12 tips from American Airlines to make travel easy

In the months ahead, more than 72 million customers will take to the skies on American Airlines. Here are some top travel tips to get ready for your trip and make the most of your travel.

But first things first – make sure you enroll in the AAdvantage® program to enjoy the most rewarding travel experience possible. Members have endless ways to earn miles even when they’re not flying. Miles can be redeemed for flights, travel benefits and hotels, cars, and other experiences from American’s partners.

5 things to do before you leave home

1. To make managing your trip and your journey easy, download the free American mobile app.
2. If you’re flying in a seat that comes with one of American’s premium inflight dining options, be sure to reserve your meal between 30 days and up to 24 hours before your trip. Pre-ordering your meal is the best way to make sure you enjoy what you want onboard.
3. As soon as you book your trip, you can request any special assistance you may need such as help with a wheelchair or adding a carry-on pet. It’s a good idea to make these requests at least two weeks before traveling.
4. Use the mobile app to check in for your flight, then save your boarding pass on your phone. 
5. Checking bags for your trip? Get the best price available when you pay for bags online and save time once you get to the airport, too.

4 tips to make the most of the airport

1. If you don’t need to check a bag when you arrive at the airport, breeze through the lobby and head straight to security with your mobile boarding pass. No need to print a paper pass or see an agent. 
2. If you are checking a bag, use one of American’s kiosks in the lobby before security to scan your boarding pass and receive your bag tag, then drop your bag with an agent.
   Look out for American’s Express Bag tag kiosks available at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Miami International Airport, with more coming soon. These kiosks print a bag tag in just seconds!
   
   
   
    
3. Recharge before getting onboard with a visit to an Admirals Club® lounge. You can access the lounge through a variety of ways including a membership through the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®, redeeming AAdvantage miles for a One-Day Pass and more. Depending on your itinerary or the purchase of a Single Visit Pass, you may also be eligible to visit a premium American Airlines Flagship® Lounge. 
4. If you need to speak with someone about your flight, simply use a live chat session on the mobile app instead of waiting in line or on the phone. The chat’s available 24/7, so you can get help anytime, anywhere.

3 ways to relax onboard

1. Enjoy free entertainment in the skies and experience American's world-class connectivity. Just in time for the summer travel season, American is introducing multiple improvements to connectivity onboard, all available through an updated online portal: 
   • Beginning the installation of high-speed Wi-Fi on nearly 500 dual-class regional aircraft. 
   • Giving AAdvantage® members more ways to use their miles thanks to the new ability to redeem miles for Wi-Fi on select aircraft. 
   • Continuing to offer thousands of hours of free entertainment for all customers, which is easily accessible through the mobile app, aainflight.com or a QR code on the seatback card.
2. Indulge in fresh new menu items onboard that are inspired by the places where American flies. Remember to pre-order before your trip so you can choose from the widest selection of meal options. 
3. Travel in elevated comfort thanks to an all-new rotating collection of amenity kits, bedding and sleepwear on select flights starting Memorial Day weekend. 

American and its more than 130,000 team members are ready to care for customers during the peak travel season. Visit news.aa.com/news-recap to see how American is relentlessly focused on running a safe and reliable operation and providing a world-class experience.