Checking boxes as hold baggage on AA
Dec 3, 2016, 12:15 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: SFO
Programs: AA ExPlat, NW Plat, UA 2P
Posts: 565
Checking boxes as hold baggage on AA
Does anyone have **recent** experience checking boxes on AA? The website seems to indicate that boxes are never accepted. Confusingly, it then goes on to talk about a box embargo to various destinations. I am not particularly interested in the embargo stations, but more generally in whether boxes are **ever** accepted. I have not called AA about this, and am soliciting for actual experience with attempting to check boxes. Thanks in advance.
Dec 3, 2016, 1:08 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...age-policy.jsp
AA's practice of links/expansion within the document, rather than just providing the entire document, is tiring.
Dec 3, 2016, 1:52 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2003
Programs: OW Emerald
Posts: 1,452
Does anyone have **recent** experience checking boxes on AA? The website seems to indicate that boxes are never accepted. Confusingly, it then goes on to talk about a box embargo to various destinations. I am not particularly interested in the embargo stations, but more generally in whether boxes are **ever** accepted. I have not called AA about this, and am soliciting for actual experience with attempting to check boxes. Thanks in advance.
Dec 3, 2016, 6:13 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Washington DC
Programs: BA GLD, AA GLD 1MM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,702
On a recent long trip we bought a box of diapers for our one year old. Filled it up with dirty laundry and checked it in with AA for the ride home. No issues at all.
Dec 4, 2016, 9:46 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: BNA
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 766
Dec 4, 2016, 10:36 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75k, AAdvantage Executive Platinum
Posts: 197
I also check boxes frequently, usually computer equipment in their original shipping boxes.
Additionally, agents frequently refer to my Pelican 1620 case as a box, asking if I have anything to declare in the "box."
Additionally, agents frequently refer to my Pelican 1620 case as a box, asking if I have anything to declare in the "box."
Dec 4, 2016, 11:48 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: SFO
Programs: AA ExPlat, NW Plat, UA 2P
Posts: 565
Thank you to all who were kind enough to take the time to reply to my query. I am now satisfied that I can confidently check a regular-sized cardboard shipping box to my non-embargoed destination. ^^
Dec 4, 2016, 3:39 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: SFO
Programs: AA ExPlat, NW Plat, UA 2P
Posts: 565
Dec 4, 2016, 5:18 pm
#14
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: US
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 1,753
In a nutshell:
Boxes are otherwise accepted without issue on all other flights but are subject to the standard baggage weight and size restrictions.
- Boxes are never accepted on southbound nonstop/direct AA-operated flights to Port-au Prince, Recife, and Salvador.
- During the summer and winter months, boxes are not accepted on southbound nonstop/direct AA-operated flights to these cities. Exact dates vary but the summer embargo is generally June-September and the winter embargo is generally November-January. Seasonal embargoes are generally posted at least one month in advance. Some exceptions may apply for sports items, strollers (to Brazil only), and military personnel.
- AA's definition of a box includes plastic tubs, containers, and coolers.
Boxes are otherwise accepted without issue on all other flights but are subject to the standard baggage weight and size restrictions.