# How do groups work on American Airlines?
# American Airlines Group Travel | [phone] | Booking & Works

American Airlines is one of the largest and most widely used carriers in the United States, and it offers a comprehensive group travel program to simplify the process of booking for 10 or more travelers. Whether you're organizing a business trip, a school outing, a family reunion, or a destination wedding, American Airlines makes group travel more efficient and potentially more affordable through its specialized services.

This article explains in detail how group travel works on American Airlines, from eligibility requirements and booking steps to benefits and policies.

### What Is Considered Group Travel?
American Airlines defines group travel as a booking for 10 or more passengers traveling together on the same flight and itinerary. To qualify for the group travel program, these passengers must:

Depart from and arrive at the same locations

Travel on the same dates and flights

Be part of the same reservation and booking contract

Group travel options are available for a wide variety of purposes including:

Corporate trips and business travel

Educational groups and school field trips

Sports teams

Religious missions or pilgrimages

Social groups and clubs

Family reunions or wedding parties

### How to Book Group Travel on American Airlines
Booking group travel involves a few steps and differs from individual ticket purchases. Here’s how it works:

**1. Submit a Group Travel Request**
To get started, you must request a quote from the Group & Meeting Travel Desk. You can do this by:

Filling out a form at: aa.com/groups

Calling 800-221-2255 or [phone]

Emailing: [e-mail]

You'll need to provide:

Departure and return dates

Origin and destination airports

Number of travelers

Any special requests (e.g., baggage needs, accessibility assistance)

Once submitted, a representative will respond with a custom fare quote and contract terms.

**2. Review the Fare Quote**
The group fare you receive is typically higher than the lowest available individual fare but includes added flexibility. Key components of the fare quote include:

The base fare per traveler

Payment schedule (deposit and final payment dates)

Name change allowances

Cancellation and refund rules

Baggage allowances

Review all terms carefully before agreeing.

**3. Secure Your Booking with a Deposit**
If you accept the quote, you'll be asked to make a deposit per passenger to hold the reservation. This deposit is usually nonrefundable and applies toward the total fare.

American Airlines typically allows you to hold the group booking for a period (often up to 30 days) while you finalize names and payment.

**4. Submit Names and Final Payment**
By the deadline specified in your group travel contract, you'll need to:

Provide the full legal names of all passengers

Pay the remaining balance

Name changes are allowed for a limited time, often up to 72 hours before departure, with at least one free name change per ticket.

Benefits of Group Travel on American Airlines
Booking as a group offers more than just convenience. Key advantages include:

**✔️ Flexible Payment Options**
You don’t have to pay for all tickets upfront. Instead, you can secure your seats with a deposit and pay the balance later, giving you time to collect funds from travelers.

**✔️ Fare Locking**
Group fares allow you to lock in pricing for a period—even as individual ticket prices fluctuate.

**✔️ Name Change Allowance**
Unlike individual tickets, group bookings often allow one free name change per person, useful when finalizing attendee lists.

**✔️ Dedicated Support**
You’ll work with a dedicated group travel agent who helps manage your itinerary, resolve issues, and answer questions.

**✔️ Add-on Services**
You can coordinate checked baggage, seat assignments, and special services like meals or disability assistance more easily.

Group Travel vs. Booking Individually
You may wonder why not just book tickets individually online. Here's how group travel compares:

Feature Group Booking Individual Booking
Fare Lock Yes No
Payment Flexibility Deposit & Final Due Later Full Payment Required Upfront
Name Changes Often 1 Free Typically Not Allowed
Customer Service Dedicated Agent General Call Center
Best Price Slightly Higher Potentially Lower (But Less Flexible)

Group travel offers value through flexibility and service, even if the fare is slightly higher than online individual tickets.

Group Types American Airlines Supports
American Airlines handles group travel for various segments:

**Business Groups –** Attending conferences or corporate events

**Schools & Universities –** Educational field trips, study abroad programs

**Sports Teams –** Athletes, coaches, and staff travel together with baggage support

**Religious Groups –** Church groups or missionary trips

**Tour Groups –** Travel clubs or social groups visiting new destinations

**Family or Wedding Groups –** Attending large events together

**Important Policies to Know**
Minimum Group Size: 10 people

**Travel Together Requirement:** Group must fly the same route and date

**Advance Booking Time:** At least 2 months in advance is recommended

**Seat Selection:** Group seating is not guaranteed but can be requested

**Checked Bags:** Standard baggage rules apply unless arranged otherwise

**Group Meeting Travel Program**
If your group members are traveling from different origins to the same destination, American Airlines offers the Meeting Travel Program instead. It’s ideal for:

Conferences

Trade shows

Multi-location teams

In this case, American provides a discount code for your attendees to book their own tickets using a shared meeting code. Contact 800-433-1790 for more on this service.

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**Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)**
**Q1: Can I book a group traveling from multiple cities?**
For that, you should use the Meeting Travel Program, which provides discount codes instead of a group reservation.

**Q2: Are there blackout dates for group fares?**
Yes. Peak travel periods (holidays and major events) may limit group fare availability.

**Q3: Can I upgrade group tickets to business or first class?**
Upgrades may be possible depending on availability and fare type. Discuss this with your group coordinator.

**Q4: How do we earn AAdvantage miles on group bookings?**
Each traveler can enter their AAdvantage number to earn miles individually. The group organizer does not earn points unless eligible through a business account.

**Q5: Can we check sports or musical equipment?**
Yes, with prior notice. American Airlines accommodates special items like instruments or sports gear, often for a fee.

**Final Thoughts**
Booking a group trip with American Airlines streamlines the travel experience, especially when coordination, flexibility, and service matter more than finding the absolute lowest fare. From flexible payment schedules and name change allowances to dedicated agent support, American Airlines makes it easier for groups to fly together without the stress of managing individual bookings.

To get started, you can:

Call 800-221-2255 or [phone]

Email [e-mail]

Visit aa.com/groups

Would you like a PDF version of this guide or a checklist for organizing group travel?