Priority Boarding: 7 Proven Ways to Skip the Line

You land at the gate with 20 minutes to spare, join the boarding line, and watch the overhead bins fill up before you reach your row. Now you're gate-checking the bag with your laptop and presentation materials, hoping it shows up before tomorrow's meeting. Late boarding turns every flight into a scramble for space, and carry-on luggage participation increases boarding times by 7-14% on average.

These seven ways to board earlier fix that. You'll learn which options cost nothing, which require annual fees, and which work on a per-flight basis so you can pick the right approach for how often you fly.

1. Apply for a Co-Branded Airline Credit Card

Apply for a United credit card ($250/year) and board in Group 2 on every United flight, ahead of 70% of passengers. Delta and American credit cards range from $150-$650/year depending on the card tier but board you later: Zone 5 on Delta, Group 5 on American.

United credit cards put you in Group 2 boarding alongside Premier Silver members. Delta Amex cards get you Zone 5 boarding for the cardholder plus up to 8 companions on the same reservation. The new JetBlue Premier Card launched in February 2025 grants Group A boarding for you plus up to 4 companions at a $499 annual fee. American AAdvantage cardmembers board in Group 5.

2. Pursue Elite Status on Your Primary Carrier

Earn elite status to board earlier than credit cardholders. United Premier 1K boards Group 1, American Executive Platinum boards Group 1, and Delta Diamond Medallion boards Zone 2.

Passengers who prioritize their individual boarding times benefit most from early access. If you fly 10+ times annually on one carrier, concentrate that spend to hit the lowest status tier. United Premier Silver requires 12 qualifying flights plus 4,000 PQPs annually, delivering Group 2 boarding with complimentary upgrades and bonus miles. American AAdvantage Gold requires 40,000 Loyalty Points, placing you in Group 4 boarding. Tracking your progress toward status is easier when you use loyalty program tracking tools.

3. Buy Priority Boarding When You Book

Buy standalone priority boarding when you don't have status or credit card benefits. United Premier Access starts at $24 per person for Group 2 boarding, the cheapest option on major carriers. Southwest EarlyBird Check-In costs $15-99 per flight and automatically checks you in before the 24-hour window opens.

American doesn't sell standalone priority boarding. Your only options on American are credit cards, elite status, or premium cabin tickets. Buy priority boarding during initial booking when prices are lowest, since United Premier Access costs $24-99 depending on route and demand.

4. Upgrade to Premium Economy or Enhanced Economy

Book premium economy seats for priority boarding plus extra legroom and amenities. American Premium Economy includes confirmed priority boarding (Group 4) along with wider seats and better meals. Delta Comfort+ gets you early boarding (Zone 3) plus complimentary drinks. JetBlue's EvenMore cabin launched January 2025 with priority boarding and dedicated overhead bin space at roughly $54 above standard fares.

Airlines implementing carry-on fee structures report 6-minute reductions in boarding time per flight. Premium cabin upgrades work best on flights over three hours where the combined benefits justify the cost.

5. Book Business Select or Premium Fares

Buy the highest fare class for automatic priority boarding if your airline bundles it into business-focused fare products. Southwest Business Select includes A1-A15 boarding plus two free checked bags and same-day standby.

Delta First Class passengers board in Zone 1, while Delta Premium Select passengers board in Zone 2. United Polaris business class and United First passengers board in Group 1. American first class passengers board in Group 1. Book these fares when your schedule can't handle delays or rebooking. If you're weighing whether to spring for business class upgrades, priority boarding is one factor to consider alongside seat comfort and amenities.

6. Verify Your Boarding Group After Every Booking

Check your boarding group assignment right after booking and again at check-in to catch system errors before you reach the gate. Airline IT systems fail to apply credit card benefits, elite status, or purchased priority boarding to reservations all the time, even when you're eligible.

Log into your airline account or app as soon as your booking confirmation arrives. Your boarding group should show in your trip details. Credit card benefits don't always attach automatically. Don't assume the system will apply your benefits correctly. Verify every time.

7. Check In Exactly 24 Hours Before Departure

Set a reminder for precisely 24 hours before departure and check in the moment the window opens. Your check-in time determines your boarding position within your assigned group. Earlier check-in means better positioning.

Even with priority boarding benefits, checking in late can push you toward the back of your assigned group. A Delta Zone 5 passenger who checks in at 24 hours boards before a Zone 5 passenger who checks in at 2 hours before departure. On full flights, that difference can mean arriving at your seat to find nearby overhead bins already packed, forcing you to walk backward against boarding traffic to find space several rows behind your seat.

Board First on Every Flight

Priority boarding only works when your benefits actually apply to your reservation. Airline systems fail to attach credit card perks and elite status more often than most travelers realize, and you won't know until you're standing at the gate with a Group 6 boarding pass.

Otto eliminates this problem entirely. Otto stores your frequent flyer numbers and loyalty programs, automatically attaching them to every flight you book so your elite status and credit card benefits apply without manual entry or verification. When disruptions happen, Otto monitors your flights and handles rebooking before you even realize there's an issue.

Stop scrambling for overhead bin space. Try Otto free and board earlier on every business trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which airlines offer priority boarding options for business travelers without elite status?

United offers the cheapest standalone option at $24 per person for Group 2 boarding through United Premier Access, while Delta, American, and JetBlue provide priority boarding through co-branded credit cards ranging from $150-$650 annually.

Do priority boarding benefits from credit cards work on partner airlines?

No, co-branded credit card boarding benefits work only on the issuing airline's operated flights, not on partner carriers, so your Delta Amex card gets you Zone 5 boarding on Delta-operated flights but provides no boarding priority when flying a partner airline like KLM even with a Delta ticket number.

How can I make sure my loyalty number is attached to every booking?

Otto stores your frequent flyer numbers and automatically attaches them to every flight you book, so your elite status benefits apply without manual entry each time you make a reservation.

What is Sky Priority on Delta, and who is eligible?

Sky Priority is Delta's expedited service offering priority boarding and check-in for passengers with Delta Platinum or Gold Medallion status, those flying in Delta One, First Class, or Premium Select cabins, and holders of Delta SkyMiles Gold, Platinum, and Reserve credit cards who get Zone 5 boarding access.