Checked baggage JFK-LAS flying AA - when do I pay the $25.00 charge?

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Aynat62

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I've just bought a OW ticket from JFK to LAS flying AA and I know I will need to check in some baggage. At no point during the purchase (online) was I asked whether I would have any checked baggage. It only charged me for the flight itself.

Does this mean I have to pay the $25.00 at the airport? Is there a special counter for doing this or do I pay it when checking in the baggage?

Or did I miss the 'checked baggage' question somewhere along the line during the online purchase? I'm panicking now.

Thank you.
 
From memory, you can do a credit-card swipe at the check-in machine and it will deduct the fee then.
 
You will pay it at the check-in counter. (unless you fall into a exemption category)
 
I'm not sure if AA works the same as United, but when I flew United domestically in November you could pay for your baggage during Online check-in using a CC which saved you a few dollars off the normal fee. The printed boarding pass showed the number of bags paid for and I got an emailed receipt for the charges.

As an aside, Southwest is about the only US carrier not yet charging for checked bags. They were running some amusing TV advertisements 'accusing' the other airlines of holding passenger bags hostage.
 
serfty said:
How are you getting to the USA? You might be able to avoid baggage charges if you are on an international itinerary. Not guaranteed however - it depends upon the interpretation - bring any international tickets along with you to check-in.

American Airlines Checked Baggage Charge Exceptions | AA.com
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That worked for my sister last week,travelling JFK-LAX on AA then onwards to Australia on a separate ticket. The machine wanted the money, but when she went to an agent to get her bag checked all the way to Australia, the agent waived the fee due to her international itinerary.
 
There is definitely the option to pay for bags when you OLCI, however more often than not if you have already done your seat allocation you don't gain anything by OLCI as you just use a self service kiosk at the airport.

The checkin process is quicker at the airport using a SSK as you just swipe the credit card you used to make the booking. If you do OLCI you have to put in more info such as billing address of credit card so I would never bother with this again the the US.

I did OLCI as I thought you got a discount for the checked bags but it costs the same if you use a SSK. The airline only charges the higher rate if you utilise the full service queue at the airport.

As Serfty said don't prepay for any baggage, take your international itinerary with you and hope for the best.
 
ozbeachbabe said:
There is definitely the option to pay for bags when you OLCI, however more often than not if you have already done your seat allocation you don't gain anything by OLCI as you just use a self service kiosk at the airport.

The checkin process is quicker at the airport using a SSK as you just swipe the credit card you used to make the booking. If you do OLCI you have to put in more info such as billing address of credit card so I would never bother with this again the the US.

I did OLCI as I thought you got a discount for the checked bags but it costs the same if you use a SSK. The airline only charges the higher rate if you utilise the full service queue at the airport.

As Serfty said don't prepay for any baggage, take your international itinerary with you and hope for the best.
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I am flying QF SYD-JFK then LAX-SYD on the way home. Within the US I am flying AA from JFK-LAS and also LAS-LAX to catch the international flight home. Maybe this is enough to show I am a loyal Qantas and Oneworld passenger and they would waive the fee.

Another question though, I'm a bit new with SSK and OLCI so if I just line up at the check-in desks and check-in with the person at the desk and they DON'T waive the fee can I pay at the desk or will they make me go somewhere else to pay then rejoin the check-in queue??
 
Austman said:
That worked for my sister last week,travelling JFK-LAX on AA then onwards to Australia on a separate ticket. The machine wanted the money, but when she went to an agent to get her bag checked all the way to Australia, the agent waived the fee due to her international itinerary.
Click to expand...

Is an 'agent' the person that you see to check-in when you join the queue? If so, Its worth a try. Thanks.
 
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Aynat62 said:
Thanks for the tip. It's worth a try. Are e-tickets enough evidence of my international itinerary?
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Yes, as long as it has the e-ticket number on it (Although by definition it would not be an e-ticket without one).

If you booked through Qantas this would start with "081-".
 
What I was told when I tried to waive the luggage fee is that you need to have arrived within 24 hours ago from your intl. dest.

As I haven't left the US yet, I am unable to tell you what is required to waive it exiting, but I imagine it is 24 hours from leaving the US....
 
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