Aug 6, 14, 8:07 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 17, 20, 1:36 pm
#511
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 25,986
Originally Posted by EasternTraveler
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?
Jan 19, 20, 2:35 pm
#512
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: ATL, BHM, DUB, County Wexford
Programs: DL DM, AA ExPlt, Diamond HH, HY, BW, & Titanium Elite Marriott
Posts: 4,446
Originally Posted by guv1976
I am not aware of any change to the policy that the free (domestic only) checked-bag allowance afforded to credit-card holders is based simply on your AAdvantage account number's being in your reservation record. Form of payment is irrelevant.
Feb 16, 20, 3:45 pm
#514
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 2
Citi AAdvantage card and award ticket bag fee
I have enough AAL miles for an award ticket and have the Citi American Airlines card that gives me free one checked baggage. If I use this to pay the $11 award ticket fee, do I still have to pay for checked bag?
Feb 16, 20, 4:03 pm
#515
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,712
Your free bag with Citi is attached to your AAdvantage account and you will get it regardless of it being revenue or award. It’s not like United where you have to use the credit card to pay fees.
Feb 16, 20, 5:41 pm
#517
Moderator: American AAdvantage, TAP, Mexico, Technical Support and Feedback, and The Suggestion Box
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Matre-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,953
Originally Posted by Ralphmtsu
I have enough AAL miles for an award ticket and have the Citi American Airlines card that gives me free one checked baggage. If I use this to pay the $11 award ticket fee, do I still have to pay for checked bag?
Your bag will travel fee-free, as seigex said.
Feb 22, 20, 3:27 pm
#519
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 336
1st checked bag free on Citi or Barclay card, does it apply to additional cardholder?
I only fly 3 or 4 times on AA each year, so I have no status. My flying has been concentrated on UA in the last several years.
When I do fly on AA, it 's usually to those little airports where AA or DL are the only airlines serving that small airport. I also check one bag. That translated into around $200 in bag fees to AA last year.
I'm thinking about getting the Citi or Barclay AA credit card for the 1st free checked bag. Does that benefit extend to any additional cardholder that I put on my account? Or it is for the primary cardholder? Also... do I have to purchase the AA ticket with that credit card to get the benefit?
Thanks!
When I do fly on AA, it 's usually to those little airports where AA or DL are the only airlines serving that small airport. I also check one bag. That translated into around $200 in bag fees to AA last year.
I'm thinking about getting the Citi or Barclay AA credit card for the 1st free checked bag. Does that benefit extend to any additional cardholder that I put on my account? Or it is for the primary cardholder? Also... do I have to purchase the AA ticket with that credit card to get the benefit?
Thanks!
Feb 22, 20, 4:14 pm
#520
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MDE
Programs: AA-PLT, HH-GLD, PP
Posts: 1,504
No - it does not apply to other authorized cardholders.
You do get the benefit even if you do not buy the ticket with the card. It is associated with your frequent flyer number. As long as that is on the PNR you get the benefits. Other airlines, such as United, do require that you use the card.
You do get the benefit even if you do not buy the ticket with the card. It is associated with your frequent flyer number. As long as that is on the PNR you get the benefits. Other airlines, such as United, do require that you use the card.
Feb 22, 20, 4:21 pm
#521
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 336
Originally Posted by coolcoil
No - it does not apply to other authorized cardholders.
You do get the benefit even if you do not buy the ticket with the card. It is associated with your frequent flyer number. As long as that is on the PNR you get the benefits. Other airlines, such as United, do require that you use the card.
You do get the benefit even if you do not buy the ticket with the card. It is associated with your frequent flyer number. As long as that is on the PNR you get the benefits. Other airlines, such as United, do require that you use the card.
Jul 20, 20, 9:16 pm
#523
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: DEN
Programs: AA PP, DL FO, NH *G
Posts: 1,691
Originally Posted by rakesh1111
If you are AA Gold and you have the Barclay red credit card, do you get one checked bag or two checked bags, for free?
Bag fee waivers on AA do not combine. The best way to tell how many bags you will be able to check free of cost is via AA's website. I'm going to update the wiki with this information.
Dec 4, 21, 4:45 pm
#524
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 2,066
I applied and got approved for the Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select Card today and got the printout of the account number and CCV and temporary expiration date, although the physical card will arrive in 7-10 business days.
I have an upcoming AA flight in 5 days (not paid for by the new card). Assuming I won't have the physical card by then, can I show the check-in agent my printout with the new card details to get the 1st bag fee waived? I read about the minimum 7-day period above and wonder if this rule is still in effect and/or if it is strictly imposed by the agents.
I have an upcoming AA flight in 5 days (not paid for by the new card). Assuming I won't have the physical card by then, can I show the check-in agent my printout with the new card details to get the 1st bag fee waived? I read about the minimum 7-day period above and wonder if this rule is still in effect and/or if it is strictly imposed by the agents.
