Two American Airlines Boeing 737s are shown at the gate on July 7, 2022, at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, FL. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
American Airlines is pushing customers to buy tickets directly from the airline if they want to earn frequent-flyer points, and it is raising the cost of checking bags.
American announced Tuesday that most customers will have to buy tickets directly from the airline or its partner carriers if they want to earn points in its AAdvantage loyalty program.
Corporate travelers won't be affected by the change.
The airline said checking a bag will rise from $30 now to $35 online and $40 if purchased at the airport. The fee for a second checked bag will rise from $40 to $45 both online and at the airport.
American says it last raised bag fees in 2018.
The changes affect flights booked on or after Tuesday for travel within the United States and to nearby international destinations including Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.
The airline will generally allow customers to check at least one bag free if they hold status in American's loyalty program, buy a premium-class ticket or use an American-branded credit card.
Angelo Zino, Senior Vice President and Technology Equity Research Analyst at CFRA, breaks down Big Tech earnings, AI spending, and what's next for the Mag 7.
Big Tech is pouring billions into AI. Ray Wang, CEO of Constellation Research, explains what Meta and Microsoft's earnings reveal about those investments.
Morningstar equity analyst Nicolas Owens explains Boeing's latest earnings, deliveries, rising fuel costs, and what they mean for airlines and investors.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is more than just a tournament. With over 6.5 million fans expected to attend, it's become one of the world's largest economic events.
Variety Senior TV Editor Brian Steinberg breaks down media mergers, streaming, cord-cutting, and the biggest trends reshaping the future of television.
