Travel Tips To Make Your Trip Easier, More Affordable and More Convenient

FORT WORTH, Texas – Summer is approaching and now is a great time to start planning your vacation with AmericanAirlines Vacations SM. American Airlines Vacations, a division of American Airlines, the world's largest airline, provides the convenience of one-stop shopping for customized vacations to destinations around the world. American Airlines and American Airlines Vacations offer the following purchasing and travel tips to make vacations more affordable and more convenient.

AMERICAN AIRLINES VACATIONS PLANNING AND PURCHASING TIPS

• Get a better deal. If your vacation involves flights, hotels, cars, and other add-ons such as sightseeing tours, theater tickets or private airport transfers, purchasing multiple components together generally costs less than purchasing them individually.

• Vacation on AAdvantage miles. AAdvantage members can redeem miles for both the air and land portion of vacation getaways. American Airlines Vacations is the only vacation company to offer this benefit to its loyal customers.

• Earn miles and avoid costs. Book online and avoid ticketing and service fees. American Airlines Vacations offers 1,000 AAdvantage bonus miles for vacations booked on www.AAvacations.com and does not charge service or ticketing fees.

• Watch out for hidden costs. Find out if the air transportation will be on charter service or scheduled service. Airline scheduled services offer customers more flight flexibility. If chartered flights are not originating or ending at your final destination, be aware that extra costs could be incurred to reach the charter flight on either end.

• Ask about add-ons at the time of purchase. Take some of the stress and uncertainty out of the vacation by purchasing add-ons with your vacation getaway. Doing it all at once is more convenient than making separate purchases, and allows customers to know how much the total vacation will cost.

• Go with a company you trust. Ask whether regular site inspections are performed on properties by the vacation company. Go with vacation companies aligned with brands you trust, that have been in business for many years, and that have customer service experts available 24 hours a day to get the quality desired.

AMERICAN AIRLINES SUMMER TRAVEL TIPS

BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE AIRPORT

• Remember “3- 1-1”. The TSA limits the amount of liquids, gels and aerosols you may carry on board your flight. Each passenger traveling domestically is limited to items that are 3.4 ounces each or less by volume or weight, all of which must fit comfortably in one quart-sized zip-top bag. For more information and limitations for international travel, visit www.AA.com.

• Dress comfortably and limit carry-on items. Wear breathable fabrics, and know what you can carry on board. The TSA allows you to carry on one bag that fits in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you and one personal item, such as a purse, briefcase or laptop. Items that exceed these limits must be checked at the ticket counter. Visit www.AA.com/baggageinfo for full details on our baggage allowance.

• Keep valuables with you. Make sure to keep all valuables and medications in your carry-on luggage. This includes cameras, cell phones and recharging devices, jewelry, laptops and electronic devices for which American is not responsible.

• Reduce the need for transporting checked baggage. At select locations, you may check your luggage and get your boarding pass before you arrive at the airport with the AAdvance Bag Check sm program. Travelers can check in and drop off their luggage up to 24 hours in advance at the AAdvance Bag Check station located at select cruise lines, convention centers and hotels. For a full list of locations, visit www.AA.com/aadvancebagcheck.

• Think of children's needs. Pack toys, books and games children will enjoy to make the flight pass more quickly. Also, bring food for children or purchase a snack onboard to keep their energy up and their mood positive during travel.

• Purchase a Child Activation Restraint System (CARES) Rather than lugging cumbersome car seats through security and onto planes, go through security and board the plane more easily with this lightweight (under one pound) child restraint system. It's FAA approved and fits all aircraft seats except the Boeing 777 first class Flagship Suites. To obtain purchase information and additional details on this device, visit www.AA.com/children.

• Place contact information on the inside and outside of each suitcase. If a checked bag is delayed or misdirected, we can reunite you with your belongings much faster if you include important contact information and a copy of your itinerary inside the suitcase. This is especially important in the event the outside luggage tag is unavailable.

• Check in beforehand at AA.com®. At www.AA.com/checkin you can check in up to 24 hours prior to your flight, select or change seats, and print out your boarding pass, which can reduce time and stress at the airport.

Checking bags? You can still check-in online and print your boarding pass – when you arrive at the airport, simply scan the barcode on your boarding pass to quickly check your bags.

• Know before you go with Flight Status Notification. Customers can sign up at www.AA.com/notify to receive American Airlines or American Eagle flight arrival/departure times, as well as gate and baggage information – all via e-mail, phone, pager, or PDA.

AT THE AIRPORT

• Arrive early . Generally you should arrive at least 60 minutes early for domestic flights (90 minutes if you have bags to check) and two hours for international trips. Check the Travel Information section of www.AA.com for cities where earlier check-in is recommended.

• Use Curbside Check-in. It's just $2 per bag at most airports. Then head straight to the security line and then your gate.

• Use Self-Service Check-in Machines. If you haven't had a chance to check in beforehand, Self-Service Machines are another great time saver and can also be used for international travel by sliding your passport through the machine. Visit www.AA.com/selfservice for more details.

• Speed through Security. Have your photo ID or passport and ticket available for the security checkpoint. W ear shoes that slip on and off quickly, limit jewelry, avoid extra clothing such as jackets when possible, and make laptops easily accessible.

ON BOARD THE PLANE

• Stay hydrated. Experts recommend drinking plenty of water during your flight. Juice and milk are available for children. Once you clear security, remember to purchase water. Bottled water is now available for sale onboard so customers don't have to carry it through the airport.

• Wake children before descent. If your child is sleeping, consider waking him or her before the aircraft begins descent and offer them a bottle, chewing gum, hard candy or a pacifier. Frequent swallowing allows air to flow freely out of and into the ear and sinus cavities, preventing discomfort.

UPON ARRIVAL

Keep children close to you. Airports and baggage claims are busy places. Make sure children understand the need to stay with adults and who to approach if they get lost.

• Consider arranging transportation between the airport and hotel ahead of time. This lessens stress upon arriving at the destination airport and makes it easier to manage children and luggage.

American Airlines is a founding member of the global oneworld® Alliance. For more travel tips, visit www.AA.com/traveltips.

About American Airlines
American Airlines is the world's largest airline. American, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection® airlines serve 250 cities in over 40 countries with more than 4,000 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 1,000 aircraft. American's award-winning Web site, AA.com, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve nearly 700 destinations in over 140 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR).