American Airlines adds new checked bag, companion baby policies
David Slotnick is a senior aviation business reporter at TPG. He covers anything and everything to do with the business of running an airline.
April 29, 2021
•
2 min read
American Airlines adds new checked bag, companion baby policies
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American Airlines quietly introduced two new travel policies last week — one of which is a negative development for passengers, and one of which is an overall positive.
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Under the first policy, the airline will charge passengers a checked bag fee if their carry-on bag does not fit in the gate-side bag sizer and is gate-checked.
Passengers who would normally be entitled to a free checked bag — including AAdvantage elites, passengers flying in a premium cabin, or certain co-brand credit cardholders — will still get the gate-checked bag for free.
The second policy change is a bit more obscure, but good news for those travelers who can benefit from it.
Previously, if a parent was traveling internationally with a lap-infant — a child under two, who could sit on the parent's lap for about 10% of the cost of the parent's ticket — was upgraded, then the basis for that infant fee would based be the new premium seat, potentially raising costs.
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Now, American will not require them to pay the difference on the infant ticket — the cost stays the same, based on the originally purchased seat — even if it was in a lower cabin.
Lap infants on domestic itineraries are still free.
More: Long airline hold times continue as Americans race to book spring and summer travel
Both policy changes were first spotted by the View From The Wing blog, and confirmed by TPG.
Featured image by Universal Images Group via Getty
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
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- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees