Ever found the perfect flight at an amazing price, but needed a little more time to confirm details, check with family, or finalize your itinerary? American Airlines offers a fantastic feature that allows you to hold a flight reservation, giving you that much-needed breathing room without the immediate commitment of payment. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring you can secure your desired flight before it slips away.
How to Take a Flight on Hold with American Airlines: Your Comprehensive Guide
Putting a flight on hold with American Airlines can be a lifesaver for savvy travelers. It's a way to lock in a fare and itinerary while you sort out the final pieces of your travel puzzle. Let's dive into exactly how you can do it.
Step 1: Start Your Flight Search on the Official American Airlines Website
The journey to holding your flight begins on the American Airlines official website (
Sub-heading 1.1: Navigating to the Booking Portal
Open your preferred web browser and type in
www.aa.com Once on the homepage, you'll see the flight search widget prominently displayed. This is where you'll input your travel details.
Sub-heading 1.2: Entering Your Travel Details
Select "Round trip," "One Way," or "Multi-city" depending on your travel plans.
Input your departure and arrival airports. Use the airport codes if you know them (e.g., DEL for Delhi, JFK for New York), or type in the city name and select from the suggestions.
Choose your desired travel dates. American Airlines' calendar tool makes it easy to visualize availability.
Specify the number of passengers, including adults, children, and infants.
Select your cabin class (Economy, Premium Economy, Business, First). While holds are generally available across classes, availability might vary.
Click the "Search" button to proceed.
Step 2: Browse and Select Your Desired Flights
After your search, American Airlines will display a variety of flight options. Take your time to review them carefully.
Sub-heading 2.1: Reviewing Flight Options and Fares
Scroll through the results to find flights that match your schedule and budget. Pay attention to departure/arrival times, layovers, and total travel duration.
Note the different fare types (e.g., Basic Economy, Main Cabin, etc.). Keep in mind that Basic Economy fares typically have more restrictions and might not always be eligible for the free 24-hour hold.
Click on the "Select" button for your preferred outbound and return (if applicable) flights.
Sub-heading 2.2: Confirming Itinerary Details
Once you've selected your flights, you'll be taken to a summary page. Double-check all the details: dates, times, airports, and passenger information. This is crucial to avoid any errors.
Step 3: Locate and Choose the "Hold Your Trip" Option
This is the most critical step for putting your flight on hold.
Sub-heading 3.1: Reaching the "Review and Pay" Page
After confirming your itinerary, you'll typically proceed to the "Review and Pay" or "Passenger Information" page. This is where you'd normally enter your payment details to complete the booking.
Before you enter any payment information, look for an option to "Hold your trip" or "Hold reservation". It's usually found near the payment options or as a distinct button.
Sub-heading 3.2: Understanding the Hold Options
American Airlines generally offers a free 24-hour hold on select flights.
24-Hour Hold: This is the most common and widely used hold option. If you book 7 or more days before departure, you can typically hold your trip for up to 24 hours for free. This allows you to lock in the price and itinerary without immediate payment.
FareLock (Paid Hold): In some cases, American Airlines might offer a paid "FareLock" option, which allows you to hold your reservation for a longer period (e.g., 3, 5, or 7 days) for a small fee. This fee is non-refundable and does not go towards the cost of your ticket. This option is particularly useful if you need more than 24 hours to finalize your plans. Look for this option if the free hold isn't sufficient for your needs.
Step 4: Confirm Your Hold and Receive Your Record Locator
Once you select the "Hold your trip" option, the system will process your request.
Sub-heading 4.1: Finalizing the Hold
The system will confirm that your reservation has been placed on hold. You won't be asked for payment at this stage if you're using the free 24-hour hold.
A confirmation page will appear with your unique 6-character record locator (sometimes called a confirmation code or PNR). Write this down immediately or take a screenshot! This code is essential for retrieving and paying for your held flight later.
Sub-heading 4.2: Checking Your Email for Confirmation
American Airlines will also send a confirmation email to the address you provided during the booking process. This email will contain your record locator, flight details, and the exact time and date your hold expires. Keep this email safe.
Step 5: Manage and Purchase Your Held Flight
Now that your flight is on hold, you have a set amount of time to decide and complete your purchase.
Sub-heading 5.1: Accessing Your Held Reservation
To access your held reservation, go back to
www.aa.com Click on "My Trips" or "Manage Trips" typically found in the top navigation bar.
Enter your last name and the record locator you received.
Sub-heading 5.2: Completing the Purchase
Once you retrieve your reservation, you'll see the option to "Complete Purchase" or "Pay Now."
Review the flight details one last time.
Proceed with payment using your preferred method (credit card, AAdvantage miles, travel credit, etc.).
Ensure you complete the purchase before the hold expires. If you don't, the reservation will automatically cancel, and the fare might change.
Important Considerations and Tips:
Hold Duration: The free hold is typically 24 hours, especially if booking 7 or more days in advance. For award tickets (booked with AAdvantage miles), the hold time can also be 24 hours. Always check the exact expiration time provided in your confirmation email.
Duplicate Holds: American Airlines has a policy against holding multiple trips to the same destination or around the same dates/times. They may cancel duplicate held trips. Use the hold feature responsibly.
Price Lock: When you put a flight on hold, you are locking in the fare at that moment. This is a significant benefit, as flight prices can fluctuate rapidly.
Basic Economy Restrictions: Be aware that Basic Economy fares often have limited flexibility and may not always be eligible for the free 24-hour hold, or might have stricter cancellation policies. Always read the fare rules.
International vs. Domestic: While the 24-hour free hold is generally consistent, there might be subtle differences for international itineraries or partner airline flights.
Contacting American Airlines: If you encounter any issues or need clarification, don't hesitate to contact American Airlines customer service. Their contact information can be found on their website under "Contact American" or "Customer Service."
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check if my flight can be put on hold with American Airlines?
You can determine if your flight can be put on hold by proceeding to the "Review and Pay" page during the booking process on aa.com; if the "Hold your trip" option is available, then it is eligible.
How to find my record locator for a held American Airlines flight?
Your record locator for a held American Airlines flight will be displayed on the confirmation page immediately after you place the hold, and it will also be sent to your email address provided during the booking.
How to extend the hold period for an American Airlines flight?
Generally, the free 24-hour hold cannot be extended. If you need more time, you might be offered a paid "FareLock" option during the initial booking process, which allows for longer hold periods.
How to pay for a held American Airlines flight?
To pay for a held American Airlines flight, go to the "My Trips" section on aa.com, enter your last name and record locator, and then follow the prompts to "Complete Purchase" or "Pay Now" before the hold expires.
How to cancel a held American Airlines flight?
If you don't complete the purchase of your held American Airlines flight before its expiration time, the reservation will automatically cancel itself without any charges. You do not need to manually cancel it.
How to know the exact expiration time of my American Airlines flight hold?
The exact expiration time of your American Airlines flight hold will be clearly stated in the confirmation email you receive after placing the reservation on hold.
How to confirm an American Airlines flight after putting it on hold?
To confirm an American Airlines flight after putting it on hold, navigate to "My Trips" on aa.com, enter your record locator and last name, and then proceed with the payment for the ticket.
How to put an award ticket (miles booking) on hold with American Airlines?
Award tickets booked with AAdvantage miles can generally be put on hold for 24 hours, similar to revenue tickets. The option will appear during the checkout process on aa.com.
How to find contact information for American Airlines customer service regarding flight holds?
You can find American Airlines customer service contact information on their official website under the "Contact American" or "Customer Service" sections, which typically include phone numbers and other support options.
How to avoid issues with duplicate flight holds on American Airlines?
To avoid issues with duplicate flight holds on American Airlines, ensure you only hold one reservation for your specific travel dates and destination, as the system may cancel multiple overlapping holds.
