tom911

I cancelled an Australia itinerary earlier this year and the miles did not redeposit on their own. I would not count on that happening. Easily sorted out with a phone call after or just have an agent handle the whole thing from the start.

flyer703

Thanks SFOPhD. That's what I figured but the flyerguide page seemed to indicate otherwise.

bdemaria

"A" is an unusual fare bucket in that it is used for certain upgrades as well as a paid tickets, but the rule remains the same: you earn EQP based on the original fare paid.

TOMFORD

Do we think that if I have elite qualifying miles in both AA and US in early 2014, then after whatever they decide to do, qualifying miles from both accounts will merge? If not, I'd rather just credit my US flights to UA.

bdemaria

At some point in the future, it is safe to assume the AA/US programs will completely merge - and there will be no option of crediting UA for "new AA" flights - but that information is not yet public so its impossible to say when that will happen.

no1cub17

Interesting. I swear I did this once or twice last year, but maybe my memory is failing me. Thankfully the original fare returned on AA.com so I was able to put it on hold online and avoid the fee. Thanks for the info though. Lesson learned!

TOMFORD

I want to fly from US to HKG in CX F, which is 67,500 miles one way. Does having the AAdvantage Platinum card mean I can fly for fewer miles?

SFOPhD

Having the Citi Platinum Select / AAdvantage credit card unfortunately does not mean that the initial upfront cost of miles is cheaper. You will get a 10% rebate (up to 10k miles a year) after the mileage redemption. In your case, once you pay 67,500 miles, you will get a statement credit of 6,750 miles soon afterward. Rebate time varies, but ranges from a few days to a few weeks.

IADDCA

I haven't flown on AA for years, primarily because of the MD-80s. There is probably a thread out there but I haven't found it yet. When will AA finally retire its MD-80s? I've had to many experiences where I've sat In the last four rows of an MD-80 in the darkness between the two engines. There are other reasons. But the MD-80 experience is the main one.

That was several years ago when I used AA to fly home from IAD or DCA via DFW to AUS (or ACT or ILE via vomit comet) using my parents AAdvantage miles. I am now a United 1K/GS but the direct flight wasn't much better in a long Embraer regional jet. I'm mainly asking when those MD-80s will be gone?

Some other observations...

I doesn't seem like there are any direct flights between IAD and DEN and between IAD and SFO. Will those ever happen with the US Air merger?

Has DFW improved? I never liked that airport. It's almost as bad as terminals C and D at IAD (and I'm jealous of how AA is now in the Terminal A/B building. One thing that could be easily improved at DFW is the food at DFW. If you're going to be in Texas, it would be good to be able to get Texas food. If you've ever been to AUS, they have good BBQ, Schlotzshky's, and Amy's ice cream. DFW. DFW had Haagen Daazs and Pepsi during my last vist.

I'd like to fly AA again (I am a Texan). I just wonder what has changed.

tom911

Those are routes between UA hubs. I'd be surprised if AA ramps up there. They've already cancelled SFO-BOS and SFO-HNL the last few years and UA has a strong presence on those routes. Just don't see them taking on UA.

swag

I'm not sure of the MD-80 retirement date. The replacements are beginning, but there are still lots of them in the system, especially on DFW routes. If you do try AA and get an MD80, you can pay for a preferred or main cabin extra seat, either of which will be up front. The MD 80 is actually a decent plane for coach, if you aren't way in the back.

DFW has improved. I'm not sure when you last trip through was, but the old train has been replaced by a newer faster airside skylink that runs both directions. The new terminal D, which AA shares, is very nice, and has lots of local food options. The food in terminals A and C are still mostly national chains.

Austinrunner

What is un-Texan about Pepsi?

IADDCA

Tom911, Swag, AustinRunner,

Thank you for getting back to me on this. It really helps.

@AustinRunner... Pepsi is based in New York and the only place that I've seen it so prevalent is up north. I barely see Pepsi outside the airport. As long as I can get Dr. pepper at DFW I'm happy. If I'm going to have to endure a four hour layover at a Texas airport, one should be able to get Blue Bell.

swag

Try the DFW Travel Mart convenience stores, or the Grove soda fountain in terminal D.

flyjackjack

How long after obtaining ExPlat are the SWU's available? I'm trying to book an international flight soon and they aren't showing up in my account yet. I achieved status on 12/30 and my account reflects the new status.