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
The liability cap establishes the maximum financial exposure American Airlines accepts for baggage-related losses on domestic flights, while the categorical exclusions for certain item types create defined zones where the carrier accepts no responsibility. This structure allocates financial risk between the airline and passengers for checked baggage incidents.
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View change record →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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"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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The liability cap establishes the maximum financial exposure American Airlines accepts for baggage-related losses on domestic flights, while the categorical exclusions for certain item types create defined zones where the carrier accepts no responsibility. This structure allocates financial risk between the airline and passengers for checked baggage incidents.
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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