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American Airlines is increasing its baggage fees for travelers who wait until they arrive at the airport to pay for their luggage. Beginning with bookings made on or after February 18th, passengers checking a second bag at the terminal will now pay $50 (a $5 increase). The airline says the change is designed to encourage customers to plan ahead and prepay online, which will keep the second checked bag fee at the current price of $45.
Under the revised policy, American’s first checked bag fees remain unchanged:
- First checked bag prepaid online: $35
- First checked bag paid at the airport: $40
The adjustment applies only to the second checked bag:
- Second checked bag prepaid online: $45
- Second checked bag paid at the airport: $50
This new structure creates a $5 incentive for travelers to handle baggage purchases before arriving at the airport.
Heather Garboden, American’s Chief Customer Officer, said:
Any time we can make the travel experience streamlined and more convenient before arriving at the airport is a win for our customers. We continue to update our digital channels to provide our customers with even more self-service options.”
American Airlines is framing the fee increase as part of a broader effort to reduce airport congestion and speed up the check-in process. By nudging travelers to prepay for luggage, the airline hopes to shorten bag-drop and counter lines inside terminals. United Airlines already uses a similar pricing model, charging higher fees for bags purchased at the airport compared to online prepayment.
The airline has recently invested in updates to its mobile app and website. New features include:
- The ability to add up to three checked bags during the booking process
- Confirmed same-day flight changes without needing an agent when bags are prepaid
- Automatic refunds for eligible prepaid bag purchases if a trip is changed or canceled
- The option to redeem travel credits when purchasing standalone bags online
- Expanded bag-purchase options for premium cabin travelers
Customers who prepay can also skip longer lines by using kiosks to print Express Bag Tags. American has installed about 100 new bag kiosks across 16 airports in the past year. Many travelers will not be affected by the new second-bag fee, thanks to existing benefits:
- All AAdvantage® elite status members receive complimentary checked bags
- Most American Airlines credit cardholders get their first domestic checked bag free
- Premium cabin customers continue to receive free baggage allowances
- Active-duty US military personnel receive complimentary bags on all flights
Anthony’s Take: While American Airlines is raising the cost of a second checked bag for customers who pay at the airport, it’s easy enough to pay in advance if you’re checking bags.
(Featured Image Credit: American Airlines.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
