AA Joins Bag Fee Club

American Airlines became the last of the major carriers to increase their bag fees. AA said it will change its checked bag charges, effective with tickets purchased on or after February 1. The charges apply to travel within the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands on American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection flights.

American's checked bag charges will change to $25 for the first checked bag and $35 for the second checked bag, payable at the airport on day of travel.

As before, American's top customers are exempt from these checked bag charges. Among the exemptions are American's elite AAdvantage members, full-fare customers, confirmed passengers in the First or Business Class cabin, those traveling on military fares, and other travelers booked on the same record locator as the premium customer.

American said about 25 percent of its domestic customers pay checked bag charges, with other customers either exempt from the charge or choosing to not check a bag while abiding by American's normal carry-on policies.

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