Disclaimer: Do not fill out the claim form if you do not qualify for the class action lawsuit – that is against the law.

Good afternoon everyone, if you paid for checked bag fees on American Airlines, you might be able to claim up to $200.  According to Top Class Actions, “If you traveled on American Airlines between July 13, 2013 and June 7, 2018 and were charged checked baggage fees that were inconsistent with the company’s baggage fee policy, you could get money from the class action settlement.”  Just because you flew on American Airlines between those dates and paid a checked bag fee, does not make you eligible for this settlement.  You are only eligible if you booked a flight on American Airlines that stated you were getting free checked bags, but when you showed up at the airport, American Airlines made you pay to check your bags.  According to Top Class Actions:

“AA drafted each contract that it enters into with each of its passengers. The contracts include AA’s promises to provide air travel for a price, and to provide other benefits, such as transporting a certain number of the passenger’s checked bags for no additional charge,” the American Airlines class action lawsuit claimed. “However, AA failed to honor its checked bag promises in the standardized software system that AA uses to determine whether passengers must pay for checked bags when they check in at the Airport.”

To file a claim, click here.  You will need to provide proof in the form of confirmation emails and the amount you are eligible for will range from $18.75 to $200.

Class Members who submit a valid claim may receive a refund between $18.75 and $200 plus interest for each of their mischarged checked baggage fees. A 100% refund is available for checked baggage fees inconsistent with American Airline policies and a 75% refund is available for checked baggage fees inconsistent with confirmation emails.

As far as I know, I did not pay American Airlines for checked bags that I thought were free.  Unless you kept good records and can find email confirmations from a few years ago, it will be difficult to claim any of the money from the settlement.  I believe those who were affected should also receive a letter or postcard in the mail, so if you think you are eligible, keep your eye out on your mail.  If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.  Have a great day everyone!