Status: In progress

Cleary, et al. v. American Airlines Inc.

  • Deadline to file a claim: 03/15/2022
  • Proof of Purchase Required: No
  • Potential Individual Reward: 100% refund
  • Total Settlement Amount: $7.5 million
  • Nationwide

Status: In progress

Cleary, et al. v. American Airlines Inc.

  • Deadline to file a claim: 03/15/2022
  • Proof of Purchase Required: No
  • Potential Individual Reward: 100% refund
  • Total Settlement Amount: $7.5 million
  • Nationwide

Status: In progress

Cleary, et al. v. American Airlines Inc.

  • Deadline to file a claim: 03/15/2022
  • Proof of Purchase Required: No
  • Potential Individual Reward: 100% refund
  • Total Settlement Amount: $7.5 million
  • Nationwide

Status: In progress

Cleary, et al. v. American Airlines Inc.

The settlement class is made up of American Airlines travelers who were charged to check a bag on or after Feb. 24, 2017, for tickets issued prior to April 9, 2020, and received an email confirming the purchase of the air travel that stated passengers could check one or more bags for that ticketed trip for no charge or for “USD0.00” and/or held an American Citi or Barclay’s credit card entitling the passenger to check the first bag for free and were traveling within the United States.

  • Deadline to file a claim: 03/15/2022
  • Proof of Purchase Required: No
  • Potential Individual Reward: 100% refund
  • Total Settlement Amount: $7.5 million
  • Nationwide

Status: In progress

Cleary, et al. v. American Airlines Inc.

  • Deadline to file a claim: 03/15/2022
  • Proof of Purchase Required: No
  • Potential Individual Reward: 100% refund
  • Total Settlement Amount: $7.5 million
  • Nationwide

Top Class Actions  |  November 16, 2022

Category: Closed Class Actions

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This settlement is closed!

Please see what other class action settlements you might qualify to claim cash from in our Open Settlements directory!

Airlines passengers at an American Airlines customer service counter, representing the American Airlines bag fees class action lawsuit settlement.
(Photo Credit: WKanadpon/Shutterstock)

Update:

  • The deadline to file a claim has been extended to March 15, 2023.

American Airlines has agreed to a $7.5 million bag fee settlement in a class action lawsuit that claimed the airline incorrectly charged certain customers.

The settlement class is made up of American Airlines travelers who were charged to check a bag on or after Feb. 24, 2017, for tickets issued prior to April 9, 2020, and meet either or both of the following criteria:

  • Received an email confirming the purchase of the air travel that stated passengers could check one or more bags for that ticketed trip for no charge or for “USD0.00”
  • Held an American Citi or Barclay’s credit card entitling the passenger to check the first bag for free and were traveling within the United States. This includes passengers on international itineraries who were charged to check their first standard bag for the entire domestic portion of such itineraries in addition to the international portions.

In the lawsuit, five plaintiffs alleged American Airlines agents asked them to pay baggage fees despite messages from the company that they were eligible to check bags for free. 

The airline promised to waive baggage fees for certain customers, such as frequent flyers, first- or business-class customers and those who owned American Airlines credit cards. But those customers were often charged for their bags regardless of those promises. 

This was not the first time American Airlines has been sued over checked-bag charges. In a 2018 case, a Harvard professor claimed in 2016 he was charged for bags after the airline promised free backs for certain classes of customers for the previous three years.

Members of the class must file a claim to receive a 100% refund for baggage fees charged during the class period. 

If the total baggage fee amount for all valid claims is less than $7.5 million, the settlement administrator will proportionately increase the payments to class members who filed verified claims. 

Class members who were charged on multiple occasions during the class period are eligible to receive a refund for each of those charges if they submit a claim form.

Class members who wish to exclude themselves from the settlement may opt out by Jan. 18, 2023. Those who wish to object to the lawsuit may do so by the same deadline. 

A fairness hearing in the American Airlines bag fee settlement has been scheduled for May 5, 2023.

Class members in the American Airlines class action lawsuit settlement must file their claims by March 15, 2023, to qualify for payment. 

Who’s Eligible

American Airlines travelers who were charged to check a bag on or after Feb. 24, 2017, for tickets issued prior to April 9, 2020, and meet either or both of the following criteria:

  • Received an email confirming the purchase of the air travel that stated passengers could check one or more bags for that ticketed trip for no charge or for “USD0.00”
  • Held an American Citi or Barclay’s credit card entitling the passenger to check the first bag for free and were traveling within the United States. This includes passengers on international itineraries who were charged to check their first standard bag for the entire domestic portion of such itineraries in addition to the international portions.
Potential Award

100% refund

Proof of Purchase

No proof of purchase applicable

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

03/15/2023

Case Name

Cleary, et al. v. American Airlines Inc, Case No. 4:21-cv-00184-O, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas

Final Hearing

05/05/2023

Settlement Website
Claims Administrator

Cleary v. American Airlines Settlement
c/o ABA Data LTD
PO BOX 173053
Milwaukee, WI 53217
info@bagfeesettlement.com
877-868-6827

Class Counsel

Oren Giskan
GISKAN SOLOTAROFF & ANDERSON LLP

Defense Counsel

U Gwyn Williams
David C Tolley
Samuel A Townsend
LATHAM & WATKINS LLP

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35 thoughts onAmerican Airlines bag fees $7.5M class action settlement

  1. cheryl fears says:

    American Airlines deserves to be sued for not refunding tickets that were unable to be used when the CDC shut down travel. They refused to refund my ticket.

  2. yapelia says:

    Please add me.

  3. Dawn says:

    They’re still doing this in their online booking. When you pay to upgrade from when you upgrade from Main cabin to main plus you are supposed to get one bath checked free. But they charge you for it at the counter.

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Please note: Top Class Actions is not a settlement administrator or law firm. Top Class Actions is a legal news source that reports on class action lawsuits, class action settlements, drug injury lawsuits and product liability lawsuits. Top Class Actions does not process claims and we cannot advise you on the status of any class action settlement claim. You must contact the settlement administrator or your attorney for any updates regarding your claim status, claim form or questions about when payments are expected to be mailed out.