Elite Benefits Downgrade: American Airlines New Baggage Policy Upends Sports Equipment Rules
A reader sent me a photo from the American Airlines check-in counter, showing a sign with a baggage policy I’d never heard of for sports equipment.
- If the checked bag with your skis is over 50 pounds, and it contains more than just the skis (e.g. skis and ski boots) then they will charge you based on two checked bags rather than one overweight bag – even though it is one overweight bag.
- First and business class customers, and elite status customers, normally get an overweight baggage allowance. They’re afforded up to 70 pounds instead of 50 pounds. American will ignore this benefit for ski equipment.
This struck me as odd. I’m usually up on American Airlines policies, even what some might consider obscure ones. The rule about counting one bag as two for fee purposes is actually on the American Airlines website and the policy was updated about four months ago.
However the exception to elite baggage benefits isn’t there. I cannot find it on the page listing elite benefits, either. Nor is it on the oneworld website, listing extra baggage allowance as a benefit.
- That page shows the British Airways exception, where ‘hand baggage only’ fares don’t receive a status-based baggage allowance
- But it does say “Exceptions may apply” as a catch-all regarding elite benefits
- I’ve confirmed that members with oneworld partner elite benefits don’t have those benefits fully honored by American for sports equipment.
Specifically, I am told by American Airlines:
• For ConciergeKey/Executive Platinum/Platinum Pro/oneworld Emerald and First/Business cabin customers, their status/fare benefit that allows them baggage up to 70 lbs does not apply to sports equipment, including ski equipment.
• The one exception to this rule is golf bags. One golf bag up to 70 lbs is accepted free of charge for CK/EP/PRO and oneworld Emerald customers.
You don’t get an elite status or premium cabin baggage benefit for sports equipment – unless you’re checking a golf bag. Make of that exception what you will. I understand that the sign itself that tipped off this change will come down.
