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 you’re 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
We’re 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 customer’s 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 you’re 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
We’re 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
Jan 14, 2019, 3:40 pm
#16
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: CUR
Posts: 2,170
Quoting from your prior post, " Under US law, the baggage allowance for all segments of a ticket originating or terminating in the US the base allowance for the marketing carrier of the first segment. For this ticket, AA is the marketing carrier and the allowance for US-EUROPE is 1 bag. …."
We have round trip tickets, basic economy, DFW-LHR, with a Finnair confirmation number, labeled as " Finnair 5780 operated by American Airlines." Are you saying that we will have 1 baggage each on this flight? Will this be carry on or checked? Finnair apparently does not allow free baggage, but AA does. Thanks
We have round trip tickets, basic economy, DFW-LHR, with a Finnair confirmation number, labeled as " Finnair 5780 operated by American Airlines." Are you saying that we will have 1 baggage each on this flight? Will this be carry on or checked? Finnair apparently does not allow free baggage, but AA does. Thanks
Jan 14, 2019, 7:56 pm
#17
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,550
Quoting from your prior post, " Under US law, the baggage allowance for all segments of a ticket originating or terminating in the US the base allowance for the marketing carrier of the first segment. For this ticket, AA is the marketing carrier and the allowance for US-EUROPE is 1 bag. …."
We have round trip tickets, basic economy, DFW-LHR, with a Finnair confirmation number, labeled as " Finnair 5780 operated by American Airlines." Are you saying that we will have 1 baggage each on this flight? Will this be carry on or checked? Finnair apparently does not allow free baggage, but AA does. Thanks
We have round trip tickets, basic economy, DFW-LHR, with a Finnair confirmation number, labeled as " Finnair 5780 operated by American Airlines." Are you saying that we will have 1 baggage each on this flight? Will this be carry on or checked? Finnair apparently does not allow free baggage, but AA does. Thanks
In this case Finnair would be the MSC since it is the carrier that covers travel betwen TC1 and TC2
In the end, also under DOT requirements, the baggage allowance and excess fees have to be listed on the ticket receipt , so just need to check the ticket details and will see what the baggage allowance is
Jan 14, 2019, 8:15 pm
#18
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Syracuse, Boston, Athens
Posts: 995
Jan 17, 2019, 4:19 pm
#21
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: District of Columbia
Programs: AA ExecPl, AT Gold, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Diamond, Hilton Diamond, National
Posts: 2,440
I wonder if she actually means "Economy" and not "Basic economy." She said she has a Finnair confirmation number and flight number, operated by AA. I didn't think that Finnair sells basic economy tickets.
Jan 31, 2019, 4:10 am
#22
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: CBG
Programs: BAEC Silver; M&M FT
Posts: 233
Hello,
flying AA Main Cabin SFO-LAX soon as a oneworld sapphire soon. Is it still the case that 1 checked bag is free of charge? I know it used to be the case, but I can't find the info on the website any more - it only mentions oneworld emeralds now...
flying AA Main Cabin SFO-LAX soon as a oneworld sapphire soon. Is it still the case that 1 checked bag is free of charge? I know it used to be the case, but I can't find the info on the website any more - it only mentions oneworld emeralds now...
Jan 31, 2019, 6:46 am
#23
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Feb 21, 2019, 11:59 am
#27
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: PlatPro, Globalist, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 60
I recently booked a multi-class, multi-city itinerary through BA via phone. My outbound flight (JFK > LHR) is operated by American, (books into N for both BA/American), but the agent mentioned that it was a hand baggage only fare and that I wouldn't be able to check a bag regardless of my status with American (Pro). I wanted to confirm if I am indeed not able to check a bag on this leg, as I can't find anything on aa.com identifying the flight as a hand baggage only/basic economy ticket (though it does appear when I view my booking on ba.com).
Mar 3, 2019, 7:59 am
#28
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP; Avis PC; Hertz PC; Marriott LT Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,133
Flying BA LHR-JFK arriving late at night and leaving early next morning AA JFK-MIA (8 hour overnight layover). All tix on same award PNR. Based on what I read, BA/AA will allow me to check my bags through to MIA at LHR and I do not need to collect/recheck at JFK. Is that accurate? Thanks!
Mar 3, 2019, 8:20 am
#30
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP; Avis PC; Hertz PC; Marriott LT Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,133