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[2017 NEWBIE LOUNGE] Ask Your "Newbie" AA Questions Here (flame free)

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Old Dec 31, 2016, 10:20 pm
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Welcome to the 2017 "NEWBIE LOUNGE"
Ask Your Consolidated / Combined AA Questions Here (flame free)
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[2017 NEWBIE LOUNGE] Ask Your "Newbie" AA Questions Here (flame free)

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Old Jul 3, 2017, 3:00 pm
  #1261  
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: DFW
Posts: 6
question 2

I was reading about the EQD % and all of that, and I really want to go to Europe from the US, and I want to take advantage of that.

I'm in Texas (will be flying out of Dallas or Houston) can you recommend the best way for me to find a cheap flight to Europe on a partner airline when I really don't care about the destination? I just want to get there to earn the miles while also getting to go hang out for a bit there...don't really care where I end up.

I'm subbed to Scott's cheap flights, which is nice, but still it's not often I get a good one out of Texas. and usually flying to NY and back to leave from there kind of negates the really sick deal..unless there's a better way to do that.

Thanks!

I know I sound like a noob, but I kind of am so be gentle.

thank you
alexwastaken is offline  
Old Jul 3, 2017, 3:20 pm
  #1262  
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,811
Originally Posted by alexwastaken
Super, super new to all this.

Basically, I'm about halfway to platinum for next year in all 3 qualification sections.

Would it be better for me to do mileage runs, or segment runs? Is there a general consensus which is more efficient?

Basically trying to find a way to search for just AA flights that will give me the most cost effective way to ensure I get Platinum for next year. I know all the standard sites for cheap flights and what not, but I didn't know if you happened to have any more advice? Am I just going to have to search for random trips on AA.com and try to find something crazy myself?
I'm assuming that this is for a Platinum Challenge. Otherwise, this is rather early in the year to be thinking about MRs. If not a Challenge, any advice would have to take into account other flights you have planned.

Most of the discussion seems to focus on EQM runs rather than EQS runs, probably because people tend to be much closer to the goal on the former than the latter. And the need to meet the EQD goal might make one choice better than the other.

There is a thread for advice on AA MRs which you should find very helpful. Be sure to be specific in indicating where you would be starting MRs from, the number you still need for EQM/EQS/EQD, the Challenge deadline, any other date constraints, any spending constraints, any preferences (or passport/visa-imposed limits) on foreign travel.
SpammersAreScum is offline  
Old Jul 3, 2017, 5:22 pm
  #1263  
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: DFW
Posts: 6
Originally Posted by SpammersAreScum
I'm assuming that this is for a Platinum Challenge. Otherwise, this is rather early in the year to be thinking about MRs. If not a Challenge, any advice would have to take into account other flights you have planned.

Most of the discussion seems to focus on EQM runs rather than EQS runs, probably because people tend to be much closer to the goal on the former than the latter. And the need to meet the EQD goal might make one choice better than the other.

There is a thread for advice on AA MRs which you should find very helpful. Be sure to be specific in indicating where you would be starting MRs from, the number you still need for EQM/EQS/EQD, the Challenge deadline, any other date constraints, any spending constraints, any preferences (or passport/visa-imposed limits) on foreign travel.
that's great, thank you so much for that. yea, i know it's early, but my work is purely freelance travel and i have a really good estimate of how much i'm going to fly to the end of the year, so i know i'll probably need about 10 segments, 10-15k miles, and maybe $1000. EQD might be off because who knows, but the other two are going to be pretty spot on so I figured I would start planning now because I want to try to go to Europe in September.

Thanks again!
alexwastaken is offline  
Old Jul 4, 2017, 3:08 pm
  #1264  
Hilton Contributor BadgeHyatt Contributor Badge
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,714
Originally Posted by EuropeanPete
I used a trusted BA technique of just calling in again. Different person on the phone today and different rules. I was able to upgrade to F with just the fare difference this time, but I couldn't pay over the phone unless I had a US credit card. So apparently it's noted on my reservation and I have to go process in person at the airport.
FFS. I turn up at the airport and am told I owe $134 plus a $200 change fee, which is the third different thing I was told and was the most expensive of all of them. I expect this kind of thing in the UK, but I'm really surprised this is so difficult on AA. I asked the agent and she said that there was always a hefty change fee on people looking to pay into First.
EuropeanPete is offline  
Old Jul 6, 2017, 10:37 am
  #1265  
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,811
Originally Posted by alexwastaken
that's great, thank you so much for that. yea, i know it's early, but my work is purely freelance travel and i have a really good estimate of how much i'm going to fly to the end of the year, so i know i'll probably need about 10 segments, 10-15k miles, and maybe $1000. EQD might be off because who knows, but the other two are going to be pretty spot on so I figured I would start planning now because I want to try to go to Europe in September.

Thanks again!
In that case, knowing what your planned flights are could also help. People would probably be able to suggest ways to modify them to add segments cheaply; if any are international, similar tweaks to up EQD might be possible.
SpammersAreScum is offline  
Old Jul 6, 2017, 11:48 am
  #1266  
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA ExPl, DL PM, UA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, probably some others
Posts: 4,077
Can I change the frequent flier number on a ticket inbetween the outbound and return? I have a ZRH-BOS business ticket that leaves in August and returns in April and was going to credit to AS, but given today's news, think I'm going to try and credit the outbound to AS and the return to either AA or BA. Does AA's IT allow for this?
steveholt is offline  
Old Jul 6, 2017, 12:01 pm
  #1267  
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,922
Originally Posted by steveholt
Can I change the frequent flier number on a ticket inbetween the outbound and return? I have a ZRH-BOS business ticket that leaves in August and returns in April and was going to credit to AS, but given today's news, think I'm going to try and credit the outbound to AS and the return to either AA or BA. Does AA's IT allow for this?
You can call in or get an agent at the airport to change it. In principle even at the gate, but it is better to do it in advance and check that it updated. It is possible to do it for a single segment.
MADPhil is offline  
Old Jul 6, 2017, 12:43 pm
  #1268  
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: AAdvantage, Skymiles
Posts: 8
Could someone explain the systemwide upgrades a bit more clearly when you achieve executive platinum status? Do the upgrades reset every year the user is exec platinum or are they only achievable by the amount of miles earned through flying (2 per 50 ADEs above 100k)?

I.e, lets assume i achieve exec platinum for year 2018 and use up all eight of my systemwide upgrades (assuming i get the additional 4 per 50k miles above 100k).

If i achieve exec platinum in year 2019 as well, do i recieve an additional 4 systemwide upgrades (as well as the ability to get 4 more each time i fly 50k over 100k again)?

Please let me know if my question does not make good sense.
DevChatt is offline  
Old Jul 6, 2017, 6:00 pm
  #1269  
 
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
Originally Posted by DevChatt
Could someone explain the systemwide upgrades a bit more clearly when you achieve executive platinum status? Do the upgrades reset every year the user is exec platinum or are they only achievable by the amount of miles earned through flying (2 per 50 ADEs above 100k)?

I.e, lets assume i achieve exec platinum for year 2018 and use up all eight of my systemwide upgrades (assuming i get the additional 4 per 50k miles above 100k).

If i achieve exec platinum in year 2019 as well, do i recieve an additional 4 systemwide upgrades (as well as the ability to get 4 more each time i fly 50k over 100k again)?

Please let me know if my question does not make good sense.
Your questions are answered pretty thoroughly in this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...er-thread.html

Four SWUs are earned by Executive Platinum AAdvantage members when they cross the threshold to EXP, and their expiration is essentially the same as the earned status - the last day of February of the ensuing status year (e.g. earn May 15 2017, the status and SWUs are good through 31 Jan 2019).

Two SWUs are earned by Executive Platinum AAdvantage members when they cross the 150,000 and 200,000 EQ EQ Miles; their expiration is essentially the same as the earned status as described above. (Further increments of 50,000 EQM past 200,000 earn no more SWU.)

Four SWUs are earned by those crossing Million Miler thresholds of 2MM and every Million Miles milestone thereafter.
The only thing I think you have wrong is that you don't earn an additional 2 SWU's for every 50k miles over 100k. You only earn them for 150k and 200k.
josmul123 is offline  
Old Jul 6, 2017, 6:38 pm
  #1270  
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: AAdvantage, Skymiles
Posts: 8
^^Thanks. I did read that. It seems that this doesn't renew every year of status unless i am misreading.
DevChatt is offline  
Old Jul 6, 2017, 7:24 pm
  #1271  
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Programs: AA LP pleb, QR Plat., Bonvoy Ti, IHG Diamond Amb, Foolish Hoarder of Miles, Fid. Def.
Posts: 125
Originally Posted by DevChatt
^^Thanks. I did read that. It seems that this doesn't renew every year of status unless i am misreading.
You do get a fresh batch of four SWUs (with the chance for four more at 150k and 200k EQM as noted) EACH year you qualify or requalify, yes. They are not a perk just for new Exec Plats.
NavSTL is offline  
Old Jul 6, 2017, 7:35 pm
  #1272  
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
Originally Posted by DevChatt
Could someone explain the systemwide upgrades a bit more clearly when you achieve executive platinum status? Do the upgrades reset every year the user is exec platinum or are they only achievable by the amount of miles earned through flying (2 per 50 ADEs above 100k)?

I.e, lets assume i achieve exec platinum for year 2018 and use up all eight of my systemwide upgrades (assuming i get the additional 4 per 50k miles above 100k).

If i achieve exec platinum in year 2019 as well, do i recieve an additional 4 systemwide upgrades (as well as the ability to get 4 more each time i fly 50k over 100k again)?

Please let me know if my question does not make good sense.
Every year you "make" Executive Platinum, you receive 4 SWU.

When you have earned 150,000 EQM, you earn two more SWU. When you have earned 200,000 EQM you earn two more SWU.
JDiver is offline  
Old Jul 7, 2017, 9:49 am
  #1273  
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: BAEC Silver, IHG Diamond
Posts: 7,748
Is there a particular time of day when AA releases reward seats?
Seems to be sometime in the afternoon here in the UK (4pm or 11am EST seems to be when I've noticed things appearing but I don't constantly check).
xenole is online now  
Old Jul 7, 2017, 1:55 pm
  #1274  
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 152
Originally Posted by JDiver
Every year you "make" Executive Platinum, you receive 4 SWU.

When you have earned 150,000 EQM, you earn two more SWU. When you have earned 200,000 EQM you earn two more SWU.
This answers your question.
And remember all within the same calendar year since EQM or EQD will reset to zero on Jan 1.
laagima is offline  
Old Jul 8, 2017, 5:02 pm
  #1275  
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: BHX, UK
Programs: Skywards Gold, Hilton gold, BA
Posts: 50
Newbie question regarding lounge access

Hi there. I have looked on AA website and also forum - however if I am honest I lost the will to live. OK. My basic question is where will I have Lounge access? I am really confused about how this works as never usually fly AA

LHR-PHL AA Business (know we have lounge access here)
PHL-YUW (Economy as nothing else)

Staying in canada

YUW-PHL ( as above)
PHL-LAX (first class) - same say as earlier flight

Staying in LA

LAX-HNL (First class)

Staying in HNL

HNL-LAX-LHR (first and business)

Any help or advice would be great - traveling in 2 weeks
finallyhitgold is offline  


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