American Airlines Baggage Fees (2026)
Quick summary
American Airlines lets every fare (including Basic Economy) bring one free carry-on plus one free personal item, but charges for checked bags. After the May 18, 2026 fee update, the first checked bag on domestic main-cabin tickets is $45 prepaid online ($50 at the airport) and the second is $55 online ($60 at the airport). Basic Economy pays more — $55 for the first checked bag and $65 for the second. AAdvantage elites and most AAdvantage credit cardholders still get their first checked bag free.
The bottom line on American Airlines baggage
American Airlines is a bundle-style full-service carrier: your carry-on and personal item are free on every fare, so the only people who pay are those checking bags — and Basic Economy quietly checks out more expensive, at $55 for the first bag versus $45 in Main Cabin. The classic trap is paying at the airport instead of prepaying online, which costs $5 more per bag.
The reliable way to come out ahead is to travel carry-on only where you can, or to lean on an AAdvantage co-branded card or Gold status — either waives your first checked bag on domestic trips and pays for itself in a single round trip.
FlyRulebook Score
Our own 1–5 rating of American Airlines's baggage policy, scored from the verified data on this page. See airline rankings → · How we score →
Hidden pitfalls most travelers miss
- Basic Economy quietly checks out more expensive — $55 for the first bag versus $45 in Main Cabin — even though the carry-on stays free.
- Paying at the airport costs $5 more per bag than prepaying online ($50 vs $45 for the first domestic bag).
- Overweight (51–70 lb, +$100) and oversize (62–115 in, +$200) surcharges stack on top of the base checked-bag fee; bags over 100 lb or 115 in are refused.
American Airlinesbaggage allowance & fees at a glance
| 🎒 Personal item | One free personal item (purse, small backpack, or laptop bag) on all fares including Basic Economy. Must fit under the seat in front of you, max 18 x 14 x 8 in (45 x 35 x 20 cm). |
| 🧳 Carry-on allowance | One free carry-on bag on every fare, including Basic Economy. Max size 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 36 x 23 cm) including handles and wheels. It must fit in the overhead bin. |
| 🧳 First checked bag | $45 |
| 🧳 Second checked bag | $50 |
American Airlines checked bag fees
| 1st checked bag (domestic, online) | $45 |
| 1st checked bag (domestic, at airport) | $50 |
| 2nd checked bag (domestic, online) | $55 |
| 2nd checked bag (domestic, at airport) | $60 |
| 3rd checked bag (domestic) | $200 |
| 1st checked bag (domestic Basic Economy) | $55 |
| 2nd checked bag (domestic Basic Economy) | $65 |
Excess baggage cost calculator
Estimate what American Airlines will actually charge for your bags — one way, typical domestic/regional route.
- Checked bag #1$45
Estimates only. Fees vary by route, fare type, and date — always confirm before booking.
American Airlines vs United Airlines vs Delta Air Lines: baggage compared
Head-to-head on the fees that actually decide the cheaper airline for bags.
| American Airlines | United Airlines | Delta Air Lines | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carry-on included | ✅ Free | ✅ Free | ✅ Free |
| 1st checked bag | $45 | $45 | $45 |
| 2nd checked bag | $55 | $55 | $55 |
| Overweight surcharge | $100 | $100 | $100 |
| Weight limit | 23 kg | 23 kg | 23 kg |
Flying American Airlines abroad?
American Airlines is a full-service carrier based in US — if this is an international trip, a travel eSIM means you land with data already working, with no roaming bill.
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🔁 Change & cancellation
Main Cabin and above have no change fees on domestic and short-haul international flights; you pay only the fare difference. Basic Economy is generally non-changeable and non-refundable. All tickets booked directly with American qualify for a 24-hour risk-free cancellation with a full refund if the flight is at least 2 days away.
American Airlines flight delayed or cancelled?
Compensation rules follow the route, not the airline — a US-departing American Airlines flight delayed 3+ hours can be worth up to €600. Checking costs nothing.
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Other common fees
| In-cabin pet (carrier) | $150 |
| Preferred/Main Cabin seat selection | From $9 |
| Overweight bag (51–70 lb, domestic) | $100 |
| Overweight bag (71–100 lb, domestic) | $200 |
| Oversize bag (62–115 linear in, domestic) | $200 |
What stops you paying these fees on American Airlines
- An overweight bag costs +$100 here over 23 kg, each way. A scale costs about $10 — the maths on that →
How to avoid extra fees
- Prepay checked bags online before getting to the airport to save $5 per bag versus the airport rate.
- Most co-branded AAdvantage credit cards (e.g., Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select) give the primary cardholder and up to 4 companions a free first checked bag on domestic itineraries — easily offsetting the annual fee on one round trip.
- AAdvantage Gold status and above includes free checked bags, so even a low elite tier pays for itself if you check bags often.
- Basic Economy gets the same free carry-on and personal item as Main Cabin, so you can avoid the higher Basic Economy checked-bag fees entirely by packing in a carry-on.
- Keep each checked bag at or under 50 lb (23 kg) and 62 linear inches — a bag of 51–70 lb adds $100 and a bag over 62 inches adds $200, on top of the base fee. Bags over 100 lb or 115 linear inches are not accepted.
American Airlines baggage — FAQ
＋ − Does Basic Economy include a free carry-on on American Airlines?
Yes. American allows one free full-size carry-on plus one personal item on all fares, including Basic Economy. Basic Economy passengers only pay extra if they check a bag, and the checked-bag fee is higher on Basic Economy ($55 first, $65 second on domestic routes).
＋ − How can I get my first checked bag free on American?
Hold AAdvantage Gold status or higher, or carry an eligible AAdvantage co-branded credit card — both typically waive the first checked bag fee on domestic flights. Premium-cabin and full-fare tickets also include free checked bags.
＋ − How much are American's overweight and oversize bag fees?
A checked bag weighing 51–70 lb costs an extra $100 (71–100 lb is $200), and a bag over 62 linear inches costs an extra $200 on domestic routes, charged on top of the standard checked-bag fee. Bags over 100 lb or 115 linear inches are not accepted.
＋ − Can I cancel an American Airlines ticket for free?
If you book directly with American at least 2 days before departure, you can cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. After that, Main Cabin and above have no change fees (pay only fare difference), while Basic Economy is generally non-refundable.
Sources & official policy links
Independent guide — not affiliated with American Airlines. Figures here reflect American Airlines's published US fares as of 2026-07-12.