Our domestic first class award miles flight out of DCA is at 7:00 pm on 30 May, but we're arriving in DC by Uber in the mid-morning. We want to do some sightseeing in DC without dragging our luggage with us, so can anyone please tell me the earliest time we can drop off or check our luggage?

The AA site says the passenger can check in online up to 24 hours before departure, but not a word about how early bags can be checked. I telephoned AA and the CSA cited the same policy that I noted above, and she assumes that means we can bring our bags to the airport 24 hours early. I'm not so sure about that. I need a definitive answer. Would prefer to physically check our bags in the morning and return to the airport for our flight at the scheduled time.

Thanks in advance!

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I finally talked to a AA CSA and she stated yes, we can drop off and check our bags early and return later to board the flight.