Travelers are sounding off after American Airlines quietly rolled out new baggage fees and tighter restrictions—changes many say they didn’t see coming.
Across social media, frustrated flyers are calling the updates “ridiculous” and “just another way to charge more,” with some even reconsidering future trips. The biggest issue? What used to be a simple part of flying is suddenly more complicated—and potentially more expensive—leaving passengers scrambling to figure out what’s changed before their next flight.
The updated policy affects everything from how much you’ll pay to check a bag to stricter enforcement around carry-on sizing, catching even the most frequent of flyers totally off guard. While airlines have been steadily increasing fees in recent years (something many people mentioned seemed like a bandwagon effect), many travelers say this latest move by American Airlines feels like a tipping point—especially as travel demand heads into peak season for spring and summer vacations.
In addition to baggage, the updates affect Basic Economy fare now being differentiated from the standard Main Cabin offering. "These changes are the result of the airline’s continuing evaluation of pricing and in light of the current operating environment," the airline announced in a statement on Thursday, April 9.
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For tickets booked on or after the date of the communication, the new bag fee for domestic flights—including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands—Canada, and short-haul international flights is as follows: $50 for the first checked bag, $60 for the second checked bag and $200 for the third checked bag when purchased at the airport.
Further, booking the cheapest flights will cost you in other areas, as there is another upcharge for bags for those seats: You'll pay $5 extra per bag when choosing a domestic Basic Economy ticket.
While prepaying online or via the AA app can save you a few dollars—a $5 discount on the first and second bags, to be exact—the price hike is something travelers are airing grievances over, reporting strong dissatisfaction over the constantly changing inconveniences associated with travel services.
"For Basic Economy tickets purchased May 18 and beyond, all customers, including those with status, will be able to select a seat for a fee and will not be eligible for complimentary and systemwide upgrades," the notice continued to share.
View this post on InstagramIn the comments section of an Instagram post shared by The Points Guy, people dropped their unfiltered thoughts on the matter.
"Remember when airlines competed by making their services BETTER?" one disgruntled customer recalled, while another surmised, "I am starting to feel as though the airlines do not want people to fly anymore."
"It’s funny how there is no competition between airlines. One raises prices and the rest follow. Not one dares to fight for new customers by LOWERING PRICES and COSTS," a third agreed, in part.
"Do the airlines even want any customers anymore? This is just ridiculous," someone else lamented.
Another traveler shared their own experience, writing, "I mean AA has stripped most all of the benefits for regular customers at the point. I don’t spend enough to make their credit card work for me."
Despite the surge in prices and updates to seating policies, the brand's VIPs will hold on to some benefits, the airline's statement clarified. "All AAdvantage status members will continue to receive complimentary bags on American Airlines flights. In addition, most AAdvantage credit cardmembers also get their first eligible checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries."
Premium seat holders on domestic and international flights will also continue to receive complimentary bags, as well as active-duty U.S. military personnel on all American flights.
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