American Airline - Paying for checked luggage in advance

[LisaR]

My DD is in another state right now. She returns home on AA in 1.5 weeks. She will check herself in online and I know they will give her the option of paying for a piece of checked luggage at that point. I am trying to do it in advance because she will be on a public computer when she checks in. There has to be a way of doing this and I am just missing it. I've searched their website a dozen times and I can't seem to find a way to do this.

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

My DD is in another state right now. She returns home on AA in 1.5 weeks. She will check herself in online and I know they will give her the option of paying for a piece of checked luggage at that point. I am trying to do it in advance because she will be on a public computer when she checks in. There has to be a way of doing this and I am just missing it. I've searched their website a dozen times and I can't seem to find a way to do this.

did you try calling customer service? If not, This is why I have a AAA travel card that is a preload. I do NOT like leaving my card number on my own computer let alone a private one. So I would call customer service and you should be able to pay the fee over the phone. if not,go with option 2!
good luck!

 

[DizBelle]

All of the airlines I've flown do not allow check-in or paying for checked luggage until 24 hours before the flight. I think you're going to have to wait until 24 hours before the flight time.

 

[kaytieeldr]

But there's no reason YOU can't check her in and pay for her checked luggage at or after the 24 hour mark. There's no advantage to checking in right at 24 hours with most airlines like there is with Southwest. She should already have a seat assignment. You can do it anywhere from 24 to three or two hours before departure, and she can probably just print her boarding pass at the airport.

 

[LisaR]

All of the airlines I've flown do not allow check-in or paying for checked luggage until 24 hours before the flight. I think you're going to have to wait until 24 hours before the flight time.

Bummer! I wondered if this was the way it was. I never paid attention because I am always on my private computer so it hasn't been an issue before.
I wonder if I can go on 24 hours before her flight departs, buy the bag but not check her in? Could she go in after and print her boarding pass?

 

[LisaR]

But there's no reason YOU can't check her in and pay for her checked luggage at or after the 24 hour mark. There's no advantage to checking in right at 24 hours with most airlines like there is with Southwest. She should already have a seat assignment. You can do it anywhere from 24 to three or two hours before departure, and she can probably just print her boarding pass at the airport.

So she should still be able to print her boarding pass from the college computer, right? They will be dropping her curbside and I would prefer she take care of things out there.

 

[DizBelle]

Bummer! I wondered if this was the way it was. I never paid attention because I am always on my private computer so it hasn't been an issue before.
I wonder if I can go on 24 hours before her flight departs, buy the bag but not check her in? Could she go in after and print her boarding pass?

I have checked in and paid for a checked bag online but not printed my boarding passes (no printer). Then, when I get to the airport, print my boarding pass. Granted, this was not AA but I would think you could do this with AA.

What I don't know about is if the name on the ticket and the name on the credit card being used to pay for the checked bag are different.

 

[LisaR]

I have checked in and paid for a checked bag online but not printed my boarding passes (no printer). Then, when I get to the airport, print my boarding pass. Granted, this was not AA but I would think you could do this with AA.

What I don't know about is if the name on the ticket and the name on the credit card being used to pay for the checked bag are different.

The name shouldn't be an issue because I used my credit card for the trip up and she checked in without a problem.

I would prefer she get her boarding pass printed at the college. This is an unfamiliar airport to her, she has a HUGE suitcase and it will be 5am. She is also a directionally challenged 15 y/o. I am hoping she can show up curbside with everything she needs she can get rid of her suitcase immediately and get to the gate.