Jan 1, 16, 11:17 pm
Last edit by: JY1024
Welcome to the 2016 "NEWBIE LOUNGE"
Ask Your Consolidated / Combined AA Questions Here (flame free)
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(This post can only be edited by moderators.)
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).
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,
AZ Travels the World, aztimm, dstan, JDiver, JY1024, Microwave
(Our thanks to thread founder / "plank owner" HNL.)
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You may find your question or post merged into one of those threads. Be sure that we will leave a link behind from your original thread, and to look up to see if there's a wiki with information. We apologize for any possible inconvenience or difference between this forum and others, but we think you'll like some of the resources and tools here to enable more convenient, comfortable travel on AA and greater knowledge sharing.
Keep it welcoming: We're proud the members of both FFPs have kept the brickbats to a minimum; we want this forum to be welcoming, civil and information rich, so name calling (including calling a member one disagrees with "AApologist") and snark are not tolerated. Posts with such are likely to be summarily deleted in their entirety; repeated such behavior may result in suspension of one's membership privileges or being banned from this forum. Let's keep it friendly and in accordance with the FT Rules.
FlyerTalk Rules (We all agree to abide by these, and are held accountable.)[/LIST]
To prevent this from occurring, please note we try to:
Keep a few "sticky" threads: such as GUIDE posts, OSO / IROPS, etc. for urgent and quick reference, such as basic "where do I find" reasons
Keep threads to specific topics: Prevent information fragmentation and loss by consolidating questions, answers and discussion of one topic contained in one thread. (This also honors those members who have already shared valuable information and experiences.)
"Popular" threads are likely to have a wikipost at the head that will summarize important information and have resource links. These are "community property", and as any wiki are established, maintained and updated by the members (with 90 days of tenure and 90 posts on FlyerTalk).
You may find your question or post merged into one of those threads. Be sure that we will leave a link behind from your original thread, and to look up to see if there's a wiki with information. We apologize for any possible inconvenience or difference between this forum and others, but we think you'll like some of the resources and tools here to enable more convenient, comfortable travel on AA and greater knowledge sharing.
Keep it welcoming: We're proud the members of both FFPs have kept the brickbats to a minimum; we want this forum to be welcoming, civil and information rich, so name calling (including calling a member one disagrees with "AApologist") and snark are not tolerated. Posts with such are likely to be summarily deleted in their entirety; repeated such behavior may result in suspension of one's membership privileges or being banned from this forum. Let's keep it friendly and in accordance with the FT Rules.
FlyerTalk Rules (We all agree to abide by these, and are held accountable.)[/LIST]
Thanks for reading!
[2016 NEWBIE LOUNGE] Ask Your "Newbie" AA Questions Here (flame free)
Jan 1, 16, 12:50 am
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 26,530
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
Gah!
After all that drama, AA just updated their website for 2016 to allow 200k miles per year instead of 150k (the 2015 limit) for purchase.
Assuming the sale continues as promised to Jan 4 (the site is down for updates now) with the same bonus structure, then 200k would net a 140k bonus (150k got you 115k as of last night, so I'm assuming 200k would scale as well upwards).
I may have been better off just waiting until 2016, although of course there was no way to know that in advance.
It's almost as if AA is trying to make money off of us by keeping things opaque
I thought you had to wait until 2016 to buy miles, because you opened your AAdvantage account too late to be able to buy miles in 2015.
Originally Posted by williamdw
Originally Posted by williamdw
That's a good point, and something I omitted from my update. I got a little frustrated with their crazy ideas on how to get out of BOI (BOI>SEA>PHX>LAX was their best suggestion) that I decided I would get myself to LAX under my own steam.
In retrospect, I really should have posted that as part of the update, as it does of course have an effect on how easy/hard it is. My focus was on the expensive legs because those are (in my mind) the hard parts.. doing the shuttle hop to LA is so cheap and common to me that I sort of blanked it out as an actual step!
In retrospect, I really should have posted that as part of the update, as it does of course have an effect on how easy/hard it is. My focus was on the expensive legs because those are (in my mind) the hard parts.. doing the shuttle hop to LA is so cheap and common to me that I sort of blanked it out as an actual step!
Gah!
After all that drama, AA just updated their website for 2016 to allow 200k miles per year instead of 150k (the 2015 limit) for purchase.
Assuming the sale continues as promised to Jan 4 (the site is down for updates now) with the same bonus structure, then 200k would net a 140k bonus (150k got you 115k as of last night, so I'm assuming 200k would scale as well upwards).
I may have been better off just waiting until 2016, although of course there was no way to know that in advance.
It's almost as if AA is trying to make money off of us by keeping things opaque
I thought you had to wait until 2016 to buy miles, because you opened your AAdvantage account too late to be able to buy miles in 2015.
Jan 1, 16, 5:01 am
#47
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
Originally Posted by williamdw
Gah!
Assuming the sale continues as promised to Jan 4 (the site is down for updates now) with the same bonus structure, then 200k would net a 140k bonus (150k got you 115k as of last night, so I'm assuming 200k would scale as well upwards).
Assuming the sale continues as promised to Jan 4 (the site is down for updates now) with the same bonus structure, then 200k would net a 140k bonus (150k got you 115k as of last night, so I'm assuming 200k would scale as well upwards).
Jan 1, 16, 9:54 am
#48
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 374
I flew early yesterday morning to get the last miles I needed for gold. When they post it will retroactively give me gold, correct? I want to grab some preferred seats for my return on 1/4 and another set of flights in January.
Jan 1, 16, 10:11 am
#49
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 1
Need Help To book AAdvantage
Hi, I just became an AAdvantage memeber and am not allowed to purchase miles to make this trip until 30 days. I have my routes reserved but not for 30 days. Is there any way around this rule?
Jan 1, 16, 10:13 am
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 26,530
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
No.
Welcome to FT!
Originally Posted by Sam Nadidas
Hi, I just became an AAdvantage memeber and am not allowed to purchase miles to make this trip until 30 days. I have my routes reserved but not for 30 days. Is there any way around this rule?
Welcome to FT!
Jan 1, 16, 11:38 am
#51
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 31,596
A relatively trivial question, but we're doing DUB-PHL-LAX-HNL starting on Sunday (in J/F). But the AA website doesn't seem to be accepting pre-ordered meal selection. Been trying for several days now.
Is this a common glitch? Is there a workaround without phoning a random call centre?
Is this a common glitch? Is there a workaround without phoning a random call centre?
Jan 1, 16, 11:48 am
#52
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Mexico, and The Suggestion Box
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,952
Originally Posted by Sam Nadidas
Hi, I just became an AAdvantage memeber and am not allowed to purchase miles to make this trip until 30 days. I have my routes reserved but not for 30 days. Is there any way around this rule?
No, there is no way around the 30 day requirement for account existence, unfortunately.
We have deleted your new thread asking this question; cross posting is not allowed on Flyertalk.
/Moderator
Jan 1, 16, 12:08 pm
#53
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: SJC
Programs: BAEC Silver, AS MVP Gold 75K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 395
I am new to flying American on tickets purchased directly through AA (rather than BA, IB etc). I am looking to purchase a domestic ticket in Y but I completely confused by the different pricing points for Y tickets. I have one world sapphire status.
If I select a choice fare what baggage allowance do I get, if any, as a one world sapphire flyer? Equally if I opt for a choice select fare what will my baggage allowance be?
Many thanks in advance.
If I select a choice fare what baggage allowance do I get, if any, as a one world sapphire flyer? Equally if I opt for a choice select fare what will my baggage allowance be?
Many thanks in advance.
Jan 1, 16, 12:24 pm
#54
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
Originally Posted by PoincianaKings
I am new to flying American on tickets purchased directly through AA (rather than BA, IB etc). I am looking to purchase a domestic ticket in Y but I completely confused by the different pricing points for Y tickets. I have one world sapphire status.
If I select a choice fare what baggage allowance do I get, if any, as a one world sapphire flyer? Equally if I opt for a choice select fare what will my baggage allowance be?
Many thanks in advance.
If I select a choice fare what baggage allowance do I get, if any, as a one world sapphire flyer? Equally if I opt for a choice select fare what will my baggage allowance be?
Many thanks in advance.
Jan 1, 16, 6:30 pm
#55
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: STL
Programs: AA
Posts: 167
Upgrading with miles
Hey guys I'm contemplating between upgrading with miles vs. purchasing F straight up. I'll be flying SAN-PHX-STL and the difference between lowest fare coach and first class is $222. Alternatively I think I can upgrade with 15,000 miles + $75 dollars. In your opinion
1. Which one makes better sense, purchasing the first class ticket with money or miles (I thought it was almost a wash)
2. If I upgrade with miles, will I still get the 2EQM that AA gives to discounted first class flown.
Thanks all!
1. Which one makes better sense, purchasing the first class ticket with money or miles (I thought it was almost a wash)
2. If I upgrade with miles, will I still get the 2EQM that AA gives to discounted first class flown.
Thanks all!
Jan 1, 16, 7:14 pm
#56
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
Originally Posted by moonwoo
Hey guys I'm contemplating between upgrading with miles vs. purchasing F straight up. I'll be flying SAN-PHX-STL and the difference between lowest fare coach and first class is $222. Alternatively I think I can upgrade with 15,000 miles + $75 dollars. In your opinion
1. Which one makes better sense, purchasing the first class ticket with money or miles (I thought it was almost a wash)
2. If I upgrade with miles, will I still get the 2EQM that AA gives to discounted first class flown.
Thanks all!
1. Which one makes better sense, purchasing the first class ticket with money or miles (I thought it was almost a wash)
2. If I upgrade with miles, will I still get the 2EQM that AA gives to discounted first class flown.
Thanks all!
Jan 1, 16, 7:25 pm
#57
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: STL
Programs: AA
Posts: 167
Originally Posted by flyingeph12
You are in effect spending 15,000 miles to save $147. This is not a good deal in my book, but you may value your miles differently. You earn EQMs and RDMs based on your original class of booking, so you are also giving up the extra EQMs and RDMs for booking first directly.
I thought it may have been worth it if I still earned the 2x EQM as a discount first class fare but if the ticket earns miles based on booking class, it definitely isn't worth it to upgrade in my mind. Thanks so much for the response!
Jan 1, 16, 7:31 pm
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 14,708
I have a flight for 2 people booked that my partner now can't take anymore. Is it okay to just leave it as is and only check in one person and with only one person taking the flight, will that only cancel my partner's return flight or mine as well? Should I call in to ask for a PNR split to avoid this? Not sure about what to do here.
(while I know FT'ers don't normally think buying miles is a good idea, for 3 business class seats R/T BOI to BKK in Oct/Nov 2016, it appears that the cost of purchasing miles and then booking award travel on an AA partner is way less than 3x business class 'real money' tickets. )
.
just to add to this from the last page...
you say you want to purchase 150k+115k bonus miles for $4425 x2, so 530k miles for 8850USD
and you need 3 J seats
Assuming BOI-BKK, that's some obvious positioning flights anyway, so good departure ports would likely be YVR, SEA or PDX.
YVR would be the cheapest but there's no direct BOI-YVR flights so scratch that, let's take SEA
BOI-SEA-YVR-CAN-BKK is the cheapest routing (well here's YVR again anyway), all in J for 3 is a total of ~9300 USD
Roughly the same price as buying miles + award-ticket fees, BUT... you'll also earn a tooooon of miles actually flying this thing. If China Southern/Skyteam isn't your thing, there's also the option of
BOI-SEA-YVR-HKG-BKK, with YVR-HKG on AC and HKG-BKK on Thai, for a total of ~10600USD. Plus all the miles you'll get. (e.g. YVR-HKG-BKK is ~15k miles, which you can credit for ~30k miles per person, 90k overall. If you value them at a conservative 1.5cpm, that's worth ~1350USD, not to mention status benefits.
so... keep that in mind when weighing award flights bought purely on miles vs outright buying. Paying fully for miles is hardly ever a good idea, topping up for something is much better. Otherwise, buying the ticket will usually be a much better deal, especially considering you also get miles and status from it.
Originally Posted by williamdw
(while I know FT'ers don't normally think buying miles is a good idea, for 3 business class seats R/T BOI to BKK in Oct/Nov 2016, it appears that the cost of purchasing miles and then booking award travel on an AA partner is way less than 3x business class 'real money' tickets. )
.
you say you want to purchase 150k+115k bonus miles for $4425 x2, so 530k miles for 8850USD
and you need 3 J seats
Assuming BOI-BKK, that's some obvious positioning flights anyway, so good departure ports would likely be YVR, SEA or PDX.
YVR would be the cheapest but there's no direct BOI-YVR flights so scratch that, let's take SEA
BOI-SEA-YVR-CAN-BKK is the cheapest routing (well here's YVR again anyway), all in J for 3 is a total of ~9300 USD
Roughly the same price as buying miles + award-ticket fees, BUT... you'll also earn a tooooon of miles actually flying this thing. If China Southern/Skyteam isn't your thing, there's also the option of
BOI-SEA-YVR-HKG-BKK, with YVR-HKG on AC and HKG-BKK on Thai, for a total of ~10600USD. Plus all the miles you'll get. (e.g. YVR-HKG-BKK is ~15k miles, which you can credit for ~30k miles per person, 90k overall. If you value them at a conservative 1.5cpm, that's worth ~1350USD, not to mention status benefits.
so... keep that in mind when weighing award flights bought purely on miles vs outright buying. Paying fully for miles is hardly ever a good idea, topping up for something is much better. Otherwise, buying the ticket will usually be a much better deal, especially considering you also get miles and status from it.
Last edited by Smiley90; Jan 1, 16 at 8:27 pm
Jan 2, 16, 5:02 am
#59
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 31,596
Originally Posted by T8191
A relatively trivial question, but we're doing DUB-PHL-LAX-HNL starting on Sunday (in J/F). But the AA website doesn't seem to be accepting pre-ordered meal selection. Been trying for several days now.
Is this a common glitch? Is there a workaround without phoning a random call centre?
Is this a common glitch? Is there a workaround without phoning a random call centre?
Jan 2, 16, 6:49 am
#60
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
Originally Posted by Smiley90
I have a flight for 2 people booked that my partner now can't take anymore. Is it okay to just leave it as is and only check in one person and with only one person taking the flight, will that only cancel my partner's return flight or mine as well? Should I call in to ask for a PNR split to avoid this? Not sure about what to do here.
Originally Posted by Smiley90
just to add to this from the last page...
you say you want to purchase 150k+115k bonus miles for $4425 x2, so 530k miles for 8850USD
and you need 3 J seats
Assuming BOI-BKK, that's some obvious positioning flights anyway, so good departure ports would likely be YVR, SEA or PDX.
YVR would be the cheapest but there's no direct BOI-YVR flights so scratch that, let's take SEA
BOI-SEA-YVR-CAN-BKK is the cheapest routing (well here's YVR again anyway), all in J for 3 is a total of ~9300 USD
Roughly the same price as buying miles + award-ticket fees, BUT... you'll also earn a tooooon of miles actually flying this thing. If China Southern/Skyteam isn't your thing, there's also the option of
BOI-SEA-YVR-HKG-BKK, with YVR-HKG on AC and HKG-BKK on Thai, for a total of ~10600USD. Plus all the miles you'll get. (e.g. YVR-HKG-BKK is ~15k miles, which you can credit for ~30k miles per person, 90k overall. If you value them at a conservative 1.5cpm, that's worth ~1350USD, not to mention status benefits.
so... keep that in mind when weighing award flights bought purely on miles vs outright buying. Paying fully for miles is hardly ever a good idea, topping up for something is much better. Otherwise, buying the ticket will usually be a much better deal, especially considering you also get miles and status from it.
you say you want to purchase 150k+115k bonus miles for $4425 x2, so 530k miles for 8850USD
and you need 3 J seats
Assuming BOI-BKK, that's some obvious positioning flights anyway, so good departure ports would likely be YVR, SEA or PDX.
YVR would be the cheapest but there's no direct BOI-YVR flights so scratch that, let's take SEA
BOI-SEA-YVR-CAN-BKK is the cheapest routing (well here's YVR again anyway), all in J for 3 is a total of ~9300 USD
Roughly the same price as buying miles + award-ticket fees, BUT... you'll also earn a tooooon of miles actually flying this thing. If China Southern/Skyteam isn't your thing, there's also the option of
BOI-SEA-YVR-HKG-BKK, with YVR-HKG on AC and HKG-BKK on Thai, for a total of ~10600USD. Plus all the miles you'll get. (e.g. YVR-HKG-BKK is ~15k miles, which you can credit for ~30k miles per person, 90k overall. If you value them at a conservative 1.5cpm, that's worth ~1350USD, not to mention status benefits.
so... keep that in mind when weighing award flights bought purely on miles vs outright buying. Paying fully for miles is hardly ever a good idea, topping up for something is much better. Otherwise, buying the ticket will usually be a much better deal, especially considering you also get miles and status from it.
150k + 115k bonus = $4,425
43k + 22.5k bonus = $1,268.50
Total = ($5,693.50 + 7.5% tax) + (2 x $30 processing charge) = $6,180.52
But I totally agree with you that if it were me, I'd be purchasing the J tickets, especially given the excellent fares to BKK.
