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FAQ: American Airlines and AAdvantage - Please check here first!

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Frequently Asked Questions: American Airlines and AAdvantage
Please check here first: resources, thread links, etc.

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FAQ: American Airlines and AAdvantage - Please check here first!

 
Old Sep 25, 2011, 3:51 pm
  #271  
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Update: Added links to sica4's sticker upgrade database!

Originally Posted by dstan
• What are the chances that my upgrade will clear?

<snip>

FlyerTalk member sica4 has also established a searchable database of 500-mile electronic / sticker upgrade request outcomes. All members are invited to search and to contribute here.

Wiki: Inventory Classes
FT: Understanding AA upgrade inventory on ExpertFlyer.com
FT: Chances of upgrade clearing (consolidated) – [Contribute to sica4's sticker upgrade database.]
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Old Sep 25, 2011, 4:23 pm
  #272  
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Update: Express seats now Preferred seats, now free for elites

Originally Posted by dstan
• What are Preferred seats?

Preferred seats (previously Express seats) are at or near the front of the coach cabin, including bulkhead rows, and are available for purchase up to 24 hours prior to departure. Pricing starts at $4 per flight one-way and is based on flight distance. As of August 25, 2011, Preferred seats are available free of charge to AAdvantage and oneworld elite members, AAirpass members, full fare/AAnytime award passengers (Y, B), active duty U.S. military, and their traveling companions on the same reservation, beginning 24 hours prior to departure. Preferred seats cannot be reserved earlier in advance and are available for purchase through AA.com, phone, or airport self-service kiosks between 24 hours and 50 minutes prior to departure, even after previously checking in online.

Prior to August 25, 2011, the previous Express Seat product also included Group 1 boarding, but was not available to those traveling on AAdvantage Award tickets. AAdvantage elites and full fare passengers were still charged for Expressed seats, unless selecting seats with an airport agent.

AA.com: Seating Options | FAQ
FT: Express Seats - Paid premium seating in economy
FT: Express Seats rebranded as Preferred Seats (Aug 25, 2011)

Last edited by dstan; Sep 25, 2011 at 6:14 pm
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Old Sep 25, 2011, 4:24 pm
  #273  
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Update: Preferred seats rebranded as Preferred Plus

Originally Posted by dstan
• What are Preferred Plus seats?

Preferred Plus (previously Preferred) seats include all exit row seats, and certain window and aisle seats toward the front of each aircraft. The exact number and location of Preferred Plus seats varies depending on the aircraft, flight, and day of week. While Preferred Plus seats do not necessarily have any more legroom than standard seats, some exit row seats and MD-80 seats forward of the exit rows do have extra legroom. Also, because those eligible for Preferred Plus seats also receive PriorityAAccess boarding, they can both board first and deplane first from seats near the front of the aircraft.

Preferred Plus seats are available for advance reservation only by AAdvantage and oneworld elite members, AAirpass members, and full fare/AAnytime Award passengers (Y, B), and their traveling companions on the same reservation. Available Preferred Plus seats are shaded in purple on AA.com seat maps, although occupied Preferred Plus seats are not designated. All Preferred Plus seats are released for general assignment when the flight transfers to airport control on the day of departure.

AA.com: Seating Options | FAQ | View Available Seats
AA.com: Special Assistance: Prereserved Seating
FT: Preferred seat - What does it mean?
FT: Preferred Seats rebranded as Preferred Plus Seats (Aug 25, 2011)

Last edited by dstan; Sep 25, 2011 at 6:13 pm
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Old Sep 25, 2011, 4:31 pm
  #274  
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Update: Rebranding of Preferred and Preferred Plus seats

Originally Posted by dstan
• Why is my seat Unassigned?

Reservations made when there are no seats available for prereservation by the passenger will be left without a seat assignment. This does not necessarily mean that the flight is overbooked or that the passenger will be bumped if the flight is oversold at the gate. Additional seats generally become available closer to departure as elites are upgraded from the Coach cabin (beginning 100 hours prior to departure), as Preferred seats become available for purchase (beginning 24 hours prior to departure), as Preferred Plus seats are released to airport control, and as Preferred seats are released for free at the gate. Thus, passengers with unassigned seats should check the seatmap frequently, especially within the elite upgrade windows beginning 100 hours prior to departure. FlyerTalk member paulmcgrath has created a web tool that generates bookmarkable URLs to specific AA seatmaps: http://thisispaul.com/aaseats/

Alternatively, the Seat Alert feature of ExpertFlyer, a paid subscription service, can be used to alert a passenger to an empty seat automatically.

While this issue usually only arises in Coach, there is also a rare case in which a Business class seat may be unassigned on a Boeing 777-200 aircraft, because seats 8H and 8J are blocked until at least 24 hours prior to departure and may not be released until the flight goes to airport control.

Note that passengers without a seat assignment must check in at the airport and cannot use online checkin.

AA.com: Seating Options | FAQ | View Available Seats
FT: Unassigned seat strategies (consolidated)
FT: Direct URLs to AA seatmaps
FT: Release of 8HJ Business class seats on Boeing 777-200
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Old Oct 2, 2011, 2:44 pm
  #275  
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Update: Boarding

Added note that pax in different groups but traveling together can usually board together. Also added recent threads on randomized boarding order studies.

Originally Posted by dstan
• What is AA's boarding procedure?

In May 2011, AA adjusted its official boarding process. Uniformed Military personnel are now officially included in the first group, and EXPs are included with the First or Business premium cabin, depending on aircraft configuration. The number of general boarding groups was reduced from six to four, and are also reportedly somewhat randomized rather than in back-to-front order, as recent computational models and experiments have indicated that randomized boarding is faster than back-to-front boarding.
  1. First class cabin, Uniformed Military, EXP (on 2-class aircraft)
  2. Business class cabin, EXP (on 3-class aircraft)
  3. PLT
  4. PriorityAAccess (GLD, AAirpass, oneworld elites) / Group 1
  5. Group 2
  6. Group 3
  7. Group 4
In practice, however, some gate agents may call several groups on the above list at the same time. Even then, premium cabins and elites are still usually called first, and these passengers can always use the PriorityAAcess boarding line at the gate. American Eagle and American Connection flights often only have Groups 1 and 2, and may board en masse without preboarding by elites.

Passengers traveling together, even on separate reservations, are usually allowed to board together under their highest priority group by presenting boarding passes together or by notifying the agent scanning boarding passes that they are traveling together.

AA generally does not make a "preboarding" call for families traveling with small children and those needing extra time. However, passengers in wheelchairs and unaccompanied minor children are allowed to board before all other passengers, and should check with the gate agent.

AA.com: Boarding Process
FT: New AA boarding process (May 2011)
FT: Boarding and Flexibility Package now on sale at AA.com
FT: AA study finds randomized boarding faster (Jul 2011)
FT: (Newsstand Forum) A new twist on boarding order algorithms (Mar 2008)
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Old Oct 19, 2011, 2:26 pm
  #276  
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Update: EQP minimums and Lifetime miles

A couple of minor updates, one in response to a member inquiry, the second regarding the upcoming change to lifetime mileage totals.

Originally Posted by dstan
• How are miles and points calculated?

<snip>

AAdvantage members can qualify for annual elite status based on EQM, EQP, or segments. In general, the only way to earn EQM and EQP is by flying (butt-in-seat). Conversely, RDM are miles from all sources (flying, bonuses, credit cards, etc.) and these are the miles that can be redeemed for awards. Note especially that Challenges are based solely on EQP (not EQM). Lifetime status is currently based on RDM, but will begin adding only base flight miles to existing totals as of December 1, 2011.

A detailed explanation of mileage and point calculations can be found in the wiki page below. The basics are as follows: Passengers earn one EQM and one RDM for each mile flown on AA; elite members receive a minimum of 500 EQM and 500 RDM per segment. Passengers also earn EQP based on the fare class purchased (not flown), resulting in a de facto minimum of 250, 500, or 750 EQP for elite members. Elites and those purchasing premium fares also receive bonus RDM.
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Old Oct 19, 2011, 2:32 pm
  #277  
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Update: Added links to Exec credit card webpage & thread for easy access

Originally Posted by dstan
• Does AA offer lifetime status?

N.B.: Currently, miles from all sources (flying and non-flying) count toward lifetime status qualification. However, AA has announced that as of December 1, 2011, only base flight miles on AA and other AAdvantage participating airlines will be counted toward million miler status from that point forward. Except for a 13-month exception for Citi Executive AAdvantage World Elite card holders as of December 1, 2011, no other miles will count toward lifetime status (e.g., miles from bonuses, promotions, credit cards, dining, shopping, banking, hotels, rental cars, etc.). In addition, members reaching 1 million miles will receive 35,000 bonus AAdvantage miles instead of upgrades. Members reaching 2 million miles and subsequent increments will continue receiving four systemwide upgrades.

AA.com: Million Miler Program | Citi Executive / AAdvantage World Elite MasterCard
FT: AAdvantage Million Miler Program Changes (Dec 1, 2011)
FT: AA Citi Executive / AAdvantage World Elite MasterCard
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Old Nov 12, 2011, 6:13 pm
  #278  
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Update: Added 2012 elite status soft landing discussion thread

Originally Posted by dstan
• I will just miss requalifying, will AA make any exceptions or can I buy back status?

<snip>

FT: 2012 Elite Status Soft Landing Experiences
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Old Nov 13, 2011, 1:14 pm
  #279  
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Update: Additional search resources added to OP

Originally Posted by dstan
Welcome to the American Airlines Forum! If your question is not answered in this FAQ, please try the following key resources prior to posting your question in the forum:

<snip>
  • Search the AA Forum – Your question has probably been asked before, so try searching for a previous thread on the topic! Note that although we have some very long threads, general info and resources are often provided in the first post and you can also use the Search this Thread function to refine your search further. See also this tutorial on FlyerTalk Search. Alternatively, you can also search FlyerTalk using Google .
...with thanks to JDiver for the links!
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Old Nov 16, 2011, 7:08 pm
  #280  
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Update: New HNL lounge open

Originally Posted by dstan
• Where can I find more information about a specific lounge?

<snip>

FT: HNL / Honolulu Admirals Club & JL oneworld Lounge (new, Nov 2011) (consolidated)
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Old Nov 20, 2011, 1:38 pm
  #281  
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Update: Consolidated 2012 Requalification Issues thread added

Originally Posted by dstan
• I will just miss requalifying, will AA make any exceptions or can I buy back status?

<snip>

FT: 2012 AAdvantage status renewal/requalification questions/issues (consolidated)
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Old Nov 20, 2011, 6:17 pm
  #282  
 
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How do I book a specific fare class for a Challenge?

Originally Posted by dstan
• How do I book a specific fare class for a Challenge?

AA elite status Challenges are based on elite-qualifying points (EQP), not miles. Because Deep Discount Economy fares only accrue 0.5 EQP per mile, Challenge participants sometimes seek to book higher Discount Economy fares that accrue 1.0 EQP per mile. However, the Economy Saver fare shown in AA.com Price and Schedule searches is often not the lowest published Discount Economy fare. Accordingly, the following procedure can be used to book that fare without incurring telephone booking fees:
  1. Identify the lowest published Discount Economy fare for your destination(s) and date(s). This can be done using fare tools such as Travelocity (free) or ExpertFlyer or KVS Availability Tool (paid subscription services).
  2. Identify flights on which inventory for the lowest published Discount Economy fare is available. Inventory for specific routes and dates can be determined using ExpertFlyer's Flight Availability tool or the KVS Availability Tool. Routes and dates having the desired inventory can also be identified using ITA flight searches in which a specific booking class(es) is specified using the ITA route language (example: "ORD:: aa /f bc=h").
  3. Note the full price (fare plus taxes and fees) of the desired itinerary at the specified fare using ITA as above.
  4. Place the desired itinerary on Hold at AA.com in the lowest available fare (can be Deep Discount Economy).
  5. Telephone AA Web Services or AA Reservations and ask them to change the fare ("upfare") to your desired fare class. Verify that the final price matches the price from ITA.
  6. Return to the Hold reservation on AA.com and complete the purchase online.
  7. In some cases, the itinerary may be repriced back to the lowest available fare upon attempting to complete the purchase. An alert will be displayed on AA.com if this is the case. If this happens, call AA Web Services or AA Reservations, explain that you cannot complete the purchase online at this higher fare, and ask them to process the purchase without charging the telephone booking fee. If they refuse, call back and get a different agent. Repeat as necessary.
Wiki: Elite Status Challenge
FT: Help Desk: AAdvantage elite status Challenges (Gold and Platinum)
FT: Upfaring an AA itinerary on hold (consolidated)
FT: What to do when upfared itinerary on hold gets downfared when attempting to purchase
FT: Mileage Run Discussion Forum: How to specify a booking code on ITA
Two additional tips:
1. Use the "Click to Talk" feature and you'll get a representative very fast. Faster than the Platinum desk, and they know exactly what they're talking about, since they're very conversant in AA.com.
2. If the original lower fare comes back when you are about to pay, log out of your AA account. Use your locator to find the reservation. Then when you hit purchase, the correct fare shows up. Once you get to the credit card screen you can login to retrieve your account details.
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Old Nov 22, 2011, 2:39 pm
  #283  
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Update: Additional tips for Upfaring

Originally Posted by TransGlobal001
Two additional tips:
1. Use the "Click to Talk" feature and you'll get a representative very fast. Faster than the Platinum desk, and they know exactly what they're talking about, since they're very conversant in AA.com.
2. If the original lower fare comes back when you are about to pay, log out of your AA account. Use your locator to find the reservation. Then when you hit purchase, the correct fare shows up. Once you get to the credit card screen you can login to retrieve your account details.
Added them, thanks! ^

Originally Posted by dstan
• How do I book a specific fare class for a Challenge?

<snip>
  1. Identify the lowest published Discount Economy fare for your destination(s) and date(s). This can be done using fare tools such as Travelocity (free) or ExpertFlyer or KVS Availability Tool (paid subscription services).
  2. Identify flights on which inventory for the lowest published Discount Economy fare is available. Inventory for specific routes and dates can be determined using ExpertFlyer's Flight Availability tool or the KVS Availability Tool. Routes and dates having the desired inventory can also be identified using ITA flight searches in which a specific booking class(es) is specified using the ITA route language (example: "ORD:: aa /f bc=h").
  3. Note the full price (fare plus taxes and fees) of the desired itinerary at the specified fare using ITA as above.
  4. Place the desired itinerary on Hold at AA.com in the lowest available fare (can be Deep Discount Economy).
  5. Telephone AA Web Services or AA Reservations (or use the Click To Talk option on the website) and ask them to change the fare ("upfare") to your desired fare class. Verify that the final price matches the price from ITA.
  6. Return to the Hold reservation on AA.com and complete the purchase online.
  7. In some cases, the itinerary may be repriced back to the lowest available fare upon attempting to complete the purchase. An alert will be displayed on AA.com if this is the case. If this happens, call AA Web Services or AA Reservations, explain that you cannot complete the purchase online at this higher fare, and ask them to process the purchase without charging the telephone booking fee. Alternatively, log out of your AA.com account, use the record locator to find the reservation, click Purchase and the higher fare should appear, then log into your account once you reach the credit card screen to retreive your account details.
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Old Dec 7, 2011, 9:19 am
  #284  
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Update: International class-of-service based lounge access

Originally Posted by dstan
• Will I have lounge access on my itinerary?

<snip>

For international class-of-service-based access (F or J), passengers must: (1) be traveling in an F or J cabin (whether via upgrade or purchase) on the international segment (to/from Europe, Asia, Central and South America, and Mexico City, excluding the Caribbean and other destinations in Mexico) of their itinerary, and (2) have an onward flight on a oneworld airline on the same day. As of Dec 2011, class-of-service-based access is now explicitly limited to the lounge operated by the airline on which the passenger is flying. Lounges operated by third parties may be excluded.
The wording of the oneworld website is now as follows:
oneworld lounge access for First Class or Business Class travellers

Indulge yourself before departure in a wider range of airport lounges when you fly First Class or Business Class with a oneworld member airline.

When you fly First or Business Class with a oneworld member airline, you are free to enjoy that airline’s First or Business Class lounge (depending on which class you are flying) before departure, regardless of your frequent flyer tier status.

This lounge access also applies when you connect from a domestic or intra-European segment to or from a oneworld longhaul First or Business Class flight.

You can also invite one guest to join you in the lounge, provided he or she is departing on a flight operated and marketed by a oneworld member airline.
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Old Dec 7, 2011, 10:00 am
  #285  
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Update: 2012 Entertainment Book discounts

Originally Posted by dstan
• Does anyone have a discount or promotion code? / Are there any AAdvantage enrollment bonuses available?

Proprietary discount codes, including DealFinder codes, should not be requested or posted in the AA Forum, and such posts will be deleted by the moderators. However, purchasing a 2012 Entertainment Book will give you a fixed $10 discount, good for up to 6 passengers. Print editions for certain cities also provide $30, $20, and $10 discounts subject to various minimum ticket prices. The Entertainment Book offers a free 10-day online trial that provides online access to printable coupons for rental car agencies and other vendors.

<snip>

FT: 2012 Entertainment Book
FT: 2011 Entertainment Book
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