Hey there, frequent flyer! Ever booked an American Airlines flight and then realized you forgot to add your AAdvantage number? Or maybe you just joined the program and want to ensure you get those valuable miles for an upcoming trip. Don't worry, you're not alone! It's a common oversight, but thankfully, American Airlines makes it quite easy to link your AAdvantage number to your reservation, even after you've booked.
Adding your AAdvantage number is crucial for earning miles, achieving elite status, and unlocking a world of benefits like priority boarding, free checked bags, and complimentary upgrades. So let's get you set up to maximize your travel rewards!
Here's a detailed, step-by-step guide to adding your American Airlines AAdvantage number to your reservation.
Step 1: Gather Your Essentials
Before you begin, make sure you have the following information handy. This will make the process much smoother and prevent any frustrating delays.
Your American Airlines Confirmation Code (Record Locator): This is a 6-character alphanumeric code that American Airlines provides when you book your flight. You'll find it in your booking confirmation email.
Your Last Name: The last name used for the reservation. It must exactly match the name on your booking.
Your AAdvantage Number: This is your unique frequent flyer number. If you don't have it readily available, you can usually retrieve it from the American Airlines website by entering your first name, last name, and email.
Optional: Your 13-digit ticket number, which can be found on your confirmation email or receipt. While often not strictly necessary for simply adding your AAdvantage number, it can be useful if you need to request missing miles later.
Step 2: Choose Your Preferred Method
American Airlines offers several convenient ways to add your AAdvantage number. Pick the one that suits you best!
Method 1: Online via American Airlines Website (Recommended)
This is often the quickest and most straightforward method.
Visit the American Airlines Website: Open your web browser and go to
www.aa.com.Navigate to "Manage Trips / Check-in": On the homepage, look for a section usually labeled "Manage trips / Check-in" or "Find your trip." Click on it.
Enter Your Trip Details:
You'll be prompted to enter your Confirmation Code (Record Locator) and your Last Name.
Click "Find trip" or a similar button.
Access Your Reservation: Your flight details will appear. Look for a section related to "Passenger Information," "Edit Passenger Details," or "Add Frequent Flyer Number."
Add Your AAdvantage Number:
Carefully enter your AAdvantage number into the designated field.
Double-check for accuracy! A single digit off can prevent the miles from crediting.
Save Your Changes: Be sure to click "Save," "Update," or "Confirm" to apply the changes to your reservation. You should receive a confirmation message that your AAdvantage number has been added.
Method 2: Via the American Airlines Mobile App
The American Airlines mobile app is incredibly useful for managing your trips on the go.
Download and Open the App: If you haven't already, download the official American Airlines app from your app store (Google Play Store or Apple App Store).
Log In or Find Your Trip:
If you have an AAdvantage account and are logged in, your upcoming trips might already be displayed. Select the relevant trip.
If not logged in, or if the trip isn't showing, look for an option like "Find a Trip" or "My Trips" and enter your Confirmation Code and Last Name.
Locate Passenger Details: Once you're viewing your reservation, look for a section that allows you to edit passenger information or add a frequent flyer number. This might be under "Details," "Passengers," or similar.
Input Your AAdvantage Number: Enter your AAdvantage number.
Confirm and Save: Tap to save the changes. You'll typically see a confirmation that your AAdvantage number is now linked.
Method 3: During Online Check-in
If your flight is within 24 hours and you're preparing to check in, you'll have another opportunity.
Start the Online Check-in Process: Go to
aa.comor open the mobile app and initiate the check-in for your flight.Review Passenger Details: As you go through the check-in steps, you'll usually be presented with a summary of your passenger details.
Add/Verify AAdvantage Number: There will be a field where you can add or verify your AAdvantage number. If it's blank or incorrect, enter the correct one.
Complete Check-in: Continue with the check-in process. Your AAdvantage number will be associated with your boarding pass.
Method 4: At the Airport (Check-in Counter or Gate)
While less convenient, this is an option if you're short on time or prefer in-person assistance.
Approach the Check-in Counter: When you arrive at the airport, go to an American Airlines check-in counter.
Inform the Agent: Provide the agent with your Confirmation Code and tell them you'd like to add your AAdvantage number to your reservation.
At the Gate: If you're running late or simply forgot at the counter, you can also ask the gate agent to add your AAdvantage number before boarding.
Method 5: Contact American Airlines Customer Service
For any issues or if you prefer speaking to someone directly, American Airlines customer service is available.
Within the U.S. and Canada: Call 800-433-7300 (Reservations) or 800-882-8880 (AAdvantage Customer Service).
Outside the U.S. and Canada: Visit the American Airlines website for international contact numbers.
Be prepared to provide your confirmation code and AAdvantage number.
Step 3: Verify Your AAdvantage Number is Linked
Once you've added your AAdvantage number, it's a good idea to confirm it's correctly associated with your reservation.
Log in to Your AAdvantage Account: Go to
aa.comand log in to your AAdvantage account.View "My Trips": Your upcoming trips should now show your AAdvantage number linked to them.
Check Your Boarding Pass: When you check in, your AAdvantage number (or at least an indication of your status, if applicable) should appear on your boarding pass.
Step 4: Earning Your Miles
After your flight, your miles should automatically post to your AAdvantage account.
Allow Some Time: It typically takes a few days (up to 10 days for American Airlines flights, and up to 30 days for partner airlines) for the miles to show up.
Request Missing Miles (If Needed): If your miles don't appear after the expected timeframe, you can easily request missing miles on the American Airlines website under the "AAdvantage" section. You'll usually need your AAdvantage number and the 13-digit ticket number for this.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to check if my AAdvantage number is already on my reservation?
You can check by logging into your AAdvantage account on aa.com and viewing your upcoming trips, or by using the "Manage trips" function with your confirmation code and last name. Your AAdvantage number should be displayed in the passenger details.
How to add my AAdvantage number to a reservation booked through a third party (e.g., Expedia, MakeMyTrip)?
Even if booked through a third party, you can typically add your AAdvantage number directly on aa.com using your American Airlines confirmation code and last name (as described in Method 1). If you encounter issues, contact American Airlines customer service.
How to add my AAdvantage number if the name on my ticket doesn't exactly match my AAdvantage account?
This can sometimes cause issues. If there are minor discrepancies (e.g., middle name missing on ticket but present on AAdvantage), try adding it online first. If it fails, you'll likely need to call American Airlines customer service to have them manually link it.
How to ensure I earn miles when flying with an American Airlines partner airline?
When flying with a Oneworld alliance or other American Airlines partner, you generally add your American Airlines AAdvantage number to the reservation directly with the operating airline, or you can often add it through the American Airlines "Manage Trips" section if the booking is linked. Always verify mileage earning rules for partner airlines on the American Airlines website.
How to add my AAdvantage number at the airport gate?
Yes, you can ask the gate agent to add your AAdvantage number to your reservation before boarding. Have your boarding pass and AAdvantage number ready.
How to request missing AAdvantage miles after my flight?
If your miles don't post automatically after a few days (typically 3 days for AA flights, up to 30 for partners), you can request them on aa.com under the "AAdvantage" section, usually within a year of your flight date. You'll need your AAdvantage number and your 13-digit ticket number.
How to find my American Airlines confirmation code (record locator)?
Your 6-character confirmation code is typically found in the subject line or body of your flight confirmation email from American Airlines or your booking agency. It's also often visible on your e-ticket receipt.
How to find my 13-digit American Airlines ticket number?
Your 13-digit ticket number can be found on your e-ticket confirmation email, on the receipt provided at the airport, or sometimes on your credit card statement. It usually starts with "001," which is American Airlines' airline code.
How to add an AAdvantage number if I booked through a corporate travel agent?
Even with corporate bookings, you should be able to follow Method 1 or 2 on aa.com or the mobile app using your American Airlines confirmation code. If not, contact your corporate travel agent or American Airlines directly.
How to know if my AAdvantage number was successfully added?
After adding your AAdvantage number, look for it to appear in your reservation details on aa.com or the mobile app. You can also re-check your booking after a few minutes or hours to confirm the update has propagated. Your boarding pass will also typically reflect your AAdvantage number or elite status.
