How to check in for flights on American Airlines
It's almost time for your flight, and there's just one thing left to do before heading for airport security. And that's packing check in. This is the process that creates your boarding pass and allows you to check your bags at the airport.
You can do this formality online or at the airport, though many will prefer the convenience of the former. Either way, there are some rules to understand, so let's dive deep into checking in for an American Airlines flight.
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How to check in online for American Airlines flights
You can check in for AA flights on the airline's website or through the mobile app. The experience is very similar, though the benefit of the mobile app is that you can generate a digital boarding pass within your mobile wallet.
After locating your reservation using your six-digit confirmation number, you'll be prompted to check in at the top left corner of the reservation page.
Pressing that button will take you through the check-in process. You'll then need to agree to the hazardous materials policy. Pressing continue will bring you to the Trip Options page, where you can purchase additional miles for your trip (don't do it; it's a bad deal).
You'll then be brought to the seat map to select or modify your seat for your flight(s).
After you select your seats, you'll be checked in!
You then have the option of printing your boarding passes now, emailing a mobile boarding pass to your phone or saving a PDF of your boarding pass.
Rules for American Airlines flight check-in
You can check in online or using the mobile app starting 24 hours before and up to 45 minutes before departure of the first flight in your itinerary. This applies even if you have a connecting flight that's more than a day away. Note that online and app check-in closes an hour and a half before departure for international flights.
If you're planning to check bags at the airport, you need to have the bags checked at least 45 minutes prior to domestic flights and 60 minutes prior to international flights. There are some airports with exceptions to this rule, which you can find on AA's website.
Related: How to avoid checked baggage fees on major domestic airlines
Furthermore, there are some airports that won't accept checked bags more than four hours before scheduled departure. This includes:
- Denver (DEN)
- Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
- Las Vegas (LAS)
- Orlando (MCO)
- Portland, Oregon (PDX)
- Salt Lake City (SLC)
- Seattle (SEA)
If the first flight of your itinerary is operating by an American Airlines partner, you're going to check in with that airline directly, and not on AA's website.
Tips and tricks to checking in for American Airlines flights
There are some things to consider when you check in for your flight. Make sure you have your confirmation number handy, especially if you're going to check in at the airport. The kiosks default to ask for that code, so this can save time.
I personally prefer to use mobile boarding passes to save paper and have one less thing to worry about misplacing. That said, you need to be sure you have your phone's battery charged for the entire trip, otherwise you'll be forced to get a physical boarding pass.
Another tip about mobile boarding passes is to screenshot it after it gets created. I often find that retrieving the mobile boarding pass can be confusing when you're under pressure, so be sure to screenshot it for easy access.
Lastly, if you get an error checking in online, fear not. You may be on a military fare, have a pet or are traveling with an unaccompanied minor. Or you may be subject to the dreaded SSSS, which will be printed on your boarding pass at the airport.
Bottom line
Checking in for your American Airlines flight is exciting. That means it's almost time to take to the skies. But, there are some tips and tricks to know and some rules to follow to make it an efficient process.
Armed with this guide, you'll be ready to head to the airport in no time.
All photos by the author.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.