Last edit by: VFR
AA Credit Card Domestic Baggage Benefit
All Citi AAdvantage and Barclaycard Aviator cards
All Citi AAdvantage and Barclaycard Aviator cards
Summary
If you have an American Airlines co-branded credit card (including the ones they currently advertise in the airport and onboard the aircraft) you will receive a waiver of your first checked bag fee on domestic (US and Canada) flights for a standard size/weight bag. The following general conditions apply:- Your flight must be marketed and operated by American Airlines.
- The primary cardholder must be a passenger on the reservation, and the primary cardholder's AAdvantage number must be in the reservation at least seven days prior to flight.
- If the account is closed, the benefit will no longer apply.
Which Credit Cards Does This Work For?
The following US credit cards include a waiver of the first bag fee:- Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select card (+ 4 companions on the same reservation)
- Citi / AAdvantage Executive card (+ 8 companions on the same reservation)
- CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard (+ 4 companions on the same reservation)
- Aviator Red MasterCard (+ 4 companions on the same reservation)
- Aviator Silver MasterCard (+ 8 companions on the same reservation)
- Aviator Business MasterCard (+ 4 companions on the same reservation)
- Citi / AAdvantage MileUp℠ card
- Citi / AAdvantage Gold Card (not open to new applicants)
- CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Select Card (not open to new applicants)
- Aviator Blue MasterCard (not open to new applicants)
- Aviator MasterCard (not open to new applicants)
Frequently Asked Questions
They wouldn't allow me to check my bag for free on my domestic reservation. Why could they do that?The most common reason a free bag is denied is the requirement the account must be open 7 days prior to air travel AND, the reservation must include the primary cardmember's American Airlines AAdvantage number 7 days prior to air travel
Can I combine this with another reason that I get free bags to get 2 or more free bags?
No. If you have Gold status, you will still only get one bag for free (though it will include international itineraries).
Do I need to pay with my credit card to get this benefit?
No. The benefit is tied to your AAdvantage number, so you can pay in any way(another credit card, employer, online travel agency, etc.).
If my companions are on another PNR, can they use this benefit?
No. The other (up to four or eight) travelers and you must be on the same reservation.
Will this work on any reservation with AA?
The reservation must be entirely domestic (US & Canada).
If I'm connecting to an international (non-Canada) flight, can I use this benefit?
No.
If I'm connecting to another airline, can I use this benefit?
No.
Citi & Barclaycard AA Credit Card Free Domestic Checked Bag / Baggage / Luggage
#16
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Indianapolis
Programs: Hilton-Diamond Lifetime Platinum AA UA, WN-CP, SPG Gold.
Posts: 7,377
You have to book the ticket with the new card to get the $100.00 back, the good thing is they give you 30k miles, even if you have a AA card...as for the free bags, not a problem here got a Gold card a few years ago.
#17
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 3,049
#18
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: SPG Platinum (Lifetime Gold), AA Lifetime Gold, HHonors Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 182
How far in advance did you open the card? If it was more than 7 days before your flight, I would think that you could get a refund by submitting a request to Citibank customer service.
As someone else pointed out, your AAdvantage number had probably not yet been linked to the card by the time of your check-in. It may also be worth calling Citi be sure that it has been properly linked to your existing number and they did not create a new number for you. IIRC, this has been reported in the past.
As someone else pointed out, your AAdvantage number had probably not yet been linked to the card by the time of your check-in. It may also be worth calling Citi be sure that it has been properly linked to your existing number and they did not create a new number for you. IIRC, this has been reported in the past.
#19
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,813
How far in advance did you open the card? If it was more than 7 days before your flight, I would think that you could get a refund by submitting a request to Citibank customer service.
As someone else pointed out, your AAdvantage number had probably not yet been linked to the card by the time of your check-in. It may also be worth calling Citi be sure that it has been properly linked to your existing number and they did not create a new number for you. IIRC, this has been reported in the past.
As someone else pointed out, your AAdvantage number had probably not yet been linked to the card by the time of your check-in. It may also be worth calling Citi be sure that it has been properly linked to your existing number and they did not create a new number for you. IIRC, this has been reported in the past.
Last edited by will2288; Jun 15, 2012 at 2:00 pm Reason: spelling
#20
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: SPG Platinum (Lifetime Gold), AA Lifetime Gold, HHonors Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 182
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: west of DFW airport
Programs: AA LT Gold 1.9 MM flying my way to LT PLAT
Posts: 11,074
In our family's recent experience, it was not even necessary to show the Citi Aadvantage card at the airport to get the free bag at check-in. It is automatic after the card has been 'owned' for over 7 days.
#22
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 2
Will they just know when you approach the ticket counter?
#23
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Rancho Mirage, CA
Programs: UA, AA, Delta
Posts: 5
Here is the update, and thanks for moving my thread to the proper forum:
My CitiAAdvantage statement came, and the charges I had disputed were back on my statement. From that, I took it to be that my dispute was denied.
However, in today's mail I received a letter that the charges had been credited as the dispute was resolved in my favor. The charges were incurred on the return portion of my trip. Outbound, I was not charged. I was told at LGA to take it up with Citibank, not AA, so I did, and it slowly but finally worked out in my favor. Or so I think. I have yet to see the credit on a statement, and wonder why the charges were returned to my statement at about the same time they were sending the letter out.
Thanks for the advice.
My CitiAAdvantage statement came, and the charges I had disputed were back on my statement. From that, I took it to be that my dispute was denied.
However, in today's mail I received a letter that the charges had been credited as the dispute was resolved in my favor. The charges were incurred on the return portion of my trip. Outbound, I was not charged. I was told at LGA to take it up with Citibank, not AA, so I did, and it slowly but finally worked out in my favor. Or so I think. I have yet to see the credit on a statement, and wonder why the charges were returned to my statement at about the same time they were sending the letter out.
Thanks for the advice.
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,097
I have a question about this. Is there any indicator that you're going to get the free checked bag and priority seating prior to arriving at the airport? I don't see anything on my online reservation even though my Citi AA Platinum card is over several years old. I booked the flight 2 weeks ago.
Will they just know when you approach the ticket counter?
Will they just know when you approach the ticket counter?
#25
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: SPG 100 Plat, AA Plat, SWA, Avis Pref., Hertz GLD
Posts: 117
Citi free checked bag/priority boarding through BA Avios award reservation?
I have two tickets on AA that I redeemed via BA Avios points a few months back. I also have the Citi Platinum AA card with the free checked bag/priority boarding benefits.
Is there a way for me to link the card's benefits to the award reservation (it's already ticketed)? What options do I have?
Is there a way for me to link the card's benefits to the award reservation (it's already ticketed)? What options do I have?
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
I have two tickets on AA that I redeemed via BA Avios points a few months back. I also have the Citi Platinum AA card with the free checked bag/priority boarding benefits.
Is there a way for me to link the card's benefits to the award reservation (it's already ticketed)? What options do I have?
Is there a way for me to link the card's benefits to the award reservation (it's already ticketed)? What options do I have?
I don't think there is a requirement to use the card for the ticket purchase.
#30
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 146
Caution: [Citi Select AMEX card] first checked bag NOT free!
Despite the advertising, the flyer I was mailed, etc. The AA Citi select American express card does not allow for free bags at check in. Had to pay $75 for 3 bags despite following all the rules, card linked to Advantage #, etc.
Can't seem to get anyone to answer why this is. Email to AA was replied with a form response.
Any ideas who to contact?
Thanks
Can't seem to get anyone to answer why this is. Email to AA was replied with a form response.
Any ideas who to contact?
Thanks