Do any US airlines not charged for checked luggage in Y?

[serfty]

QF status was attached. I was only NB at the time I made the booking, but PS when I flew. AA check in staff were adamant that only gold qualified for free bags.

Yep, AAdvantage Gold and up. They probably had a hard time comprehending that QFF Silver has the equivalent oneworld status of AAdvantage Gold.

Were you able to select from premium seating before your flight on AA.com? Qantas Silver normally can do this.