American Airlines Fee: Flight Change, Cancellation or More

American Airlines, one of the leading airlines in the U.S., has its headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. According to scheduled passenger miles, revenue passenger miles, and daily flights, it is the world’s largest airline.

With almost 6,800 flights per day to nearly 350 destinations in 48 countries, American Airlines and its regional partners and affiliates operate a comprehensive international and domestic network.

Table of Contents

GUIDE TO AMERICAN AIRLINES BASIC FEES

Services		Domestic /Int’l	Comments / Website
Baggage Fees			www.aa.com/Baggage Fees
	Carry-on bags	$0
	1st Checked Bag	$25/$0	Booking fees on the phone (AA Reservations)
	2nd Checked Bag	$35/$50	Booking fees on the phone (AA Reservations)
	Additional Bags 3-5 each	$100
	Additional Bags 6+ each	$200
	higher weight Bag (51-70 lbs)	$50
	higher weight Bag (71-100 lbs)	$100
	Oversized bags (linear inches: L+W+H) 63-115 in.	$150
Ticket Fees			www.aa.com/Ticketing Index
	Ticket Change fee	$150/$250	Does not apply in all Int’l countries/regions; see AA.com
	Booking fees on phone (AA Reservations)	$20
	Booking fees in person (Airport or Travel Center)	$30
	Paper tickets (only if e-ticketing is not available)	$0	This does not apply in all Int’l countries/regions; see AA.com
	Name Change	$100	$25 charge if paper ticket is issued when an e-ticket is available
	Name Correction	$25	Change passenger name on a wholly unused ticket
Special Assistance			www.aa.com/Special Assistance
	Unaccompanied minors (double for round-trip)	$100	UM requires calling Reservations for assistance
	Pets (double for round-trip)	$100 (cabin)	$150 (cargo) Special pet guidelines apply
Inflight Selections			www.aa.com/Inflight Selections
	Same passenger when name is misspelled, last name change due to marriage/divorce, match passenger ID/passport	$50	www.aa.com/Same-day Travel Changes
	Seat selection	$0
	Express Seats (one way)	$9+	Pricing of Express Seats will vary by mileage
	Inflight food service in Economy Cabin	$3 -$10	Complimentary in First/Business Class
	Alcoholic beverage service in Economy Cabin	$6+	Complimentary in First/Business Class
	Blankets/pillows in Economy Cabin	$8	Sleep set includes a pillow, blanket, sleeping mask & earplugs
	Headsets for purchase – Economy Cabin	$2	Complimentary Bose headsets in First/Business Class
	Inflight Wi-Fi Internet Connection in all cabins	Varies	www.aa.com/Inflight Wi-Fi
AAdvantage Awards			www.aa.com/Award Reservations
	Award Ticketing fee (issued 21-330 days before departure)	$0	Subject to applicable taxes and security fees
	Rush fee for awards issued (7-21 days)	$50	Confirmed same-day standby (same itinerary)
	Rush fee for awards issued (6 days to 2 hours)	$100	Confirmed same-day standby (same itinerary)
	Service fee for booking award ticket (on phone)	$20	Charges waived for AAdvantage Executive Platinum® members using miles from account
	Service fee for booking award ticket (in person)	$30
	For multiple awards claimed at the same time from the same account, the charge is $25 for each additional award	$150	No charge for changes using AAnytime awards
	Ticket Cancellation – Mileage redeposit fee	$150	Award Flight Change using the Miles Saver award
	Mileage reactivation fee	$50	For every 5,000 miles, plus $30 fee per transaction; taxes apply
	One-way Upgrade awards using Mileage plus co-payment	$50-$350	Varies by destination; see website for details

The fee schedule is subject to change and does not include all services. See AA.com for the Terms & Conditions of the above services.

American Airlines Inc. and American Eagle Airlines Inc. are subsidiaries of American Airlines, Inc. AA.com, American Airlines, American Eagle, and American Connection.

American Airlines Flight Change Policy

In 2023, American Airlines changed its flight change policy to provide customers with greater flexibility and convenience. Unless you’re flying basic economy, you can change your flight for free within the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands.

Flight changes are free if you are flying to or from Europe, South America, or Asia Pacific, except China and Hong Kong. You can change your flight online, on the app, or by calling Reservations. If you wish to fly standby on the same day for the same destination, no fee is charged.

The only exception to this is if you’re flying basic economy and you cancel or change your flight within 24 hours of booking or if there’s a travel alert.

American Airlines Change Fees

American Airlines has updated many of its change and cancellation fees, allowing much more flexibility than ever before. American Airlines has permanently eliminated its change and cancellation fees for flights within the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

American Airlines has also eliminated its change and cancellation fees on international flights originating from North and South America to Asia, Australia, Europe, New Zealand, South America, and the United Kingdom. However, if the trip originates outside of North or South America, fees can go up to $400.

Fare differences will apply to tickets that are changed, but if your new booking is cheaper, you’ll receive a travel credit for a future trip.

American Airlines Cancellation Policy

According to American Airlines Cancellation Policy, if a passenger cancels a flight within 24 hours of reservation, there will be no cancellation fee, and the full amount will be refunded. Unless the flight is cancelled within 24 hours of booking, the passenger will be charged cancellation fees, and their remaining balance will be refunded.

Technical reasons may cause an airline to cancel a flight. The passenger may claim compensation from the airline, which will be paid according to the original payment method.

A passenger’s family member may pass away due to a medical problem that prevents them from boarding the flight, which ultimately cancels the trip. In that case, the passenger may deposit supporting documents so that the team can verify the documents, and then reimburse the passenger with no cancellation charges.

American Airlines cancellation fee

Within 24 hours of the original booking, customers cannot be charged for their tickets; after that time, American Airlines will charge a cancellation fee. Below are the cancellation fees according to the type of ticket: –

Economy Class:

Non-refundable Tickets: Cancellation fees can range from 0 to $200, the remainder will be credited.
Refundable Tickets: In general, refunds are given in the original form of payment.

Business Class:

Refundable Tickets: You will generally receive a refund after cancellation.
Non-refundable Tickets: Ticket cancellation fees are often higher for non-refundable tickets, ranging between $200 and $500.

First Class:

Refundable Tickets: You will usually receive a full refund after cancellation.
Non-refundable Tickets: Non-refundable tickets have higher cancellation fees, often between $200 and $500.

American Airlines Standby Fees

AAdvantage members, Oneworld status members, active U.S. military members, and Main Cabin Select customers are eligible for free same-day standby for flights within the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Confirmed same-day charges start at $60 for flights within the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, plus flights to Canada and the Caribbean.

For a confirmed same-day change on a flight between New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR), American charges $150.

American Airlines Baggage Fees

There are a few factors that determine American Airlines checked bag fees. If your luggage meets standard weight and size restrictions, the following baggage fees will apply.

Details	First Bag	Second Bag
Domestic	$40 ($35 when paid for online)	$45
Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean (Except Cuba and Haiti), Central America, and Guyana	$35	$45
Haiti	$0/$35 for Basic Economy	$65
Central America (Except Panama)	$35	$45
Panama, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru	$0/$45 for Basic Economy	$100
South America (Except Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru and Suriname)	$0/$60 for Basic Economy	$100
Transatlantic and Transpacific	$0/$75 for Basic Economy	$100

For domestic, transatlantic, and transpacific flights and flights transiting the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Mexico, you can check 10 bags. Restrictions may apply based on the region and the season.

American Airlines Pet Fee

American Airlines charges different pet fees based on their travel mode and requirements. Across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, carry-on pets may be transported for $150 per kennel.

Pets traveling within and between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Europe are subject to a $200 fee per kennel, with a reduced fee of $150 for travel to or from Brazil. These fees apply only to active-duty U.S. Military and State Department personnel.

Fees for animal transportation via airline cargo will be confirmed when booking. The fee depends on the details of the trip. Moreover, each airway bill will be subject to an additional handling fee of $150.

American Airlines Priority Boarding Fee

Priority boarding on American Airlines is as easy as flying in a premium cabin. Passengers in Group 1 board, passengers in Groups 1 and 2, and passengers in Group 4 board in premium economy.

As opposed to economy class, American Airlines offers premium economy at a higher price. In-flight entertainment includes larger screens, more legroom, reclining seats, and premium meals. As well as priority boarding and check-in, premium economy passengers receive enhanced service. Voilà!

American Airlines offers priority boarding separately for those without a premium seat. Depending on the flight, this add-on can cost anywhere from $9 to $74 dollars.

American Airlines Seat Selection Fee

American Airlines charges about $160 for an extra-legroom seat on a long-haul international flight, but its standard seats are free.

Several factors, such as the flight’s length and seat selection, can affect the seat selection fee. Window and aisle seats are generally the most expensive. Paying extra for a middle seat between two preferred seats might not be necessary.

American Airlines Fee: Flight Change, Cancellation or More: All You Need To Know