Aug 6, 2014, 7:07 pm
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
Nov 1, 2015, 8:58 am
#286
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,913
Use the Royal Jordanian or Finnair website to change your frequent flier number from BA to AA. Access the reservation using your BA confirmation code. Once the reservation reflects your AAdvantage account number, you should be afforded all of the standard benefits that you would have normally received had you booked the award ticket with AA (with respect to baggage, seat assignments, etc.)
-FlyerBeek
-FlyerBeek
Nov 3, 2015, 8:06 am
#287
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 52
Thanks, FlyerBeek and sosfo.
I ended up calling AA, who couldn't change it, and they called BA on my behalf. After ~45mins on the phone and some missteps, BA eventually changed it, and as FlyerBeek said, I got all my AA benefits including baggage.
FYI to anyone else: though the AA site says that the AA frequent flyer must be in the itinerary 7 days in advance to get baggage benefits, I had it changed less than 24hrs in advance, and it worked fine. The airport kiosk correctly showed my free bags privilege.
FlyerBeek: very useful to know I could use the RJ/Finnair site to change the number, for the future. That could save a long phone call.
I ended up calling AA, who couldn't change it, and they called BA on my behalf. After ~45mins on the phone and some missteps, BA eventually changed it, and as FlyerBeek said, I got all my AA benefits including baggage.
FYI to anyone else: though the AA site says that the AA frequent flyer must be in the itinerary 7 days in advance to get baggage benefits, I had it changed less than 24hrs in advance, and it worked fine. The airport kiosk correctly showed my free bags privilege.
FlyerBeek: very useful to know I could use the RJ/Finnair site to change the number, for the future. That could save a long phone call.
Nov 18, 2015, 8:56 am
#288
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,303
AA Citi card free checked bag on international flights?
If I am headed abroad, will I be able to check a bag for free with my platinum if I am leaving from the US? I can guess I won't be allowed to check a bag for free once I return and leave from the foreign country.
Nov 18, 2015, 10:10 am
#289
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: ATL
Programs: DL, Marriott
Posts: 728
Nov 18, 2015, 10:54 am
#290
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: RDU
Posts: 812
Nov 18, 2015, 11:56 am
#293
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: RDU
Posts: 812
Google is your friend.
Turks and Caicos belong to AA's Caribbean Region Definition.
See also: Checked baggage policy
Turks and Caicos belong to AA's Caribbean Region Definition.
See also: Checked baggage policy
Nov 18, 2015, 1:47 pm
#294
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
But "very near" abroad, like most of the Caribbean, AA doesn't check a bag for free for everyone, and yet the Citi AA Plat card free checked bag benefit doesn't apply since it's "domestic" only.
See the "checked baggage policy" link in the post right above this one for AA's more detailed explanation.
And please note that "domestic" is not a word you should define yourself. AA includes the following in "domestic" as it applies to baggage policy:
- Canada
- Hawaii
- Puerto Rico
- United States
- The U.S. Virgin Islands
Nov 22, 2015, 6:39 am
#296
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: IND
Posts: 417
Booking on AA card, free check Bag for AA card holder?
I bought a domestic AA ticket using Barclay card as I had some points to use, I do have AA citi master card which allows free check bag, Am i eligible even though reservation was not made using AA card? If so, do I just show the card to check in person to get checked bag fee waived?
Thanks
Thanks
Nov 22, 2015, 6:48 am
#297
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,584
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
"Am i eligible even though reservation was not made using AA card? If so, do I just show the card to check in person to get checked bag fee waived?"
1. Yes.
2. No.
As long as your AAdvantage number is in your reservation record, you should automatically receive a first checked bag at no charge. No need to show anything.
"Am i eligible even though reservation was not made using AA card? If so, do I just show the card to check in person to get checked bag fee waived?"
1. Yes.
2. No.
As long as your AAdvantage number is in your reservation record, you should automatically receive a first checked bag at no charge. No need to show anything.
Nov 22, 2015, 7:00 am
#299
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,584
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
The AAdvantage number must be in your PNR in order to get the free checked bag.
Originally Posted by ziqch
Thanks for the reply, if I put Alaska FF No. as I have done, I wont get free bag? If thats the case, I will change back to AA number.
Nov 22, 2015, 7:38 am
#300
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: MSY; 2-time FT Fantasy Football Champ, now in recovery.
Programs: AA lifetime GLD; UA Silver; Marriott LTTE; IHG Plat,
Posts: 14,518