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
Oct 12, 2012, 2:42 pm
#76
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: BA, AA, FB
Posts: 556
If you don't want to call in, you can also change your FF# online on Finnair's website. When you click that link, you should see a "Book Now" splash screen. Click the "My Booking" tab (second from left, between "Book" and "Check-In") on that splash screen; from there, you can look up your Avios booking using your last name and BA-issued confirmation number, and then edit your FFP/FF#.
Oct 12, 2012, 5:16 pm
#77
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 59
If you don't want to call in, you can also change your FF# online on Finnair's website. When you click that link, you should see a "Book Now" splash screen. Click the "My Booking" tab (second from left, between "Book" and "Check-In") on that splash screen; from there, you can look up your Avios booking using your last name and BA-issued confirmation number, and then edit your FFP/FF#.
Thanks everybody else for your input.
Oct 12, 2012, 6:30 pm
#78
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: SPG Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 12
Be prepared for it not to work. I used BA Avios for a flight to MIA in July and changed my BA FF# to my AA # over the phone. AA still charged me for my bag each way. I disputed the charge with Citi, but it was denied. Said the AA# had to be in the reservation at the time of ticketing. I do think that's in the terms/conditions.
Oct 13, 2012, 9:44 am
#80
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
Be prepared for it not to work. I used BA Avios for a flight to MIA in July and changed my BA FF# to my AA # over the phone. AA still charged me for my bag each way. I disputed the charge with Citi, but it was denied. Said the AA# had to be in the reservation at the time of ticketing. I do think that's in the terms/conditions.
First checked bag free
For benefit to apply, at the time of booking, Citi® / AAdvantage® account must have been open at least 7 days and reservation must include the primary cardmember's American Airlines AAdvantage® number.
For benefit to apply, at the time of booking, Citi® / AAdvantage® account must have been open at least 7 days and reservation must include the primary cardmember's American Airlines AAdvantage® number.
Nothing says the number has to be in there at ticketing, just has to be in the reservation (and be ticketed after the effective date of the new benefit). I have to say if Citi goes down that path with BA, etc bookings, I'll probably change my plans to hang onto the card.
Oct 13, 2012, 7:45 pm
#81
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: A few
Posts: 5,499
You do not need a FinnAir account, just go to finnair.com and lookup the itinerary there and it lets you change to aa
Oct 17, 2012, 3:09 pm
#82
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 16
Am I missing something, or has this loop-hole been closed?
Screenshot: http://screencast.com/t/UbVVIbX7 (the red bars cover my name and #)
Nov 19, 2012, 8:24 am
#83
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta GM
Posts: 19
Avios reward on AA - Checked Bag with Citi?
I just booked an AA reward ticket using Avios points flying from YUL to LGA. I have no status on AA, but I do have a Citi AA Card which is supposed to give me a bag AA flights. I can't get my AA FF # to link with the reservation because I booked through BA - does anyone have any advice if I will get a free checked bag or if it is possible to do so?
Nov 19, 2012, 11:26 am
#86
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,342
If your AA FF# is in the reservation, you'll get the free checked bag.
You actually can get your AA FF# in, even if you used Avios to book. A nifty trick is that the Finnar website should allow you to change your FF# from your BA one to your AA one.
Check out this thread for next time.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...points-aa.html
You actually can get your AA FF# in, even if you used Avios to book. A nifty trick is that the Finnar website should allow you to change your FF# from your BA one to your AA one.
Check out this thread for next time.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...points-aa.html
Nov 19, 2012, 3:46 pm
#87
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: CMH
Programs: AA EXP, EBS GLD, A|Club PLT, CC Silver, HH GLD
Posts: 782
You can also call BA and AA have have them add your AA FF# on the account. I also add the reservation to my AA account and the airport people always think that I am an EXP and my boarding passes print as an EXP.
Dec 14, 2012, 3:29 am
#90
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ORD, DEL
Programs: AA (Plt Pro; 1.5 MM)
Posts: 6,185
Of course this would still not you select elite seats in advance.