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American Airlines is joining its competitors and raising checked bag fees in a move that was hardly surprising after most of the airline industry did the same in recent days.<\/p>\n
But American’s shakeup, announced Thursday, is the biggest we’ve seen so far in this wave of changes \u2014 and it goes well beyond bags.<\/p>\n
The Fort Worth-based carrier is also tightening its basic economy policies. AAdvantage elite status members will lose their upgrade and seat selection perks when flying on the airline’s cheapest fares. And all other customers who book a no-frills ticket will have to pay more to check a bag.<\/p>\n
“These changes are the result of the airline’s continuing evaluation of pricing and in light of the current operating environment,” the airline said in a statement to TPG Thursday.<\/p>\n
The U.S. airline industry has scrambled over the past two weeks to hike baggage fees and policies amid the run-up in global oil and jet fuel prices, which has also led to sticker shock for travelers booking summer flights<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n Here’s what to know about American’s changes.<\/p>\n Like most of the major U.S. airlines, checking a bag on American is getting more expensive. Beginning with tickets booked on Thursday, April 9, American will hike its baseline baggage price by $10 for customers’ first and second checked bags. These fees apply to all domestic U.S. and select short-haul international flights:<\/p>\n $40 ($35 if prepaid online)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n $50 ($45 if prepaid online)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n $50 ($45 if prepaid online)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n $60 ($55 if prepaid online)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n These fees match what Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines announced in recent days.<\/p>\n Customers’ third bag will now cost $200.<\/p>\n Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter<\/p>\n Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG\u2019s experts<\/p>\nAmerican hikes baggage fees<\/h2>\n
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\n Bag number<\/span><\/th>\n Old fee<\/span><\/th>\n New fee, as of April 9, 2026<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n