Hi All,

I am excited to go back to the Dominican Republic. I lived there for a couple years as a missionary for my church as a 19 to 21 year old. I came back finished school and got married. From 2011 to 2016 I went back yearly with my family, mostly for a vacation but also to volunteer at a dental clinic. I had to take a few years off because my youngest has had 6 brain surgeries and it was always recommended we wait 6 months from the most recent surgery to travel multiple hours away from a hospital with a pediatric neurosurgeon. Well we can finally go. In the past we have put our items in carry on luggage and packed a checked bag full of dental supplies for each person. I realized something has changed and either bag used to be free to the DR or the AA credit card no longer gives free bags to the DR. I don't remember those specifics, but either way I realized that is not the case anymore. There are 8 of us going to the DR. I emailed AA asking if they would allow free bags for a charity group. I didn't get a response. It isn't a huge deal because I can afford the cost of the bags, but the way my brain works is I would rather spend that money on supplies the clinic needs.

In case anybody wants to know about this clinic, it is pretty neat. There is a Monkey Jungle and Zip Line Excursion, and the profits from the excursion fund a medical and dental clinic. Every Saturday the clinic hires a few Dominican dentists to treat Dominicans in need. A few times a year Dentists from the States will bring their staff and treat patients for a few days. Without my staff I spend the Saturday with the local dentists. https://monkeyjungledr.com/

Has anyone had success in getting AA to allow free baggage for charity trips? Any suggestions?