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AA Guide: MIA / Miami International Airport, MCT / Connection, etc.

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Old Jan 2, 2016, 6:17 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: Prospero
Please edit or add information to this wiki as necessary.

Check-in times as of March 2016 Link

In most locations, you must be checked in:
At least 45 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights within the United States[
At least 60 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights to or from airports outside of the United States

If you’re beginning travel from any of the airports below, the check-in time is longer:

Departing from: Check-in must be completed by:
(minutes before scheduled departure time)
  • Caracas, Venezuela (CCS) 90 minutes
  • Dublin, Ireland (DUB) 75 minutes
  • Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE) 75 minutes
  • Maracaibo, Venezuela (MAR) 90 minutes
  • St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (STT) 90 minutes
Link to Miami International Airport website
Link to aa.com Miami International Airport page and airport app.
Link to thread with archived older posts.

Peculiarities: MIA can be affected by summer tropical storms and hurricanes. Knock-on effects during lengthy IROPS can manifest themselves systemwide. At peak times (e.g. early morning arrivals), arrivals processing and terminal facilities can get very crowded.

Special notice

We operate out of Concourses D and E. Check your flight status for gate information.

Ticket counters
American Airlines
Concourse D
Daily: 4 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Airport Map
Official Minimum Connection Times for MIA (assuming same terminal):
  • 0:40 Domestic to Domestic
  • 0:45 Domestic to International
  • 1:35 International to Domestic
  • 1:35 International to International
NOTE: Though 1:35 is the given MCT International to Domestic (and 1:35 international to international), one should not consider that useful for everyone connecting international to domestic unless one has Global Entry or luck.

International arrivals at MIA requires most passengers to fill out a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Declaration Form 6059B - one per family - process U.S. Immigration, retrieve baggage at arrivals carousels, process through U.S. customs, re-check baggage, proceed to either the TSA connections security processing queue or landside and process TSA security (with onward boarding pass) to return airside. (Read on for exceptions.)

This does not apply if you are connecting international to international and have red "ITI" tags on your checked baggage. You will have to produce the Form 6059B and still pass through USCBP, albeit without baggage.

Other than for U.S. passport holders and passengers with USDHS ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization under the Visa Waiver Program), who may use kiosks that expedite the arrivals process, Immigration, Customs and TSA Security queues can at times be tortuous and one would do better scheduling a connection time closer to 2:30 (or even 3:00) for a comfortable international to domestic or to international connection for non-ESTA / non-U.S. passport holders.

If one is enrolled in Global Entry and can use the dedicated kiosks and expedited queues, the process is speediest as there are clearly marked queues after the self-clearing kiosks and one is not required to possess a Form 6059B.
For general information, see:

AA FAQ: Will I make my connection?
MIA Airport Website
MIA North Terminal (Concourse D) Updates
Concourse D Skytrain (inside security) - transfers between all gates in Concourse D and between inbound international flights and Customs & Immigrations Halls in Concourse E. Concourses D and E are connected inside security via a walkway.
Connections between terminals at MIA (using the Skyride Connector moving walkways)
AA.com: Admirals Club Locations and Hours
FT: American Airlines Lounge Dashboard for Lounge information

Concourses and Gates
The terminal at MIA is a single U-shaped building divided into 6 concourses. AA operates flights out of Concourses D & E.Concourse D: Gates D1-D60
  • American Airlines ticket counters are located at Concourse D, Doors 1-7 and Concourse E, Door 10
  • American Airlines mainline flights depart from Gates D1-D51
  • American Eagle flights depart from Gates D53, D55 & D60
Concourse E: Gates E2-E11 & E20-E33
Gates E20-E33 are located at the International Satellite Terminal, accessible via people mover on Level 4 just past the Concourse E security checkpoint. If the people mover is out of service, signs will direct passengers to the shuttle bus departing from the E1 Bus Station on Level 1
  • American Airlines ticket counters are located at Concourse D, Doors 1-7 and Concourse E, Door 10
  • American Airlines mainline flights depart from Gates E2-E11 & E20-E33
  • British Airways ticket counter is located at Concourse F, Door 14; flights using Airbus A380 equipment depart from Gate E6 and all other flights depart from Gate E8
  • Finnair ticket counter is located at Concourse E, Door 10; flights depart from Gate E30
  • Iberia ticket counter is located at Concourse E, between Doors 13 & 14; flights depart from Gate E23Qatar Airways ticket counter is located at Concourse E, between Doors 9 & 10; flights depart from Gate E10
  • WestJet ticket counter is located at Concourse E, Door 12; flights depart from Concourse F
Concourse F: Gates F3-F23
  • British Airways ticket counter is located at Concourse F, Door 14; flights using Airbus A380 equipment depart from Gate E6 and all other flights depart from Gate E8
  • WestJet ticket counter is located at Concourse E, Door 12; flights depart from Concourse F
Concourse J: Gates J2-J18
  • Delayed American Airlines international flights arrive at Concourse J when the federal inspection station at Concourse D is closed (generally between 11 PM and 3:30 AM)

Checking in at MIA Link
Flagship Check-in: Yes

Arrival at the Airport
The TSA recommends arriving at the airport 2 hours before your flight (3 hours for international). If you travel often, save time by enrolling in TSA PreCheck. We’re working with the U.S. government to alleviate these delays.

Check-in Times
You must be checked in:
  • At least 45 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights within the United States (domestic flights)
  • At least 60 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights to airports outside of the United States (international flights)
Arrival at Gate
You must be at the gate and ready to board the aircraft:
  • 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure
Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of your seat assignment and the removal of your checked baggage from the aircraft.

Doors close 10 minutes before departure.

Time to baggage delivery: 30-55 minutes

AA Ticket Counters Link

Concourse D
Charter 1: Cuba charter check-in only; open dependent on charter flight schedule, located across from Door 1

Kiosk 1: self-service check-in; located between Doors 1 and 2
Main: full-service check-in; located across from Door 2
Flagship: full-service check-in; located between Doors 2 & 3
Priority: full-service check-in; separate queues for First Class & AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Business Class & AAdvantage Platinum, and AAdvantage Gold & Priority; late nights Priority and Main are consolidated at this counter; located between Doors 3 & 4

Kiosk 2: self-service check-in; located across from Door 5

Kiosk 3: self-service check-in; located across from Door 6

Rebooking Center: missed connection assistance for customers arriving on international flights only; located across from Door 6

Cuba Check-in: self-service check-in for customers traveling to Cuba only; located between Doors 6 & 7

Concourse E
Charter 2: Cuba charter check-in only; open dependent on charter flight schedule, located across from Door 10


Security at MIA
Link to security checkpoint locations map. All Concourse D and E gates are accessible from any D or E checkpoint. Connections to or from other concourses will require you to exit and reclear security.

If you do not have Priority or Pre✓, please allow at least 20-40 minutes to clear security. If you miss your flight due to security checkpoint wait times, you will be allowed to standby for the next AA flight to your destination.

Concourse D
Checkpoint 1: open 5 AM to 9 PM, best for Gates D1-D21, located across from Door 1

Checkpoint 2: open 24 hours, best for Gates D22-D24, available to Priority and Pre✓ passengers only while other checkpoints are open (4 AM to 10:30 PM), located across from Door 3

Checkpoint 3: open 4 AM to 10:30 PM, best for Gates D25-D29 & D41-D60 (via skytrain) and access to skytrain Station 2, located between Doors 5 & 6

Checkpoint 4: open 8 AM to 10 AM and 6 PM to 8 PM, best for Gates D30-D40, located across from Door 9

D FIS Checkpoint: open 4 AM to 9:30 PM, available only to passengers who have cleared customs at the D federal inspection station (non-precleared international flights arriving Concourses D, E & F), located to your left upon exiting customs

Concourse E
Checkpoint E: open 4 AM to 10:30 PM, best for Gates E2-E11 & E20-E33, located between Doors 11 & 12

Priority lanes available at Checkpoints 2 and E

TSA Pre✓ available 24 hours at Checkpoint 2, available during peak times only at Checkpoints 1, E, and D FIS

CLEAR available at Checkpoint E & H

Tip: Upon exiting customs, you will be directed to the D FIS checkpoint. If you would like to use an alternate checkpoint, follow the signs to the Crew EXIT and Rebooking Center in order to avoid exiting on the Arrivals (lower) level and having to go back upstairs. Checkpoints 1-3 will be to your left and Checkpoints 4 & E will be to your right.

Security checkpoint operating hours may differ from published times due to TSA staffing constraints and security initiatives.


MIA Services, Shopping, and Dining
MIA VIP Services (expedited processing similar to AA Five Star Service): link.

Lounges: please see the Lounge Dashboard sticky for further lounge information at MIAConcourse D: Admirals Clubs above Gate D15 and across from Gate D30; Centurion Lounge at Gate D12 (take elevator in rotunda to Level 3)

Dining & Shopping: Link to MIA services, dining guide, and interactive map

On-Airport Hotel:Miami International Airport Hotel (landside, Concourse E)

Wi-Fi:Paid WI-Fi service available throughout terminal. Link to pricing information and connection instructions

Smoking: Smoking is permitted only in designated smoking areas across from terminal sidewalks and at:TGI Friday's smoking lounge between Gates D34 & D36

Rental Cars: The Rental Car Center is located at 3900 NW 25 St, Miami, FL 33142 (across from the main entrance to the airport) and is served by 16 companies. Link. Access to and from the terminal is via the MIA Mover automated people mover.Arriving Passengers: After collecting your baggage, follow the black and pink signs to the MIA Mover station on the third level of the terminal, accessible via moving walkway. From there, board the MIA Mover to the Rental Car Center. Trains generally depart and arrive on the right track and run 24 hours a day. From 5 AM to midnight, trains run approximately every 3 minutes; from midnight to 5 AM, trains run approximately every 7 minutes. The train will reach the Rental Car Center in approximately 3 minutes. After exiting the station area, the rental car agencies will be located to your right.

Departing Passengers: Please return your vehicle at the Rental Car Center before checking in for your departing flight. After returning your vehicle, follow the black and pink signs to the MIA Mover station on the fourth level of the facility. From there, board the MIA Mover to Miami International Airport. Trains generally depart and arrive on the right track and run 24 hours a day. From 5 AM to midnight, trains run approximately every 3 minutes; from midnight to 5 AM, trains run approximately every 7 minutes. The train will reach the airport terminal in approximately 3 minutes. After exiting the station area, moving walkways to AA ticket counters and gates will be located to your right.

Animal Relief Areas:Coming soon!


MIA Parking
There are Valet and Garage parking options. Link for options, pricing, and maps

Accessible/Disabled Parking: Link

Cell Phone Waiting Lot: Link


MIA Transportation
Public Transportation: All buses and trains depart from Miami Central Station, which is co-located with the Rental Car Center and is accessible via the MIA Mover automated people mover. Link to map and directions to Miami Central StationMetrorail Orange Line to Dadeland South, serving Downtown Miami

Miami Beach Airport Express bus to Miami Beach

Metrobus routes 7, 37, 42, 57, J, 238/338 & 297

Tri-Rail commuter rail to Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach

Hotel Shuttles, Shared-Ride Vans, and Taxis: Link to area map and fare estimatesHotel shuttles pick up and drop off on the Departures (upper) level at Doors 3 & 7 at Concourse D; there are no designated stops at Concourses E-J

Super Shuttle shared-ride van service. Stands located on Arrivals (lower) level at Concourses D, E, F, and H.

Taxi stands located on Arrivals (lower) level at Concourses D, E, F, and H. Blue "Airport Region Taxi Service" taxis serve areas immediately adjacent to the airport. Yellow taxis serve all other areas.

Uber and Lyft rideshare services are technically illegal at MIA but will accept pick-ups and drop-offs. There are no designated stops; however, rideshare drivers will generally pick up on the Arrivals (lower) level.

Intercity Bus: Buses depart from Miami Central Station. Link to map and directions to Miami Central StationGreyhound bus service throughout continental United States

megabus low-cost express bus service to Orlando and Tampa


Things to Do
Do I have time to go to Miami or Miami Beach?Downtown Miami Due to increased security checkpoint wait times, you should allow yourself at least 3 hours between connections if you do not have Priority or Pre✓. A taxi to the city center should take approximately 12-17 minutes and will cost approximately $22. Because traffic to and from the airport can be unpredictable, consider taking the Metrorail Orange Line in lieu of a taxi. It is a 15-minute ride from the airport to the city center and trains run every 10-15 minutes except late nights. A roundtrip is $4.50.

Miami Beach Allow at least 3½ hours between connections due to the possibility of heavy traffic on the highways between the beach and the mainland. A taxi to the beach should take approximately 22-27 minutes and will cost $35 (flat rate) if going south of 63rd Street. For reference, South Beach and most of the tourist spots are south of 23rd Street. Consider taking the 150 Miami Beach Airport Express bus from the airport to the beach. It is a 31-minute ride from the airport to the Lincoln Road Mall and buses run every 20 minutes. A roundtrip is $4.50.

Posts from 2015-2017 have been archived here.
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AA Guide: MIA / Miami International Airport, MCT / Connection, etc.

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Old Feb 3, 2020, 4:39 pm
  #136  
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Originally Posted by newyorkgeorge
Depending upon where you are in West Palm I personally do Brightline and from there (across the Brightline MIA station) take the Orange Line to MIA. If you book for the first time there are coupons for Brightline or treat yourself to their F car (very reasonably priced).
FWIW - OP said Jupiter. So he would have to get to the West Palm station. That, along with the transfer near MIA, makes Brightline a lot less attractive in my book. 3pm is pretty easy to get to MIA from Jupiter.
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Old Feb 4, 2020, 9:20 pm
  #137  
ymx
 
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Thanks, everyone, for all your help! I've decided to rent a car. (Was looking forward to trying the Brightline, though!)
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Old Feb 5, 2020, 9:46 am
  #138  
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https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Jupiter/Miami-Airport-MIA estimates Uber at $100-120
Is this not accurate?
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Old Feb 5, 2020, 10:50 am
  #139  
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Originally Posted by mvoight
https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Jupiter/Miami-Airport-MIA estimates Uber at $100-120
Is this not accurate?
In fairness, I have not actually done it. Just checked and that seems accurate.
UberX - $110
Comfort - $127
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Old Feb 9, 2020, 12:08 pm
  #140  
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,285
Flying EZE-MIA-ORD in March in PE. I have GE but my friend does not. Arriving in Miami at 4:57 AM and next flight is at 6:57am. Is it usually very crowded/long lines for US citizens? Is mobile passport line will be open at this hour ? I’m worried that my friend may not make it on time for our connecting flight.
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Old Feb 9, 2020, 12:12 pm
  #141  
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Originally Posted by gateH15
Flying EZE-MIA-ORD in March in PE. I have GE but my friend does not. Arriving in Miami at 4:57 AM and next flight is at 6:57am. Is it usually very crowded/long lines for US citizens? Is mobile passport line will be open at this hour ? I’m worried that my friend may not make it on time for our connecting flight.
I believe it is always open.
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Old Aug 31, 2020, 7:00 pm
  #142  
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77W scheduled to depart from D19. Is this even possible?

My guess is it’s just a place holder gate since the flight is still 48 hours away. Pretty sure a 777 can’t fit in that little alley behind the odd number low-D gates.
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Old Oct 11, 2020, 5:24 pm
  #143  
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: UA 1K, DL PM, AA Nobody, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 564
Domestic to International at MIA - Hour connection too tight?

Flying this month into MIA domestic on AA and flying onto Colombia. AA.com has a 1:05 connection.

This is tight under normal circumstances, as I am imagining the international flight will start boarding almost immediately when I get there.

This is my first flight in the Covid age...is this connection a bad idea? The flight I am catching leaves once a day, so option B is spending the night in Miami.
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Old Oct 11, 2020, 10:46 pm
  #144  
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Boarding an international flight has the same procedure as boarding a domestic flight. The only difference is that your passport and other necessary travel documents ( if applies; COVID test, visa, residence permit, etc... ) are checked.

Assuming both flights are on the same ticket, 1h5min transfer for DOM->INT in MIA looks fine; if you miss the flight because of AA, they would pay for your hotel and rebook you on the next flight for free of charge.
Unless you have specific time constraints ( do not want to lose a day of pre-booked holiday, etc... ), I would have kept the 1h5min layover.
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Old Oct 12, 2020, 7:10 am
  #145  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: MIA
Programs: AAdvantage Exec Plat SPG Platinum
Posts: 308
The time you have is certainly sufficient. assuming a more or less close to on time arrival in Miami, even if seated towards the rear of the plane.
Look at it this way: If you misconnect it will be for operational reasons and AA should be responsible for overnight hotel, taxi, and meals. If you choose to overnight, these costs are on you. So you do not have anything to loose by keeping the same day connection.
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Old Oct 12, 2020, 11:06 pm
  #146  
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA LT Gold
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Originally Posted by AsiaTravel2019
Flying this month into MIA domestic on AA and flying onto Colombia. AA.com has a 1:05 connection.

This is tight under normal circumstances, as I am imagining the international flight will start boarding almost immediately when I get there.

This is my first flight in the Covid age...is this connection a bad idea? The flight I am catching leaves once a day, so option B is spending the night in Miami.
Tight. But doable. As said above , AA will rebook you for free if operational

If weather related, you pay out of pocket. But if weather related very likely the connecting flight will be late too.

If weather related and you do miss the connecting flight , then booking a hotel last minute is easy as there is plenty of capacity.
I actually just did that. I'm overnight ing in mia right now and got a Marriot for less than 100, booked same day.
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Old Oct 12, 2020, 11:14 pm
  #147  
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Originally Posted by carlosdca
Tight. But doable. As said above , AA will rebook you for free if operational

If weather related, you pay out of pocket. But if weather related very likely the connecting flight will be late too.

If weather related and you do miss the connecting flight , then booking a hotel last minute is easy as there is plenty of capacity.
I actually just did that. I'm overnight ing in mia right now and got a Marriot for less than 100, booked same day.
Just to clarify, if the delay weather-related, AA is not responsible for the hotel.
They still have the responsibility to rebook the OP to the next available flight.
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Old Oct 12, 2020, 11:22 pm
  #148  
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA LT Gold
Posts: 3,646
Originally Posted by ISTFlyer
Just to clarify, if the delay weather-related, AA is not responsible for the hotel.
They still have the responsibility to rebook the OP to the next available flight.
Yup. If same ticket AA rebooks for free whether operational or weather . Thanks for clarifying that part!
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Old Oct 13, 2020, 10:05 am
  #149  
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: UA 1K, DL PM, AA Nobody, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 564
Thanks all. I'll shoot the dice and book. If I miss the connection, the next one is the following day at the same time. No great loss!
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Old Nov 11, 2020, 11:29 am
  #150  
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 2,508
Flying into MIA with a 7.5 hour overnight connection next month. Thoughts on the MIA on-airport hotel? It seems like some very mixed reviews but the ability to not have to waste precious minutes for an off-airport hotel shuttle on such a short layover appeals to me.

Also, nothing has changed with COVID; they'll still keep our luggage overnight for such a short layover, correct?
lowfareair is offline  


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