Jun 10, 2015, 2:33 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
How much am I allowed?
Can I check it through?
Im on award travel...
How long can my connection be to through check? Etc.
Link to American Airlines' policy on through checking baggage as of 1 Sep 2016.
Notice that different protocols are followed in IROPS / OSO conditions.
EXCEPTION: "Customers traveling on separate tickets where one
segment is an award ticket and another has been purchased can
through-check bags. Travel must be on American or oneworld partners,
and not on partners outside the oneworld alliance (like Etihad or Air
Tahiti Nui). Tickets much be in the same reservation."
-Gary Leff, Boarding Area
Link to FT thread: Separate PNR: oneworld AA, protection, through baggage issues as of 2016
Q. Can I check my baggage through?
YES: Due to new rules instituted by oneworld in June, and by AA 1 September of 2016, baggage between the fifteen oneworld airlines on the same PNR are required be through-checked.
NO: However, if the trip is booked ticketed separately, or with non-one world partners, through checking by AA will not occur; baggage will have to be recovered at baggage carousels landside and rechecked at the next operating airline's counter (depending on your initial operating carrier's policies about through-checking on separate booking).
On U.S.A. domestic or regional travel, you will have to retrieve your baggage and re-check the following day if your stop is overnight, or recheck, if your connection is 12 hours or longer. On international travel with overnight connections under the same PNR, you often will be able to through check (as long as the new ticket conditions are met).
If you are flying AA and a non-oneworld partner on separate PNR / tickets, you will have to recover and recheck baggage, particularly on separate PNRs. If there is no interline agreement between the airlines (e.g. AA and Spirit, Southwest, etc.) you will certainly be required to do so.
See Multi-Reservation Through-Checking across oneworld no longer required
See Australian Business Traveller article. (Link)
Q. If I'm connecting using AA on a single PNR but have a stopover at my connecting airport, can I check through or recheck?
AA will generally not through check bags or allow you to recheck bags if your layover exceeds twelve hours.
Q. Which carrier's rules apply?
Note: Checked baggage allowances may vary by status, class of service, origin or/and destination, type of baggage. Some AA affiliated credit cards allow one free checked bag on domestic travel - some up to four or eight passengers on the same itinerary.
A. It depends. On separate PNRs AA will collect baggage fees due, and the other airlines will collect what is due under their baggage policies.
On through-checked baggage, USDOT regulations require the marketing carrier of the initial segment baggage rules apply to USA originating (or ending, iirc) flights. E.g. flying QF as an AA codeshare, or QF connecting from AA marketed by AA, AA rules would apply. These take precedent of IATA rules if travel begins (or ends) in the USA.
For IATA governed international itineraries, baggage rules of the Most Significant / Prevailing Carrier apply:
Q. Can I through check my baggage if I have an overnight stop?
That will probably depend on your first operating carrier. Some carriers have no problem with through checking bags if you're stopping overnight, e.g. Qatar Airways with an overnight in DOH, but AA uses a maximum of under 12 hours to determine whether you can through check or must recover bags on overnight stops. (However, ground agents may vary.)
Q. What are my AA and oneworld baggage allowances with [_______] status?
See here on aa.com for updates
A. Complimentary bags
In some cases, you won't have to pay the baggage fees for up to three 23 kg / 50 lb bags (32 kg / 70 lb some premium passengers). Find out if this applies to you. EXPs could have to three checked 32 kg / 70 lb bags.
1st checked bag is complimentary for:
1st and 2nd checked bags are complimentary for:
2nd and 3rd checked bags are complimentary for:
Executive Platinum / oneworld Emerald are allowed one more checked bag:
*See AA reducing some checked baggage allowance tickets pchs on / after 29 Mar 2016
Note: on through baggage: oneworld policy no longer entitles checking baggage through when using oneworld flights when connecting on separetily ticketed segments. Only AA and MH will still through-check baggage with separate PNRS.
Q. Do I have extended baggage allowance as AAdvantage Executive Platinum / oneworld Emerald? (Yes, as of 1 Feb 2013
A. All oneworld Emerald customers, including AAdvantage Executive Platinums, will be entitled to an extra bag.
See:Customer Planning Advisory
Subject . . . APS 13002 Extra bag for oneworld Emerald
Date . . . . . . Effective: February 1st, 2013
Issued . . . . .January 31st, 2013
Overview . . .Extra bag for oneworld Emerald
. . . . . . . . . . To improve the travel experience for our top tier customers
. . . . . . . . . . we are pleased to offer all oneworld Emerald members
. . . . . . . . . . one extra bag in addition to their free allowance.
Detail. . . . . All oneworld Emerald customers, including AAdvantage
. . . . . . . . . . Executive Platinums, will be entitled to an extra bag.
. . . . . . . . . . Emeralds will have the following allowance:
. . . . . . . . . . First/Business 4 free pieces up to 70lbs (32kgs)
. . . . . . . . . . Main Cabin 3 free pieces up to 70lbs (32kgs)
. . . . . . . . . . This applies to both international and domestic travel
. . . . . . . . . . on/after 1st February.
Processing . Please override the excess baggage mask using the OT
. . . . . . . . . . code using the explanation Emerald. Automation for this
. . . . . . . . . . change will be in place later in the year.
<redacted issuing personnel>
Reference . . .APS13002
Q. How many bags can I check?
A. Check up to 10 bags if your trip is:
Check up to 5 bags if youre traveling to / through / from:
*There are seasonal and year-round baggage embargoes and restrictions
Q. Can I "split" my allowance? E.g. can I split a 23 kg / 50 lb per bag allowance and check two bags weighing up to 23 kg / 50 lb together?
A. No. Per bag weight maxima or number of bags allowed can not be shared or split.
Q. What are my Overweight Baggage Charges?
A. aa.com: Oversize and overweight baggage
Were pleased to say that your bag can weigh up to 70lbs./32kgs at no extra cost if you are:
If you are checking more than 3 bags charges will apply.*
Additionally:
Link to checked baggage policy
Link to oversized and overweight baggage policy AA has a "hard limit" of not accepting any baggage that exceeds 45 kg / 100 lb for check-in.
Q. Must I recover and re-check my bags arriving from another country?
A. If you are arriving in the U.S.A. from an international airport, it will depend:
1) If you check in at airports like AUH, DUB, YVR etc. where you process USCBP immigration and customs prior to boarding, your flight will arrive in the U.S. as a domestic flight. Your bag can be checked through (assuming other conditions mentioned above are met), you will be able to proceed to your next flight airside.
2) If you are otherwise arriving from an international airport, you will generally be required to pass USCBP immigration, recover your baggage at the indicated carousel and process through Customs. As you depart the Customs hall, you can re-check your baggage for your continuing flights prior to departing the airside part of arrivals. You will generally have to produce a valid boarding pass and pass through TSA Security to return airside to continue your travel.
3) DFW, MIA (only) in the USA allow through ("ITI") checking for certain passengers arriving internationally and departing on another international flight. This will result in an "ITI" (International to International) check with ITI sticker on your boarding pass, and baggage will not have to be collected and rechecked. ITI passengers may still be required to pass through immigration, exit through customs gate and pass back through security. See this FT thread.
Helpful resource links:
Link to American Airlines' policy on through checking baggage as of 1 Sep 2016. Notice that different protocols are followed in IROPS / OSO conditions.
AA: American Airlines a Checked baggage policy (includes infant assistive and medical devices, mobility devices, pets and specialty sports items).
See No More Multi-Reservation Through-Checking across oneworld
See Change to through-checking Oct 2014 (interlining) baggage on separate tickets
oneworld: oneworld Extra baggage allowance (status / class of service)
Please see FT: EXP / Emerald extended baggage / luggage allowance 1 FEB 2013 (master thread) if you are AA Executive Platinum / oneworld Emerald.
Link to archived thread with older posts.
Can I check it through?
Im on award travel...
How long can my connection be to through check? Etc.
Link to American Airlines' policy on through checking baggage as of 1 Sep 2016.
Notice that different protocols are followed in IROPS / OSO conditions.
Code:
Through Checked Baggage Policy (AA, 1 Sep 2016) To align American Airlines (AA) with our oneworld partners and to reduce baggage mishandlings, we will now only through check customers and baggage when all the tickets are in the same PNR. Through check-in will be honored between the following carriers only:
- Code:
American Airlines and American Eagle
- Code:
oneworld airlines and affiliates
Code:
What if I have separate tickets in the same PNR for itineraries
with American to a non-oneworld carrier?
Our policy on American to non-oneworld airline tickets has not changed.
We will not through check customers or bags even if the tickets are in
the same PNR.
What would be the bag charges if the customer holds separate tickets
in separate PNRs?
American will not through check a customers bag, regardless if it is
a oneworld carrier. The customer will need to collect their bag at
the final destination on the AA ticket. They will pay for the bag on the
second ticket when they recheck it. This may involve exiting the secure
area, then claiming and re-checking the bags. The Minimum Connecting
Time (MCT) will usually not be sufficient when the customer has separate
tickets issued for each airline.
International flights will usually require claiming bags, clearing
customs and rechecking bags on another carrier to be continued to
their next destination.
What will customers be charged if we can through check the bag?
The charges would depend on what tickets the customer holds in the same PNR.
Do JetBlue (B6) and our other codeshare/interline partners count as affiliate airlines?
No, the oneworld affiliate airlines are generally the regional partners
of the other oneworld carriers. If a customer held an B6 ticket and an
AA ticket in the same PNR we would not through check the bag. They
would need to reclaim then recheck their bag with B6.
segment is an award ticket and another has been purchased can
through-check bags. Travel must be on American or oneworld partners,
and not on partners outside the oneworld alliance (like Etihad or Air
Tahiti Nui). Tickets much be in the same reservation."
-Gary Leff, Boarding Area
Link to FT thread: Separate PNR: oneworld AA, protection, through baggage issues as of 2016
Q. Can I check my baggage through?
YES: Due to new rules instituted by oneworld in June, and by AA 1 September of 2016, baggage between the fifteen oneworld airlines on the same PNR are required be through-checked.
NO: However, if the trip is booked ticketed separately, or with non-one world partners, through checking by AA will not occur; baggage will have to be recovered at baggage carousels landside and rechecked at the next operating airline's counter (depending on your initial operating carrier's policies about through-checking on separate booking).
On U.S.A. domestic or regional travel, you will have to retrieve your baggage and re-check the following day if your stop is overnight, or recheck, if your connection is 12 hours or longer. On international travel with overnight connections under the same PNR, you often will be able to through check (as long as the new ticket conditions are met).
If you are flying AA and a non-oneworld partner on separate PNR / tickets, you will have to recover and recheck baggage, particularly on separate PNRs. If there is no interline agreement between the airlines (e.g. AA and Spirit, Southwest, etc.) you will certainly be required to do so.
See Multi-Reservation Through-Checking across oneworld no longer required
See Australian Business Traveller article. (Link)
Q. If I'm connecting using AA on a single PNR but have a stopover at my connecting airport, can I check through or recheck?
AA will generally not through check bags or allow you to recheck bags if your layover exceeds twelve hours.
Q. Which carrier's rules apply?
Note: Checked baggage allowances may vary by status, class of service, origin or/and destination, type of baggage. Some AA affiliated credit cards allow one free checked bag on domestic travel - some up to four or eight passengers on the same itinerary.
A. It depends. On separate PNRs AA will collect baggage fees due, and the other airlines will collect what is due under their baggage policies.
On through-checked baggage, USDOT regulations require the marketing carrier of the initial segment baggage rules apply to USA originating (or ending, iirc) flights. E.g. flying QF as an AA codeshare, or QF connecting from AA marketed by AA, AA rules would apply. These take precedent of IATA rules if travel begins (or ends) in the USA.
For IATA governed international itineraries, baggage rules of the Most Significant / Prevailing Carrier apply:
In compliance with the new baggage policy issued by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), free baggage allowance and extra baggage charges for tickets issued on or after 1 April 2011 which involve one or more flights provided by other airlines will be based on a new method. If your journey includes connecting flights with more than one airline, the baggage allowances and fees of the airline that operates the longer leg of the itinerary (MDC) will apply throughout the itinerary. For example, if you fly a transpacific leg with one carrier and a domestic leg with another, the baggage allowances and fees of the carrier that operated the transpacific leg would apply to the whole journey, regardless of which carrier issued the ticket. (Language from Cathay Pacific.)
The Most Significant Marketing Carrier (MSC) is:
IATA divides Areas and sub-areas. For example:
Area: North America, Central and South America, Hawaii
Subareas:
Area: Europe, Middle East
Subareas:
Area: Asia, Guam, Southwest Pacific
Subareas:
The Most Significant Marketing Carrier (MSC) is:
- For travel between IATA areas: The first carrier flying in between two of the IATA areas
- For travel between IATA sub areas: The first carrier flying in between the sub areas
- For travel within an IATA sub area: The first carrier crossing an international border
IATA divides Areas and sub-areas. For example:
Area: North America, Central and South America, Hawaii
Subareas:
- Canada, Mexico
- Caribbean
- Central America
- South America
Area: Europe, Middle East
Subareas:
- Europe
- Middle East
- Africa
Area: Asia, Guam, Southwest Pacific
Subareas:
- Japan, Korea
- Southeast Asia
- South Asian Subcontinent / India
- Southwest Pacific
That will probably depend on your first operating carrier. Some carriers have no problem with through checking bags if you're stopping overnight, e.g. Qatar Airways with an overnight in DOH, but AA uses a maximum of under 12 hours to determine whether you can through check or must recover bags on overnight stops. (However, ground agents may vary.)
Q. What are my AA and oneworld baggage allowances with [_______] status?
See here on aa.com for updates
A. Complimentary bags
In some cases, you won't have to pay the baggage fees for up to three 23 kg / 50 lb bags (32 kg / 70 lb some premium passengers). Find out if this applies to you. EXPs could have to three checked 32 kg / 70 lb bags.
1st checked bag is complimentary for:
- Eligible AAdvantage Aviator and Citi / AAdvantage cardmembers (on domestic American Airlines operated flights)
- AAdvantage Gold
- oneworld Ruby
- Alaska MVP members
1st and 2nd checked bags are complimentary for:
- Platinum
- oneworld Sapphire members
- Alaska Airlines MVP Gold (AS is a oneworld member now)
- Confirmed Business Class customers*
2nd and 3rd checked bags are complimentary for:
- Confirmed First Class customers on 3-cabin aircraft*
- AAdvantage Executive Platinum
- oneworld Emerald, including Alaska Airlines MVP Gold 75K
- Active U.S. military and/or dependents with ID traveling on orders (1st - 5th bags free of charge)
- Active U.S. military with ID on personal travel
Executive Platinum / oneworld Emerald are allowed one more checked bag:
*See AA reducing some checked baggage allowance tickets pchs on / after 29 Mar 2016
Note: on through baggage: oneworld policy no longer entitles checking baggage through when using oneworld flights when connecting on separetily ticketed segments. Only AA and MH will still through-check baggage with separate PNRS.
Q. Do I have extended baggage allowance as AAdvantage Executive Platinum / oneworld Emerald? (Yes, as of 1 Feb 2013
A. All oneworld Emerald customers, including AAdvantage Executive Platinums, will be entitled to an extra bag.
See:Customer Planning Advisory
Subject . . . APS 13002 Extra bag for oneworld Emerald
Date . . . . . . Effective: February 1st, 2013
Issued . . . . .January 31st, 2013
Overview . . .Extra bag for oneworld Emerald
. . . . . . . . . . To improve the travel experience for our top tier customers
. . . . . . . . . . we are pleased to offer all oneworld Emerald members
. . . . . . . . . . one extra bag in addition to their free allowance.
Detail. . . . . All oneworld Emerald customers, including AAdvantage
. . . . . . . . . . Executive Platinums, will be entitled to an extra bag.
. . . . . . . . . . Emeralds will have the following allowance:
. . . . . . . . . . First/Business 4 free pieces up to 70lbs (32kgs)
. . . . . . . . . . Main Cabin 3 free pieces up to 70lbs (32kgs)
. . . . . . . . . . This applies to both international and domestic travel
. . . . . . . . . . on/after 1st February.
Processing . Please override the excess baggage mask using the OT
. . . . . . . . . . code using the explanation Emerald. Automation for this
. . . . . . . . . . change will be in place later in the year.
<redacted issuing personnel>
Reference . . .APS13002
Q. How many bags can I check?
A. Check up to 10 bags if your trip is:
- Domestic
- Transatlantic
- Transpacific
Check up to 5 bags if youre traveling to / through / from:
- Mexico / Caribbean / Central America*See footnote
- South America*See footnote
*There are seasonal and year-round baggage embargoes and restrictions
Q. Can I "split" my allowance? E.g. can I split a 23 kg / 50 lb per bag allowance and check two bags weighing up to 23 kg / 50 lb together?
A. No. Per bag weight maxima or number of bags allowed can not be shared or split.
Q. What are my Overweight Baggage Charges?
A. aa.com: Oversize and overweight baggage
Were pleased to say that your bag can weigh up to 70lbs./32kgs at no extra cost if you are:
- First Class
- Business Class
- Executive Platinum
- oneworld Emerald
If you are checking more than 3 bags charges will apply.*
Additionally:
Link to checked baggage policy
Link to oversized and overweight baggage policy AA has a "hard limit" of not accepting any baggage that exceeds 45 kg / 100 lb for check-in.
Q. Must I recover and re-check my bags arriving from another country?
A. If you are arriving in the U.S.A. from an international airport, it will depend:
1) If you check in at airports like AUH, DUB, YVR etc. where you process USCBP immigration and customs prior to boarding, your flight will arrive in the U.S. as a domestic flight. Your bag can be checked through (assuming other conditions mentioned above are met), you will be able to proceed to your next flight airside.
2) If you are otherwise arriving from an international airport, you will generally be required to pass USCBP immigration, recover your baggage at the indicated carousel and process through Customs. As you depart the Customs hall, you can re-check your baggage for your continuing flights prior to departing the airside part of arrivals. You will generally have to produce a valid boarding pass and pass through TSA Security to return airside to continue your travel.
3) DFW, MIA (only) in the USA allow through ("ITI") checking for certain passengers arriving internationally and departing on another international flight. This will result in an "ITI" (International to International) check with ITI sticker on your boarding pass, and baggage will not have to be collected and rechecked. ITI passengers may still be required to pass through immigration, exit through customs gate and pass back through security. See this FT thread.
Helpful resource links:
Link to American Airlines' policy on through checking baggage as of 1 Sep 2016. Notice that different protocols are followed in IROPS / OSO conditions.
AA: American Airlines a Checked baggage policy (includes infant assistive and medical devices, mobility devices, pets and specialty sports items).
See No More Multi-Reservation Through-Checking across oneworld
See Change to through-checking Oct 2014 (interlining) baggage on separate tickets
oneworld: oneworld Extra baggage allowance (status / class of service)
Please see FT: EXP / Emerald extended baggage / luggage allowance 1 FEB 2013 (master thread) if you are AA Executive Platinum / oneworld Emerald.
Link to archived thread with older posts.
FAQ: Baggage / Luggage Rules, Allowance, Through-check on AA & Other Airlines
Mar 2, 2021, 5:49 am
#211
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: MIA, VIE and DPS
Programs: DL Plat 1MM, AA EXP 3MM, SQ Krisflyer Gold, UA Silver, Marriott LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 1,134
LAX bags overnight?
In my experience AA handles overnight bags quite differently by airport. Will be flying MIA-LAX-KOA - with staying the night in LAX - arrive LAX 7:10pm and LAX-KOA laves at 8:10am - so 11 hour layover.
1, Can I check the bag through to KOA?
2, If I can - is that smart or should I worry about pilfering? again - airports vary quite a bit in that regard
1, Can I check the bag through to KOA?
2, If I can - is that smart or should I worry about pilfering? again - airports vary quite a bit in that regard
Mar 2, 2021, 6:50 pm
#212
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: ATL/TLV/SDF
Programs: AA EXP, UA LT Ag, Marriott LT Ti, Hyatt Glob, Avis PC, Busted-Knuckles Club Grand Poobah.
Posts: 2,591
Pretty sure you will have to check it thru to KOA. I tried doing something similar awhile back and could not. Might be worth a call.
Lock the bag, don't leave any valuables or meds in it. Should be OK.
Lock the bag, don't leave any valuables or meds in it. Should be OK.
Mar 5, 2021, 2:21 pm
#216
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: NYC/LAX/ATL
Programs: JAL Diamond, BAEC Gold, AS 75K, VS Gold, AC 50K, WoH Globalist, HHonors Diamond, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 237
According to https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showwiki.php?t=1575249:
On U.S.A. domestic or regional travel, you will have to retrieve your baggage and re-check the following day if your stop is overnight, or recheck, if your connection is 12 hours or longer.
On U.S.A. domestic or regional travel, you will have to retrieve your baggage and re-check the following day if your stop is overnight, or recheck, if your connection is 12 hours or longer.
Mar 5, 2021, 2:44 pm
#217
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
There is an urban myth that bags held overnight are subject to a higher theft rate than bags which are not. If anyone has statistics to support this, they would be useful.
My understanding is that there is not the case at any domestic US station because checked bags are in the airport's sterile zone.
My understanding is that there is not the case at any domestic US station because checked bags are in the airport's sterile zone.
Mar 6, 2021, 3:06 pm
#219
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 1,364
There is an urban myth that bags held overnight are subject to a higher theft rate than bags which are not. If anyone has statistics to support this, they would be useful.
My understanding is that there is not the case at any domestic US station because checked bags are in the airport's sterile zone.
My understanding is that there is not the case at any domestic US station because checked bags are in the airport's sterile zone.
There's also thefts by TSA workers screening the checked bags: https://www.nj.com/news/2009/03/exts...tealing_f.html
Mar 8, 2021, 7:38 pm
#221
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: MIA, VIE and DPS
Programs: DL Plat 1MM, AA EXP 3MM, SQ Krisflyer Gold, UA Silver, Marriott LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 1,134
Mar 8, 2021, 10:34 pm
#222
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
I have an upcoming AA trip (March 20/28) and currently have Alaska MVP Gold + an AA credit card. I believe that MVP Gold baggage benefits won't start until after my trip, so if I want to credit to Alaska but get my free AA bags, is the strategy to check in first, then get the gate agent to change where I'm crediting the miles?
(As mentioned to the OP, I know you need the FF# for the flight must be the FF# the card recognizes)
Last edited by mvoight; Mar 8, 2021 at 10:52 pm
Mar 19, 2021, 10:07 am
#223
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Independent
Posts: 470
I don't think there are benefits other than earning. Doesn't matter in the end: I booked a different flight on another airline that works better for me.
Mar 28, 2021, 4:54 pm
#224
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Sacramento, CA
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hyatt,Marriott,BA,AS
Posts: 4,435
Free Baggage Allowance for AA Platinums
I thought I read somewhere that AA Platinum members have a 70# free bag allowance when traveling in coach. I can't find any reference to it now- just that 2 bags can be checked for free but nothing about extra weight. Anyone know for sure?
Mar 28, 2021, 5:11 pm
#225
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: BOS
Programs: AA PP, DL PM
Posts: 2,088
My belief was that AA did not offer any elites any extra baggage weight, however reading AA's overweight bag policy web page, it seems that is not true. Executive Platinum and oneworld Emerald members can check bags up to 70 lbs.
It's not as good as Delta (who allows any elite to check 70 lb bags on flights within the US and Canada) or United (who allows any elite to check 70 lb bags, though their bag fee calculator seems to only apply this on domestic flights).
It's not as good as Delta (who allows any elite to check 70 lb bags on flights within the US and Canada) or United (who allows any elite to check 70 lb bags, though their bag fee calculator seems to only apply this on domestic flights).