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American Airlines adds new checked bag, companion baby policies

April 29, 2021
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2 min read
A woman putting her suitcase in an overhead luggage bin on an American Airlines plane at Miami International Airport.
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.

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.

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.

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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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