# How Do I Add Baggage in American Airlines? You can add baggage in American Airlines online via Manage Trips, by calling 1-888-760-1051, mobile app, during booking. When you travel by air one of the most important things to manage is your baggage. Packing is only the first step. Knowing how to add baggage to your flight can save you time money and frustration. American Airlines makes the process fairly straightforward but there are a few different ways to do it depending on when you book how you check in and what kind of ticket you purchased. In this detailed guide you will learn everything you need to know about adding baggage to your American Airlines reservation from the time of booking until the moment you step into the airport. ## Understanding the Basics of Baggage with American Airlines Before talking about the process of adding baggage it helps to understand how baggage works with the airline. American Airlines like most large carriers separates baggage into two main categories. One is carry on baggage which you can take with you into the cabin. The other is checked baggage which is placed in the hold of the plane. Carry on baggage is generally included with most standard tickets though certain types of basic economy tickets may have restrictions. Checked baggage is usually not included unless you have purchased a higher class of service such as business or first class or if you are an elite member of the loyalty program. Because of this many travelers need to add baggage separately. Adding baggage is essentially paying for checked bags ahead of time either during booking after booking or at the airport. Doing it in advance often saves you money and avoids delays on the day of travel. ## Adding Baggage When You Book Your Flight The easiest time to add baggage is at the moment you purchase your ticket. When you go through the American Airlines booking process online or through the mobile app you are guided step by step. After you select your flights and enter passenger information you are usually presented with a page that shows options for baggage. At this stage you can choose how many checked bags you want to add. The system shows the price for the first bag and the second bag. If you need more bags you can often select them as well though the costs will increase. When you select the number of bags those charges are added to your total fare and you pay for everything at once. Adding baggage during booking is convenient because you do not have to worry about it later. Everything is set up ahead of time. You also often pay the lowest available price for your checked bags at this stage. ## Adding Baggage After You Book Sometimes you book a flight without adding baggage because you are not sure how much you will need. Later you may decide that you definitely want to check a bag. American Airlines allows you to return to your reservation and add baggage after booking. To do this you simply log into your American Airlines account on the website. You can also use the record locator and last name if you do not have an account. Once you access your trip details you will see options for managing your booking. One of those options is to add bags. You click on it select the number of bags and then pay the applicable fees. If you are using the mobile app the process is very similar. You open the app find your trip under upcoming flights and then add baggage from the menu of options. Paying for your bags before the day of travel ensures a smoother experience at the airport. ## Adding Baggage During Online Check In Another common time to add baggage is during online check in. American Airlines allows passengers to check in 24 hours before departure either through the website or the mobile app. During the check in process you confirm your personal information seat assignment and travel documents. At the same time you can add baggage. The system will show you how many bags are allowed and what the price is for each. You select the number of bags you want pay the fee and then receive your boarding pass. If you pay for bags at check in you can drop them off quickly at the bag drop counter when you arrive at the airport. Many travelers prefer this option because by check in time they usually know how many bags they need. It is still often cheaper than waiting until you get to the airport counter. ## Adding Baggage at the Airport If you did not add baggage earlier you can always do it at the airport. This is done either at the check in counter with an agent or at the self service kiosks. At the counter you simply tell the agent how many bags you want to check. They will weigh your bags print baggage tags and process the payment. At kiosks you can scan your boarding pass add baggage pay with a card and then attach the printed tags to your bags. You then leave the bags at the designated drop area. This method works well if you prefer to handle everything in person but keep in mind that airport prices for checked baggage may be higher than if you pay online in advance. ## Baggage Fees and What to Expect The cost of adding baggage varies depending on your route class of service and membership status. For most domestic flights the first checked bag has a set fee and the second bag is slightly more expensive. Additional bags cost even more. On international flights the first bag may be included depending on the destination but in many cases you still need to pay. Elite members of the frequent flyer program as well as holders of certain credit cards may receive free checked bags. Families traveling together on the same reservation may benefit if one person has that benefit. It is important to note that if your bag exceeds weight or size limits you will be charged extra fees for overweight or oversized baggage. Adding baggage ahead of time does not exempt you from those rules. Always make sure your bags meet the airline requirements before you head to the airport. ## Using the American Airlines App to Add Baggage Technology has made the process even easier with the American Airlines mobile app. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices. Once you log in you can view your trips manage bookings and add services like baggage. When you select your flight in the app there is a section for baggage. You tap on it choose how many bags to add and then pay. The app stores your payment and updates your boarding pass. On the day of travel you simply go to the bag drop area scan your mobile boarding pass and hand over your bags. The app can also send you reminders about your baggage so you do not forget. It can notify you of any changes in fees and even track your bags once you check them. ## Adding Baggage for Group Bookings When traveling with a group or family the process of adding baggage is slightly different but still simple. If all tickets are on the same reservation you can add baggage for each passenger during booking check in or through the app. Each traveler will have the option to add their own bags. It is important to review the details carefully because sometimes benefits like free bags from a credit card apply only to the cardholder and their immediate companions. Make sure each passenger gets the baggage allowance they need. ## Tips for Saving Money When Adding Baggage Since baggage fees can add up quickly many travelers look for ways to save. One of the best ways is to add baggage at the earliest possible point usually when booking or at least during online check in. Prices tend to be lower than paying at the airport. Another way to save is by joining the loyalty program or using a co branded credit card that provides free checked bags. If you travel often this benefit can cover the cost of the card. Packing smart also helps. Instead of paying for multiple bags try to fit your belongings into fewer checked bags or use your carry on allowance effectively. --- ## What Happens if You Forget to Add Baggage Sometimes travelers arrive at the airport without having added baggage. Do not worry because you can still add it at the counter or kiosk. The main downside is that you may face longer lines and higher fees. It is always best to handle baggage before the day of travel whenever possible. If you realize last minute through the app or website that you need a bag you can still log in and add it before arriving at the airport. That can save you time and money. ## International Travel Considerations When flying internationally baggage policies can vary more than on domestic routes. Some long haul flights include one or two checked bags as part of the ticket price. Others do not. It depends on the route and fare class. Always check your specific itinerary in your account or app to see if any bags are included. If not you can add them the same way as domestic flights either during booking after booking or at check in. Be mindful of weight limits as many international flights have stricter rules. Adding baggage ahead of time ensures you know exactly what you will pay and helps you avoid surprises at the airport. ## Why Adding Baggage Early Matters Adding baggage early is more than just about saving money. It also helps you travel with peace of mind. When your baggage is already set up in the system you can go straight to the bag drop counter at the airport instead of waiting in the full service line. This saves time and reduces stress. It also ensures there are no misunderstandings about what you owe. If you wait until the airport there can sometimes be confusion about fees especially if you are rushing to catch your flight. Doing it ahead of time gives you clarity and control. ## A Step by Step Walkthrough Example Imagine you booked a domestic round trip flight from Dallas to New York. When you first purchased your ticket you did not add baggage. A week before your trip you realize you need to check a large suitcase. Here is how you would add baggage. You log in to the American Airlines website click on Your Trips enter your record locator and open your flight. You see a menu with options and you choose Add Bags. You select one checked bag for each direction of travel and pay the fee. You immediately receive a confirmation. On the day of your trip you go to the airport with your suitcase already tagged in your reservation. At the self service kiosk you scan your boarding pass print your bag tag attach it and drop the suitcase off. The process is quick because you already paid. This example shows how easy it can be when you plan ahead. ## Common Mistakes to Avoid While adding baggage is simple there are a few common mistakes to watch out for. One is waiting until the very last moment to pay for your bags. This can lead to higher fees and unnecessary stress. Another is assuming your ticket automatically includes baggage. Always double check. Travelers also sometimes forget weight and size restrictions. Paying for a checked bag does not mean you can ignore the limits. Overweight or oversized bags will always cost extra. Finally do not forget to add baggage for every leg of your trip. If you have a connection or a return flight make sure you have paid for bags on all segments if needed. ## Final Thoughts Adding baggage on American Airlines is a process designed to be flexible. You can do it when you book your ticket after booking during online check in or at the airport. The earlier you add baggage the more you are likely to save both money and time. Using the website or mobile app makes the process quick and convenient and ensures your baggage is ready to go when you arrive at the airport. By understanding the policies fees and steps involved you can make your travel experience much smoother. Whether you are traveling for business or leisure knowing how to handle your baggage ahead of time is one of the simplest ways to start your trip with confidence. So the next time you fly with American Airlines take a moment to plan your baggage strategy early and enjoy a hassle free journey.