect higher rates.
Allowance exceptions and size/weight caps: AAdvantage elite tiers and premium cabin tickets often include complimentary hold bag allowance; Basic Economy usually does not. Standard weight limit is 50 lb (23 kg) and standard linear size limit is 62 inches (158 cm). Overweight and oversize surcharges commonly apply: 51–70 lb surcharge $100, 71–100 lb surcharge $200, oversize greater than 62 linear inches surcharge $200 on domestic itineraries. International fees and allowances vary by route and fare class; check the route-specific policy on the AA web page tied to your reservation.
Practical tips at the airport: Add hold bag items online up to departure to minimize cost; if purchase occurs at curbside, check-in or gate expect higher charges. Keep the electronic receipt in the app and confirm bag count on boarding pass. For damage or loss, report immediately at the airport baggage service office and keep all tags and receipts.
AA: Add a bag – fees, timing, accepted methods
Purchase additional bag allowance via the American Airlines app or website prior to airport arrival; domestic Main Cabin fees: first bag $30, second bag $40 on U.S. itineraries.
- During booking: choose “Add a bag” on the passenger details page and complete the transaction with a card or mobile wallet.
- Manage Trips: open your reservation with record locator and surname, select “Add bag” and confirm the charge.
- Online check-in: add a bag when checking in (opens 24 hours prior) using the app or website.
- Airport kiosk: scan boarding pass, follow “Add bag” prompts, complete payment by card at the kiosk.
- Ticket counter: an agent can add allowance and accept major cards or cash at the counter.
Accepted payment methods
- Major credit and debit cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover.
- Mobile wallets: Apple Pay and Google Pay via the AA app or website.
- AAdvantage travel credits and eCredits applied through Manage Trips.
- Airport kiosks and ticket counters accept card payments and cash at many locations.
Operational tips and fee triggers
- Elite members and holders of American Airlines co‑branded credit cards may have one or more complimentary bag allowances; verify entitlements in your AAdvantage account.
- Standard weight limit is 50 lb (23 kg); weights above that and dimensions over 62 linear inches incur overweight/oversize charges that vary by route and weight bracket.
- Prepay via app or website to obtain a transaction receipt and avoid added queue time at drop‑off.
- Basic Economy and international itineraries use different rules and fee schedules; consult AA’s baggage policy page with your exact route and fare class before travel.
Confirm whether fare class or AAdvantage status waives baggage fees
Verify fare basis and AAdvantage tier immediately: open your booking in Manage Trips or the American Airlines app, locate the fare basis code in the itinerary, then compare that code against AA’s baggage-allowance chart; AAdvantage Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum commonly receive at least one complimentary bag on U.S. domestic itineraries. Basic Economy fares typically exclude complimentary pieces unless an elite benefit applies.
Steps to confirm entitlement: 1) Locate the fare basis in your confirmation email, e-ticket or under “Fare details” in Manage Trips (example codes: Y, W, S, T, M indicate various economy families). 2) On aa.com go to Travel information → Baggage → Baggage allowance and enter origin, destination and fare code to view included pieces, weight and size limits. 3) Sign in to your AAdvantage account, then reopen the reservation so elite benefits and any complimentary-piece entitlement appear in the itinerary. 4) For codeshare segments verify the operating carrier’s allowance, since partner rules can supersede AA-published entitlements.
If displayed allowance differs at the airport: present your AAdvantage number and a screenshot of the reservation showing fare code and status; request that the agent refresh or rekey the PNR and, if needed, escalate to a supervisor. Contact Reservations or use web chat before departure to obtain written confirmation when an allowance waiver is in dispute. Keep boarding pass and membership proof until after baggage acceptance is complete.
Add and purchase hold baggage during online booking or in Manage Trips
Recommendation: Choose the number of hold pieces on the “Bags” or “Extras” screen while booking and complete the purchase at checkout so the fee is recorded on your reservation and shown on your receipt.
During online reservation
Select bag quantity on the dedicated baggage panel before entering passenger details; prices displayed there reflect route- and date-specific charges and include any route surcharges. Typical size limit is 62 linear inches (158 cm) measured including wheels and handles; standard weight limits are 50 lb (23 kg) for economy-class pieces and 70 lb (32 kg) for premium cabins – overweight and oversized surcharges apply if limits are exceeded. Use a credit or debit card at checkout; third-party bookings require modifications through the original seller.
Using Manage Trips or the mobile app
Open Manage Trips at aa.com (or the mobile app), enter your record locator and last name, choose the itinerary, tap “Add bags,” select piece count and confirm the purchase to attach charges to the PNR; an updated receipt and the baggage indicator on your reservation will reflect the transaction. Additions can normally be completed up to online check-in; fees are frequently lower online than if added at airport kiosks or the counter. If you later change flight segments, re-open Manage Trips to verify bag allowances and charges remain applied to the active reservation.
Packing and prep tips: verify each piece meets the carrier’s measurement and weight limits before arrival to avoid airport surcharges, and keep the purchase confirmation with your boarding pass. Also see best cylinder mower striped lawns.
Purchase hold bags in the American Airlines mobile app – step-by-step
Open the American Airlines app, sign in with the account used to book, tap Trips, select the itinerary, choose Add bags and complete the purchase using a saved card or device wallet (Apple, Google).
Step-by-step actions
1. Launch app and authenticate with email or AAdvantage credentials.
2. Tap Trips, open the specific reservation, then select the Bags or Add bags option shown on the booking summary.
3. Select the number of hold items required; the app displays applicable rates per piece and weight limits for the route.
4. Review size and weight rules shown on-screen; select any oversized or overweight options if needed (surcharges displayed inline).
5. Choose a saved card, add a new card, or use the device wallet option; confirm billing details and billing address as prompted.
6. Tap the app’s Complete purchase button; wait for the confirmation screen and an email receipt that includes the transaction ID.
7. Reopen Trips to verify the reservation reflects the added items and that the boarding pass has been updated where applicable.
Practical tips
Use a saved card or device wallet to shorten checkout time; keep the email receipt and show either the updated mobile boarding pass or confirmation ID at bag drop. Changes within 24 hours of departure may require airport agent assistance or a counter transaction.
Settle bag fees at airport kiosks, ticket counters, or curbside
Use self-service kiosks at least 45 minutes before departure to print bag tags and complete the transaction via credit/debit card or mobile wallet; most kiosks accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express.
Present boarding pass and government ID at ticket counters when AAdvantage status or fare class should waive the first bag; agents can reverse kiosk charges if entitlement isn’t recognized, so keep screenshots of status and booking details.
Curbside agents accept card transactions and sometimes cash–confirm local cash policy and any extra curbside service fee (commonly $5–10). If curbside staff flag an overweight or oversize item, they will measure on the spot and quote the surcharge immediately.
Expect weight and dimension checks at both kiosks and counters; typical American Airlines domestic rates (June 2024): first hold bag $30, second $40; overweight tiers commonly $100 (50–99 lb) and $200 (100+ lb); oversize surcharges often $150+. Rates can change, so verify at the airport.
Always collect the printed receipt and tag stub and keep them until the bag reaches baggage claim; use the receipt number when disputing charges at the ticket counter or via customer service. If an agent manually tags a bag, confirm the tag number is written on your receipt.
For international departures, arrive earlier and allow extra time for counters to verify customs forms, visas and restricted-item screenings; most airlines recommend 90–120 minutes preflight for overseas check-in and curbside drop.
Speed up the process by wearing or carrying essentials in an accessible on-body pouch; a compact umbrella tucks into carry-on space–see best market umbrella sunbrella–and a secure waist pack holds passport, cards and boarding pass during curbside transactions: best ccw waist pack.
Calculate and settle overweight, oversized, and special-item charges
Weigh each bag on a home scale and measure length, width, height; compute linear inches as L + W + H. Convert kilograms to pounds using 1 kg = 2.20462 lb. Compare measured values to the American Airlines thresholds in the table below and add the applicable surcharges to the base bag fee to get the total extra charge.
| Category | Thresholds | Typical surcharge (USD) | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Within standard limits | ≤ 50 lb (≤ 23 kg); ≤ 62 linear in (≤ 158 cm) | 0 (beyond base piece fee) | No additional surcharges |
| Overweight – tier 1 | 51–70 lb (23.1–32 kg) | $100 | Add overweight surcharge to base piece fee |
| Overweight – tier 2 | 71–100 lb (32.1–45 kg) | $200 | May require special handling; add overweight surcharge |
| Oversize | 63–115 linear in (159–292 cm) | $200 | Add oversize surcharge; combine with overweight amount when applicable |
| Excessive size or weight | > 115 linear in or > 100 lb | Not accepted as regular hold item; cargo routing | Contact cargo desk prior to travel |
| Special items (example) | Bicycles, surfboards, skis, musical instruments | Varies by item; sample: bicycle $150, surfboard $150 | Apply special-item charge plus any overweight/oversize surcharges |
Example 1: First piece weight 55 lb, linear size 65 in. Base piece fee $30. Overweight surcharge $100; oversize surcharge $200. Total additional = 30 + 100 + 200 = 330 USD.
Example 2: Bicycle at gate weighs 40 lb, linear size 80 in. Treat as special item with typical special-item charge $150 plus oversize surcharge $200 if policy applies; total additional = base piece fee (if applicable) + 150 + 200.
Quick steps to minimize extra charges: weigh and measure at home; redistribute items between pieces to keep each ≤ 50 lb and ≤ 62 in when possible; remove dense items to carry-on if cabin allowance permits; when a special item is required, reserve that item in advance and note whether its listed fee stacks with overweight/oversize amounts.
Use credit cards, AAdvantage miles, or travel vouchers to cover bag charges
Carry an AAdvantage co‑branded credit card as the primary method of payment; cardholders typically receive a waived first-bag on domestic itineraries, and the benefit often extends to up to eight companions on the same reservation – typical savings: $30 each way on domestic trips.
Redeem AAdvantage miles to offset ancillary charges when the website presents a “Redeem miles” option during checkout. Mile-to-dollar value varies by item and channel; verify the exact conversion online or by calling reservations before completing the transaction.
Apply travel vouchers and eCredits with the nearest expiration first. Most eCredits expire one year after issue and require name-match. Enter the certificate or eCredit number in the designated field during online checkout, or provide it to an agent when manual application is necessary.
Recommended sequence: use eCredits with imminent expiry, then miles when valuation meets your threshold (commonly ≈1¢/mile), then credit-card benefits to preserve mileage balances. When a single PNR includes multiple travelers, charge the itinerary to the primary cardholder to maximize waived-bag coverage across passengers.
Keep proof of every redemption: save screenshots of confirmation pages showing applied credits, mile deductions, or voucher codes, plus the final itinerary receipt. If the system rejects a voucher or mile application, escalate to American Airlines reservations or the airport ticket desk with the voucher number, AAdvantage account number, and booking locator so an agent can apply the credit manually.
