Ready to make your American Airlines flights work harder for you? Adding your AAdvantage frequent flyer number is the key to unlocking a world of benefits, from earning valuable miles to enjoying elite status perks. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or just starting your loyalty journey, this comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, ensuring you never miss out on those well-deserved rewards.
The Power of Your Frequent Flyer Number
Before we dive into the "how," let's quickly understand the "why." Your AAdvantage frequent flyer number is your unique identifier within American Airlines' loyalty program. Every eligible flight you take, every dollar you spend with American Airlines and its partners, contributes to your AAdvantage balance. These miles can be redeemed for future flights, upgrades, car rentals, hotel stays, and more. Furthermore, accumulating Loyalty Points through your travels can lead to AAdvantage elite status (Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro, Executive Platinum), which offers an array of benefits like:
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Complimentary upgrades
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Free checked bags
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Priority boarding and check-in
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Access to Preferred and Main Cabin Extra seats
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Mileage bonuses on flights
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And much more!
Now, let's get you set up to start earning!
| How To Add Frequent Flyer Number American Airlines |
Step 1: Get Ready! Do You Have Your AAdvantage Number Handy?
First things first, do you know your American Airlines AAdvantage frequent flyer number? It's typically a 7-digit number.
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If you know it: Great! Keep it close.
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If you don't know it: No problem at all! American Airlines makes it easy to retrieve.
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Check your welcome email: When you first joined AAdvantage, you should have received a welcome email with your number. Search your inbox for "AAdvantage" or "American Airlines." Don't forget to check your spam/junk folder!
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Log in to your AAdvantage account: Visit AA.com and log in to your AAdvantage account. Your number will be displayed in your account profile. If you've forgotten your login details, use the "Need help logging in?" option to recover your username or reset your password.
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Use the AAdvantage Number Verification Tool: American Airlines offers a handy tool on their website. Just enter your name and email address, and they can help you find your number quickly.
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Call American Airlines Customer Service: If all else fails, you can always call American Airlines AAdvantage customer service at 1-800-882-8880 (within the U.S. and Canada) or your AAdvantage status reservation number if you have elite status. Be ready to provide personal information for verification.
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Pro-Tip: Once you have your number, save it in your phone's contacts, a digital wallet, or a secure password manager for easy access in the future!
Step 2: Adding Your Frequent Flyer Number During Booking (The Easiest Way!)
This is by far the most straightforward method and highly recommended! When you're making a new reservation on AA.com or through the American Airlines mobile app, you'll have the opportunity to add your AAdvantage number directly.
Sub-heading: On AA.com
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Start your flight search: Go to AA.com and begin searching for your desired flights.
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Select your flights: Choose your outbound and return flights.
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Enter Passenger Details: On the "Passenger Details" page, you'll see a section for "AAdvantage number."
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Input your number: Carefully enter your AAdvantage frequent flyer number into the designated field.
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Verify and complete booking: Double-check that your name on the reservation matches your AAdvantage account exactly. Proceed with the rest of your booking process, including payment.
Sub-heading: On the American Airlines Mobile App
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Open the app and search: Launch the American Airlines app and start a new flight search.
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Choose your flights: Select your desired flights.
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Add Passenger Information: When prompted for passenger details, you'll see a field to enter your AAdvantage number.
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Enter your AAdvantage number: Type in your frequent flyer number.
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Confirm booking: Review all details and complete your booking.
Important Note: If you are logged into your AAdvantage account on AA.com or the mobile app before you start a new booking, your AAdvantage number will often be automatically pre-filled in the passenger details section. This is the simplest way to ensure it's always included!
Step 3: Adding Your Frequent Flyer Number After Booking (No Stress!)
Forgot to add your number during the initial booking, or did you join AAdvantage after booking your flight? Don't worry, you can still add it! American Airlines offers several ways to do this.
Sub-heading: Via "Manage Your Trips" Online
This is the most common and convenient method for adding your number after booking.
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Go to AA.com: Navigate to the American Airlines website (AA.com).
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Access "Manage Your Trips": Look for the "Manage Your Trips" or "My Trips" section on the homepage. This is usually found in the top navigation bar.
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Enter your details: You'll need your six-character record locator (confirmation code) and your last name as it appears on the reservation. Your record locator is typically found in your booking confirmation email.
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Find your trip: Click "Find Trip" or a similar button.
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Edit Passenger Information: Once your trip details load, look for an option to "Edit Passenger Information," "Add Frequent Flyer Number," or "Update Contact/Passenger Details."
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Enter your AAdvantage number: Locate the field for "Frequent Flyer Number" or "AAdvantage Number" and enter it accurately.
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Save changes: Make sure to click "Save" or "Update" to confirm the changes. You should receive a confirmation that your AAdvantage number has been successfully added.
Sub-heading: Using the American Airlines Mobile App
The mobile app also allows for easy management of existing bookings.
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Open the American Airlines App: Launch the app on your smartphone or tablet.
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Go to "My Trips": Tap on the "My Trips" section.
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Select your trip: Find the flight you wish to update. You might need to enter your record locator and last name if it's not already listed.
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Edit Passenger Details: Look for an option to "Edit Passenger Information" or "Add Frequent Flyer Number."
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Add your AAdvantage number: Input your AAdvantage frequent flyer number.
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Save: Don't forget to save your changes!
Sub-heading: By Calling American Airlines Customer Service
If you prefer speaking to someone or encounter any issues online, calling customer service is always an option.
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Gather your information: Have your record locator (confirmation code) and your AAdvantage frequent flyer number ready.
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Dial the number: Call American Airlines Reservations at 1-800-433-7300 (within the U.S. and Canada) or the dedicated AAdvantage customer service line at 1-800-882-8880. If you have elite status, use your dedicated status line for faster service.
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Speak to an agent: Explain that you would like to add your AAdvantage number to an existing reservation.
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Provide your details: Give the agent your record locator, last name, and your AAdvantage frequent flyer number. They will update your reservation for you.
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Confirm: Ask the agent to confirm that the number has been successfully added.
Sub-heading: At Check-in (Online, Kiosk, or Desk)
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While it's best to add your number beforehand, you still have opportunities at check-in.
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Online Check-in: When you check in for your flight on AA.com, there's usually a section to review or add your frequent flyer number. Look for this option during the check-in process.
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Airport Kiosk: At the self-service kiosks at the airport, you can retrieve your reservation using your record locator or credit card. There will be an option to add or update your frequent flyer information.
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Ticket Counter/Gate Agent: If you're checking in with an agent at the ticket counter or at the gate, simply provide them with your AAdvantage number and ask them to add it to your reservation. They can do this for you.
Step 4: Verifying Your Number is Attached
Once you've added your AAdvantage number, it's a good idea to confirm it's been correctly linked to your reservation.
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Check your itinerary: Log back into "Manage Your Trips" on AA.com or the mobile app using your record locator and last name. Your AAdvantage number should now be visible on your itinerary details.
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Review your boarding pass: When you check in and receive your boarding pass (either printed or digital), your AAdvantage number is often printed on it. Look for it near your name or passenger details.
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Check your AAdvantage account: After your flight, the miles should post to your AAdvantage account within a few days to a week. You can log into your AAdvantage account on AA.com to see your mileage activity.
Remember: The name on your flight reservation must match the name on your AAdvantage account exactly for miles to post correctly. Small discrepancies can sometimes cause issues.
Step 5: Adding Your Frequent Flyer Number for Past Flights (Retroactive Credit)
What if you've already flown and realized you forgot to add your AAdvantage number? Don't despair! American Airlines allows you to request retroactive credit for eligible past flights.
Sub-heading: Requesting Missing Miles Online
This is the easiest way to claim miles for past flights.
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Log in to your AAdvantage account: Go to AA.com and log in to your AAdvantage account.
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Navigate to "Request Flight Miles": Look for a section related to "Request Missing Miles," "Request Flight Miles," or "Retroactive Credit." This is usually found under the "AAdvantage" or "Your Account" section.
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Provide flight details: You'll need to enter specific information about your past flight, including:
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Airline (American Airlines or a partner airline)
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Flight number
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Date of travel
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Origin and destination airports
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Ticket number (usually a 13-digit number starting with 001 for American Airlines tickets)
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Submit your request: Follow the prompts to submit your missing miles request.
Sub-heading: Important Considerations for Retroactive Credit
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Time Limit: You can typically request missing miles for American Airlines flights within 12 months of the travel date if you were an AAdvantage member at the time of travel. If you joined AAdvantage after the flight, you usually have a 6-month window to claim those miles, provided you enroll before submitting the claim.
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Partner Airlines: For flights on American Airlines' oneworld® alliance partners, the process might be slightly different. You'll still use the "Request Missing Partner Miles" section on AA.com, but be aware of specific eligibility rules and timeframes for each partner.
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Documentation: While often not required upfront, it's always a good idea to keep copies of your boarding passes and ticket receipts until the miles have posted, just in case American Airlines needs additional verification.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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How to: Find my American Airlines AAdvantage number?
You can find your AAdvantage number in your welcome email, by logging into your AAdvantage account on AA.com, using the AAdvantage Number Verification Tool on the website, or by calling customer service.
How to: Add my AAdvantage number during online booking?
When booking a flight on AA.com or the American Airlines mobile app, look for a field labeled "AAdvantage number" on the passenger details page and enter your number there before completing the reservation.
How to: Add my AAdvantage number after booking an American Airlines flight?
You can add your AAdvantage number after booking by going to the "Manage Your Trips" section on AA.com or the mobile app, entering your record locator and last name, and then editing the passenger details to add your number.
How to: Add my AAdvantage number at the airport?
You can add your AAdvantage number at an airport self-service kiosk during check-in, or by providing it to a ticket counter agent or gate agent.
How to: Request missing miles for a past American Airlines flight?
Log into your AAdvantage account on AA.com, navigate to the "Request Flight Miles" section, and provide the necessary flight details (flight number, date, origin, destination, ticket number) to submit your claim.
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How to: Know if my AAdvantage number is successfully attached to my booking?
Your AAdvantage number should appear on your itinerary details when you view your trip on AA.com or the mobile app, and it will often be printed on your boarding pass. Miles should also post to your account after the flight.
How to: Add my AAdvantage number if I booked through a third-party website (e.g., Expedia, Kayak)?
Even if you booked through a third party, you can typically add your AAdvantage number directly on AA.com using the "Manage Your Trips" section with your American Airlines record locator, or by calling American Airlines customer service.
How to: Change my frequent flyer number on an American Airlines booking if I entered the wrong one?
You can usually correct your frequent flyer number by going to "Manage Your Trips" online or via the mobile app. If you encounter issues, calling American Airlines customer service is the most reliable way to make the correction.
How to: Earn Loyalty Points and elite status with American Airlines AAdvantage?
You earn Loyalty Points through eligible flights with American Airlines and its partners, as well as through various other activities like spending on American Airlines credit cards, shopping, and hotel/car rental partners. These Loyalty Points contribute to earning AAdvantage elite status.
How to: Contact American Airlines AAdvantage customer service?
You can contact American Airlines AAdvantage customer service within the U.S. and Canada by calling 1-800-882-8880. Elite status members may have dedicated phone numbers for faster service.