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How Do I Get a Refund on an Overcharged Baggage Fee from American Airlines?

In a nutshell: American Airlines passengers are usually allowed one free carry-on and a personal item on their flights. For international flights, you may be able to bring up to 3 free checked bags, depending on the fare type. Passengers can also purchase additional baggage allowance at the airport or via the American Airlines website. Keep in mind, though, that all additional baggage purchased are non-refundable. However, if you think you were overcharged, contact American Airlines within 45 days to get a refund. Continue reading for instructions on how to reach out to American Airlines.

Jan 21, 2026

Introduction

American Airlines passengers are usually allowed one free carry-on and a personal item on their flights. For international flights, you may be able to bring up to 3 free checked bags, depending on the fare type. Passengers can also purchase additional baggage allowance at the airport or via the American Airlines website. Keep in mind, though, that all additional baggage purchased are non-refundable. However, if you think you were overcharged, contact American Airlines within 45 days to get a refund. Continue reading for instructions on how to reach out to American Airlines.

Request a Refund

Do you think you were overcharged or incorrectly charged for the baggage allowance? You can request a refund online, but do this within 45 days. To request a refund, enter your last name and ticket number, and click Continue. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to submit your refund. Wait for the confirmation email and further instructions from American Airlines on what to do next after submitting the refund request. You may also check the status of your refund online. How to do this? Proceed to the next step.

Check the Refund Status

To see the status of your refund, simply enter your ticket number and last name, and click Search. For incorrectly charged bags, the refund may be in the form of cash, not trip credits.

Chat With American Airlines

Visit American Airlines' official website and click on the chat icon located in the bottom right corner of the page. They may ask for your ticket number and last name, so ensure you have the information with you.

If you're still at the airport, feel free to approach a representative from American Airlines. They may be able to assist you with processing the refund for the overcharged baggage fees.

Call Them Directly

Feel free to call American Airlines as well via their 1-800 number. Check out their website for the right number to call. Also, do note that the wait times can be longer when you call American Airlines. Don't worry, though, as this is where we come in. If you don't want to wait on the phone, we can help.

If you contact American Airlines via phone, ensure that you have the ticket number ready. AA may also need to verify your identity for security purposes.

Conclusion

American Airlines usually processes refunds within 7 business days, and the funds are sent to the original payment method. If you don't receive the refunded amount within 7 business days, it's better to contact your bank. Also, if you paid for the baggage allowance via a travel agency, contact them regarding overcharged fees. Request a refund from American Airlines only when you paid for the baggage allowance directly from their website or at the airport. Do you have further questions about requesting a refund from American Airlines? Don't hesitate to get in touch with Customer Support.

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Jeff truly believes that all customers deserve good service. He’s been building tools, inventing phone tree hacks and helping customers since before his days at GetHuman. He's also a Google GDE and involved in the Angular community.

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American Airlines

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Refund on an overcharged baggage fee
money back on an overcharged baggage fee
Reimbursement on an overcharged baggage fee

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