It was always my understanding that you get the first bag free for yourself and up to three companions as long as you book the tickets for all travelers on your card.

But as I look at the fine print on the card web page, you're right that it's not in there. I wonder if it's in the even finer print you get in the mail...

http://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/ea...toggle-journey

† First checked bag free
For benefit to apply, the CitiŽ / AAdvantageŽ account must be open 7 days prior to air travel AND, reservation must include the primary cardmember's American Airlines AAdvantageŽ number 7 days prior to air travel. If your credit card account is closed for any reason, these benefits will be cancelled. Eligible CitiŽ / AAdvantageŽ primary cardmembers may check one bag free of charge when traveling to domestic destinations on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines, or on flights marketed by American Airlines and operated by American Eagle Airlines, Inc., SkyWest Airlines, Inc., ExpressJet Airlines, Inc., Republic Airline Inc., or Chautauqua Airlines, Inc. These benefits will not be available for travel on codeshare flights booked with an AA flight number but operated by another airline. For the CitiŽ / AAdvantageŽ card, up to four customers traveling with the eligible primary cardmember will also get their first checked bag free of charge if they are listed in the same reservation. Waiver does not apply to overweight or oversized bags. This benefit cannot be combined with any existing AAdvantageŽ elite program benefits, including any waiver of baggage charges. Please see aa.com for baggage weight and size restrictions. Additional terms, conditions and restrictions may apply. Applicable terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.