Airline relaxes pet policy to let owners bring companion and carry-on bag

30 March 2024 , 09:40

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An American Airlines grounds crew unloads a dog from the cargo area (Image: Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

American Airlines has made a change to its pet policy, allowing passengers to bring their pets and a full-size carry-on bag into the cabin.

Previously, passengers who brought a pet into the cabin, for which they paid a $150 fee, could only have one other small item that fit under the seat.

Larger items, like a carry-on bag with wheels, had to be checked in for a $35 fee. Alternatively, they could put the pet in the cargo hold.

Now, passengers can bring a pet in the cabin and also bring a regular carry-on bag or a personal item - but not both bags. The old policy was seen as unfair by some pet owners, as they were already paying a pet fee.

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A passenger travelling with their pet dog

Gary Leff, a travel blogger who first wrote about the change, recalled travelling years ago with a Yorkshire terrier.

"It was always frustrating that the dog counted as the carry-on even though I was paying the extra (pet) fee that was sometimes more than the ticket for me," he said.

An American spokeswoman confirmed that the rules change took effect on Thursday. "We made the change to provide a more convenient and comfortable experience to customers whose pets fly American," she said.

Changes are afoot at the airline, having recently announced changes that will make it harder for travellers to accumulate miles and loyalty points.

Travelling with pets can be difficult

The carrier revealed its plans that it would begin restricting the eligibility of tickets purchased through third-party vendors, such as travel agents or online booking platforms, to earn AAdvantage miles and loyalty points.

Effective May 1, American Airlines will only award points for flights booked through select partners and "preferred agencies," which will be disclosed in a list slated for release in April.

This shift marks a departure from the airline's previous policy and shows a strategic push for customers to book directly through its website, thereby bypassing the need to pay commissions to third-party vendors.

The new rules will make it much easier for American Airlines passengers with pets

Scott Chandler, American's senior vice president of revenue management and loyalty told The Points Guy : "We want to just make sure that customers understand what they're getting when they book with their specific agency... So it's really for the customer so they understand that there is a better way to find products and understand what they're buying."

While corporate travellers and AAdvantage Business members will have continued eligibility to earn points regardless of where they book their flights, average travellers purchasing basic economy tickets will only accrue miles and loyalty points when booking exclusively through American Airlines.

American's decision mirrors strategies employed by major hotel chains like Hilton and Marriott, which also restrict the crediting of points for loyalty schemes to direct bookings.

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