Feb 13, 2013, 9:42 am
[2013 NEWBIE LOUNGE] Ask Your AA-Related Questions Here (flame free)
Apr 30, 2013, 9:31 am
#1126
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: AA, UAL
Posts: 545
Cheers!
Apr 30, 2013, 1:31 pm
#1127
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 2
Depends how much you're going to fly each year. If it adds up to 50K I'd rather have the 100% bonus miles at that level on AA versus the 50% bonus miles at the same level at UA. If you put 25K on each carrier you'll only get 25% bonus miles on both and that would be a major hit. You have to plot out your entire year and see what it might look like, including flights besides DEN-DFW. If you can hit the 50K/Platinum level at AA you're going to build up a lot more miles over time than at the same level (Gold) at UA.
Again, it depends what your projected year end total is. If you can hit 50K on AA to get the 100% bonus miles, you could put everything after that on UA, but you'd only get 25% bonus miles at the lowest elite tier there, in effect losing 75% extra bonus miles you'd be accruing at AA.
Keep in mind challenges are based on points, not miles, so your decision can't be made until you know how many points your fare will accrue and if you can do it within the challenge "window". If you have projected travel this year, I'd get to the 100% bonus miles at Platinum as quick as I could. Once you start getting 100% bonus miles it's a perk you're not going to want to easily surrender. You may very well find the value there when you look at the extra miles you'd pick up for the year at the Platinum level.
If you're not looking at building up miles for award travel, or things like upgrades, and strictly want the best-timed flight, that might work for you, but just make sure you know what you're potentially giving up.
Again, it depends what your projected year end total is. If you can hit 50K on AA to get the 100% bonus miles, you could put everything after that on UA, but you'd only get 25% bonus miles at the lowest elite tier there, in effect losing 75% extra bonus miles you'd be accruing at AA.
Keep in mind challenges are based on points, not miles, so your decision can't be made until you know how many points your fare will accrue and if you can do it within the challenge "window". If you have projected travel this year, I'd get to the 100% bonus miles at Platinum as quick as I could. Once you start getting 100% bonus miles it's a perk you're not going to want to easily surrender. You may very well find the value there when you look at the extra miles you'd pick up for the year at the Platinum level.
If you're not looking at building up miles for award travel, or things like upgrades, and strictly want the best-timed flight, that might work for you, but just make sure you know what you're potentially giving up.
Thank you so much for your response! It really helps a newbie like me out to hear it from the experience road warriors
I don't think I'll hit 50k this year by flying to Dallas every week, and it's hard for me to plan my year out when my travel plans can change at the drop of a dime. However, since I'll be flying to Dallas for the foreseeable future, I think I'll switch completely over to AA and try to accrue as many as I can there. If anything, I'll keep my UA status through next year anyways, and if my travel plans change, I can change accordingly... It's hard to justify a carrier preference > client demands when selecting from limited flight options
Apr 30, 2013, 1:50 pm
#1128
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Just keep in mind that you can always do some mileage runs or weekend trips if you end up short the 50K - just depends how close you are. If I was projected to be at 40-45K at year end I'd get some extra trips in there just to get the 100% bonus miles at the 50K Platinum level for future travel. Those extra miles can easily be worth more than the cost of a few extra flights.
May 1, 2013, 4:56 am
#1129
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 25
I don't want to ask about miles and I didn't know where else to put this.
Up until Sunday LHR to NYC fares for end of June were around Ł390 for a few days (AA, BA, Virgin) but now they have shot up. Any ideas if they will come down? I know nobody has a crystal ball but thought someone may have an idea.
Up until Sunday LHR to NYC fares for end of June were around Ł390 for a few days (AA, BA, Virgin) but now they have shot up. Any ideas if they will come down? I know nobody has a crystal ball but thought someone may have an idea.
May 1, 2013, 5:39 am
#1130
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,342
I don't want to ask about miles and I didn't know where else to put this.
Up until Sunday LHR to NYC fares for end of June were around Ł390 for a few days (AA, BA, Virgin) but now they have shot up. Any ideas if they will come down? I know nobody has a crystal ball but thought someone may have an idea.
Up until Sunday LHR to NYC fares for end of June were around Ł390 for a few days (AA, BA, Virgin) but now they have shot up. Any ideas if they will come down? I know nobody has a crystal ball but thought someone may have an idea.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milea...lhr-471-i.html
May 1, 2013, 8:37 am
#1132
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 10
So I guess I can ask for promo/discount codes in here?
I need one for June 30.
Thanks so much!
I need one for June 30.
Thanks so much!
Last edited by Domita Wade; May 29, 2013 at 3:20 am
May 1, 2013, 8:55 am
#1133
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: AKL, LAX, SYD
Programs: MileagePlus, Delta SkyMiles, AAdvantage, Air New Zealand Air Points, Virgin Australia Velocity
Posts: 39
PriorityAAccess boarding with non-elite travel companions
My sister is a Qantas Silver/ oneworld Ruby member. My mother is a Qantas Bronze member (ie. non-elite). They both booked seats on an AA roundtrip flight from LAX to Vegas using points. I want to join them for the one way leg from Vegas to LAX. I am an AAdvantage member but non-elite. I don't anticipate having checked baggage or changes so I want to book the cheapest "Choice" fare.
What I'm wondering is, 1) Will my sister have PriorityAAccess when boarding due to oneworld Ruby status? 2) If so, can both my mother and I board at the same time as my sister as her traveling companions? Is there a limit to the number of non-elites who can board saying "I'm with her" for PriorityAAccess?
I haven't booked my flight and none of us have seats assigned yet. Once I am booked, would calling AA directly be the easiest way to make sure we have seats together?
Thanks all.
What I'm wondering is, 1) Will my sister have PriorityAAccess when boarding due to oneworld Ruby status? 2) If so, can both my mother and I board at the same time as my sister as her traveling companions? Is there a limit to the number of non-elites who can board saying "I'm with her" for PriorityAAccess?
I haven't booked my flight and none of us have seats assigned yet. Once I am booked, would calling AA directly be the easiest way to make sure we have seats together?
Thanks all.
May 1, 2013, 9:28 am
#1134
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, United Silver, Garuda Silver, Delta Silver
Posts: 70
I have read and then confused myself about the stopover rules.
I am trying to book an AA award and (lets assume) all of the flights are available.... Is this allowed?
PVG is my home and DTW is my destination.
PVG->NRT->ORD->DTW
DTW->ORD->NRT->BKK (STOP 7days) ->PVG
Thanks for any help.
I am trying to book an AA award and (lets assume) all of the flights are available.... Is this allowed?
PVG is my home and DTW is my destination.
PVG->NRT->ORD->DTW
DTW->ORD->NRT->BKK (STOP 7days) ->PVG
Thanks for any help.
May 1, 2013, 10:56 am
#1135
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,947
I have read and then confused myself about the stopover rules.
I am trying to book an AA award and (lets assume) all of the flights are available.... Is this allowed?
PVG is my home and DTW is my destination.
PVG->NRT->ORD->DTW
DTW->ORD->NRT->BKK (STOP 7days) ->PVG
Thanks for any help.
I am trying to book an AA award and (lets assume) all of the flights are available.... Is this allowed?
PVG is my home and DTW is my destination.
PVG->NRT->ORD->DTW
DTW->ORD->NRT->BKK (STOP 7days) ->PVG
Thanks for any help.
May 1, 2013, 7:00 pm
#1136
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, United Silver, Garuda Silver, Delta Silver
Posts: 70
Thanks HNL!
I realize now that I got United and AA mixed up I think.
I realize now that I got United and AA mixed up I think.
May 2, 2013, 3:44 am
#1137
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Birmingham
Programs: Mucci (Chevalier de Sagesse), Betty Ford Alumnus, BA Gold, ScaryTeam Elite+
Posts: 400
YYZ Question
Dear all - question from a BA refugee...
I'm flying YYZ-JFK on the AA flight that departs 17:40 to connect to a BA flight. They're saying I need to be there the standard 3 hours before despite sitting in 1A.
Can anyone offer advice re sensible time to get there? I don't want to cut it really fine - it's just 3hrs seems a bit steep. I assume there is Fast Track etc but I've never done the TSA pre-clearance routine. Travelling on a UK passport with up-to-date ESTA.
Thanks in advance!
I'm flying YYZ-JFK on the AA flight that departs 17:40 to connect to a BA flight. They're saying I need to be there the standard 3 hours before despite sitting in 1A.
Can anyone offer advice re sensible time to get there? I don't want to cut it really fine - it's just 3hrs seems a bit steep. I assume there is Fast Track etc but I've never done the TSA pre-clearance routine. Travelling on a UK passport with up-to-date ESTA.
Thanks in advance!
May 2, 2013, 10:47 am
#1138
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: AA, UAL
Posts: 545
Dear all - question from a BA refugee...
I'm flying YYZ-JFK on the AA flight that departs 17:40 to connect to a BA flight. They're saying I need to be there the standard 3 hours before despite sitting in 1A.
Can anyone offer advice re sensible time to get there? I don't want to cut it really fine - it's just 3hrs seems a bit steep. I assume there is Fast Track etc but I've never done the TSA pre-clearance routine. Travelling on a UK passport with up-to-date ESTA.
Thanks in advance!
I'm flying YYZ-JFK on the AA flight that departs 17:40 to connect to a BA flight. They're saying I need to be there the standard 3 hours before despite sitting in 1A.
Can anyone offer advice re sensible time to get there? I don't want to cut it really fine - it's just 3hrs seems a bit steep. I assume there is Fast Track etc but I've never done the TSA pre-clearance routine. Travelling on a UK passport with up-to-date ESTA.
Thanks in advance!
Note, above does not apply to any other non-US bound international flight.
Hope that helps!
Cheers!
May 2, 2013, 11:39 am
#1139
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,947
Dear all - question from a BA refugee...
I'm flying YYZ-JFK on the AA flight that departs 17:40 to connect to a BA flight. They're saying I need to be there the standard 3 hours before despite sitting in 1A.
Can anyone offer advice re sensible time to get there? I don't want to cut it really fine - it's just 3hrs seems a bit steep. I assume there is Fast Track etc but I've never done the TSA pre-clearance routine. Travelling on a UK passport with up-to-date ESTA.
Thanks in advance!
I'm flying YYZ-JFK on the AA flight that departs 17:40 to connect to a BA flight. They're saying I need to be there the standard 3 hours before despite sitting in 1A.
Can anyone offer advice re sensible time to get there? I don't want to cut it really fine - it's just 3hrs seems a bit steep. I assume there is Fast Track etc but I've never done the TSA pre-clearance routine. Travelling on a UK passport with up-to-date ESTA.
Thanks in advance!
I have taken YYZ to DFW flights 3 / 4 times in last 12 months. I can tell you that you really want to give it At least 2 hours. This is so since all YYZ - US passengers have to go through customs and immigration at YYZ. There are about 4 - 6 immigration counters and passengers of All airlines and to all US destinations have to go through them. At immigration, it won't matter at all if you are in 1A or Ex Plat. You will stand in the same line. Looking at the number of people in front of you, there will be times when you would doubt if you would make it in time or not!
Note, above does not apply to any other non-US bound international flight.
Hope that helps!
Cheers!
Note, above does not apply to any other non-US bound international flight.
Hope that helps!
Cheers!
And then you have the joy of transferring from terminal 8 to terminal 7 to clear TSA security again. Any chance you can change to one of teh non-stop YYZ-LHR BA services?
May 2, 2013, 10:35 pm
#1140
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA Gold/0.744MM, WN AL, Hyatt Diamond, MR Scum, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC
Posts: 5,560
It's been a long time since I flew AA (once upon a time Gold), but I've booked a DFW-SNA leg in a couple of weeks and I can't seem to assign any seat for free. I understand the existence of preferred seats, MCE, etc, but it seems like there should be some seats I can get.
KVS shows this:
[KVS Availability Tool 7.1.8/Diamond - Amadeus Seat Map: 16 May 2013/AA 1951/DFW-SNA/738/Y-Economy]
The AA site shows this:
Given that MCE stops at row 17, shouldn't I be able to assign anything behind that for free (i.e. window seats in 19-23)? Am I missing something? I see they are marked as "Preferred" in KVS, but are seats that far back in the plane really "preferred"???
If this really means I can't assign a seat in advance, does that mean I get to hope and pray for a non-middle at check-in? Do they open up all seats for assignment at that point (online check-in) or will I be hosed even longer than that?
KVS shows this:
[KVS Availability Tool 7.1.8/Diamond - Amadeus Seat Map: 16 May 2013/AA 1951/DFW-SNA/738/Y-Economy]
Code:
A B C | D E F 8 - +P - - - - 9 +P +P - - - - 10 - +P - - - +P 11 - +P -P - - - 12 - + - - - - [W] 13 - + - - + - [W] 14 + + - - + + [W] [E] 15 - +P - - +P +P [W] [E] 16 - - - - [W] 17 - - - - [W] 18 - - - - - - [W] 19 +P - -P - - - [W] 20 - - - -P - +P 21 +P - -P -P - +P 22 +P - -P - - +P 23 +P - -P - - - 24 - - - - - - 25 - - - - - - 26 - - - - - - 27 - - - - - - 28 - - - - - - 29 - - - - - - 30 - - - - - - [+] Available [W] Wing [L] Lavatory [-] Unavailable [E] Exit Row [U] Upper Deck [P] Preferred [|] Aisle
Given that MCE stops at row 17, shouldn't I be able to assign anything behind that for free (i.e. window seats in 19-23)? Am I missing something? I see they are marked as "Preferred" in KVS, but are seats that far back in the plane really "preferred"???
If this really means I can't assign a seat in advance, does that mean I get to hope and pray for a non-middle at check-in? Do they open up all seats for assignment at that point (online check-in) or will I be hosed even longer than that?