As the busy summer travel period quickly approaches, American Airlines has announced changes to its luggage policies regarding oversize sports and music equipment.
In a direct response to customer feedback, American Airlines is eliminating oversize luggage fees for common sports and music equipment, and will now accept these items as standard luggage, counting towards customers’ normal baggage allowance.
Bring on the Summer Months
The updated luggage policies, which will be music to the ears of business travellers who often leave their hobbies and sports behind when they travel due to baggage restraints, will ensure that customers can more easily pursue active and healthy lifestyles wherever their travels may take them, without having to pay additional oversize bag fees.
For example, customers travelling within the United States, who used to pay $150 to check one oversized item such as a surfboard, will now pay $30 — the cost of a standard first bag — if the weight is less than 50 lbs. Customers travelling with skis or a snowboard will now be able to check in an equipment bag with the skis or snowboard as one bag (up to 50 lbs./62 in.).
Status with Perks
Additional allowances/restrictions may apply based on the destination, class of service, elite status, or AAdvantage cardmembers (on domestic American-operated itineraries). Due to special handling requirements, oversize items such as antlers, hang gliders, scuba tanks and kite/windsurfing items will continue to incur a flat $150 fee.
Customers can check common oversize sports and music equipment as standard baggage, up to the maximum allowed dimensions and within the weight requirements. Business travellers can refer to the full policy for additional information.
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