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[2017 NEWBIE LOUNGE] Ask Your "Newbie" AA Questions Here (flame free)

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Old Dec 31, 2016, 10:20 pm
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Welcome to the 2017 "NEWBIE LOUNGE"
Ask Your Consolidated / Combined AA Questions Here (flame free)
MODERATOR GUIDEPOST:
(This post can only be edited by moderators.)



Welcome to the Newbie Lounge!
Welcome to Flyertalk!

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.

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NOTE: The older AA NEWBIE LOUNGE post thread is here

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[2017 NEWBIE LOUNGE] Ask Your "Newbie" AA Questions Here (flame free)

Old Jul 26, 2017, 1:21 pm
  #1396  
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO/SMF
Programs: Holder of six "persona non-grata" awards
Posts: 1,911
Thanks!

Originally Posted by econometrics
+1. Call AA. Sometimes there is OW space available that is not shown on AA.com via the partners they do not list on AA.com.

Also, just keep watching it. Space comes and goes for AA/AY/IB award space - all which save you $ on taxes and surcharges vs. BA.
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Old Jul 26, 2017, 1:27 pm
  #1397  
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,143
Originally Posted by fozziedoggie
Great points..thanks! Can you tell me, aside from BA, am I just searching too early for other partner airlines? Do all of them release inventory about a year in advance, or could it be closer to 6 or 9 months?
Check these threads, as they have lots of good info for you to peruse:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...stance-45.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...aster-thd.html
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Old Jul 26, 2017, 2:08 pm
  #1398  
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO/SMF
Programs: Holder of six "persona non-grata" awards
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You da' man/woman!

Great tip; just confirmed exact date I wanted for 2pax on TN...$11USD for two
Thanks for your insider information. ^



Originally Posted by guv1976
I think what laagima meant was that if you can find award seats on AA TATL flights to LON, the fees for then connecting to a BA intra-European flight will be modest. But if you can only find TATL award space on BA metal, the surcharges will indeed be hefty.

You might call AA and inquire about award space on TN's LAX-CDG nonstop; aa.com is incapable of displaying award space on TN flights. You can also search aa.com for award space on AB's (seasonal) LAX-DUS nonstop, and on IB's LAX-MAD nonstop.
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Old Jul 26, 2017, 2:24 pm
  #1399  
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Originally Posted by fozziedoggie
You da' man/woman!

Great tip; just confirmed exact date I wanted for 2pax on TN...$11USD for two
Thanks for your insider information. ^
You're welcome, and congrats! Were you also able to find award space on the same ticket for a connecting flight from the Bay Area to LAX?
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Old Jul 26, 2017, 2:29 pm
  #1400  
Moderator: American AAdvantage
 
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Matre-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Originally Posted by fozziedoggie
Great points..thanks! Can you tell me, aside from BA, am I just searching too early for other partner airlines? Do all of them release inventory about a year in advance, or could it be closer to 6 or 9 months?
Originally Posted by econometrics
Check these threads, as they have lots of good info for you to peruse:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...stance-45.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...aster-thd.html
Be sure to read those threads; there is a lot of useful information in the Wikiposts atbthe top of the page.

/Moderator
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Old Jul 26, 2017, 2:32 pm
  #1401  
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO/SMF
Programs: Holder of six "persona non-grata" awards
Posts: 1,911
Sadly, no, couldn't make the SFO to LAX portion, but I was able to get SaverAward for 2 non-stop business class...I'll consider it a big win. We are going to spend a couple of nights in Paris before continuing on to catch our cruise (Dover, UK).

Now I just need to figure out CDG to LCY on a LCC; shouldn't prove too hard. Thank you again.

Originally Posted by guv1976
You're welcome, and congrats! Were you also able to find award space on the same ticket for a connecting flight from the Bay Area to LAX?
Will do ^

Originally Posted by JDiver
Be sure to read those threads; there is a lot of useful information in the Wikiposts atbthe top of the page.

/Moderator

Last edited by JY1024; Jul 30, 2017 at 5:43 pm Reason: Merged consecutive posts
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Old Jul 26, 2017, 2:49 pm
  #1402  
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Originally Posted by fozziedoggie
Sadly, no, couldn't make the SFO to LAX portion, but I was able to get SaverAward for 2 non-stop business class...I'll consider it a big win. We are going to spend a couple of nights in Paris before continuing on to catch our cruise (Dover, UK).

Now I just need to figure out CDG to LCY on a LCC; shouldn't prove too hard. Thank you again.
If you're cruising out of Dover, are you sure you want to fly into LCY, as opposed to, say, LGW?
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Old Jul 26, 2017, 2:59 pm
  #1403  
Moderator: American AAdvantage
 
Join Date: May 2000
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Posts: 62,948
Originally Posted by fozziedoggie
Sadly, no, couldn't make the SFO to LAX portion, but I was able to get SaverAward for 2 non-stop business class...I'll consider it a big win. We are going to spend a couple of nights in Paris before continuing on to catch our cruise (Dover, UK).

Now I just need to figure out CDG to LCY on a LCC; shouldn't prove too hard. Thank you again.
Or, maybe fly directly to Dover, or use bus or rail? See https://www.goeuro.com/travel/paris/dover

and buy rail tix via SNCF, never raileurope ( they won't offer you discounted fares).
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Old Jul 26, 2017, 3:08 pm
  #1404  
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO/SMF
Programs: Holder of six "persona non-grata" awards
Posts: 1,911
I haven't really looked into which airport is best/closest; cruise departure was just changed from Tilbury to Dover. If LGW is closest, then that's what I'll book.

Cheers!

Originally Posted by guv1976
If you're cruising out of Dover, are you sure you want to fly into LCY, as opposed to, say, LGW?
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Old Jul 26, 2017, 7:19 pm
  #1405  
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 15
Originally Posted by JDiver
Though the thread linked to is focused on baggage fees waived with credit cards, the Wikipost at the top of the page contains links to credit card terms and conditions so you can compare them. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...g-baggage.html
Thanks for the rapid and helpful responses. I'll ask over there.
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Old Jul 26, 2017, 7:24 pm
  #1406  
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: used to be PER, now it's nowhere/eveywhere
Programs: QFF NB, AA GLD
Posts: 3,461
Originally Posted by fozziedoggie
I haven't really looked into which airport is best/closest; cruise departure was just changed from Tilbury to Dover. If LGW is closest, then that's what I'll book.

Cheers!
IMHO, take the train
- see the French countryside
- experience high-speed rail
- experience the Chunnel
- probably faster journey from downtown Paree to the dock at Dover than flying
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Old Jul 26, 2017, 7:44 pm
  #1407  
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO/SMF
Programs: Holder of six "persona non-grata" awards
Posts: 1,911
Agreed. It apeears to be around 3.5 hours and is very reasonably priced.



Originally Posted by pandaperth
IMHO, take the train
- see the French countryside
- experience high-speed rail
- experience the Chunnel
- probably faster journey from downtown Paree to the dock at Dover than flying
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Old Jul 26, 2017, 8:11 pm
  #1408  
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO/SMF
Programs: Holder of six "persona non-grata" awards
Posts: 1,911
Missed your post earlier; just saw it now. Thanks for the link, I'm going to book rail and enjoy the scenery. ^

Originally Posted by JDiver
Or, maybe fly directly to Dover, or use bus or rail? See https://www.goeuro.com/travel/paris/dover

and buy rail tix via SNCF, never raileurope ( they won't offer you discounted fares).
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Old Jul 26, 2017, 8:14 pm
  #1409  
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Minnesota
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Hertz Gold
Posts: 154
So my new wife is a USair retiree. I am just learning about all of the travel standby options. Anyone here have any experience with this? or where can I go to get more info?
Thanks
Woody
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Old Jul 26, 2017, 10:27 pm
  #1410  
Moderator: American AAdvantage
 
Join Date: May 2000
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Posts: 62,948
Originally Posted by woodyth
So my new wife is a USair retiree. I am just learning about all of the travel standby options. Anyone here have any experience with this? or where can I go to get more info?
Thanks
Woody
Hi, Woody,

FlyerTalk is mostly oriented to revenue and award flying, but there's one thread that might be useful: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
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