Feb 13, 2013, 9:42 am
[2013 NEWBIE LOUNGE] Ask Your AA-Related Questions Here (flame free)
Oct 26, 2013, 9:11 am
#2476
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,520
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.601 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
The aa.com website is incapable of showing award availability on partners like IB and TN. IB flies to MAD from many U.S. gateways; TN flies LAX-CDG nonstop, and you might be allowed to connect to IB's ORY-MAD flights, depending on TN's published through-fares. So calling AA periodically makes some sense, unless you use some other website to check availability on one or both of those carriers.
Originally Posted by kma2235
I am looking to book 20K MileSAAver awards to Madrid Spain but run in to the BA fees that cost near as much to purchase a ticket outright. It would be a waste to use my points.
My ideal would be SAN - MAD then AGP - SAN. I am not looking to depart until March 2014.
I have played a bit with the internet bookings and can avoid BA on one leg of the trip if I depart from a different origin airport which is doable -but a big hassle.
I called AAdvanatage reservations and they advised I call in and see if new options come up that may not be available on the website.
Is it the forums experience that calling in is a better option than trying to use the internet? I don't want to waste time w/ daily calls if it is futile.
Or is it best to bite the bullet and pay for a ticket because getting to MAD w/o BA involved with sAAver is near impossible? I know I can book other award levels for higher points but I am trying to use as low points as possible to save and travel in the future with what I have.
I appreciate any advice.
My ideal would be SAN - MAD then AGP - SAN. I am not looking to depart until March 2014.
I have played a bit with the internet bookings and can avoid BA on one leg of the trip if I depart from a different origin airport which is doable -but a big hassle.
I called AAdvanatage reservations and they advised I call in and see if new options come up that may not be available on the website.
Is it the forums experience that calling in is a better option than trying to use the internet? I don't want to waste time w/ daily calls if it is futile.
Or is it best to bite the bullet and pay for a ticket because getting to MAD w/o BA involved with sAAver is near impossible? I know I can book other award levels for higher points but I am trying to use as low points as possible to save and travel in the future with what I have.
I appreciate any advice.
Oct 26, 2013, 11:42 am
#2477
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Dallas, TX USA
Programs: Rapid Rewards/AAdvantage
Posts: 1,245
Have not flown AA in a long time just got approved for the Citi Platnium World Card, with 50k bonus miles after 3 months, plan to purchase a ticket DFW to MCO booking code N and Q....can someone tell me if either can be upgraded with miles (not til March so will have Bonus miles by than)
Oct 26, 2013, 12:45 pm
#2478
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Exploralist, Marriot Silver
Posts: 2,065
Have not flown AA in a long time just got approved for the Citi Platnium World Card, with 50k bonus miles after 3 months, plan to purchase a ticket DFW to MCO booking code N and Q....can someone tell me if either can be upgraded with miles (not til March so will have Bonus miles by than)
Oct 26, 2013, 1:24 pm
#2479
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 12,949
Oct 26, 2013, 5:03 pm
#2480
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,216
Two I'm sure very simple questions
Haven't booked a flight in years on AA since moving to an AS city. LT Gold, but still flummoxed about the new website. Two questions:
1) When making the reservation, it asked for a contact cell number, hit SAVE, yet it still didn't "take". Several times.
2) And I'm really confused by the seats. Husband is LT Gold so we can pick whatever we want, so we chose the extra 4-6" legroom ones up the front (not the first row, I read about those getting messed up if you have or don't have a row 7 or 8 on your plane, we picked 3rd row back or so). These are ordinary domestic flights, either an MD 80 or a 738. Did we choose wisely over an exit row? Exit rows confused us because of the "blocked seat".
We confuse easily,
, that's why I'm glad this thread is flame free. ^
1) When making the reservation, it asked for a contact cell number, hit SAVE, yet it still didn't "take". Several times.
2) And I'm really confused by the seats. Husband is LT Gold so we can pick whatever we want, so we chose the extra 4-6" legroom ones up the front (not the first row, I read about those getting messed up if you have or don't have a row 7 or 8 on your plane, we picked 3rd row back or so). These are ordinary domestic flights, either an MD 80 or a 738. Did we choose wisely over an exit row? Exit rows confused us because of the "blocked seat".
We confuse easily,
, that's why I'm glad this thread is flame free. ^
Oct 26, 2013, 5:59 pm
#2481
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,947
Haven't booked a flight in years on AA since moving to an AS city. LT Gold, but still flummoxed about the new website. Two questions:
1) When making the reservation, it asked for a contact cell number, hit SAVE, yet it still didn't "take". Several times.
2) And I'm really confused by the seats. Husband is LT Gold so we can pick whatever we want, so we chose the extra 4-6" legroom ones up the front (not the first row, I read about those getting messed up if you have or don't have a row 7 or 8 on your plane, we picked 3rd row back or so). These are ordinary domestic flights, either an MD 80 or a 738. Did we choose wisely over an exit row? Exit rows confused us because of the "blocked seat".
We confuse easily, , that's why I'm glad this thread is flame free. ^
1) When making the reservation, it asked for a contact cell number, hit SAVE, yet it still didn't "take". Several times.
2) And I'm really confused by the seats. Husband is LT Gold so we can pick whatever we want, so we chose the extra 4-6" legroom ones up the front (not the first row, I read about those getting messed up if you have or don't have a row 7 or 8 on your plane, we picked 3rd row back or so). These are ordinary domestic flights, either an MD 80 or a 738. Did we choose wisely over an exit row? Exit rows confused us because of the "blocked seat".
We confuse easily,
, that's why I'm glad this thread is flame free. ^I think your strategy of selecting the 3rd row of Main Cabin Extra is a smart move.
Oct 26, 2013, 6:23 pm
#2482
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,216
Thank you, HNL. When you haven't been on the website in a long time it is very confusing. Surprisingly, I also checked Mileage awards for our flight and the FF section was still the same comforting old format.
Oct 27, 2013, 3:30 pm
#2483
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: CUR
Posts: 2,170
2) And I'm really confused by the seats. Husband is LT Gold so we can pick whatever we want, so we chose the extra 4-6" legroom ones up the front (not the first row, I read about those getting messed up if you have or don't have a row 7 or 8 on your plane, we picked 3rd row back or so). These are ordinary domestic flights, either an MD 80 or a 738. Did we choose wisely over an exit row? Exit rows confused us because of the "blocked seat".
In regards to the rows with blocked seats (16&17 on the 738), the middle seats in these rows have a tray bolted in. So it has extra elbowroom and extra underseat storage (or legspace if you angle your legs).
Feel free to check out these 2 threads:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
Oct 27, 2013, 4:59 pm
#2484
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,216
Ohhh, that is an important tidbit of information - that the center armrest is bolted in. I thought it meant it was only temporarily blocked until someone needed the seat. So the center is more like an F configuration - with the very large armrest in the middle?
I'll go take a look at your links now, maybe that will help.
And another question...I thought I read Gold's could only get the preferred seats until the end of this year - our flight is not until next year, they won't throw us out, will they? As long as we reserve them now they're ours?
Just looked at the link/pictures - perfect! I think I'll change to that one on the 738 with the blocked seat - we like to play cards so that will be ideal.
And I did search for the threads on the seats using "738" (seats had TOO many hits) and got no information, so thank you again. I think we'll keep the exit row 2-side on the MD-80.
I'll go take a look at your links now, maybe that will help.
And another question...I thought I read Gold's could only get the preferred seats until the end of this year - our flight is not until next year, they won't throw us out, will they? As long as we reserve them now they're ours?
Just looked at the link/pictures - perfect! I think I'll change to that one on the 738 with the blocked seat - we like to play cards so that will be ideal.
And I did search for the threads on the seats using "738" (seats had TOO many hits) and got no information, so thank you again. I think we'll keep the exit row 2-side on the MD-80.
Last edited by Eujeanie; Oct 27, 2013 at 5:05 pm
Oct 27, 2013, 5:48 pm
#2485
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Betwixt SEA and LHR
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR, AS Gold MVP, IC RA, IHG Spire Elite, HH Diamond, Dennis The Menace Fan Club
Posts: 1,354
Hi guys. Quick one.
Today: SFO-LAX-LHR. The LAX-LHR leg is BA.
My connecting flight to LAX is currently delayed. I'm not au-fait with the LAX T4-TBIT transfer procedure. It looks like I might have about an hour to make this connection. Too tight?
Today: SFO-LAX-LHR. The LAX-LHR leg is BA.
My connecting flight to LAX is currently delayed. I'm not au-fait with the LAX T4-TBIT transfer procedure. It looks like I might have about an hour to make this connection. Too tight?
Oct 27, 2013, 6:15 pm
#2486
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Exploralist, Marriot Silver
Posts: 2,065
1-10 minute walk, get BA boarding pass, clear security.
Maps and details here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
On behalf of the bay area, I apologize for the fog that likely delayed your inbound flight...
Last edited by SFOPhD; Oct 27, 2013 at 6:17 pm Reason: more details
Oct 27, 2013, 6:19 pm
#2487
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Betwixt SEA and LHR
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR, AS Gold MVP, IC RA, IHG Spire Elite, HH Diamond, Dennis The Menace Fan Club
Posts: 1,354
An hour should be good for a domestic to international connection.
1-10 minute walk, get BA boarding pass, clear security.
Maps and details here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
On behalf of the bay area, I apologize for the fog that likely delayed your inbound flight...
1-10 minute walk, get BA boarding pass, clear security.
Maps and details here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
On behalf of the bay area, I apologize for the fog that likely delayed your inbound flight...
Oct 27, 2013, 6:33 pm
#2488
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Exploralist, Marriot Silver
Posts: 2,065
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...onnection.html
Is your bag checked through to LHR? Please say yes...
Oct 27, 2013, 6:33 pm
#2489
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SJC/VCE
Programs: AA PLT (2.9+ MM), HH GLD, Hyatt Diamond, SPG PLT
Posts: 10,161
As for the airside shuttle transfer, its exclusive to Qantas flights.
Oct 27, 2013, 6:34 pm
#2490
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Cambridge, MA
Programs: AA EXP, UA1k, AmEx Plat, Global Entry & Pre✓
Posts: 852
My first AA flight coming up!
BOS - PDX via ORD. I'm newly minted EXP via a status match. How likely is it that I get an upgrade via 500-mile? I booked 2 weeks out. Is it automatically done at the 100 hour window, or is it manually done? I can't imagine the latter but the info from the help desk said "an analyst starts looking at it 100 hours out". Is that true???
Also, is food free in first? My economy ticket says "food for purchase". How is the food on AA domestic?
Is the AA lounge access worth it for $450 a year? Will a CC give you free lounge access?
I haven't yet received my EXP card- will that matter for my trip? Or since it's on the PNR, I'll be fine?
Anything else I should know about flying domestic via AA? Most of my travel is international but I'm going to visit family for a weekend.
Thanks!
BOS - PDX via ORD. I'm newly minted EXP via a status match. How likely is it that I get an upgrade via 500-mile? I booked 2 weeks out. Is it automatically done at the 100 hour window, or is it manually done? I can't imagine the latter but the info from the help desk said "an analyst starts looking at it 100 hours out". Is that true???
Also, is food free in first? My economy ticket says "food for purchase". How is the food on AA domestic?
Is the AA lounge access worth it for $450 a year? Will a CC give you free lounge access?
I haven't yet received my EXP card- will that matter for my trip? Or since it's on the PNR, I'll be fine?
Anything else I should know about flying domestic via AA? Most of my travel is international but I'm going to visit family for a weekend.
Thanks!
