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
Jul 21, 2012, 9:51 am
#46
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
Couple of clarifying points.
1. How many people traveling with you? Remember it is the first bag for up to four people in a single reservation, not up to four checked bags per reservation.
2. Something I found in the small print:
That may be something AA could clarify, you know, what the heck does "select" destinations mean.
Food for thought.
1. How many people traveling with you? Remember it is the first bag for up to four people in a single reservation, not up to four checked bags per reservation.
2. Something I found in the small print:
That may be something AA could clarify, you know, what the heck does "select" destinations mean.
Food for thought.
Unfortunately I can imagine exclusions being set up for certain popular destinations like HI
Jul 21, 2012, 4:12 pm
#48
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,586
In your card terms and conditions document, does it mention in there that the American Express card includes free baggage with AA
If so, then should be easy to contact Citibank and get it reversed. Have you called Citibank and asked for clarification of what benefits the card has?
Looking at the citi.com website, it does not indicate that the american express card that is currently offered has a free baggage allowance on AA, but then I cannot see an American Express card called "select" only "Citi® / AAdvantage® American Express® card"
If so, then should be easy to contact Citibank and get it reversed. Have you called Citibank and asked for clarification of what benefits the card has?
Looking at the citi.com website, it does not indicate that the american express card that is currently offered has a free baggage allowance on AA, but then I cannot see an American Express card called "select" only "Citi® / AAdvantage® American Express® card"
Jul 25, 2012, 8:17 am
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,533
This [B]exact/B] question has already been asked and answered
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...servation.html
(Search term {"Avios"})
So no need to start a new thread on the same topic.
And it seems that it may work.
Cheers.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...servation.html
(Search term {"Avios"})
So no need to start a new thread on the same topic.
And it seems that it may work.
Cheers.
Jul 25, 2012, 8:19 am
#51
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP 3MM
Posts: 1,773
You do not need to use the card to get the benefits. The benefits are tied to the AAdvantage number of the primary cardholder.
Jul 25, 2012, 9:33 am
#53
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA Plat, SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 114
I just did this a few days ago, and it worked fine, giving me priority aaccess and first free bag for all members of the reservation. You can switch the frequent flyer # without a call by using the BA confirmation number to look up the reservation on the finnair site.
Jul 25, 2012, 3:12 pm
#54
Moderator: New York City and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA PLT, Natl EC
Posts: 10,855
This thread has now been merged into the existing thread provided by brp. Please remember to search before posting as per the FT Guidelines & Rules.
Thanks for your help.
/Moderator
Jul 31, 2012, 5:01 pm
#55
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 146
The most recent response from AA is that the Citi Advantage American Express does NOT offer the benefit of free checked bags despite the marketing materials published online and mailed to customers by Citibank.
I have contacted Citibank now. We shall see if they can figure this one out!
I have contacted Citibank now. We shall see if they can figure this one out!
Aug 7, 2012, 6:07 am
#56
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: A few
Posts: 5,499
To defend the prior poster I for one can say that search term "Avios" brings up a billion threads. Until FT sorts out it's abysmal search function I generally refrain from critique of not using it.
Anyway back to the topic in hand my wife and kids used this benefit this morning but it was far from smooth. The booking was made using Avios from our household account. It had all of their BA numbers on it. I used the Finn-Air website trick to over-ride my wife's FF number with her Aadvantage number. It was accessible from aa.com. I was not able to check in online but have found that whenever I used Finn-Air to change the FF number that happens.
At the airport we used the machine check in and it wanted money from us for two bags. So I went over to the counter. This being AA and Citi IT, I had expected problems, so was "armed" with my wife's card (yes she is the primary) and a printout of the terms & conditions. The agent asked if we had paid for the ticket with the card. I said no, but the t&c's do not require that the card pays for the ticket. I handed over the T&C but she said there was no need and after playing around on her computer for a while we were done. She did say that she saw the card on the account, but she clearly had to over-ride something.
I fully expect my wife to have similar problems on the way back. Anyone less prepared this am would have been fleeced for $50 by AA and at best would have to fight with Citi to void the charge.
Anyway back to the topic in hand my wife and kids used this benefit this morning but it was far from smooth. The booking was made using Avios from our household account. It had all of their BA numbers on it. I used the Finn-Air website trick to over-ride my wife's FF number with her Aadvantage number. It was accessible from aa.com. I was not able to check in online but have found that whenever I used Finn-Air to change the FF number that happens.
At the airport we used the machine check in and it wanted money from us for two bags. So I went over to the counter. This being AA and Citi IT, I had expected problems, so was "armed" with my wife's card (yes she is the primary) and a printout of the terms & conditions. The agent asked if we had paid for the ticket with the card. I said no, but the t&c's do not require that the card pays for the ticket. I handed over the T&C but she said there was no need and after playing around on her computer for a while we were done. She did say that she saw the card on the account, but she clearly had to over-ride something.
I fully expect my wife to have similar problems on the way back. Anyone less prepared this am would have been fleeced for $50 by AA and at best would have to fight with Citi to void the charge.
Aug 7, 2012, 9:05 am
#57
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORF
Programs: Amex Plat, AA, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Choice Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 3,749
To defend the prior poster I for one can say that search term "Avios" brings up a billion threads. Until FT sorts out it's abysmal search function I generally refrain from critique of not using it.
Anyway back to the topic in hand my wife and kids used this benefit this morning but it was far from smooth. The booking was made using Avios from our household account. It had all of their BA numbers on it. I used the Finn-Air website trick to over-ride my wife's FF number with her Aadvantage number. It was accessible from aa.com. I was not able to check in online but have found that whenever I used Finn-Air to change the FF number that happens.
At the airport we used the machine check in and it wanted money from us for two bags. So I went over to the counter. This being AA and Citi IT, I had expected problems, so was "armed" with my wife's card (yes she is the primary) and a printout of the terms & conditions. The agent asked if we had paid for the ticket with the card. I said no, but the t&c's do not require that the card pays for the ticket. I handed over the T&C but she said there was no need and after playing around on her computer for a while we were done. She did say that she saw the card on the account, but she clearly had to over-ride something.
I fully expect my wife to have similar problems on the way back. Anyone less prepared this am would have been fleeced for $50 by AA and at best would have to fight with Citi to void the charge.
Anyway back to the topic in hand my wife and kids used this benefit this morning but it was far from smooth. The booking was made using Avios from our household account. It had all of their BA numbers on it. I used the Finn-Air website trick to over-ride my wife's FF number with her Aadvantage number. It was accessible from aa.com. I was not able to check in online but have found that whenever I used Finn-Air to change the FF number that happens.
At the airport we used the machine check in and it wanted money from us for two bags. So I went over to the counter. This being AA and Citi IT, I had expected problems, so was "armed" with my wife's card (yes she is the primary) and a printout of the terms & conditions. The agent asked if we had paid for the ticket with the card. I said no, but the t&c's do not require that the card pays for the ticket. I handed over the T&C but she said there was no need and after playing around on her computer for a while we were done. She did say that she saw the card on the account, but she clearly had to over-ride something.
I fully expect my wife to have similar problems on the way back. Anyone less prepared this am would have been fleeced for $50 by AA and at best would have to fight with Citi to void the charge.
I agree that search on FT "may" be difficult at times, but a little time and encouragement about using this function will improve search results. Many more times, useful information is uncovered, including information that may be helpful to a poster that is not directly related to the searched topic (such as your wise suggestion that a traveler be armed with the T&Cs for the Citi benefit, just in case an issue arises at check in).
Aug 7, 2012, 9:39 am
#58
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: A few
Posts: 5,499
I agree that search on FT "may" be difficult at times, but a little time and encouragement about using this function will improve search results. Many more times, useful information is uncovered, including information that may be helpful to a poster that is not directly related to the searched topic (such as your wise suggestion that a traveler be armed with the T&Cs for the Citi benefit, just in case an issue arises at check in).
Aug 7, 2012, 11:23 am
#59
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: ORD/PSP
Programs: AA LT Plat, 6.0 MM, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 1,002
Aug 7, 2012, 12:40 pm
#60
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORF
Programs: Amex Plat, AA, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Choice Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 3,749
Now back to our regularly scheduled topic. . .