No but they can put your spending to better use and get you lounge access (AMEX Plat, Chase Sapphire) as well as higher return on ticket purchases (5X on the AMEX and 3X on the CSR). Depending on your actual number of flights with AA, the amount in benefits will very likely outweigh the cost of a checked bag. The priority can't be avoided but Group 6/7 isn't that much worse, especially on long-haul.