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
Jan 9, 2019, 1:19 pm
#496
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Jan 9, 2019, 1:31 pm
#497
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
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Moderator action
Discussion transferred to the AA forum because this is a benefit administered by the airline. Ample information here:
Citi & Barclaycard AA Credit Card Free Domestic Checked Bag / Baggage / Luggage
Citi & Barclaycard AA Credit Card Free Domestic Checked Bag / Baggage / Luggage
Jan 10, 2019, 8:01 am
#498
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 126
I am confused about this, now. I have several domestic Basic Economy tickets purchased and all of the emails have the same standard language about baggage fees. They all state that I have to pay $30 a bag, even though I am pretty confident that I don't because of credit card benefits.
I can't find the data from older flights that were all Main Economy or Award flights, but if IRC they also had the same baggage fees listed. And, I still received the free bag for me and companions for years using the Citibank Platinum MC.
I can't find the data from older flights that were all Main Economy or Award flights, but if IRC they also had the same baggage fees listed. And, I still received the free bag for me and companions for years using the Citibank Platinum MC.
Feb 5, 2019, 11:16 am
#499
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,900
I think this sentence in the Wiki is incorrect, "The primate[sic] cardholder must be currently active cardholder, the card number must be in the reservation at least seven days prior to flight."
Instead it should read, "...the cardholder's Aadvantage number must be in the reservation at least seven days prior..." Isn't that right?
Instead it should read, "...the cardholder's Aadvantage number must be in the reservation at least seven days prior..." Isn't that right?
Feb 5, 2019, 12:54 pm
#500
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 113
I think this sentence in the Wiki is incorrect, "The primate[sic] cardholder must be currently active cardholder, the card number must be in the reservation at least seven days prior to flight."
Instead it should read, "...the cardholder's Aadvantage number must be in the reservation at least seven days prior..." Isn't that right?
Instead it should read, "...the cardholder's Aadvantage number must be in the reservation at least seven days prior..." Isn't that right?
Last edited by beltline; Feb 5, 2019 at 2:13 pm
Feb 7, 2019, 6:25 am
#501
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,135
Feb 12, 2019, 1:24 pm
#504
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,194
Canada and Mexico are international destinations. The usual Citi or Barclaycard baggage allowance stipulates it applies to domestic travel. Your best source is to look up the detailed benefits for your specific Citi AAdvantage Card - there are several issued. The usual language is
The page that @Redeemed mentioned (https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...ge-regions.jsp) does indicate Canada is considered domestic but oddly doesn't list Mexico at all.
Normally, I would assume that Mexico would be covered under the "Central America" restriction (i.e. a bag fee is due, and it'll be $30), but my own personal experience flying DFW-MEX-DFW last month on an itinerary ticketed at the end of November is that I was not charged a baggage fee coming home from MEX (con tequila), and I am a nobody status-wise with an Aviator Red credit card. (The itinerary was ticketed with IB Avios, if that makes a difference, though.)
EDIT: LOL, I completely spaced that I intentionally booked the MEX-DFW flight in J to avoid a baggage fee, knowing I would probably return home with consumable liquids.
So, nevermind. But I'll know in a couple weeks what the actual rule for MX-US is when I check in to return home...I had to chuckle at this line from https://thepointsguy.com/guide/how-t...-baggage-fees/ (emphasis mine):
As noted above, American is one of the carriers that recently boosted its checked bag feesby $5. If you’re traveling within the US or to/from Canada, the Caribbean or Central America (excluding Panama) and your ticket was issued on or after September 21, 2018, you’ll now pay $30 each way for your first bag and $40 for your second.
On other international flights, you practically need a PhD to decipher the various policies and how they vary based on your destination, type of ticket and how many bags you’re checking.
On other international flights, you practically need a PhD to decipher the various policies and how they vary based on your destination, type of ticket and how many bags you’re checking.
Last edited by jackal; Feb 12, 2019 at 2:02 pm
May 23, 2019, 11:59 am
#505
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AA LT Plat - 2MM;HH Diamond
Posts: 239
Does anyone know how hard it is to get the Citi Platinum Select AAdvantage card? My daughter will be flying without me to/from college and the annual fee should be offset by the baggage fees she would have to pay.
Jun 16, 2019, 6:03 am
#506
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,404
The page that @Redeemed mentioned (https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...ge-regions.jsp) does indicate Canada is considered domestic but oddly doesn't list Mexico at all.
Is there any way to go to your reservation and see if they want to charge you? I looked at mine and couldn't tell.
Jun 24, 2019, 2:32 pm
#508
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New York City + Vail, CO
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 3,224
Jun 24, 2019, 7:44 pm
#509
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,404
Jan 17, 2020, 9:18 am
#510
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: ATL, BHM, DUB, County Wexford
Programs: DL DM, AA ExPlt, Diamond HH, HY, BW, & Titanium Elite Marriott
Posts: 4,855
What is the latest on this? Do you still get free checked bags even if you do not purchase the ticket or any portion of the ticket with the Citi AA card, or must you split the payment between two cards with one being the Citi AA if you want free checked bags?