David Ponzevic must pay $80 to check his bags on an American Airlines flight — even though his bags are supposed to be “free.” Can he get a refund?
Question
My daughter and I flew from Boston to Chicago on American Airlines recently. Our tickets included one free checked bag per ticket.
When we checked in at the kiosk at Logan Airport in Boston, it charged us $40 per bag. Before we paid, we asked an American Airlines employee for assistance.
She told us to “just pay the charge and ask for a refund later.” We paid the fees and then boarded our flight.
I have tried numerous times to contact American Airlines about this, to no avail. I’ve called the toll-free number at different times and worked through the prompts only to have the system hang up on me.
I’ve used the 24/7 virtual assistant and they were only able to provide me a link to the American Airlines refund page, which did not allow me to request a bag fee refund.
I also filled out the American Airlines comment/complaint form to try to reach out that way. American Airlines sent me a boilerplate email that it was going to “make sure that my concerns were directed to the appropriate parties” and to please choose American Airlines for my future travel needs.
I would like a refund of the $80 that we paid. Can you help me? — David Ponzevic, Plainfield, Ill.
Answer
American Airlines shouldn’t have charged you $80 for your checked luggage. So much for “free” bags!
While I’m on the subject, let me object to the term “free” anything, and especially luggage. American should have said that it included the cost of your luggage in the cost of your fare. (Technically, nothing is free when you’re flying.)
Oh, I know. Some of you, dear readers, are probably saying, “But it’s free if I use my credit card.” Nope! You’re still paying an annual fee or giving American a percentage of those lucrative swipe fees. Or you’re paying interest. Either way, not free.
American asked you to pay twice for your checked baggage, and that’s really upsetting.
You don’t have to pay luggage fees
Airlines collected $7 billion in luggage fees in 2023, the last year for which numbers are available — up from $6.7 billion the previous year. American Airlines collected the most ($1.3 billion) followed by United ($1.2 billion) and Delta ($1 billion).
So a double-charge should not be that surprising. Airlines would tack a fee on to anything that moves.
But you don’t have to be a victim. Here’s how:
- Pack light. I know, Captain Obvious! But in my years of flying, I’ve seen all kinds of creative ways to avoid the luggage fee. Large jackets, vests, extreme minimalism. Don’t let them get your money.
- Choose an airline with a better baggage policy. Southwest Airlines is a standout among domestic carriers — it includes two bags in your fare. Middle Eastern carriers such as Qatar Airways and Emirates also have generous luggage policies. (Related: Help, American Airlines canceled my flight and charged me an extra $1,147.)
- Get creative. I always pack a reusable grocery bag to take advantage of the unwritten grocery exemption. Flight attendants look the other way if you’re bringing snacks on the plane, but they never check to make sure it’s just food. You can pack some of your clothes in a grocery bag and avoid a luggage fee. I’ve done it.
So here’s a truth bomb: You don’t have to pay luggage fees. There are real ways to avoid this money grab by the airlines.
Getting a refund for this double charge was a real fight
The other upsetting thing is the way American handled your request for help. You battled seemingly endless phone trees, an unhelpful AI, and a tone-deaf customer service department. Is it any wonder that American Airlines has the reputation it does when it comes to customer service?
How could you have avoided this? The problem happened at the check-in counter. I might have skipped the self-service kiosk and headed to one of the staffed ticket counters. An agent could have overridden the system and ensured you didn’t have to pay twice for your checked baggage. Failing that, you could have at least gotten the name of the agent who promised you a refund. (Related: A 20 percent credit for my American Airlines tickets? That’s insane!)
After that, the only fix would have been to write to one of the American Airlines executive contacts I publish on this site. (Here’s is our best guide to resolving your consumer problem.)
I contacted American Airlines on your behalf. A representative said you had purchased your tickets through an online agency, and that the fare included a free checked bag per passenger. But it looks like you changed your ticket, which downgraded you to a regular economy class ticket. American refunded you a $27 fare difference.
“That said, we understand the confusion based on the confirmation email they were sent that still said one free bag, and are willing to refund the bag,” the representative told me.
But before American Airlines could do anything, you reported that the $80 charge had inexplicably been voided. American Airlines closed your case, and since you have your money back, I will, too.
