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.
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(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:
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Check out the following resources:
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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:
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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)
May 10, 2016, 7:23 pm
#1351
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
I got into the credit card mileage game about a year ago with one thought: get enough miles to get to Australia in business class. As the frequent-flier miles on AA started racking up I noticed that when I got back from a trip that I paid for I was very close to gold status. 90 miles away in fact. Started reading up on all the mileage run information that I could. I really had never paid any attention to status with American before and became hooked.
Bottom line is that I'll hit Exec platinum in November and plan on buying two economy tickets for my wife and I and then use the system wide upgrades to bump us up to business class to Australia. I plan on doing this about 11 months before we leave to hopefully ensure I can use my upgrades to get into business class that far out. I'll then use all the miles through credit card bonuses etc for future trips in business class.
So I guess what I'm asking is is this strategy somewhat flawed? I should add that I am retired, have plenty of time and an understanding wife and I don't mind doing the mileage runs. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated!
Bottom line is that I'll hit Exec platinum in November and plan on buying two economy tickets for my wife and I and then use the system wide upgrades to bump us up to business class to Australia. I plan on doing this about 11 months before we leave to hopefully ensure I can use my upgrades to get into business class that far out. I'll then use all the miles through credit card bonuses etc for future trips in business class.
So I guess what I'm asking is is this strategy somewhat flawed? I should add that I am retired, have plenty of time and an understanding wife and I don't mind doing the mileage runs. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated!
Read the following thread for information.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...iscussion.html
May 10, 2016, 7:34 pm
#1352
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
I got into the credit card mileage game about a year ago with one thought: get enough miles to get to Australia in business class. As the frequent-flier miles on AA started racking up I noticed that when I got back from a trip that I paid for I was very close to gold status. 90 miles away in fact. Started reading up on all the mileage run information that I could. I really had never paid any attention to status with American before and became hooked.
Bottom line is that I'll hit Exec platinum in November and plan on buying two economy tickets for my wife and I and then use the system wide upgrades to bump us up to business class to Australia. I plan on doing this about 11 months before we leave to hopefully ensure I can use my upgrades to get into business class that far out. I'll then use all the miles through credit card bonuses etc for future trips in business class.
So I guess what I'm asking is is this strategy somewhat flawed? I should add that I am retired, have plenty of time and an understanding wife and I don't mind doing the mileage runs. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated!
Bottom line is that I'll hit Exec platinum in November and plan on buying two economy tickets for my wife and I and then use the system wide upgrades to bump us up to business class to Australia. I plan on doing this about 11 months before we leave to hopefully ensure I can use my upgrades to get into business class that far out. I'll then use all the miles through credit card bonuses etc for future trips in business class.
So I guess what I'm asking is is this strategy somewhat flawed? I should add that I am retired, have plenty of time and an understanding wife and I don't mind doing the mileage runs. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated!
Second, AA is planning on introducing premium economy late this year/next year. No idea how this will affect SWUs in the future, but something to keep in mind.
May 10, 2016, 7:51 pm
#1353
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 36
AA72 and 73 are not easy upgrades. Your best bet given your flexibility is to book the flights when you find upgrade availability (ExpertFlyer, calling, etc.) for two people.
Read the following thread for information.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...iscussion.html
Read the following thread for information.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...iscussion.html
First, there is no guarantee that there will be upgrade space at the time of booking. In general, I would say booking 11 months early will mean you will be very near the top of the wait list with a good chance of clearing, but I am not sure how competetive the LAX-SYD route is--I imagine it is one of the more competetive ones.
Second, AA is planning on introducing premium economy late this year/next year. No idea how this will affect SWUs in the future, but something to keep in mind.
Second, AA is planning on introducing premium economy late this year/next year. No idea how this will affect SWUs in the future, but something to keep in mind.
Last edited by JY1024; May 11, 2016 at 8:51 am Reason: merged consecutive posts
May 10, 2016, 8:49 pm
#1354
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
As an EP the SYD Qantas First Lounge is another highlight, with great Tarmac views, a la carte service including Champagne and...
May 10, 2016, 10:29 pm
#1355
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,933
Somewhere in the App there is an "Add Flights" button which you can use to add a flight that is not in your AA profile but you do need the AA record locator. You also need to tell the App to remember it. This should not affect crediting to LATAM assuming that is already set up.
May 10, 2016, 11:22 pm
#1356
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 17,410
Thanks for the info, that's great news. I've avoided that route for airplane reason in favour of flying via LHR but a newer plane would make this much more attractive. a 787 would be a welcome surprise, too!
May 11, 2016, 6:31 am
#1357
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 36
Again, one can use ExpertFlyer to find available upgrade inventory and book the upgrade / SWU when the flight is booked. This works best for flexible flyers. When you can use a SWU from Y to J, LAX-SYD on the 77W is possibly the best use possible (though I have to admit I used one of mine on SYD-LAX J to F - which included Five Star Service upon arrival at LAX).
As an EP the SYD Qantas First Lounge is another highlight, with great Tarmac views, a la carte service including Champagne and...
As an EP the SYD Qantas First Lounge is another highlight, with great Tarmac views, a la carte service including Champagne and...
May 11, 2016, 7:38 am
#1358
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
Looks like a subscription to expert flyer is in order. I really want to make this work and naïvely thought if I could book 331 days out I would be golden. Plenty of seats would be open and boom I'm in. Clearly that's not the case. Really never gave much thought about only a few seats possibly being allowed for upgrades. But again I'm new at this so I'm not going to beat myself up too much about it. SWU are still valuable Australia or not
In your case, if you are simply just interested in one or two particular flights, it's probably not worth an EF subscription, especially if you have the time to monitor the particular flight that you want. With EF you can set up alerts for when upgrade inventory becomes available, which is useful for someone who is monitoring a bunch of flights or doesn't have a lot of time on their hands. The other potential benefit of knowing when upgrade space becomes available is that, even though your upgrade should clear according to the order of the wait list, sometimes re-ticketing doesn't happen immediately, so you can call in and make sure it's re-ticketed. But again, if you're diligent in monitoring your reservation, it shouldn't be a problem.
Only you can really assess whether an EF subscription is worth it, but thought I'd just add some thoughts that may factor into your decision calculus.
May 11, 2016, 10:15 am
#1359
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,018
Hello all, Just to bring some closure.
HUCA did not help.
AA replied (in writing) saying I bought an instant upgrade ticket which will only get economy basis mileage (RDM, PQM, etc).
Wow, This really sucks.
I guess I have learned a good lesson here. (an expensive one though). I wont be trying very hard to get EXP again this year.
HUCA did not help.
AA replied (in writing) saying I bought an instant upgrade ticket which will only get economy basis mileage (RDM, PQM, etc).
Wow, This really sucks.
I guess I have learned a good lesson here. (an expensive one though). I wont be trying very hard to get EXP again this year.
hello again friendly AA folks,
I just completed a small MR to SJU. Bought tickets as "discounted business".
Domestic tickets booked as "A" class.
MIA-SJU-MIA booked as "I" class.
I noticed discrepancies in EQM's / RDM's...and called AAdvantage.
The AAgent consulted the EXP desk; and finally came back and told me that I had actually purchased deep discount economy fares, which gave me a "free" upgrade to the front cabin due to AA stAAtus (EXP).
I am familiar with UA's "UPDI" fares....but they usually post as regular front cabin fares with respect to miles. Not familiar with AA.
The Agent refused to change anything even though I told my receipt shows "A" and "I" fares.
She said I should call American every time I buy a front cabin fare so I can understand what I am buying !!! SERIOUSLY??
Any thoughts? Or I am S.O.L.?
I just completed a small MR to SJU. Bought tickets as "discounted business".
Domestic tickets booked as "A" class.
MIA-SJU-MIA booked as "I" class.
I noticed discrepancies in EQM's / RDM's...and called AAdvantage.
The AAgent consulted the EXP desk; and finally came back and told me that I had actually purchased deep discount economy fares, which gave me a "free" upgrade to the front cabin due to AA stAAtus (EXP).
I am familiar with UA's "UPDI" fares....but they usually post as regular front cabin fares with respect to miles. Not familiar with AA.
The Agent refused to change anything even though I told my receipt shows "A" and "I" fares.
She said I should call American every time I buy a front cabin fare so I can understand what I am buying !!! SERIOUSLY??
Any thoughts? Or I am S.O.L.?
Thanks. This was what I tried to explain to the Agent. She kept telling me that I purchased an economy ticket and they gave me a free upgrade.
Edited to Add:
The receipt I got from AA (email) clearly just shows "A" or "I".
Also, if this is not the correct thread, please feel free to move the discussion to the appropriate thread.
Yes,
Last year, I bought a few "I" fares for my stAAtus chAAlenge (to hop from UA) And it worked perfectly. I thought this should be easy, as the system seemed to work.
(if it had not worked, I would not have completed the status challenge last year).
Edited to Add:
The receipt I got from AA (email) clearly just shows "A" or "I".
Also, if this is not the correct thread, please feel free to move the discussion to the appropriate thread.
Yes,
Last year, I bought a few "I" fares for my stAAtus chAAlenge (to hop from UA) And it worked perfectly. I thought this should be easy, as the system seemed to work.
(if it had not worked, I would not have completed the status challenge last year).
May 11, 2016, 11:32 am
#1360
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 12
AAdvantage credit card.
Should I get current AAdvantage credit card with the 30k sign up bonus. Am worried that there is going to be better offer as soon as I get accepted for the current 30k sign up card.
Also, I am planning on building miles with American. I already have a handful of chase UR points and am planning on getting the Starwood card once they do the 35K point sign up bonus again. Any other advice on how to get more AA points with credit card signups?
Also, I am planning on building miles with American. I already have a handful of chase UR points and am planning on getting the Starwood card once they do the 35K point sign up bonus again. Any other advice on how to get more AA points with credit card signups?
May 11, 2016, 11:54 am
#1361
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 35
You ought to check the existing Wiki thread in this forum on this exact topic. You'll like what you find.
May 11, 2016, 12:14 pm
#1362
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: FNT, but DTW if I can't help it
Programs: AAdvantage Former EXP/Current PLT / Total Rewards - Diamond / Hilton HHonors - Gold
Posts: 757
Welcome to FlyerTalk.
This thread was pretty recent and has a huge discussion about the card itself:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...edit-card.html
You'll also find that there are 50k mile offers out there. See this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/citi-...cards-144.html
This thread was pretty recent and has a huge discussion about the card itself:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...edit-card.html
You'll also find that there are 50k mile offers out there. See this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/citi-...cards-144.html
May 11, 2016, 3:45 pm
#1363
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,495
Hello all, Just to bring some closure.
HUCA did not help.
AA replied (in writing) saying I bought an instant upgrade ticket which will only get economy basis mileage (RDM, PQM, etc).
Wow, This really sucks.
I guess I have learned a good lesson here. (an expensive one though). I wont be trying very hard to get EXP again this year.
HUCA did not help.
AA replied (in writing) saying I bought an instant upgrade ticket which will only get economy basis mileage (RDM, PQM, etc).
Wow, This really sucks.
I guess I have learned a good lesson here. (an expensive one though). I wont be trying very hard to get EXP again this year.
At first I wouldn't even mention the bad responses you received, just start over and say you purchased a F/J ticket but the miles only credited as Y. Have the PNR and ticket numbers ready for reference.
May 11, 2016, 4:25 pm
#1364
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,018
Sorry if I missed it upthread, but who exactly did you talk to at AA? In a case like this you need to speak with AAdvantage Customer Service...not the normal EXP desk, AA customer relations, or any email contact at aa.com. Call the EXP desk and ask to be transferred to AAdvantage Customer Service.
At first I wouldn't even mention the bad responses you received, just start over and say you purchased a F/J ticket but the miles only credited as Y. Have the PNR and ticket numbers ready for reference.
At first I wouldn't even mention the bad responses you received, just start over and say you purchased a F/J ticket but the miles only credited as Y. Have the PNR and ticket numbers ready for reference.
Then back to AADvantage (HUCA).
Finally, this is the end of the road.
I think the last person who looked at my file went and got a PhD on my ticket.
She even quoted the sentence to which I apparently "agreed" while checking the boxes:
"First/Business Fares may be an Instant Upgrade and therefore subject to restrictions."
I am tired of this now. I will just have to move on..
May 11, 2016, 4:30 pm
#1365
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 5,270
I don't recall whether you tried emailing AAdvantage CS or did all this by phone, but one more email might be a last resort. Just keep it short, explicitly spell out that you purchased fare code <x>, and refer to the mileage table that states <x> earns 2x EQM.