American Airlines priority privileges expedite your passage through the American Airlines counter, security lanes and your gate. Just follow “Priority” signs throughout the airport. Priority boarding can be particularly useful, getting you on flights before general boarding groups. Normally this benefit costs $9 to $74, but you can get it at no cost through elite status, credit cards and more.
You can board your flight early if you:
The highest levels of priority boarding are reserved for the AAdvantage elite tiers, for active duty US military personnel and for the highest fare class.
Next in line are owners of the American Airlines credit cards who haven’t earned elite status, and those who have bought priority privileges.
Flyers who need special assistance and families with children two years old or younger can ask to board early at the gate.
| Group | Boarding pass type |
|---|---|
| ConciergeKey℠ members | ConciergeKey℠ |
| Group 1 | First Active duty U.S. military with military I.D. (Business on a 2-class international plane) |
| Group 2 | Executive Platinum oneworld® Emerald℠ (Business on a 3-class plane) |
| Group 3 | Platinum Pro Platinum oneworld® Sapphire℠ |
| Group 4 | Gold oneworld® Ruby℠ AirPass Premium Economy Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive cardmembers Travelers who bought Priority boarding |
| Group 5 (Preferred boarding) | Main Cabin Extra (excluding Basic Economy) Eligible AAdvantage® credit cardmembers* Eligible corporate travelers** |
| Group 6 | Group 6 |
| Group 7 | Group 7 |
| Group 8 | Group 8 Basic Economy to / from Europe |
| Group 9 | Basic Economy within the U.S., Canada, Central America, Mexico & Caribbean |
Getting the top levels of priority boarding is reserved for the most frequent flyers, active military members and higher fare class. You can also board early by being an AAdvantage card member.
However, if you prefer other airlines, look for other travel cards that offer priority boarding and compare your options.
Pictures: GettyImages
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