How do I find and use my American Airlines AA flight record locator number?

If you have booked a flight with American Airlines, you might be wondering what your record locator is and how to use it. A record locator is a six-digit code that identifies your reservation in the American Airlines system. It is also known as a confirmation number, booking reference, or PNR (passenger name record). You can use your record locator to check in online, manage your reservation, print your boarding pass, and more. In this article, we will explain how to find your record locator, how to use it, and what to do if you lose it. We will also cover some important tips and tricks for making the most of your American Airlines experience.

Table of Contents

• What is a Record Locator and Why Do You Need It?
• How to Find Your Record Locator
• How to Use Your Record Locator
• What to Do If You Lose Your Record Locator
• Tips and Tricks for Using Your Record Locator
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Question: What is the difference between a record locator and a ticket number?
• Question: Can I use my record locator for other airlines?
• Question: Can I change my record locator?
• Question: How long is my record locator valid?
• Conclusion

What is a Record Locator and Why Do You Need It?

A record locator is a unique code that links your personal information, flight details, seat preferences, and special requests to your reservation. It is generated by the airline or the travel agency when you book your flight. You need your record locator to access and manage your reservation online or over the phone. You can also use it to check in online, print or download your boarding pass, select or change your seat, add or modify special service requests, redeem trip or flight credit, and more. Your record locator is different from your ticket number, which is a 13-digit code that starts with 001 for American Airlines. Your ticket number is used to track your payment and travel history.

How to Find Your Record Locator

There are several ways to find your record locator for American Airlines. Depending on how you booked your flight, you can look for it in the following places:

• Email confirmation: If you booked your flight online or through a travel agency, you should receive an email confirmation with your record locator. The email will have a subject line like “Your trip confirmation” or “Your itinerary”. The record locator will be in the body of the email, usually near the top or under the flight details section. It will be labeled as “Record locator”, “Confirmation number”, “Booking reference”, or “PNR”.

• Paper receipt: If you booked your flight at an airport ticket counter or over the phone, you should receive a paper receipt with your record locator. The receipt will have a header like “Passenger Receipt” or “Itinerary/Receipt”. The record locator will be in the upper right corner of the receipt, next to the date and time of issuance. It will be labeled as “Record locator”, “Confirmation number”, “Booking reference”, or “PNR”.

• American Airlines website: If you have an AAdvantage account, you can log in to the American Airlines website and view your upcoming trips. Your record locator will be displayed next to each trip under the “My Trips” section. You can also find your record locator by entering your last name and ticket number in the “Find Your Trip” section on the homepage.

• American Airlines app: If you have downloaded the American Airlines app on your smartphone or tablet, you can log in with your AAdvantage account and view your upcoming trips. Your record locator will be displayed next to each trip under the “Trips” section. You can also find your record locator by tapping on the barcode icon on the top right corner of the app and scanning your boarding pass.

How to Use Your Record Locator

Once you have found your record locator, you can use it to access and manage your reservation online or over the phone. Here are some of the things you can do with your record locator:

• Check in online: You can check in online for your flight up to 24 hours before departure. To do so, go to the American Airlines website or app and enter your record locator and last name in the “Check In” section. You will be able to review your flight details, select or change your seat, add or modify special service requests, pay for checked bags, and print or download your boarding pass.
• Manage reservation: You can manage your reservation online up to two hours before departure. To do so, go to the American Airlines website or app and enter your record locator and last name in the “Find Your Trip” section. You will be able to change or cancel your flight, upgrade your seat, request a refund, redeem trip or flight credit, and more.
• Contact customer service: You can contact customer service by phone or online chat if you need assistance with your reservation. To do so, have your record locator ready and call 800-433-7300 (U.S. and Canada) or visit [Contact American] for other regions. You will be able to speak with a representative who can help you with any issues or questions regarding your reservation.

What to Do If You Lose Your Record Locator

If you lose your record locator, don’t panic. There are still ways to find it or access your reservation. Here are some of the options you can try:

• Check your email: If you booked your flight online or through a travel agency, you should have received an email confirmation with your record locator. Check your inbox, spam folder, or trash folder for the email. You can also search for keywords like “American Airlines”, “trip confirmation”, or “itinerary” in your email.
• Check your AAdvantage account: If you have an AAdvantage account and you used it to book your flight, you can log in to the American Airlines website or app and view your upcoming trips. Your record locator will be displayed next to each trip under the “My Trips” section.
• Check your credit card statement: If you paid for your flight with a credit card, you can check your credit card statement for the transaction. The record locator might be included in the transaction details or description. You can also call your credit card company and ask them to provide you with the record locator.
• Contact customer service: If none of the above methods work, you can contact customer service by phone or online chat and provide them with your personal information and flight details. They will be able to look up your reservation and give you your record locator. To do so, call 800-433-7300 (U.S. and Canada) or visit [Contact American] for other regions.

Tips and Tricks for Using Your Record Locator

Here are some tips and tricks for using your record locator to make your travel experience easier and smoother:

• Save your record locator: As soon as you receive your record locator, save it somewhere safe and accessible. You can write it down on a piece of paper, save it on your phone, email it to yourself, or add it to a note-taking app. This way, you won’t have to search for it every time you need it.
• Print or download your boarding pass: After you check in online with your record locator, make sure to print or download your boarding pass. This will save you time and hassle at the airport. You can also use the American Airlines app to access your mobile boarding pass and scan it at the gate.
• Check for updates: Before you travel, use your record locator to check for any updates or changes to your flight status, departure time, gate number, seat assignment, baggage allowance, and more. You can also sign up for flight notifications by email, text message, or phone call with your record locator.
• Share your record locator: If you are traveling with someone else or meeting someone at your destination, you might want to share your record locator with them. This will help them track your flight status, arrival time, baggage claim area, and more. You can also use your record locator to link your reservation with other travelers in the same flight.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question: What is the difference between a record locator and a ticket number?

Answer: A record locator is a six-digit code that identifies your reservation in the American Airlines system. A ticket number is a 13-digit code that starts with 001 for American Airlines. It identifies your payment and travel history.

Question: Can I use my record locator for other airlines?

Answer: No, you can only use your record locator for American Airlines flights. If you have a connecting flight with another airline, you will need a different record locator for that flight.

Question: Can I change my record locator?

Answer: No, you cannot change your record locator. It is automatically generated by the airline or the travel agency when you book your flight.

Question: How long is my record locator valid?

Answer: Your record locator is valid until you complete your trip. After that, it will expire and cannot be used again.

Conclusion

A record locator is a six-digit code that identifies your reservation in the American Airlines system. You can use it to check in online, manage your reservation, print your boarding pass, and more. You can find it in your email confirmation, paper receipt, American Airlines website or app, or credit card statement. If you lose it, you can contact customer service and provide them with your personal information and flight details. To make the most of your record locator, save it somewhere safe and accessible, print or download your boarding pass, check for updates, and share it with others if needed.

We hope this article has helped you understand how to find and use your American Airlines record locator. If you have any questions or feedback, please let us know in the comments below.

Disclaimer: This article is not sponsored by or affiliated with American Airlines or any other entity mentioned herein. The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Please consult with an authorized representative of American Airlines before making any decisions based on the information in this article.