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)
May 19, 2016, 9:58 am
#1471
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 339
Actually, one final question - you mention recovering bags. I am checking a bag, but I was hoping it would be checked all the way through to London from SJC.
I won't need to collect my bag, will I? I know you have to for international arrivals before catching domestic connections, but previously all my domestic -> out-bound international connections have had the bag checked all the way through.
There's nothing special about Eagle's Nest terminal procedures that would require collection and re-check of my suitcase, is there?
Thanks!
I won't need to collect my bag, will I? I know you have to for international arrivals before catching domestic connections, but previously all my domestic -> out-bound international connections have had the bag checked all the way through.
There's nothing special about Eagle's Nest terminal procedures that would require collection and re-check of my suitcase, is there?
Thanks!
May 19, 2016, 12:18 pm
#1472
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Berkeley, CA
Programs: UA Silver, Southwest A-List, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 818
Just to be sure, can I get on a waitlist for miles+co-pay for SFO-JFK without any AA elite status? I got off the phone and she said that I would need to be an elite. Could be a HUCA situation, but wanted to make sure.
May 19, 2016, 12:24 pm
#1473
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 5,270
And
at the seemingly endless number of phone agents nowadays who don't know the rules but make up their own anyway. Perhaps we should start a drive to track/file complaints with AA whenever this happens, similar to the PDB thread.
May 19, 2016, 1:54 pm
#1474
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,743
Actually, one final question - you mention recovering bags. I am checking a bag, but I was hoping it would be checked all the way through to London from SJC.
I won't need to collect my bag, will I? I know you have to for international arrivals before catching domestic connections, but previously all my domestic -> out-bound international connections have had the bag checked all the way through.
There's nothing special about Eagle's Nest terminal procedures that would require collection and re-check of my suitcase, is there?
Thanks!
I won't need to collect my bag, will I? I know you have to for international arrivals before catching domestic connections, but previously all my domestic -> out-bound international connections have had the bag checked all the way through.
There's nothing special about Eagle's Nest terminal procedures that would require collection and re-check of my suitcase, is there?
Thanks!
May 19, 2016, 3:21 pm
#1475
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 2,272
I have booked an award on SQ for round trip LAX to NRT. I'm based in NYC. I want to book AA on a paid fare for the NYC-LAX portion. I had a few questions. How much time should I set aside for making the connection at LAX when flying onward to Tokyo on SQ and how much time should I set aside to make the connection coming into LAX on SQ and switching over to AA (coming back I would have to deal with immigration, I have global entry). It appears that AA & SQ have a join agreement where you can check your bag and it will be checked thru on to the other flight. Is this the case? I am booking these tickets separately (redeeming an award through SQ directly) and buying an AA ticket from AA. If you can check the luggage through is there something I need to do at advance or do I just arrange all of that at check-in from my origin airport?
May 19, 2016, 3:26 pm
#1476
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,743
I have booked an award on SQ for round trip LAX to NRT. I'm based in NYC. I want to book AA on a paid fare for the NYC-LAX portion. I had a few questions. How much time should I set aside for making the connection at LAX when flying onward to Tokyo on SQ and how much time should I set aside to make the connection coming into LAX on SQ and switching over to AA (coming back I would have to deal with immigration, I have global entry). It appears that AA & SQ have a join agreement where you can check your bag and it will be checked thru on to the other flight. Is this the case? I am booking these tickets separately (redeeming an award through SQ directly) and buying an AA ticket from AA. If you can check the luggage through is there something I need to do at advance or do I just arrange all of that at check-in from my origin airport?
May 20, 2016, 12:47 pm
#1477
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 542
If I'm flying DFW-JFK-ANU in first class, do I really not get lounge access anywhere? Their website says that you don't get Admiral Club access if your flight is to the Caribbean. That seems bizarre to me...
May 20, 2016, 1:15 pm
#1478
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 5,270
Correct. It's different from airlines in other countries, but that's how it is.
May 20, 2016, 1:39 pm
#1479
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
"First and Business Class customers
Lounge access is not available if you’re traveling on American Airlines solely within the United States or between the United States and the Caribbean, Canada, or Mexico (except Mexico City)." link
You can gain all day access to Admirals Clubs with a $50 day pass, or access as a member whether you're flying or not (by advance arrangement) plus over 30 international partner lounges for a $99 thirty day membership.
May 20, 2016, 1:45 pm
#1480
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 2,272
Hmm. The SQ rep told me this would not be an issue. Both ways I have at least a 2 hour connection time so hopefully that will be more than enough. Had the rep told me something else I would have built in a bit more time, since I haven't flown into LAX for years and don't really remember the layout.
May 20, 2016, 3:01 pm
#1481
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Berkeley, CA
Programs: UA Silver, Southwest A-List, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 818
May 20, 2016, 3:38 pm
#1482
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 2,272
How do you upgrade a paid fare in economy to business using miles? Do you have to call in to ask about this or is there some sort of option in your booking online to check to see if there is any availability?
May 20, 2016, 4:00 pm
#1483
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Berkeley, CA
Programs: UA Silver, Southwest A-List, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 818
So I'm a bit of an AA rookie myself, so take what I say with a grain of salt. I was doing a miles+co-pay since I had a discounted economy fare. There's no way to do it online so you'll need to call the AAdvantage Desk (as opposed to regular reservations, at least based on my experience). They can check for availability and put you on the waitlist if needed.
That said, I did check ExpertFlyer to see if there was availability. I knew there was not, but set up a notification to tell me if it does become available.
That said, I did check ExpertFlyer to see if there was availability. I knew there was not, but set up a notification to tell me if it does become available.
May 20, 2016, 4:10 pm
#1484
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 2,272
So I'm a bit of an AA rookie myself, so take what I say with a grain of salt. I was doing a miles+co-pay since I had a discounted economy fare. There's no way to do it online so you'll need to call the AAdvantage Desk (as opposed to regular reservations, at least based on my experience). They can check for availability and put you on the waitlist if needed.
That said, I did check ExpertFlyer to see if there was availability. I knew there was not, but set up a notification to tell me if it does become available.
That said, I did check ExpertFlyer to see if there was availability. I knew there was not, but set up a notification to tell me if it does become available.
Update: I called in and there is no availability to upgrade on either of my flights. The CSR told me she can't put me on a wait list and I have to keep calling back to check. Does anyone know if they did away with the wait list option for AA upgrades? That seems kinda suspect. The flight out has only one J seat available, but the other flight is showing 12 open seats in J so I am having a difficult time believing that they won't even consider me for a wait list on that.
Last edited by Red259; May 20, 2016 at 4:39 pm
May 20, 2016, 8:40 pm
#1485
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,743
Hmm. The SQ rep told me this would not be an issue. Both ways I have at least a 2 hour connection time so hopefully that will be more than enough. Had the rep told me something else I would have built in a bit more time, since I haven't flown into LAX for years and don't really remember the layout.