American Airlines to Increase Checked Bag Charges

American Airlines is increasing the charges for checking a first or second bag. The charges will increase for domestic-travel tickets that are purchased on or after 14 August 2009.

The changes apply for travel within the United States and U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The changes also apply to travelers on American's regional affiliate, American Eagle, as well as AmericanConnection flights.

For tickets purchased on or after the effective date, the first checked bag will be $20 and the charge for a second checked bag will be $30, up from the current charges of $15 and $25 respectively. The current checked bag charges to and from Canada are not changing at this time.

Not all passengers have to pay the checked bag charge however. Those that don't include:

• American's AAdvantage program members who have achieved AAdvantage Gold, AAdvantage Platinum and AAdvantage Executive Platinum levels, as well as oneworld Alliance Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby members;

• Those who have purchased First and Business Class tickets, as well as those who purchased full-fare Economy Class tickets;

• Those with international itineraries (except to and from U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Checked bag charges to and from Canada are not changing at this time and remain at current levels.

Customers can pay the checked bag charges at an American Airlines airport Self-Service Machine, the curbside check-in counter, or at any AA airport ticket counter.

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