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
Apr 24, 2013, 7:59 am
#121
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: the midwest
Posts: 348
Baggage with Citi platinum
Quick question about my baggage allowances with this card.
I will be flying to Italy with my wife soon on an award ticket. I have the Citi Platinum Select AAdvantage Visa Signature card. I think this card gives me one free checked bag, but an international itinerary also gives me a free bag, correct? So, do I get 2 free bags to check each or is it still just 1 free bag?
This is my first time flying with the card, do I need to inform the agents that I have the card, or does the system know that I have it (for zone 1 boarding, etc)?
Thanks for the help.
I will be flying to Italy with my wife soon on an award ticket. I have the Citi Platinum Select AAdvantage Visa Signature card. I think this card gives me one free checked bag, but an international itinerary also gives me a free bag, correct? So, do I get 2 free bags to check each or is it still just 1 free bag?
This is my first time flying with the card, do I need to inform the agents that I have the card, or does the system know that I have it (for zone 1 boarding, etc)?
Thanks for the help.
Apr 24, 2013, 8:50 am
#123
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Illinois
Programs: AA Plat; National Car Exec
Posts: 33
Free bag is for domestic destinations only, so I'd say it is one total.
"Eligible Citi® / AAdvantage® cardmembers may check one bag free of charge to domestic destinations on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines, or on flights marketed by American Airlines and operated by American Eagle Airlines, Inc."
https://creditcards.citi.com/credit-...m-information/
"Eligible Citi® / AAdvantage® cardmembers may check one bag free of charge to domestic destinations on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines, or on flights marketed by American Airlines and operated by American Eagle Airlines, Inc."
https://creditcards.citi.com/credit-...m-information/
Apr 24, 2013, 12:10 pm
#125
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 329
(Oh wait...forgot about the whole domestic thing! But for future reference!)
Apr 24, 2013, 12:47 pm
#126
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: St. Louis, MO, USA
Programs: AA PPro, Mariott Gold Elite, Lowly kettle across every other loyalty program.
Posts: 778
It's my understanding that you get one free checked bag for international flights in non full-fare economy, 2 for full-fare/premium econ, and 3 for F/J.
Aug 17, 2013, 5:16 pm
#128
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 14
I just flew on a company paid work trip from DFW to ATL... I've had the AA citi card for 3 years and when prompted still had to pay for baggage both ways even when I used my AA card... i used the self check In kiosk and not an agent. I still got priority group one boarding
Think I should give citi AA customer service a call ?
I recently had a company work trip, they booked the flight. FF # was linked to the reservation. I used the self check-in thinking I would get my bag checked for free but said I had to pay $25. I still got Group 1 boarding privledges.
I called citi customer service and the rep told me the flight had to be booked with your AA Citi card to get the bag for free. I told her the T&C didn't state that.
Should I escalate this or what has anybody see or heard regarding tickets not booked under the citi card??
Think I should give citi AA customer service a call ?
I recently had a company work trip, they booked the flight. FF # was linked to the reservation. I used the self check-in thinking I would get my bag checked for free but said I had to pay $25. I still got Group 1 boarding privledges.
I called citi customer service and the rep told me the flight had to be booked with your AA Citi card to get the bag for free. I told her the T&C didn't state that.
Should I escalate this or what has anybody see or heard regarding tickets not booked under the citi card??
Last edited by JDiver; Aug 17, 2013 at 10:06 pm Reason: merge cross-posted posts
Aug 17, 2013, 9:57 pm
#130
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold but PlatPro thanks to LPs
Posts: 4,439
I recently had a company work trip, they booked the flight. FF # was linked to the reservation. I used the self check-in thinking I would get my bag checked for free but said I had to pay $25. I still got Group 1 boarding privledges.
I called citi customer service and the rep told me the flight had to be booked with your AA Citi card to get the bag for free. I told her the T&C didn't state that.
Should I escalate this or what has anybody see or heard regarding tickets not booked under the citi card??
I called citi customer service and the rep told me the flight had to be booked with your AA Citi card to get the bag for free. I told her the T&C didn't state that.
Should I escalate this or what has anybody see or heard regarding tickets not booked under the citi card??
What to do? I have had an Citibank/Aadvantage credit card for 20+ years and have been always happy with their customer service. They have resolved every issue to my satisfaction, without exception.
I would call Citibank and ask for clarification. If they tell you that the free checked bag comes only when the credit card is used to pay for the flight, then politely ask where that is stated in the T&Cs. If they tell you the charge was in error, then ask for a refund and ask Citibank to battle it out with AA for you.
Either way, you'll be able to make a better informed decision next time. If you get stuck with the charge, I'd ask for reimbursement from the employer.
I just flew on a company paid work trip from DFW to ATL... I've had the AA citi card for 3 years and when prompted still had to pay for baggage both ways even when I used my AA card... i used the self check In kiosk and not an agent. I still got priority group one boarding
Think I should give citi AA customer service a call ?
Think I should give citi AA customer service a call ?
Last edited by JDiver; Aug 17, 2013 at 10:06 pm Reason: merge replies to cross-posted posts
Aug 17, 2013, 10:04 pm
#131
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 3
It was always my understanding that you get the first bag free for yourself and up to three companions as long as you book the tickets for all travelers on your card.
But as I look at the fine print on the card web page, you're right that it's not in there. I wonder if it's in the even finer print you get in the mail...
http://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/ea...toggle-journey
† First checked bag free
For benefit to apply, the Citi® / AAdvantage® account must be open 7 days prior to air travel AND, reservation must include the primary cardmember's American Airlines AAdvantage® number 7 days prior to air travel. If your credit card account is closed for any reason, these benefits will be cancelled. Eligible Citi® / AAdvantage® primary cardmembers may check one bag free of charge when traveling to domestic destinations on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines, or on flights marketed by American Airlines and operated by American Eagle Airlines, Inc., SkyWest Airlines, Inc., ExpressJet Airlines, Inc., Republic Airline Inc., or Chautauqua Airlines, Inc. These benefits will not be available for travel on codeshare flights booked with an AA flight number but operated by another airline. For the Citi® / AAdvantage® card, up to four customers traveling with the eligible primary cardmember will also get their first checked bag free of charge if they are listed in the same reservation. Waiver does not apply to overweight or oversized bags. This benefit cannot be combined with any existing AAdvantage® elite program benefits, including any waiver of baggage charges. Please see aa.com for baggage weight and size restrictions. Additional terms, conditions and restrictions may apply. Applicable terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.
But as I look at the fine print on the card web page, you're right that it's not in there. I wonder if it's in the even finer print you get in the mail...
http://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/ea...toggle-journey
† First checked bag free
For benefit to apply, the Citi® / AAdvantage® account must be open 7 days prior to air travel AND, reservation must include the primary cardmember's American Airlines AAdvantage® number 7 days prior to air travel. If your credit card account is closed for any reason, these benefits will be cancelled. Eligible Citi® / AAdvantage® primary cardmembers may check one bag free of charge when traveling to domestic destinations on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines, or on flights marketed by American Airlines and operated by American Eagle Airlines, Inc., SkyWest Airlines, Inc., ExpressJet Airlines, Inc., Republic Airline Inc., or Chautauqua Airlines, Inc. These benefits will not be available for travel on codeshare flights booked with an AA flight number but operated by another airline. For the Citi® / AAdvantage® card, up to four customers traveling with the eligible primary cardmember will also get their first checked bag free of charge if they are listed in the same reservation. Waiver does not apply to overweight or oversized bags. This benefit cannot be combined with any existing AAdvantage® elite program benefits, including any waiver of baggage charges. Please see aa.com for baggage weight and size restrictions. Additional terms, conditions and restrictions may apply. Applicable terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.
Aug 18, 2013, 6:38 am
#132
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,342
Indeed the benefits of the Citi AA card are linked to the primary cardholder's FFN. No need to pay with the card to get any of the benefits. OP - The Citi agent was wrong. Call back and escalate to a supervisor if necessary. Also, did you try to check in with an agent if the kiosk asked you to pay?
Aug 18, 2013, 8:57 am
#133
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: west of DFW airport
Programs: AA LT Gold 1.9 MM flying my way to LT PLAT
Posts: 11,074
If you book a trip with miles.......
have a Citi Aadvantage card......
no baggage fee.
So what's the difference if a company buys the tickets?
have a Citi Aadvantage card......
no baggage fee.
So what's the difference if a company buys the tickets?
Aug 18, 2013, 1:13 pm
#134
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 14
I will get reimbursed from my employer. I just wanted to know for next time. If I don't have to pay $25 than I'd rather not have to. I did not go to an agent, only used the self check in kiosk. I even paid with my AA citi card on the return trip back and was still charged. Seems we have mixed feelings on what Citi states what their T&C's are
Aug 18, 2013, 3:48 pm
#135
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold but PlatPro thanks to LPs
Posts: 4,439
I will get reimbursed from my employer. I just wanted to know for next time. If I don't have to pay $25 than I'd rather not have to. I did not go to an agent, only used the self check in kiosk. I even paid with my AA citi card on the return trip back and was still charged. Seems we have mixed feelings on what Citi states what their T&C's are