Dec 31, 2016, 10:20 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
Welcome to the 2017 "NEWBIE LOUNGE"
Ask Your Consolidated / Combined AA Questions Here (flame free)
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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).
Advanced questions posed by veteran FT users may be moved and / or merged into existing master or GUIDE threads, most of which have Wikiposts at the top of the page that contain summaries of important information.
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!
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[2017 NEWBIE LOUNGE] Ask Your "Newbie" AA Questions Here (flame free)
Aug 7, 2017, 5:29 am
#1486
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 1
which airline combination to transfer through MIA?
Hi folks,
I'm new in this forum and need your help, please ...
I have to fly from Europe to STT (St. Thomas, USVI) in November 2017 > as I am an European citizen with ESTA - and found two possible options:
option 1) with SWISS (LX) to MIA + with AA from MIA to STT (all booked together as one trip on Swiss-homepage) - transfer time (Tuesday around 15:00) in MIA 3:20, return trip to Europe (same way - Sunday around 18:00) has 2:40 transfer time.
option 2) with BA via LHR to MIA + with AA from MIA to STT (all booked together as one trip directly on BA-homepage) - transfer time in MIA 3:45, return trip (same way) 2:40 transfer time.
As I read, the BA-AA connections often have problems regarding online check-in, issuing boarding passes for (onward BA-) flights, ...
For my flight back home to Europe this could be a real problem for both flights if I don't get my BA/LX-boarding pass in STT, have to do all the immigration/CBP, get to the transfer desk (where is that for BA??) or leave the secured area in MIA (go out to check in) just to get the BA-boarding pass that AA couldn't print in STT (because it would be a BA-issued ticket). For Swiss the problem is even worse, as LX has all of its counters in Terminal J -> how do I get along without my boarding pass for the LX-Flight?? or are there any transfer desks for SWISS (or Star Alliance) in D in order to get my bp before heading to terminal J?
So please, could any of you guys help me with the decision which connection is best to take?
Is it better to take the risk that BA/AA aren't coworking the way they should (and that I have to use the BA transfer desk (where is it?) after I waited for immigration/CBP on a Sunday evening in order to get my boarding pass) or is it better to go with SWISS and the trip to terminal J (can I follow the "connecting flights" signs after CBP? does CBP even allow me through without a boarding pass)?
thx!!!!
I'm new in this forum and need your help, please ...
I have to fly from Europe to STT (St. Thomas, USVI) in November 2017 > as I am an European citizen with ESTA - and found two possible options:
option 1) with SWISS (LX) to MIA + with AA from MIA to STT (all booked together as one trip on Swiss-homepage) - transfer time (Tuesday around 15:00) in MIA 3:20, return trip to Europe (same way - Sunday around 18:00) has 2:40 transfer time.
option 2) with BA via LHR to MIA + with AA from MIA to STT (all booked together as one trip directly on BA-homepage) - transfer time in MIA 3:45, return trip (same way) 2:40 transfer time.
As I read, the BA-AA connections often have problems regarding online check-in, issuing boarding passes for (onward BA-) flights, ...
For my flight back home to Europe this could be a real problem for both flights if I don't get my BA/LX-boarding pass in STT, have to do all the immigration/CBP, get to the transfer desk (where is that for BA??) or leave the secured area in MIA (go out to check in) just to get the BA-boarding pass that AA couldn't print in STT (because it would be a BA-issued ticket). For Swiss the problem is even worse, as LX has all of its counters in Terminal J -> how do I get along without my boarding pass for the LX-Flight?? or are there any transfer desks for SWISS (or Star Alliance) in D in order to get my bp before heading to terminal J?
So please, could any of you guys help me with the decision which connection is best to take?
Is it better to take the risk that BA/AA aren't coworking the way they should (and that I have to use the BA transfer desk (where is it?) after I waited for immigration/CBP on a Sunday evening in order to get my boarding pass) or is it better to go with SWISS and the trip to terminal J (can I follow the "connecting flights" signs after CBP? does CBP even allow me through without a boarding pass)?
thx!!!!
Last edited by seattle98; Aug 7, 2017 at 5:50 am
Aug 7, 2017, 11:33 am
#1487
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,565
Newbie operational question:
Last night, I flew the evening DFW-MCO flight, 7PM departure on an A321.
At 6:30, as we began boarding, the GA announced that a storm was approaching and that if we could board quickly, we could get out ahead of it. I couldn't tell if people hurried or not, but we pushed back right on time.
We taxied out, went directly past about a dozen AA planes waiting in a queue to take off, went straight out onto the runway, and took off. The storm appeared *close*, although that may have been an illusion. I was worried that we'd get caught in a ground stop...before we got sent straight to the front of the queue.
We landed at MCO about five minutes early.
My question is: why did we pass that queue of a dozen airplanes? The queue was all AA, types ranging from E170 to 767 with quite a few 737s. I don't *think* AA has midnight departures out of MCO, so I don't think they particularly needed that A321 there right on time.
While I'll happily take the good karma whenever it comes my way, I'm just curious as to why this flight, on this night, when so many others were obviously going to be waiting quite a while to take off with a storm approaching?
Last night, I flew the evening DFW-MCO flight, 7PM departure on an A321.
At 6:30, as we began boarding, the GA announced that a storm was approaching and that if we could board quickly, we could get out ahead of it. I couldn't tell if people hurried or not, but we pushed back right on time.
We taxied out, went directly past about a dozen AA planes waiting in a queue to take off, went straight out onto the runway, and took off. The storm appeared *close*, although that may have been an illusion. I was worried that we'd get caught in a ground stop...before we got sent straight to the front of the queue.
We landed at MCO about five minutes early.
My question is: why did we pass that queue of a dozen airplanes? The queue was all AA, types ranging from E170 to 767 with quite a few 737s. I don't *think* AA has midnight departures out of MCO, so I don't think they particularly needed that A321 there right on time.
While I'll happily take the good karma whenever it comes my way, I'm just curious as to why this flight, on this night, when so many others were obviously going to be waiting quite a while to take off with a storm approaching?
Aug 7, 2017, 11:48 am
#1488
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA & UK -- AA EXP 3.5MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Avis President's Club
Posts: 6,411
Speculation: there storm activity was reduced or absent in that (southeast) direction. The other planes in the queue were headed in other directions.
Newbie operational question:
Last night, I flew the evening DFW-MCO flight, 7PM departure on an A321.
At 6:30, as we began boarding, the GA announced that a storm was approaching and that if we could board quickly, we could get out ahead of it. I couldn't tell if people hurried or not, but we pushed back right on time.
We taxied out, went directly past about a dozen AA planes waiting in a queue to take off, went straight out onto the runway, and took off. The storm appeared *close*, although that may have been an illusion. I was worried that we'd get caught in a ground stop...before we got sent straight to the front of the queue.
We landed at MCO about five minutes early.
My question is: why did we pass that queue of a dozen airplanes? The queue was all AA, types ranging from E170 to 767 with quite a few 737s. I don't *think* AA has midnight departures out of MCO, so I don't think they particularly needed that A321 there right on time.
While I'll happily take the good karma whenever it comes my way, I'm just curious as to why this flight, on this night, when so many others were obviously going to be waiting quite a while to take off with a storm approaching?
Last night, I flew the evening DFW-MCO flight, 7PM departure on an A321.
At 6:30, as we began boarding, the GA announced that a storm was approaching and that if we could board quickly, we could get out ahead of it. I couldn't tell if people hurried or not, but we pushed back right on time.
We taxied out, went directly past about a dozen AA planes waiting in a queue to take off, went straight out onto the runway, and took off. The storm appeared *close*, although that may have been an illusion. I was worried that we'd get caught in a ground stop...before we got sent straight to the front of the queue.
We landed at MCO about five minutes early.
My question is: why did we pass that queue of a dozen airplanes? The queue was all AA, types ranging from E170 to 767 with quite a few 737s. I don't *think* AA has midnight departures out of MCO, so I don't think they particularly needed that A321 there right on time.
While I'll happily take the good karma whenever it comes my way, I'm just curious as to why this flight, on this night, when so many others were obviously going to be waiting quite a while to take off with a storm approaching?
Aug 7, 2017, 5:05 pm
#1489
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: RDU
Programs: AA LT Gold, DL SM, HY Disc, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 12,505
Definitely not a newbie (17 years on FT!) but a very new scenario for me:
As a BA Silver (e.g. OW Sapphire), what is different than being AA Plat when flying domestic AA metal? My key questions are:
- Being able to book MCE for free at ticketing including exit rows?
- Being able to use the AA app/website and not have it get confused and put your AA status (for me it'll be LT Gold) in the record instead?
- Do you land on the upgrade list for sub-500 mile flights?
The AA web site, not surprisingly, doesn't really talk about what other airlines OWS get, just what AA OWS get on other airlines.
I'm looking at BA Silver as a simplified way of getting MCE at ticketing without having to do $6k in spend, especially since I will have 4 IB segments and do buy up to F a fair amount when flying AA on shorter last-minute connecting flights. So that's 7 two-segment YUPs for 560, plus 4 BA segments for 20, plus 4 other AA segments for the last 20 to get to 600.
As a BA Silver (e.g. OW Sapphire), what is different than being AA Plat when flying domestic AA metal? My key questions are:
- Being able to book MCE for free at ticketing including exit rows?
- Being able to use the AA app/website and not have it get confused and put your AA status (for me it'll be LT Gold) in the record instead?
- Do you land on the upgrade list for sub-500 mile flights?
The AA web site, not surprisingly, doesn't really talk about what other airlines OWS get, just what AA OWS get on other airlines.
I'm looking at BA Silver as a simplified way of getting MCE at ticketing without having to do $6k in spend, especially since I will have 4 IB segments and do buy up to F a fair amount when flying AA on shorter last-minute connecting flights. So that's 7 two-segment YUPs for 560, plus 4 BA segments for 20, plus 4 other AA segments for the last 20 to get to 600.
Aug 8, 2017, 2:19 am
#1490
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: UK
Programs: BA Exec Club Bronze, Hilton Diamond, Virgin Flying Club Red
Posts: 1,257
Wondering if you AA flyers can offer some help.
We're flying LHR-ORD-TPA / TPA-MIA-LHR. The transatlantic legs are in BA Club World, domestics are AA economy, all booked on a single ticket via BA.
Will we have access to the AA lounges in ORD & TPA before our domestic legs by virtue of our subsequent long haul J boarding passes?
(Our BA Silver status will have been downgraded to Bronze by the time of our trip).
We're flying LHR-ORD-TPA / TPA-MIA-LHR. The transatlantic legs are in BA Club World, domestics are AA economy, all booked on a single ticket via BA.
Will we have access to the AA lounges in ORD & TPA before our domestic legs by virtue of our subsequent long haul J boarding passes?
(Our BA Silver status will have been downgraded to Bronze by the time of our trip).
Aug 8, 2017, 2:56 am
#1491
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA & UK -- AA EXP 3.5MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Avis President's Club
Posts: 6,411
Lounge access based on status is allowed for OneWorld Sapphire (BA Silver) but not OneWorld Ruby (BA Bronze). So, if you were BA Silver then you'd get OneWorld lounge access throughout the journey. Alas, lounge access is not offered to OneWorld Ruby / BA Bronze.
Corrected to add: Lounge access is offered, based on the same-day long-haul business class flight on BA.
Compare the tiers
Corrected to add: Lounge access is offered, based on the same-day long-haul business class flight on BA.
Compare the tiers
Wondering if you AA flyers can offer some help.
We're flying LHR-ORD-TPA / TPA-MIA-LHR. The transatlantic legs are in BA Club World, domestics are AA economy, all booked on a single ticket via BA.
Will we have access to the AA lounges in ORD & TPA before our domestic legs by virtue of our subsequent long haul J boarding passes?
(Our BA Silver status will have been downgraded to Bronze by the time of our trip).
We're flying LHR-ORD-TPA / TPA-MIA-LHR. The transatlantic legs are in BA Club World, domestics are AA economy, all booked on a single ticket via BA.
Will we have access to the AA lounges in ORD & TPA before our domestic legs by virtue of our subsequent long haul J boarding passes?
(Our BA Silver status will have been downgraded to Bronze by the time of our trip).
Last edited by CloudCoder; Aug 8, 2017 at 4:57 am Reason: Correction
Aug 8, 2017, 3:58 am
#1492
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,465
Wondering if you AA flyers can offer some help.
We're flying LHR-ORD-TPA / TPA-MIA-LHR. The transatlantic legs are in BA Club World, domestics are AA economy, all booked on a single ticket via BA.
Will we have access to the AA lounges in ORD & TPA before our domestic legs by virtue of our subsequent long haul J boarding passes?
(Our BA Silver status will have been downgraded to Bronze by the time of our trip).
We're flying LHR-ORD-TPA / TPA-MIA-LHR. The transatlantic legs are in BA Club World, domestics are AA economy, all booked on a single ticket via BA.
Will we have access to the AA lounges in ORD & TPA before our domestic legs by virtue of our subsequent long haul J boarding passes?
(Our BA Silver status will have been downgraded to Bronze by the time of our trip).
Lounge access based on status is allowed for OneWorld Sapphire (BA Silver) but not OneWorld Ruby (BA Bronze). So, if you were BA Silver then you'd get OneWorld lounge access throughout the journey. Alas, lounge access is not offered to OneWorld Ruby / BA Bronze.
Compare the tiers
Compare the tiers
Aug 8, 2017, 4:56 am
#1493
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA & UK -- AA EXP 3.5MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Avis President's Club
Posts: 6,411
Thanks for clarification. I did not realize that "Club World" was business class. Yes, with same-day long-haul business class, they'll get lounge access throughout the journey.
Aug 8, 2017, 8:30 am
#1494
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: UK
Programs: BA Exec Club Bronze, Hilton Diamond, Virgin Flying Club Red
Posts: 1,257
Thanks for the responses 
Is there a 'better' lounge in ORD T3?
Is there a 'better' lounge in ORD T3?
Aug 8, 2017, 9:49 am
#1496
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: ATL
Posts: 127
What fare codes need to be available for SWUs to instantly clear? And is there a good way to determine if your SWU will clear before booking?
Aug 8, 2017, 10:12 am
#1497
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
Good luck with your SWU.
Aug 8, 2017, 11:39 am
#1498
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,811
Definitely not a newbie (17 years on FT!) but a very new scenario for me:
As a BA Silver (e.g. OW Sapphire), what is different than being AA Plat when flying domestic AA metal? My key questions are:
- Being able to book MCE for free at ticketing including exit rows?
- Being able to use the AA app/website and not have it get confused and put your AA status (for me it'll be LT Gold) in the record instead?
- Do you land on the upgrade list for sub-500 mile flights?
The AA web site, not surprisingly, doesn't really talk about what other airlines OWS get, just what AA OWS get on other airlines.
I'm looking at BA Silver as a simplified way of getting MCE at ticketing without having to do $6k in spend, especially since I will have 4 IB segments and do buy up to F a fair amount when flying AA on shorter last-minute connecting flights. So that's 7 two-segment YUPs for 560, plus 4 BA segments for 20, plus 4 other AA segments for the last 20 to get to 600.
As a BA Silver (e.g. OW Sapphire), what is different than being AA Plat when flying domestic AA metal? My key questions are:
- Being able to book MCE for free at ticketing including exit rows?
- Being able to use the AA app/website and not have it get confused and put your AA status (for me it'll be LT Gold) in the record instead?
- Do you land on the upgrade list for sub-500 mile flights?
The AA web site, not surprisingly, doesn't really talk about what other airlines OWS get, just what AA OWS get on other airlines.
I'm looking at BA Silver as a simplified way of getting MCE at ticketing without having to do $6k in spend, especially since I will have 4 IB segments and do buy up to F a fair amount when flying AA on shorter last-minute connecting flights. So that's 7 two-segment YUPs for 560, plus 4 BA segments for 20, plus 4 other AA segments for the last 20 to get to 600.
Also, the difference of BA Silver over AA Plat is that the former gets lounge access.
Aug 9, 2017, 8:38 am
#1499
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 67
AA mechanical issue and canceled flight
I was on flight which had mechanical issues and after few hours AA decided to cancel that flight. Next flight was 6 hours later. AA didn't offer anything so should I ask AA? How do I start?
Aug 9, 2017, 9:34 am
#1500
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA & UK -- AA EXP 3.5MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Avis President's Club
Posts: 6,411
You can use "Contact AA Customer Relations" on the AA.com website, to say how disappointed and inconvenienced you were. They might throw some miles your way.