Dec 31, 2016, 10:20 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
Welcome to the 2017 "NEWBIE LOUNGE"
Ask Your Consolidated / Combined AA Questions Here (flame free)
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(This post can only be edited by moderators.)
Welcome to the Newbie Lounge!
Welcome to the Newbie Lounge!
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The Newbie Lounge is a place for newer and less experienced members to ask their questions about American Airlines and the AAdvantage program and have answered by our more experienced and knowledgeable members. Feel free to ask any question related to American Airlines and AAdvantage here.
NOTE: This is a "flame free" thread; flaming, personal criticism for "failing to search" etc. is not allowed (if posted, the post will be summarily deleted, the poster subject to sanctions).
Advanced questions posed by veteran FT users may be moved and / or merged into existing master or GUIDE threads, most of which have Wikiposts at the top of the page that contain summaries of important information.
We volunteer Moderators monitor this "lounge" thread to assist you as well. When browsing the fora, look at the page tops of the various forums. There will be a menu, and often "sticky" threads, and threads with header "wiki posts" (created and maintained by the FlyerTalk community) with important information relating to that forum / topic.
Don't hesitate to contact a moderator or another member if you have any additional questions. You can PM the Moderators by clicking on
, which pops up a message box; the message goes to all this forum's Moderators. Note that unlike some sites with paid staff moderators, FlyerTalk Moderators are volunteers, and most work, travel, go on holiday, etc. You can Private Message us using the PM system (My Flyertalk) and our handles.We're glad you've chosen to join the Flyertalk frequent flyer community!
Your American Airlines | AAdvantage Forum Moderation Team,
AZ Travels the World, aztimm, dstan, JDiver, JY1024, Microwave
(Our thanks to thread founder / "plank owner" HNL.)
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Thanks for reading!
[2017 NEWBIE LOUNGE] Ask Your "Newbie" AA Questions Here (flame free)
Sep 25, 2017, 7:58 pm
#1756
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,598
I'm trying to book a constructed route for an award. I found two different routes with Saver space available (SEA-PDX-CLT-TPA or SEA-LAS-CLT-TPA). Neither seems egregiously circuitous. I get to the point where it asks for the pax name and then I click "Continue", and it comes back with an error saying the page is lost and to try again another time. Is this a recurring issue these days? I haven't booked an AA award in over one year. Or am I exceeding MDM? Via PDX the routing is +16% and through LAS it's +30%.
Sep 25, 2017, 8:55 pm
#1757
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,587
I'm trying to book a constructed route for an award. I found two different routes with Saver space available (SEA-PDX-CLT-TPA or SEA-LAS-CLT-TPA). Neither seems egregiously circuitous. I get to the point where it asks for the pax name and then I click "Continue", and it comes back with an error saying the page is lost and to try again another time. Is this a recurring issue these days? I haven't booked an AA award in over one year. Or am I exceeding MDM? Via PDX the routing is +16% and through LAS it's +30%.
https://thepointsguy.com/2017/08/aad...d-segment-cap/
Sep 26, 2017, 7:29 am
#1758
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,598
On domestic awards, AA now limits passengers to a maximum of two connections:
https://thepointsguy.com/2017/08/aad...d-segment-cap/
https://thepointsguy.com/2017/08/aad...d-segment-cap/
A but of clarification: when I attempt to reserve online it costs out as three separate flights just as it always has. In the past the system would then reprice to the correct mileage. So, worst case I thought would be that my requested routing would stay priced as two awards and not fail all together.
The only thing I can think of that would cause a problem is it's a mix of saver Y and F seats. But even that I would expect to cost out at the saver F level (25K miles).
I tried it again this morning with just two of the segments at the same pricing level and it still kicked out.
Last edited by WillTravel4Food; Sep 26, 2017 at 7:42 am
Sep 26, 2017, 8:31 am
#1759
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
I thought that might be part of the issue, but my two discovered routes include just two connections. Your referenced link states a maximum of three flights, so they're compliant.
A but of clarification: when I attempt to reserve online it costs out as three separate flights just as it always has. In the past the system would then reprice to the correct mileage. So, worst case I thought would be that my requested routing would stay priced as two awards and not fail all together.
The only thing I can think of that would cause a problem is it's a mix of saver Y and F seats. But even that I would expect to cost out at the saver F level (25K miles).
I tried it again this morning with just two of the segments at the same pricing level and it still kicked out.
A but of clarification: when I attempt to reserve online it costs out as three separate flights just as it always has. In the past the system would then reprice to the correct mileage. So, worst case I thought would be that my requested routing would stay priced as two awards and not fail all together.
The only thing I can think of that would cause a problem is it's a mix of saver Y and F seats. But even that I would expect to cost out at the saver F level (25K miles).
I tried it again this morning with just two of the segments at the same pricing level and it still kicked out.
I would try putting only the first AS segment on hold first, to make sure it's really available. If that works, then call AA to add the AA segments onto the award, and have the AAgent price it correctly. If you can't put just the AS segment on hold then that's the problem, it's not really available and craps out when you try to book it.
AA.com has never had the ability to "correct itself" and price itineraries correctly as a single award when booking using the mulit-city option. It always prices segment by segment, and you have to call to have it corrected.
Sep 26, 2017, 11:10 am
#1760
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: KRK, Poland
Posts: 10
Hey guys, I want to ask you how I can calculate how many miles I will earn for my trip in business class. I know that the more you spend on a ticket the more miles you'll get. What if my flight is operated by AA but I booked it as British Airways code share? What if my flight is operated by BA but is booked as AA codeshare? Thanks for help.
Sep 26, 2017, 11:27 am
#1761
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Hey guys, I want to ask you how I can calculate how many miles I will earn for my trip in business class. I know that the more you spend on a ticket the more miles you'll get. What if my flight is operated by AA but I booked it as British Airways code share? What if my flight is operated by BA but is booked as AA codeshare? Thanks for help.
GUIDE: Earning AA Elite Qualifying Miles / EQM on AA, partner airlines 2017
GUIDE: Earning AA Award / Redeemable Miles / RDM on AA, partners 1 Aug 2016
GUIDE: Earning EQD / Elite Qualifying Dollars on AA & partner airlines (2017 on)
Sep 26, 2017, 11:46 am
#1762
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA & UK -- AA EXP 3.5MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Avis President's Club
Posts: 6,411
Hey guys, I want to ask you how I can calculate how many miles I will earn for my trip in business class. I know that the more you spend on a ticket the more miles you'll get. What if my flight is operated by AA but I booked it as British Airways code share? What if my flight is operated by BA but is booked as AA codeshare? Thanks for help.
Otherwise you can refer to the "Earning Miles on Partner Airlines" page on AA.com. You'll need to know the Booking Code and the number of miles flown. The number of miles can be closely estimated using a Great Circle Mapper.
Sep 26, 2017, 12:32 pm
#1763
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,587
I thought that might be part of the issue, but my two discovered routes include just two connections. Your referenced link states a maximum of three flights, so they're compliant.
A but of clarification: when I attempt to reserve online it costs out as three separate flights just as it always has. In the past the system would then reprice to the correct mileage. So, worst case I thought would be that my requested routing would stay priced as two awards and not fail all together.
The only thing I can think of that would cause a problem is it's a mix of saver Y and F seats. But even that I would expect to cost out at the saver F level (25K miles).
I tried it again this morning with just two of the segments at the same pricing level and it still kicked out.
A but of clarification: when I attempt to reserve online it costs out as three separate flights just as it always has. In the past the system would then reprice to the correct mileage. So, worst case I thought would be that my requested routing would stay priced as two awards and not fail all together.
The only thing I can think of that would cause a problem is it's a mix of saver Y and F seats. But even that I would expect to cost out at the saver F level (25K miles).
I tried it again this morning with just two of the segments at the same pricing level and it still kicked out.
Sep 26, 2017, 2:35 pm
#1764
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: KRK, Poland
Posts: 10
Sep 26, 2017, 3:25 pm
#1765
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: TK Elite+, DL Plat, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Spire, IC Ambassador, Hilton Gold
Posts: 186
Hi All,
I'm booked on a round-trip JFK-LAX in November. At the time of my reservation a couple months ago, I requested to be put on the mileage upgrade list (I'm platinum). I have 4 500-mile upgrades in my account, however, and it looks like I'm not going to make status for the next year. I'd like to use them before I lose status (and buy a fifth for the 2500 mile flight). If I call and request to use my 500-mile upgrades on one leg of the trip instead of mileage, will I "lose my place in line" and have less chance of actually getting an upgrade?
Sorry if this has been discussed, I'm new at the AA upgrade game.
I'm booked on a round-trip JFK-LAX in November. At the time of my reservation a couple months ago, I requested to be put on the mileage upgrade list (I'm platinum). I have 4 500-mile upgrades in my account, however, and it looks like I'm not going to make status for the next year. I'd like to use them before I lose status (and buy a fifth for the 2500 mile flight). If I call and request to use my 500-mile upgrades on one leg of the trip instead of mileage, will I "lose my place in line" and have less chance of actually getting an upgrade?
Sorry if this has been discussed, I'm new at the AA upgrade game.
Sep 26, 2017, 8:03 pm
#1766
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 2,203
Actually, domestic is 3 and international is 4
On domestic awards, AA now limits passengers to a maximum of two connections:
https://thepointsguy.com/2017/08/aad...d-segment-cap/
https://thepointsguy.com/2017/08/aad...d-segment-cap/
Sep 26, 2017, 8:26 pm
#1767
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Sep 26, 2017, 8:30 pm
#1768
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
On domestic awards, AA now limits passengers to a maximum of two connections:
https://thepointsguy.com/2017/08/aad...d-segment-cap/
https://thepointsguy.com/2017/08/aad...d-segment-cap/
For domestic award flights, you’re limited to just three flights. For international awards, you can only book four segments to reach your destination. If your award booking requires more flights, you’ll have to split the booking into two different awards.
Sep 27, 2017, 8:32 am
#1769
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Raleigh, NC
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Plat
Posts: 198
For business extraa, do i need to use my Aadvantage # when flying, or can I use another OW member/ AA partner account?
Sep 27, 2017, 1:40 pm
#1770
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 812
I have HNL>SYD award in J for my wife and I booked 2/27, but it's really HNL>AKL>SYD with an overnight in AKL. I've been checking daily for award availability on the direct HNL>SYD HA flight, to no avail.
I see JL has an option to route through NRT, with only a 2 hr layover. This would work much better for me since I would avoid needing to book a hotel in AKL. How can I go about checking award availability on that routing? Are there any other routing options I could consider? Obviously HA has the best option for me, but I really don't care and just want to avoid spending $ on a hotel in AKL that I will use for about 5 hrs.
I see JL has an option to route through NRT, with only a 2 hr layover. This would work much better for me since I would avoid needing to book a hotel in AKL. How can I go about checking award availability on that routing? Are there any other routing options I could consider? Obviously HA has the best option for me, but I really don't care and just want to avoid spending $ on a hotel in AKL that I will use for about 5 hrs.