For flights within the U.S., American will pay you no more than $3,800 for lost or damaged checked baggage — and they explicitly exclude liability for electronics, jewelry, cash, and fragile items packed in checked bags.
This analysis describes what American Airlines's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
Passengers who check bags containing laptops, jewelry, or other valuables should be aware that American can deny any claim for those specific item types, even if the total loss is under the $3,800 cap.
This provision means that electronics, jewelry, and fragile items packed in checked bags are explicitly excluded from American's liability, so passengers who check these items have no contractual recourse if they are lost or damaged.
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TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, NEITHER WHATNOT NOR ITS SERVICE PROVIDERS INVOLVED IN CREATING, PRODUCING, OR DELIVERING THE SERVICES WILL BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR DAMAGES FOR LOST PROFITS, LOST REVENUES, LOST SAVINGS, LOST BUSINESS OPPORT...
In no event will either party's aggregate liability arising out of or related to this Agreement exceed the total fees paid or payable by Customer in the twelve (12) months preceding the claim. In no event will either party be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive d...
Except as stated in Section L.3.b, the liability of each party, and its affiliates and licensors, for any damages arising out of or related to these Terms (i) excludes damages that are consequential, incidental, special, indirect, or exemplary damages, including lost profits, business, contracts, re...
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"For domestic travel, American's liability for loss, damage, or delay of checked baggage is limited to $3,800 per passenger. American is not responsible for loss or damage to fragile items, perishables, cash, electronics, jewelry, or other high-value items contained in checked baggage.— Excerpt from American Airlines's American Airlines Terms of Use
1) REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: Domestic baggage liability limits are regulated by DOT under 14 CFR Part 254 (Domestic Baggage Liability), which sets the minimum liability floor of $3,800 (subject to periodic DOT adjustment). Airlines are permitted to offer excess valuation coverage above this amount. The FTC Act Section 5 (15 U.S.C. § 45) and DOT's 49 U.S.C. § 41712 apply to deceptive disclosure of exclusions at point of sale. 2)
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Passengers who check bags containing laptops, jewelry, or other valuables should be aware that American can deny any claim for those specific item types, even if the total loss is under the $3,800 cap.
This provision means that electronics, jewelry, and fragile items packed in checked bags are explicitly excluded from American's liability, so passengers who check these items have no contractual recourse if they are lost or damaged.
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