Jan 1, 2016, 11:17 pm
Last edit by: JY1024
Welcome to the 2016 "NEWBIE LOUNGE"
Ask Your Consolidated / Combined AA Questions Here (flame free)
MODERATOR GUIDEPOST:
MODERATOR GUIDEPOST:
(This post can only be edited by moderators.)
Welcome to the Newbie Lounge!
Welcome to the Newbie Lounge!
Welcome to Flyertalk!
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.)
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.)
Q. How can I find information more easily than reading through all the threads? Now that I'm here, what do I do next?
Check out the following resources:
Searching can be key to finding important information and answers without waiting for someone to drop by and answer, and it helps prevent that information fragmentation. FlyerTalk Advanced Search can seem quirky to the infrequent user, but it's fairly powerful if one knows how to use it. There are several ways to search:
Check out the following resources:
- GUIDE: FT - AA Forum, LOUNGE DASHBOARD and OSO / IRROPS (Links to most important threads, "Help Desk" assistance threads, the thread with resources for off-schedule operations / irregular operations (including links to AA weather policy and tools), hub airport threads, AA lounge Dashboard for all lounges and lounge related issues.)
- FAQ: American Airlines and AAdvantage - Please check here first! (Our FAQ were originally written for the pre-merger AA forum, but there's still a lot of useful information there.)
- New and uncertain where to start here, and it's about American Airlines? Start in our "NEWBIE LOUNGE" thread, here: link.
- Do you have questions about other travel related issues that do not pertain to AA and are unsure where to start? Visit our Information Desk Forum here: U]link. [/U]
- Especially useful to new members: FAQs (How to post like a pro and more)
- The NEW FlyerTalk: Helpful Hints, Tips and Suggestions to Enhance Your Experience (Information Desk Forum)
- FlyerTalk Glossary (What is all this jargon?)
- Airport Code Guide (How do I decode an airport code / find one for a city?)
Searching can be key to finding important information and answers without waiting for someone to drop by and answer, and it helps prevent that information fragmentation. FlyerTalk Advanced Search can seem quirky to the infrequent user, but it's fairly powerful if one knows how to use it. There are several ways to search:
- Canarsie's Using the Search Feature on FlyerTalk: The Definitive Thread has relocated to the Information Desk Forum; it can be found there.
- One can search FlyerTalk with Google with this web form.
- Or, if you are used to Google search, use Google Advanced Search and insert www.flyertalk.com in the "site or domain" box.
Forum basics: Now that the new AA has become by some measures "the world's largest airline", this new, combined has become a "mega-forum", very large, very active - and theoretically very difficult to find information and easy to lose one's place. Having to search for and sort through dozens - or more - of threads on baggage, airports, minimum connect times or the like could soon become unproductive and discouraging.
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]
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)
Feb 17, 2016, 1:15 pm
#661
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Columbia, SC
Programs: AA Plat, SPG/Marriot Gold, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Expl
Posts: 2,363
Not saying it's not WORTH it going on CX via HKG and paying for two awards. It would actually give you more flexibility and an opportunity to stop over in a great city. CX availability is also infinitely better than both AA and QF.
JFK-YVR-HKG + HKG-SYD would be a great trip in CX premium cabin, for example.
Another option (albeit even longer) would be JL via NRT/HND.
JFK-YVR-HKG + HKG-SYD would be a great trip in CX premium cabin, for example.
Another option (albeit even longer) would be JL via NRT/HND.
Feb 17, 2016, 2:45 pm
#662
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Durham, NC USA
Programs: AA EXP and 1MM, UA 1K, HH Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 424
At current rates business class would be 55,000 (for JFK to HKG) and 35,000 (for HKG to SYD) for a total of 90,000 miles. After devaluation this will cost 110,000 miles (70,000 + 40,000)
First would be 112,500 pre-devaluation and 160,000 after devaluation.
I hope I got my math right.
Feb 17, 2016, 2:58 pm
#663
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 17,387
Not saying it's not WORTH it going on CX via HKG and paying for two awards. It would actually give you more flexibility and an opportunity to stop over in a great city. CX availability is also infinitely better than both AA and QF.
JFK-YVR-HKG + HKG-SYD would be a great trip in CX premium cabin, for example.
Another option (albeit even longer) would be JL via NRT/HND.
JFK-YVR-HKG + HKG-SYD would be a great trip in CX premium cabin, for example.
Another option (albeit even longer) would be JL via NRT/HND.
Feb 17, 2016, 3:55 pm
#664
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
One stays on the plane in YVR when going JFK-YVR-HKG, so it's not horrible. The schedule is nice in that you leave NY late in the evening and arrive HK in the morning. If you can stay up the first leg and sleep the second, you arrive with very little jet lag.
Feb 17, 2016, 4:27 pm
#665
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 68
Does anyone have any recent success or experience with having 3 separate reservation numbers with 3 separate travelers and one has the Citi AAdvantage Platinum card and still got all members first checked bag for free as well as priority boarding?
It would all come down to the rep that helps us check in at the airport right?
It would all come down to the rep that helps us check in at the airport right?
Feb 17, 2016, 4:30 pm
#666
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Does anyone have any recent success or experience with having 3 separate reservation numbers with 3 separate travelers and one has the Citi AAdvantage Platinum card and still got all members first checked bag for free as well as priority boarding?
It would all come down to the rep that helps us check in at the airport right?
It would all come down to the rep that helps us check in at the airport right?
Feb 17, 2016, 5:21 pm
#668
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Feb 18, 2016, 1:42 am
#670
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: AA EXP, CX GO, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 133
Companion Upgrade
Hello,
Please bare with me - I'm a CX Guy but recently acquired AA Platinum through a challenge (however I already have 50 EQMs - so also have it in my own right). My partner is EXP and we flew LAX - LIH - LAX last week.
On the outbound flight - my name couldn't be added to the upgrade list as I didn't have enough 500 mile upgrades. However, my partner has 50+. Can he use his 500 mile upgrades for me or has to come from my account?
Before I continue - we were on the same booking.
On the return some flights had posted so I had enough 500 mile upgrades in my account so I was added to the list. He came up as number 1 and I was number 3. Is this right? Shouldn't I get the same level as him? I didn't query it because I could see there was only one empty seat in First so didn't see any point as one of us would only get upgraded anyway.
As we board my partner got it and I didn't but after boarding complete one guy didn't show up in First so number 2 on the list got it.
I'm just wondering how this works flying with him in the future and if there is any real benefit?
Thanks - DT
Please bare with me - I'm a CX Guy but recently acquired AA Platinum through a challenge (however I already have 50 EQMs - so also have it in my own right). My partner is EXP and we flew LAX - LIH - LAX last week.
On the outbound flight - my name couldn't be added to the upgrade list as I didn't have enough 500 mile upgrades. However, my partner has 50+. Can he use his 500 mile upgrades for me or has to come from my account?
Before I continue - we were on the same booking.
On the return some flights had posted so I had enough 500 mile upgrades in my account so I was added to the list. He came up as number 1 and I was number 3. Is this right? Shouldn't I get the same level as him? I didn't query it because I could see there was only one empty seat in First so didn't see any point as one of us would only get upgraded anyway.
As we board my partner got it and I didn't but after boarding complete one guy didn't show up in First so number 2 on the list got it.
I'm just wondering how this works flying with him in the future and if there is any real benefit?
Thanks - DT
Feb 18, 2016, 11:15 am
#671
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Columbia, SC
Programs: AA Plat, SPG/Marriot Gold, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Expl
Posts: 2,363
Feb 18, 2016, 1:21 pm
#672
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 17,387
Ah I didn't know you could stay on, that makes the whole thing a bit better as you can just stay in bed. At least!
Feb 18, 2016, 1:47 pm
#673
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFOSJCOAK
Programs: AA-EXP & 1MM+, AS, MR-LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 7,576
SWU balance in account, where to look?
My eyes are playing games with me. 
After logon to my account, I can no longer locate SWU balance anymore. Sometime ago, I did see it.
Where can I see it now? TIA
After logon to my account, I can no longer locate SWU balance anymore. Sometime ago, I did see it.
Where can I see it now? TIA
Feb 18, 2016, 1:53 pm
#674
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
If you go to "Your Account," scroll down to the "Activity and Upgrades" section, and then click on the tab for "Upgrades," you should see your SWU and sticker upgrade balance.
Feb 18, 2016, 1:55 pm
#675
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
Well, you do have to put your seat up for landing/takeoff, so it is a bit annoying if you wanted to sleep through the stopover. I tend to want to stay up until after takeoff from YVR, which admittedly is usually something like 5am NY time.