• Will I have to pay checked baggage fees?
AA began charging for certain checked bags in 2008. Fees vary by destination (be sure to check AA.com for the most up-to-date information). There is a long list of exemptions for the first one or two checked bags, including AA and oneworld elites and their companions, passengers traveling in premium cabins (paid, award, or upgrade), and active U.S. military personnel. As of Apr 8, 2014, AA Gold members receive only one free checked bag instead of the previous two and companions are no longer included; full-fare Economy Class tickets and Economy AAnytime Awards no longer allow two free checked bags. As of Oct 1, 2010, passengers traveling in First or Business are allowed three free checked bags. Standard limits are 62 linear inches (L+W+H) and 50 lbs per checked bag.
If the first segment in your itinerary is on a flight operated by another carrier, including AA codeshare flights, then the checked baggage rules and fees of the operating carrier apply at check-in.
Wiki:
Luggage and Baggage
AA.com:
Baggage Information |
Checked Bag Fees |
Fee Exemption List |
Baggage Fees Table
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AA begins charging for checked bags (Jun 2008)
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AA increases checked bag fees (Aug 2009)
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AA to start charging for second checked bag on some international routes (Sep 2009)
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AA increases checked bag fees (Feb 2010)
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AA increases Canada checked bag fees (Mar 2010)
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AA increases checked baggage allowance for F & J passengers (Oct 2010)
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AA Golds lose second free checked bag (Apr 2014)