4 tips to being in one of the first American Airlines boarding groups - Fortune

Have you ever been one of the last passengers to board an airplane? It's a grim situation; everyone is seated and staring as you walk up and down the aisle, looking for even a sliver of overhead bin space.

If you're flying American Airlines, you can avoid that awkwardness with an understanding as to how the boarding process works. Let's look at which passengers board when—and how you can quite effortlessly boost your place in line.

American Airlines Boarding Groups

Officially, American Airlines has 10 boarding groups. Here's a quick look at the boarding process as it stands at the time of publication (note that this can change anytime at the airline's discretion).

Boarding group	Eligible travelers
ConciergeKey	ConciergeKey status members
Group 1	Active duty U.S. military (with military ID) First-class tickets Business class tickets on a two-class international flight AAdvantage Executive Platinum status
Group 2	Business class tickets on a three-class flight AAdvantage Platinum Pro status Oneworld Emerald status
Group 3	AAdvantage Platinum status Oneworld Sapphire status
Group 4 (Priority boarding)	Premium Economy tickets Travelers who purchase Priority boarding AAdvantage Gold status Oneworld Ruby status AirPass Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive cardmembers Eligible corporate travelers
Group 5 (Preferred boarding)	Main Cabin Extra (excluding Basic Economy) AAdvantage members who have earned 15,000 Loyalty Points Eligible AAdvantage credit cardmembers
Group 6	Members of American Airlines AAdvantage
Group 7	Main cabin
Group 8	Main cabin
Group 9	Basic Economy

You'll notice that American Airlines lets its ConciergeKey members (an invite-only elite status for American Airlines's biggest spenders) board the plane before anyone else. That said, even first-class flyers may not be the first to board, as American Airlines invites those needing special assistance and families with children under two years old to preboard. After that, there are nine official boarding groups.

How are American Airlines boarding groups determined? 

Many American Airlines flyers meet the criteria for more than one boarding group. For example, you may book a Main Cabin Extra ticket (Group 5) but also hold the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (Group 4). In this case, you'll always board in the earliest group you qualify for.

This is an important detail, particularly when it comes to booking the cheapest possible fare—Basic Economy. This fare class demands that you enter the plane dead last. In addition, you'll be charged if you bring along a carry-on bag (you're only allowed a personal item). That's a shame because Basic Economy tickets can cost over $50 less than a regular Main Cabin seat.

But get this: Holding an eligible American Airlines credit card confers preferred boarding, which is Group 5. Even if you buy a Basic Economy ticket, you'll get to board in Group 5 before most other passengers—and you'll even get to bring a carry-on for free.

What's the difference between preferred boarding and priority boarding?

"Preferred" boarding and "priority" boarding sound virtually indiscernible to most travelers. But they are not the same thing. While waiting to board, you'll see a sign indicating that these are two separate boarding lanes.

Groups 1 through 4 (as well as ConciergeKey) are considered Priority boarding. These tend to be folks with American Airlines elite status, those with Premium Economy or above, and certain corporate travelers. Group 5 is considered Preferred boarding. This is for holders of certain American Airlines credit cards, Main Cabin Extra passengers, and members who have earned at least 15,000 Loyalty Points.

While the Preferred boarding group can certainly be an effective way to get on the plane first and secure overhead bin space, travel writer Sarah Hostetler says it's not always as handy as you'd think. "AA gate agents have a nasty habit of lumping in Preferred boarding group 5 with the Main Cabin. I find that they'll frequently welcome groups 5 and 6 in the same breath." Sarah recommends that you start making your way toward the line well in advance. "Have your belongings gathered and be poised and ready to jump in line well before you anticipate Group 5 to be announced."

How to upgrade your American Airlines boarding group 

There are many ways to upgrade your boarding group, as indicated by the above chart. Here's a closer look at exactly how to go about it.

Hold an eligible American Airlines credit card

The easiest way to immediately improve your boarding group is to hold a qualifying American Airlines credit card. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® will give you Group 4 Priority boarding. And the following cards will give you Group 5 Preferred boarding:

• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card
• CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® Credit Card
• AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
• AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard®

A few other credit cards come with this benefit, as well, but they may not be available to new applicants.

Pay for it

If you really want it, you can pay for Group 4 Priority boarding. The exact price depends on the route, but data points suggest you'll pay up to $74. The advantage of this is likely not worth the money over boarding with Group 5, which you'll automatically receive from holding an American Airlines credit card, such as the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select—which incurs a $99 annual fee (waived the first year).

Sarah points out that an early boarding group can sometimes be a detriment. "This is totally anecdotal, but there is actually a time not to use your early boarding privileges," she says. "I've been one of the first in line to pass through the gate only to board a bus that drops passengers off at the plane. As you can imagine, the first on the bus is the last on the plane!"

Fly in a premium seat

The type of seat you fly can dictate how early you get on the plane. For example, Flying in a premium cabin will get you Group 2 Priority boarding at worst. Premium Economy will place you in Group 4. And if you're flying Main Cabin Extra, you'll receive Group 5 Preferred boarding.

You'll get the same boarding group if you book with cash or with American Airlines miles.

Earn elite status

American Airlines AAdvantage elite status and elite status with Oneworld (the airline alliance with which American Airlines is a member) can also help you board the plane sooner. You can earn AAdvantage status by earning "Loyalty Points." You can earn these by traveling on American Airlines and its partner airlines, with American Airlines credit card spending, and through various AAdvantage spending portals (online shopping, dining, and more).

Gold status, American Airlines's lowest elite tier, requires 40,000 Loyalty Points to achieve and will give you Group 4 boarding, no matter which fare class you buy. American's highest elite tier is Executive Platinum and requires 200,000 Loyalty Points. This level will put you in Group 1 for all flights.

The takeaway

American Airlines has ten official boarding groups. By booking a premium seat, purchasing Priority boarding, or simply holding an eligible American Airlines credit card, you can catapult yourself nearly to the front of the line—guaranteeing you plenty of overhead bin space.