Customer service FAQs

No; we’ll only through check bags if all your tickets are in the same reservation and you are connecting to another American Airlines or oneworld^® flight.

Yes, if you buy your ticket on / after February 20, 2024, you can save on your 1st checked bag fees on American Airlines marketed and operated flights for travel within and between the U.S., including Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands.

Paying for bags online

You can only pay for bags online starting 24 hours and up to 2 hours before departure if you're flying within and between the U.S., including Hawaii, Alaska and select Caribbean cities.

You can't pay for bags online if you're waitlisted, standing by for another flight, or had a flight disruption and you haven’t confirmed your new flights.

You can pay for up to 3 checked bags per person on aa.com or in the app when you check in. We'll send an email confirmation with instructions on where to drop bags at the airport.

If you are checking more than 3 bags per person, you can add more at the airport according to the max permitted for your trip.

No, after you paid for bags online you can’t add more later. You can check more bags at the airport according to the max permitted for your trip. Checked bag fees may apply.

You can only pay for bags on aa.com, in the app or at the airport.

Yes; indicate you plan to check bags when you check in on aa.com or in the app. Our system will recognize your applicable complimentary bags.

Yes. You can pay for up to 3 bags per person on the same reservation. For example, 4 passengers can pay for a total of 12 bags.

Yes, when they travel on a military fare, but do not have the option to pay for bags online. If you’re not traveling on a military fare show your military ID at the check-in counter to receive free bags.

The standard bag refund policy would apply.

You must pay carry-on pet fees at the airport.

No. If you pay for your bags online the bag fees are non-refundable.

You can make changes to your flight based on the rules of your ticket. Checked bag fees will carry over to your new trip in most cases.

Checked bag fees you paid are non-refundable if you cancel your trip and if you buy or get an upgrade that includes free checked bags.

We recommend you arrive to the airport at least 2 hours before domestic flights to allow plenty of time to check in and clear security before scheduled departure. If you're using curbside check-in, allow yourself at least 45 additional minutes.

Service fees are non-refundable, but if you've been incorrectly charged for bag fees paid at a Bags Inc. curbside concierge location (generally indicated with Bags Inc. uniformed employees), contact Bags Inc. at 407-284-1231 or through this link.

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• Learn about our liability limitations
• See items excluded from liability

Learn about checked bag limitations

Some international destinations have year-round embargoes, while others have embargoes during certain times of the year.

Learn about seasonal and checked bag limitations

You have up to 24 hours from the time you first buy your ticket for a refund if you booked at least 2 days prior to departure. The 24-hour refund policy applies to all ticket types, but you have to cancel the trip to get a refund.* Reservations booked as part of group block do not qualify for the 24 hour refund.

Refunds will be issued in full amounts, less:

• Sale-imposed non-refundable taxes
• Service charge for booking through Reservations

If you bought your American Airlines ticket directly from us, you can request a refund online. We'll process your refund back to the original credit card within 7 days (it should appear on your statement in 1-2 billing cycles). For cash and check purchases, we’ll process your refund within 20 days after receiving a complete refund request.

Keep in mind, refund requests must be submitted while your ticket is valid – 1 year from the original ticket date. We will not process refunds on expired tickets.

If you bought your ticket from a travel agent or a website like Expedia, please contact the agent or travel site directly.

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We do not refund cash for non-refundable tickets.

We will refund a non-refundable ticket to the original form of payment if:

• You cancel within 24 hours from the time you first buy your ticket*
• There is a schedule change of more than 4 hours and you decide not to travel
• There is a schedule change of 90 minutes or more within 72 hours of your scheduled departure time and you decide not to travel
• There is death of the passenger / traveling companion
• Military orders / change in duty

Refunds will be made to the original form of payment. Supporting documents may be required.

You may be entitled to a refund of some taxes included in the price of your ticket:

• Upon written request, taxes or fees not imposed by the airline that are specific to destinations can be refunded
• Taxes or fees won't be refunded if American has an obligation to pay regardless of travel
• Refundable taxes and fees will be refunded to the original form of payment

Keep in mind, refund requests must be submitted while your ticket is valid – 1 year from the original ticket date. We will not process refunds on expired tickets.

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If you're an AAdvantage^® member and canceled your flight on or after January 17, 2024, you can receive a travel credit, minus a Basic Economy cancellation fee. To qualify, your AAdvantage^® number must be in your reservation and your trip must be:

• Booked in the U.S. directly through American
• Traveled wholly within the 50 U.S. states
• On American Airlines marketed and operated flights
• Canceled on aa.com or in the American app before your first flight departs

If you cancel a trip that has already begun, the ticket loses any remaining value and cannot be used for future travel.

Ticketing and other fees

Yes, you can apply the unused value of your ticket towards future travel on American, depending on the fare rules.

• If you cancel your trip on aa.com before departure, we will cancel your ticket and issue a Trip Credit. Your Trip Credit will be valid until the date listed on the credit.
• If you cancel your trip through any other channel, we will cancel your ticket and issue a Flight Credit. When using your Flight Credit travel must begin within 1 year from the date your ticket was first issued. You may be charged a change fee and any difference in ticket price.

Keep in mind, you must cancel your original ticket before the first flight departs, or the ticket will lose any remaining value and cannot be used for future travel.

Travel credit terms and conditions

If the product or service you paid for was provided on an alternate flight, no refund will be provided.

However, these products and services are eligible for a refund if you’re unable to use them:

• Bag fees (refund does not apply to bags bought online)
• Pet fees
• Priority boarding
• Same-day flight change or standby

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You can request a receipt for most tickets booked in the past 9 months. Simply enter the 13-digit ticket number and the passenger last name.

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It may take up to 72 hours or more for your transaction to appear. Be sure to verify the requested information including your date of purchase, last four digits of the credit card, and last name.

Get a receipt for onboard purchases