Jeff got into the points and miles game in 2010 and since then has visited over 35 countries, flying mostly in first and business class. He’s a contributor to Traveling Dad and has spoken at the Chica...
Edited by: Keri Stooksbury
With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now Editor-in-Chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r...
& Kellie Jez
Kellie’s professional experience has led her to a deep passion for compliance, data reporting, and process improvement. Kellie’s learned the ins and outs of the points and miles world and leads UP’s c...
28 comments
Marshall
October 24, 2018
Nonrevs/AA employees get group 6 (unless in a premium cabin then its group 1-4).
Jeff Brownson
October 24, 2018
Hey Marshall, thanks for that info. I’ll add it to the post.
Miles Newton
July 05, 2019
I purchase my AA tickets through the AA.com website using a Citibank AA AAdvantage Gold card and I am virtually always group 7. On the back of my AA Gold MasterCard, it says “world elite” (whatever that means).
It is odd that people with no affiliation at all with AA get Group 6–not according to your article but according to conversations in line. But my AAdvantage Gold Card only gets me group 7.
Jarrod West
July 05, 2019
Hi Miles,
The Citi Bank AAdvantage Gold card does not offer priority boarding. For priority boarding benefits, I would consider opening or upgrading your Gold card to the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select, which allows passengers to board in group 5.
Miles Newton
July 05, 2019
Thanks, Jarrod. I Understand.
My point still stands. Why are passengers who don’t even have a minimal affiliation with AA consistently put in a group above me? They don’t fit any of the criteria in the article; they are just random passengers. My wife got group 6 by redeeming miles, but I pay with an AA card and get group 7.
I’m just saying their “policies” don’t make sense. Effectively, group 7 is the lowest group. Rarely do I see group 8 or 9 passengers. What are groups 8 & 9? – carriers of infectious disease? (sarcasm)
Jarrod West
July 05, 2019
I understand your frustration, Miles. I can’t speak to why passengers with no affiliation are receiving higher boarding position. Generally, boarding group 8 and 9 are for basic economy passengers, whereas group 6 and 7 are general boarding.
Jen
August 15, 2019
We priority boarded a flight today and were turned away because my husband was retired duty US military, not active duty. But my AA CARD GAVE ME PRIORITY GROUP 5.
Anyone else feel it’s a little backwards that my shopping is valued more than his service to our country???? On an airline titled AMERICAN??? WHAT A JOKE!
Steve
October 17, 2021
Wow….you just went full dependa . Settle down. It clearly says “active duty” not retirees. I’m prior military myself but wouldn’t dare try to cut in line on that basis.
Carl
October 02, 2019
Useful info but I’ve got a question though. We’re flying in to the US on Premium Economy and then transferring to an internal US flight for our final destination that will then be seated in the main cabin (Ticket bought as a through PE ticket though). Do we still get Group 4 boarding for the internal flight sector?
Jarrod West
October 10, 2019
Hi Carl,
Your boarding group for the internal flight should be noted on your board pass. If it does not say yet then it should when you check-in for your flight.
Thanks for reading!
Duh
October 15, 2019
Of course it will. But what should the passenger expect?
Jarrod West
October 15, 2019
Hi Duh,
I would expect that the passenger will either be in boarding group 4 or 5.
Thanks for reading!
Jason
February 27, 2020
It should be Active Duty Military and Retirees in the group 1 boarding. Soon as you are discharged after 20 plus years of service you are sent to group 8! Nice job AA!
Steve
October 17, 2021
With that sense of “gimme gimme”, I bet you were a real treat to serve with.
Allen
July 08, 2020
I have the Aadvantage by Barclay MC and get group 5 boarding. I just made gold status finally, woohoo. I fly once a week 700 miles on usually an internet special or basic fare. It has taker a full year to get there! Is there a payback calculator to see if it’s ever worth buying miles or paying extra for a main cabin fare? Sometimes I would upgrade to MCE for 40 bucks witha basic which seems line a better value than getting main cabin tickets.
Jarrod West
July 13, 2020
Hi Allen,
As far as I know, a payback calculator to help determine this does not exist. You can always do that math on your own though by comparing and contrasting the cost of purchasing miles or paying extra for main cabin fare against what value you place on flying in Main Cabin Extra.
Thanks for reading!
Kent
August 05, 2021
I am a platinum Pro flyer and traveled recently with my children. When I booked the flight for all of us at the same time, I also upgraded to preferred seating for all of us. I had group 2 and my kids had group 4. I told them to board with me since we were all traveling together. Leaving PHL was no problem, as they boarded with me. On the way back from BZN, the gate agent said that my kids had to wait for group 4 to board. I thought that people traveling together could board with the “best” group number person. Did they change the “rules” or was what I heard an urban legend?
Jarrod West
August 09, 2021
Hi Kent,
I suspect that you might have just been dealing with a grump gate agent, as most gate agents would not have a problem with your kids boarding along with you.
charles harvey
October 24, 2021
I do not need an antigen test to enter Honduras. Do I still need one to board the plane? I’m fully vaccinated.
Jarrod West
October 25, 2021
Hi Charles,
No you should not need an antigen test to board the plane. Safe travels!
Retired Mil Fam
December 10, 2021
Being a retired military person, I find it disgusting that our world expects the rest of the 90% retired military to get priority. Do the math, it doesn’t work. Now being a civilian, it is irritating to have persons that don’t have shit to do or “places” to be get priority. Besides, all that happens is you get to sit first? Try paying for it…our reward is for defending our country and keeping it free…not level-ups. Our retirement pay is the reward for service. Be lucky you weren’t dispised for being drafted into Vietnam like many vets were.
Terri
March 15, 2022
So I am a little annoyed I paid for first class ticket, and my first boarding pass says group 5 credit cardholder. I feel like I paid for it. I should be in group 1 for all of the boarding passes.
Karen
April 06, 2022
Husband has group 5. I have group 6. Can I go on with him?
Jarrod West
April 06, 2022
Hi Karen,
Usually, American requires passengers to board in the group they are assigned to. They might be willing to make an exception though. Alternatively, your husband could also just wait and board in group 6 with you.
Donna Wells
September 19, 2022
I just booked a flight, economy, and am in group 7. I paid for an assigned seat. Will I still get that seat even if I’m not boarding in first groups? How is it saved for me?
Jarrod West
September 20, 2022
Hi Donna,
Each passengers seat will be noted on their boarding pass.
Bob Gillespie
November 09, 2022
I am an Aadvantage member and I book my flights from London to New Orleans with American, but as the flight is operated by British Airways I get allocated Group 9 boarding. Why don’t I get the usual Group 6 as expected as American and British Airways are partners? Should I now start booking directly with British Airways and register to collect their Avios points?
Jarrod West
November 09, 2022
Hi Bob,
What elite status level do you hold with American Airlines?
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