Aug 22, 2016, 9:33 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
Minimum Airport Check-in Times as of March 2016
Includes checked baggage check-in
If you do not check in prior to the cutoff times listed, you may not be able to check in for your flight and you will be unable to check baggage. If you are checked in online and wish to check baggage, you must do so by the check-in deadline.
NOTE: Though previously AA listed both minimum check in and baggage check-in times, that is no longer the case. The minimum check-in time applies to checking in at the airport, with or without baggage.
Includes checked baggage check-in
If you do not check in prior to the cutoff times listed, you may not be able to check in for your flight and you will be unable to check baggage. If you are checked in online and wish to check baggage, you must do so by the check-in deadline.
- Minimum check-in time at US domestic airports: 45 minutes
- Minimum check-in time for international flights systemwide: 60 minutes
- Exceptions:
Caracas - Maiquetia, Venezuela CCS, : 90 minutes
Dublin, Ireland DUB: 75 minutes
Ezeiza - Pistorini Buenos Aires, Argentina EZE: 75 minutes
Maracaibo, Venezuela MAR: 90 minutes
St. Thomas, USVI STT: 90 minutes
NOTE: Though previously AA listed both minimum check in and baggage check-in times, that is no longer the case. The minimum check-in time applies to checking in at the airport, with or without baggage.
Minimum airport check-in & baggage times: Dom 0:45 / Int'l 0:60 (Mar 2016)
Jun 10, 2016, 8:09 pm
#61
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Bellevue, WA - AA EXP 3MM
Posts: 2,756
I have continued to look into this issue. It turns out there's a DOT regulation specifically on point:
It seems AA has been taking the position that it is permitted to modify the COC and hold passengers to the revision. DOT regulations here indicate exactly the opposite.
I'd be interested in hearing the experience of affected passengers. I know at least one passenger who was denied transport despite complying with the COC check-in time requirement posted as of her date of travel. Another was denied transport despite complying with the check-tine requirement posted as of his date of ticket purchase although AA purported to have changed that requirement in the interim (exactly what 253.9 disallows). Anyone else?
§ 253.9 Retroactive changes to contracts of carriage.
An air carrier may not retroactively apply to persons who have already bought a ticket any material amendment to its contract of carriage that has significant negative implications for consumers.
An air carrier may not retroactively apply to persons who have already bought a ticket any material amendment to its contract of carriage that has significant negative implications for consumers.
I'd be interested in hearing the experience of affected passengers. I know at least one passenger who was denied transport despite complying with the COC check-in time requirement posted as of her date of travel. Another was denied transport despite complying with the check-tine requirement posted as of his date of ticket purchase although AA purported to have changed that requirement in the interim (exactly what 253.9 disallows). Anyone else?
Jun 10, 2016, 8:14 pm
#62
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 5,270
I wouldn't be surprised if the words "significant" and "negative" in the regulation provide enough wiggle room to allow this.
Jun 10, 2016, 8:57 pm
#63
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Bellevue, WA - AA EXP 3MM
Posts: 2,756
Seems like a tough argument for AA. When a passenger is deemed a late check-in, the passenger forfeits the confirmed space he paid for. Under fare rules, passenger can be charged a fare difference and change fee to travel on a later flight. Passenger forfeits any assigned seats he paid for, priority boarding, maybe some other benefits. A lot of forfeiture!
I suspect it turns out that a fair number of passengers historically checked in between 30 and 45 minutes before flight time. I know I often did. It may not sound like much, "just 15 minutes," but actually a crucial 15 minutes relative to passenger practices and expectations -- expectations, to be sure, formed over decades of the prior practice and also in light of UA and DL to this day largely (at most airports) still accepting 30-minute check-in for passengers with only carry-ons.
I suspect it turns out that a fair number of passengers historically checked in between 30 and 45 minutes before flight time. I know I often did. It may not sound like much, "just 15 minutes," but actually a crucial 15 minutes relative to passenger practices and expectations -- expectations, to be sure, formed over decades of the prior practice and also in light of UA and DL to this day largely (at most airports) still accepting 30-minute check-in for passengers with only carry-ons.
Jun 17, 2016, 2:24 pm
#64
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Gary Leff shares his view 0:45 for AA but 0:30 for DL and UA doesn't affect airline operations, but does negatively affect passengers.
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....ces-travelers/
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....ces-travelers/
Jun 17, 2016, 2:51 pm
#65
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
Gary Leff shares his view 0:45 for AA but 0:30 for DL and UA doesn't affect airline operations, but does negatively affect passengers.
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....ces-travelers/
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....ces-travelers/
Jun 18, 2016, 8:26 am
#66
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Interesting follow-up today:
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....irlines-check/
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....irlines-check/
I Learned Something New and Useful About American Airlines Check-in...
...American Airlines spokesperson Ross Feinstein clarified for me that in fact, American will still issue a boarding pass 30 minutes prior to departure for a domestic flight.
The rules say 45 minutes, because they want you to get to the airport earlier. You might have to wait in line for a check-in kiosk or manual assistance, and you may have to wait in line at security.
American’s computers are set to a 30 minute deadline with 3 minute grace period.
What this means in practice is that American can check you in 27 minutes prior to scheduled departure
...American Airlines spokesperson Ross Feinstein clarified for me that in fact, American will still issue a boarding pass 30 minutes prior to departure for a domestic flight.
The rules say 45 minutes, because they want you to get to the airport earlier. You might have to wait in line for a check-in kiosk or manual assistance, and you may have to wait in line at security.
American’s computers are set to a 30 minute deadline with 3 minute grace period.
What this means in practice is that American can check you in 27 minutes prior to scheduled departure
Jun 18, 2016, 11:50 am
#67
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: US
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 1,753
Interesting follow-up today:
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....irlines-check/
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....irlines-check/
That being said, if the gate agent takes control of the flight between 26 and 44 minutes out, check-in will still be locked out, and technically the CoC does state a 45-minute cutoff, which opens up an interesting gray area.
Jun 18, 2016, 12:14 pm
#68
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,926
I was really, really hoping that word of the 3-minute grace window wouldn't get out because now we're going to have people showing up at 26 minutes.
That being said, if the gate agent takes control of the flight between 26 and 44 minutes out, check-in will still be locked out, and technically the CoC does state a 45-minute cutoff, which opens up an interesting gray area.
That being said, if the gate agent takes control of the flight between 26 and 44 minutes out, check-in will still be locked out, and technically the CoC does state a 45-minute cutoff, which opens up an interesting gray area.
Jun 18, 2016, 12:17 pm
#69
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Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
I was really, really hoping that word of the 3-minute grace window wouldn't get out because now we're going to have people showing up at 26 minutes.
That being said, if the gate agent takes control of the flight between 26 and 44 minutes out, check-in will still be locked out, and technically the CoC does state a 45-minute cutoff, which opens up an interesting gray area.
That being said, if the gate agent takes control of the flight between 26 and 44 minutes out, check-in will still be locked out, and technically the CoC does state a 45-minute cutoff, which opens up an interesting gray area.
Jun 19, 2016, 1:03 pm
#70
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Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
At least for domestic flights and some International why not at least OLCI at T-1 or T-2 so you won't get locked out of a kiosk. You can always have the GA print a paper BP if you want it for asking for mileage credit in the unlikely event miles do not post. Of course this won't work if you need to check bags.
Jun 19, 2016, 3:03 pm
#71
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At least for domestic flights and some International why not at least OLCI at T-1 or T-2 so you won't get locked out of a kiosk. You can always have the GA print a paper BP if you want it for asking for mileage credit in the unlikely event miles do not post. Of course this won't work if you need to check bags.
Jun 19, 2016, 7:43 pm
#72
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: AA EXP, PriorityClub Gold, SPG Gold, Hertz Gold fivestar
Posts: 486
When departing home I'll normally have a more aggressive schedule based on using the offsite (fastpark) car park. If I find that I get delayed in traffic then I'll use a closer, more expensive, car park.
Jun 20, 2016, 7:29 am
#73
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Posts: 10,291
There was a time, if you were wait-listed for an SWU upgrade, that you could NOT do OLCI--I assume this is NO longer the case.
Even if one does not have an iPhone, ipad, etc. nearly every hotel (even SUPER CHEAP ones) have computer terminals which allow OLCI; many airports have computer terminals (some even FREE) [both pre- and post- security] which allow web access and hence OLCI.
Even if one does not have an iPhone, ipad, etc. nearly every hotel (even SUPER CHEAP ones) have computer terminals which allow OLCI; many airports have computer terminals (some even FREE) [both pre- and post- security] which allow web access and hence OLCI.
Jun 22, 2016, 9:08 am
#74
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: ABQ
Programs: Delta Platinum, Southwest A-List
Posts: 1,426
So annoying
So I live in Abq. A small city with a small airport I usually check in on the app and get to the airport 35-40 mins before the flight. Today, I had two bags to check. I arrived at the counter about 40 minutes before departure. I was informed by agents (apparently in training) that the cutoff was 45 minutes I told them it was 30. They called a supervisor I was familiar with who confirmed 45 mins and said that I would have to get confirmed to a different flight. The ladies asked me to get back to the line so someone else could help me. 
Thankfully the guy who originally came to help gave me a tip - he said to take the two bags through security and to gate check them. It worked! TSA couldn't care less that the bags were large.
I'm beyond annoyed by the lack of notice.
Thankfully the guy who originally came to help gave me a tip - he said to take the two bags through security and to gate check them. It worked! TSA couldn't care less that the bags were large.
I'm beyond annoyed by the lack of notice.