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American Airlines Drops Baggage Fees for Premium Economy Flights Booked Starting Today

Nov. 13, 2017
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2 min read
Baggage claim at airport
American Airlines Drops Baggage Fees for Premium Economy Flights Booked Starting Today
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US-based airlines love their baggage fees — they've racked up over $4 billion per year from these alone. But, effective today, one US airline is taking some weight off your shoulders (both literally and financially) by eliminating one of its checked baggage fees.

For tickets purchased after 12:00am Central Time on November 13, American Airlines is dropping the $100 second checked bag fee for certain premium economy tickets. Specifically, this is for tickets "between Europe and U.S. [excluding Hawaii], Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America and South America (excluding Brazil)." For US-based travelers, this means premium economy flights between the US and Europe will now get two free checked bags.

For some reason, this was the only international region pairing where American Airlines was still charging for a second checked bag on a premium economy ticket. With this change, all international premium economy tickets will feature two free checked bags.

However, premium economy tickets "within and between U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands" will be assessed a $35 checked bag fee for the second checked bag. Based on the premium economy routes announced so far, this is effectively just for premium economy flights between the US mainland and Hawaii.

Checked bag fees for the third bag on premium economy tickets still run between $85 (to/from Brazil) and $200 (most intercontinental flights). Here's the full list of American Airlines baggage fees.

The airline has clarified that this policy only affects tickets purchased today (November 13) and won't be applied to other tickets retroactively. An airline spokesperson confirms "this means that on the same flight we may see customers who receive one free checked bag or two free checked bags, depending on when they purchased their ticket."

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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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