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American Airlines Excess Baggage Fees
What American Airlines charges for overweight bags, extra bags and buying baggage at the airport instead of online — from the official policy, checked 30 October 2026.
| Overweight bags | Over 50-53 lbs: $30; over 53-70 lbs: $100 (U.S./Canada); over 70-100 lbs: $200 (U.S./Canada) |
| Extra bags | 3rd bag $200; 4th+ bag $200 (within/between U.S., Canada, PR, USVI) |
| Prepaid online vs airport | $5 discount on 1st and 2nd checked bag fees when paid online on aa.com or the app; oversize 62-65 in: $30, over 65-115 in: $200 (U.S./Canada); bags over 115 in total dimensions not accepted |
| Currency | USD |
Your included allowance (for reference)
| Fare / class | Checked baggage allowance |
|---|---|
| Basic Economy (within/between U.S., PR, USVI, Canada, Caribbean excl. Cuba/Haiti, Mexico, Central America excl. Panama, Guyana) | 1st bag $55 ($50 if paid online), 2nd bag $65 ($60 if paid online), for tickets issued on/after May 18, 2026 |
| Main Cabin (same regions) | 1st bag $50 ($45 if paid online), 2nd bag $60 ($55 if paid online) |
| Premium Economy / Business / First (U.S. domestic) | 1st bag $0, 2nd bag $0 per official fee tables |
| All fares (3rd bag, U.S./Canada) | 3rd bag $200, 4th+ bag $200 |
Fees per person each way. Overweight tiers on the official page start above 50 lbs / 23 kg and oversize tiers above 62 in / 158 cm, indicating the standard limits. Save $5 on 1st and 2nd bag fees when paying online on aa.com or the app.
How the charges fit together
American Airlines publishes an overweight charge when a single bag passes its per-bag limit, a per-bag charge for pieces beyond the included count, different prices for buying in advance versus paying at the airport. The charges are separate and can stack: a bag can be inside your piece count and still be overweight, and an extra bag paid for at the airport can cost more than the same bag bought in advance. Work through them in order — count your pieces against the included allowance below, weigh each bag against its per-bag limit, and only then decide whether buying extra allowance in advance beats paying at the desk.
The cheapest way to avoid these fees
Every American Airlines fare in the table above already includes checked baggage, starting with Basic Economy (within/between U.S., PR, USVI, Canada, Caribbean excl. Cuba/Haiti, Mexico, Central America excl. Panama, Guyana) (1st bag $55 ($50 if paid online), 2nd bag $65 ($60 if paid online), for tickets issued on/after May 18, 2026), so the fees on this page only bite when you travel with more than that included amount — heavier bags, or more bags than the fare allows. If you are close to the line, weigh the bag at home: a kilogram moved into a companion’s bag, or into a cabin bag within its own limit, is a kilogram that never reaches the excess scale.
Frequently asked questions
How much does American Airlines charge for an overweight bag?
Over 50-53 lbs: $30; over 53-70 lbs: $100 (U.S./Canada); over 70-100 lbs: $200 (U.S./Canada)
How much is an extra checked bag on American Airlines?
3rd bag $200; 4th+ bag $200 (within/between U.S., Canada, PR, USVI)
Should I buy extra American Airlines baggage online or pay at the airport?
$5 discount on 1st and 2nd checked bag fees when paid online on aa.com or the app; oversize 62-65 in: $30, over 65-115 in: $200 (U.S./Canada); bags over 115 in total dimensions not accepted
What is already included before American Airlines excess fees apply?
Basic Economy (within/between U.S., PR, USVI, Canada, Caribbean excl. Cuba/Haiti, Mexico, Central America excl. Panama, Guyana): 1st bag $55 ($50 if paid online), 2nd bag $65 ($60 if paid online), for tickets issued on/after May 18, 2026; Main Cabin (same regions): 1st bag $50 ($45 if paid online), 2nd bag $60 ($55 if paid online); Premium Economy / Business / First (U.S. domestic): 1st bag $0, 2nd bag $0 per official fee tables
Policy checked: 30 October 2026. Airlines change allowances and fees — confirm on the official page before you travel.
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