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Airlines · USA

American Airlines Checked Bag Fee: What You Pay

American Airlines checked bag fee is $50 for the first bag, or $45 online. See second bag costs, tips and common questions before you fly.

Quick answer

American Airlines charges $50 for a first checked bag, or $45 if you pay online. A second checked bag is $60, or $55 online. Fees apply per person and each direction of travel, so a return trip means paying twice.

American Airlines
Personal item—
Cabin bag—
Cabin bag weight—
Checked bag included—
First checked bag$50 ($45 if you pay online)
Second checked bag$60 ($55 if you pay online)
Checked bag weight—
Overweight bag—
In-flight wifi—

What you pay for checked bags

The first checked bag costs $50, or $45 when you pay online. The second checked bag costs $60, or $55 when you pay online. These are the standard fees, and they are charged per person, not per booking.

How to get the lower price

Pay for your checked bags online up to 2 hours before departure and you get the best price available. Paying at the airport costs more. Checked bag fees paid at the airport are non-refundable, so pay online where you can.

Carry-on and other things to know

You can bring 1 personal item and 1 carry-on bag on board if they meet the requirements. Checked bag fees are charged for each direction of travel, so a return trip means paying the fee twice. If you pay for checked bags and later buy or receive an upgrade that includes free checked bags, any bag fees you already paid will not be refunded. Before you fly, sort out your data so it works on landing, for example with an eSIM.

Ways to pay less

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Questions

How much is the American Airlines checked bag fee?

The first checked bag is $50, or $45 if you pay online. The second checked bag is $60, or $55 if you pay online.

Is it cheaper to pay for checked bags online?

Yes. Pay online up to 2 hours before departure and you pay $45 for the first bag and $55 for the second, instead of $50 and $60 at the airport.

Do I pay the checked bag fee once or twice on a return trip?

You pay per person and each direction of travel, so a return trip means paying the fee on the way out and again on the way back.

Can I get a refund if I later get free checked bags?

No. If you pay for checked bags and later buy or receive an upgrade that includes free checked bags, the fees you already paid will not be refunded.

Can I bring a carry-on bag on board?

Yes. You can bring 1 personal item and 1 carry-on bag on board if they meet the requirements.

Sources. Checked against the official pages on 28 September 2026: aa.com · aa.com · aa.com

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