Thinking of Your Next Adventure? Here's How to Put Your American Airlines Flight on Hold!
Dreaming of that perfect getaway but not quite ready to commit? Perhaps you're coordinating with travel companions, waiting for a pay-check, or simply need a little more time to finalize your plans. Whatever the reason, American Airlines understands that flexibility is key, and they offer a fantastic feature: the ability to hold your flight. This can be a real lifesaver, allowing you to lock in a great fare without immediate payment.
Ready to secure your potential trip without the immediate financial commitment? Let's dive into how you can put your American Airlines flight on hold, step by step!
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| How Do I Put My American Airlines Flight On Hold |
Step 1: Embark on Your Flight Search Journey
First things first, you need to find the flight that tantalizes your wanderlust!
Subheading: Navigating the American Airlines Website
Your primary portal for placing a flight on hold will be the official American Airlines website, aa.com. It's crucial to book directly through the airline to ensure you have access to this feature, as third-party travel sites like Expedia or Kayak often don't offer the "hold" option.
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Open your web browser and go to
www.aa.com -
On the homepage, you'll see the flight search widget. Enter your:
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Departure City/Airport
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Arrival City/Airport
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Departure Date (and Return Date if it's a round trip)
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Number of Passengers
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Subheading: Considering Your Travel Dates
While American Airlines generally offers a 24-hour hold for free, this typically applies to flights booked at least 7 days before departure (some sources indicate 2 days, but 7 days is a safer bet for the free hold). If your travel is very soon, the hold option might not be available, or a fee might apply for a shorter hold period. So, plan accordingly!
Step 2: Discovering Your Ideal Itinerary
Once you've entered your search criteria, American Airlines will present you with a list of available flights.
Subheading: Selecting Your Preferred Flight(s)
Browse through the various flight options, paying attention to:
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Departure and Arrival Times: Find times that fit your schedule.
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Layover Durations: If applicable, ensure layovers are comfortable.
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Fare Type: While the hold option is generally available for many fare types, Basic Economy fares are often excluded from the free 24-hour hold. Keep this in mind when selecting your fare. If you're unsure, it's always best to proceed to the next step and see if the hold option appears.
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Price: Of course, you want to lock in a good deal!
Click on your desired outbound and return flights to select your complete itinerary.
Tip: Look out for transitions like ‘however’ or ‘but’.
Step 3: Spotting the Elusive "Hold Your Trip" Option
This is the moment of truth! After selecting your flights, you'll typically be directed to a "Review and Pay" or "Checkout" page.
Subheading: Where to Find the Hold Feature Online
Look carefully on this page, often near the payment section. You should see an option along the lines of "Hold your trip" or "Hold this fare."
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If you see it: Congratulations! Simply click on this option instead of proceeding with immediate payment.
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If you don't see it: Don't despair immediately! There could be a few reasons:
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Your chosen fare type might not be eligible (e.g., Basic Economy).
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The departure date is too close.
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American Airlines may be running tests where the option is temporarily unavailable for some users.
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You might have multiple trips on hold to the same or similar destinations/dates, as American Airlines may cancel duplicate held trips.
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Subheading: Considering "Hold for a Fee" (FareHold)
In some cases, especially for international or premium class bookings, American Airlines might offer an “Extended Hold” or “FareHold” option for a small fee. This allows you to hold the reservation for a longer duration, often up to 3, 5, or even 7 days. If the free 24-hour hold isn't available, or you need more time, look for this paid option. Be aware that this fee is typically non-refundable even if you don't end up purchasing the ticket.
Step 4: Confirming Your Held Reservation
Once you've successfully clicked the "Hold your trip" button, American Airlines will process your request.
Subheading: Receiving Your Confirmation
You should receive a confirmation email from American Airlines shortly after. This email is incredibly important as it will contain:
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Your Record Locator: This is a 6-character alphanumeric code that you'll need to retrieve your reservation later.
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The Hold Expiration Date and Time: This is the critical deadline by which you must complete your purchase. Pay very close attention to this! The free hold typically lasts for 24 hours.
Subheading: Understanding the Implications of a Held Reservation
It's important to remember that a held reservation is not a ticketed reservation. Your seat is temporarily reserved, and the fare is locked in, but no payment has been processed. If you don't complete the purchase before the hold expires, your reservation will be automatically canceled.
QuickTip: Focus on what feels most relevant.
Step 5: Managing and Completing Your Held Booking
You've got your flight on hold – now what?
Subheading: Accessing Your Held Trip Online
To review your held trip or to complete the purchase, you'll need to access it on the American Airlines website:
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Go to aa.com.
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Click on "Your trips" or "Find your trip."
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Enter your record locator and your last name.
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You'll be able to view your itinerary, the hold expiration time, and the option to "Complete Purchase" or "Pay for Trip."
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Subheading: Completing the Purchase
When you're ready to buy, simply follow the prompts on the "Your trips" page. You'll enter your payment information (credit card, AAdvantage miles if applicable) and finalize the booking. Once payment is processed, you'll receive a new confirmation email indicating your ticket is issued.
Subheading: Canceling a Held Reservation (If Plans Change)
If your plans change and you no longer wish to purchase the held flight, you don't necessarily need to do anything. The reservation will automatically cancel when the hold expires. There's usually no penalty for letting a held reservation expire, as no payment was made. However, if you want to be proactive, you can often cancel the hold through the "Your trips" section online or by calling American Airlines customer service.
Step 6: When to Contact American Airlines Directly
While the online process is generally smooth, there are times when direct assistance is best.
Subheading: Situations Requiring a Call
Consider calling American Airlines customer service if:
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You cannot find the "Hold" option online for a flight you believe should be eligible.
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You need to extend a hold (this may or may not be possible, and a fee would likely apply).
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You have specific questions about the hold policy for your unique itinerary or fare type.
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You encounter any technical issues while trying to hold or purchase your flight online.
Subheading: The American Airlines Customer Service Number
Tip: Don’t rush — enjoy the read.
For reservations and general inquiries, you can typically reach American Airlines at +1-800-433-7300. Be prepared with your potential travel dates and destinations.
Why Put Your Flight on Hold? The Benefits!
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Price Lock: The most significant advantage is securing the current fare. Flight prices can fluctuate rapidly, and holding allows you to lock in a good deal before it potentially increases.
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Time to Decide: It gives you a crucial 24 hours (or more with a paid hold) to finalize travel plans with companions, confirm schedules, or arrange finances.
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Flexibility: It offers a risk-free period to evaluate your options without committing any money. If plans change, the hold simply expires.
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Coordinate Group Travel: Ideal for families or groups who need to synchronize their schedules before purchasing tickets.
Important Considerations and Limitations
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Direct Booking is Key: As mentioned, the hold feature is primarily available when booking directly on aa.com.
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Fare Type Exclusions: Basic Economy fares are generally not eligible for the free 24-hour hold.
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Advance Booking: The free 24-hour hold usually requires the flight to be booked at least 2 to 7 days in advance of departure.
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No Multiple Holds: American Airlines states that you may not put multiple trips on hold to one or more destinations or around the same date or time. Duplicate held trips may be canceled.
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Not a Ticket: Remember, a held reservation is not a confirmed ticket until payment is made. Seat availability, while generally locked, is not absolutely guaranteed until the ticket is issued.
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Paid Hold Fees are Non-Refundable: If you opt for a "FareHold" with a fee, that fee is typically non-refundable, even if you don't buy the ticket.
By understanding these steps and considerations, you can confidently utilize American Airlines' flight hold feature to plan your travels with greater flexibility and peace of mind!
10 Related FAQ Questions:
How to put an American Airlines flight on hold for free?
You can generally put an American Airlines flight on hold for free for 24 hours if you book directly on aa.com and the flight is at least 2 to 7 days in advance of departure. Look for the "Hold your trip" option on the review and pay page.
How to check if my American Airlines flight is eligible for hold?
When you're on the "Review and Pay" page during the online booking process on aa.com, the "Hold your trip" option will appear if your selected flight and fare type are eligible. If it's not visible, it likely isn't.
How to extend an American Airlines flight hold?
American Airlines typically offers a free 24-hour hold. For longer durations, they may offer a "FareHold" option for a fee, which can extend the hold for 3, 5, or 7 days, depending on the itinerary. You would select this paid option during the initial booking process if available.
How to pay for a held American Airlines flight?
QuickTip: A short pause boosts comprehension.
To pay for a held flight, go to aa.com, click on "Your trips" or "Find your trip," enter your record locator and last name, and then follow the prompts to "Complete Purchase" or "Pay for Trip."
How to find my American Airlines held reservation?
You can find your American Airlines held reservation by going to aa.com, clicking on "Your trips" or "Find your trip," and entering your 6-character record locator and your last name.
How to cancel a held American Airlines flight?
If you no longer wish to purchase a held American Airlines flight, you can simply let the hold expire, and it will automatically cancel. No payment was made, so there's no refund involved. You may also be able to cancel it directly through the "Your trips" section online.
How to hold an American Airlines flight if I don't see the option online?
If you don't see the "Hold" option online, it might be due to the fare type, close departure date, or other limitations. You can try calling American Airlines customer service at +1-800-433-7300 to inquire if they can manually place a hold for you.
How to hold an American Airlines flight with AAdvantage miles?
Holding a flight when redeeming AAdvantage miles generally follows a similar process. The "Hold" option should appear during the checkout process if available for award travel. Some reports suggest paid holds might be available for mileage bookings, allowing more time to acquire additional miles if needed.
How to avoid losing my American Airlines held fare?
To avoid losing your held fare, ensure you complete the purchase before the exact hold expiration date and time specified in your confirmation email. Set a reminder for yourself!
How to confirm the exact hold duration for my American Airlines flight?
The exact hold duration will be clearly stated in the confirmation email you receive from American Airlines after placing the flight on hold. This email will provide the specific date and time by which you must complete the purchase.
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