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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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,
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[2017 NEWBIE LOUNGE] Ask Your "Newbie" AA Questions Here (flame free)
Dec 31, 2016, 10:13 pm
#1
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,415
[2017 NEWBIE LOUNGE] Ask Your "Newbie" AA Questions Here (flame free)
Welcome to our 2017 Newbie Lounge Thread! 
/AA Moderator Team
/AA Moderator Team
Jan 1, 2017, 9:21 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: HH Lifetime Diamond, AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 586
AA Status earning question
Thanks - great idea for a thread.
I have done some research, but can't settle on a solid answer (I have not been on flyer talk for a while)
I have expectations of earning status on one airline this year, and i have been earning mileage on AA for a couple of years for low level flights (maybe 15-20K a year).
I have a paid business (D) class ticket coming up from US to India & Return. I booked on BA (metal and codes - as opposed to AA codes flying on BA metal). Am i better off using that flight to earn status on BA (who i simply may never use on a normal basis) or to use it towards AA status and miles.
I expect all the additional flying i do this year to be either AA or SWA
Thanks for the advice
I have done some research, but can't settle on a solid answer (I have not been on flyer talk for a while)
I have expectations of earning status on one airline this year, and i have been earning mileage on AA for a couple of years for low level flights (maybe 15-20K a year).
I have a paid business (D) class ticket coming up from US to India & Return. I booked on BA (metal and codes - as opposed to AA codes flying on BA metal). Am i better off using that flight to earn status on BA (who i simply may never use on a normal basis) or to use it towards AA status and miles.
I expect all the additional flying i do this year to be either AA or SWA
Thanks for the advice
Jan 1, 2017, 10:06 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,926
The major benefit from BA status for an AA domestic flyer is lounge access but, if you value that, you can buy it. If you use the flights for a (paid) AA challenge then you would reach PLT and be well on your way to earning it for the next year. On BA you would very close to earning the equivalent but there is no challenge so you would have to finish earning it. The advantage to AA status on domestics is the possibility of upgrades but you should read a bit on FT to evaluate your chances. It would be worth looking at your possible future flights and calculating the earnings for both programs.
Jan 1, 2017, 10:12 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 18
Can I use AA gift cards on partner airlines? Specifically I would like to purchase a flight on Qatar Airways.
Jan 1, 2017, 3:03 pm
#5
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,415
Yes, it is possible, but you need to meet certain criteria. Your travel must originate in the US (see definition below), and the Qatar flights must be booked under the AA flight number.
https://giftcards.aa.com/terms.jsp
Gift cards are redeemable toward the initial electronic ticket purchase of air travel for itineraries sold and originating in the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands.
Gift cards may only be used for travel on flights marketed by American Airlines, including those operated by American Eagle®, oneworld® airlines, and by other codeshare partners with an American Airlines flight number. For a complete list of American Airlines codeshare partners as well as other codeshare information, visit www.aa.com/codeshare.
Jan 1, 2017, 3:33 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: PNW
Programs: BAEC Silver, DL GM, AA Plat, NEXUS
Posts: 467
Hi all,
I'm AA Plat, and about to book a flight in CX Premium Economy LAX-HKG-SYD/MEL-HKG-SFO for $2100 ($1834+266 in taxes).
Can anyone give me an estimate of how much I'll earn in EQD and EQM for this trip?
Cheers
I'm AA Plat, and about to book a flight in CX Premium Economy LAX-HKG-SYD/MEL-HKG-SFO for $2100 ($1834+266 in taxes).
Can anyone give me an estimate of how much I'll earn in EQD and EQM for this trip?
Cheers
Jan 1, 2017, 5:06 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 18
Welcome to FlyerTalk, mortarteam91.
Yes, it is possible, but you need to meet certain criteria. Your travel must originate in the US (see definition below), and the Qatar flights must be booked under the AA flight number.
https://giftcards.aa.com/terms.jsp
Yes, it is possible, but you need to meet certain criteria. Your travel must originate in the US (see definition below), and the Qatar flights must be booked under the AA flight number.
https://giftcards.aa.com/terms.jsp
Jan 1, 2017, 6:18 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
Basically you have to book an AA fare that allows either the use of QR coded flights (likely to be very expensive) or AA coded, QR operated flights. You can't use the AA gift card to just book a QR fare.
Jan 1, 2017, 6:24 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: DL Gold, UA nothing (ex-GS), Marriott lifetime Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 920
You'll earn 1,834 EQDs, since that's how many non-tax dollars you spent on the ticket.
In other words, unfortunately, you're the exact type of customer the EQD requirement is meant to keep down.
Jan 1, 2017, 6:34 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
The EQM will likely be the same, since CX-coded flights in PE earn 1.5EQM, and AA-coded flights booked in PE are usually booked in W, which also earn 1.5EQM.
The difference in EQD, however, is big. If all your flights are booked through AA and are AA-coded, you'll earn 1834 + whatever the carrier charges are. Booked through CX, you'll earn 20%-22% of the miles flown (depending on what your fare code is)--i.e., 4,672-5,139 EQDs.
Your Plt status will impact the number of RDMs but not EQMs or EQDs.
Jan 1, 2017, 6:37 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
Jan 1, 2017, 7:10 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: PNW
Programs: BAEC Silver, DL GM, AA Plat, NEXUS
Posts: 467
You're flying about 23,358 miles so you'll earn about that many EQM, unless it's all Y or B, in which case you'll earn 35,037 due to the 1.5 bonus. If the fare class is W you may get that amount as well. The amount may differ on Qantas, BA, JA (see https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...n-airlines.jsp).
You'll earn 1,834 EQDs, since that's how many non-tax dollars you spent on the ticket.
In other words, unfortunately, you're the exact type of customer the EQD requirement is meant to keep down.
You'll earn 1,834 EQDs, since that's how many non-tax dollars you spent on the ticket.
In other words, unfortunately, you're the exact type of customer the EQD requirement is meant to keep down.
I'm flying PE (E class) on CX (CX coded flights all the way), not AA.
I'm supposed to earn 35,037EQM and 20% of 23,358mi in EQD, that is 4671EQD, can anyone confirm?
Jan 1, 2017, 7:14 pm
#13
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Everywhere you wanna be
Programs: AA EP | UA 1K
Posts: 1,657
flying premium economy on partner airlines is one way many people are going to use to get $12,000 in EQDs without actually spending $12k.
Jan 1, 2017, 7:28 pm
#14
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: PNW
Programs: BAEC Silver, DL GM, AA Plat, NEXUS
Posts: 467
Great, though for RDMs I believe it's independent of class of travel or flown miles?
Just how much one pays for a ticket times an elite status multiplier, meaning travelling SYD-LHR in paid F can yield less RDMs than JFK-LHR in J if the first is cheaper than the latter.
Incredible times, though PE on OW carriers seems to be the way to go for EXP at least.
Just how much one pays for a ticket times an elite status multiplier, meaning travelling SYD-LHR in paid F can yield less RDMs than JFK-LHR in J if the first is cheaper than the latter.
Incredible times, though PE on OW carriers seems to be the way to go for EXP at least.
Jan 1, 2017, 7:35 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
Great, though for RDMs I believe it's independent of class of travel or flown miles?
Just how much one pays for a ticket times an elite status multiplier, meaning travelling SYD-LHR in paid F can yield less RDMs than JFK-LHR in J if the first is cheaper than the latter.
Incredible times, though PE on OW carriers seems to be the way to go for EXP at least.
Just how much one pays for a ticket times an elite status multiplier, meaning travelling SYD-LHR in paid F can yield less RDMs than JFK-LHR in J if the first is cheaper than the latter.
Incredible times, though PE on OW carriers seems to be the way to go for EXP at least.
For AA-marketed flights, you would earn 8x your base fare + carrier charges.