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)
MODERATOR GUIDEPOST:
MODERATOR GUIDEPOST:
(This post can only be edited by moderators.)
Welcome to the Newbie Lounge!
Welcome to the Newbie Lounge!
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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!
Your American Airlines | AAdvantage Forum Moderation Team,
AZ Travels the World, aztimm, dstan, JDiver, JY1024, Microwave
(Our thanks to thread founder / "plank owner" HNL.)
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[2017 NEWBIE LOUNGE] Ask Your "Newbie" AA Questions Here (flame free)
Jul 8, 2017, 5:19 pm
#1276
Join Date: Jun 2015
Programs: AA LP pleb, QR Plat., Bonvoy Ti, IHG Diamond Amb, Foolish Hoarder of Miles, Fid. Def.
Posts: 125
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
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
]You get zilch for YUW-PHL-LAX at any stage, sad to say. Same for LAX-HNL.
You get access to J lounges in both HNL and LAX on your way back (I think it's a JAL Sakura Lounge in HNL, Admirals Club or OneWorld biz lounge in the TBIT at LAX), plus the arrivals lounge in LHR.
[Edited edit: this is all provided you do not have Sapphire or Emerald status with a non-AA OneWorld carrier; if you do, lounges everywhere, of course.]
Hope that helps.
Last edited by NavSTL; Jul 8, 2017 at 5:35 pm
Jul 8, 2017, 8:13 pm
#1277
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
HNL has a jointly operated JL Sakura Lounge and AA Admirals Club. Extended f&b compared to Clubs, some really terrific people who have been working for the Club since they were down in the courtyard (which became the CO Presudents Club).
Slightly tricky to find, but explained in the Wikipost of http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...er-thread.html.
Slightly tricky to find, but explained in the Wikipost of http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...er-thread.html.
Jul 9, 2017, 10:03 am
#1278
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: sdf
Programs: HHonors Gold/AAdvantage /Delta Skymiles
Posts: 248
Help with reward flight BNA to PRG
I am looking to book two award flights in J for BNA to PRG. My date is not until 08/20/2018, but I am trying to think ahead so I am ready to book when the awards become available. Looking at awards as far into the future as I can for now, it appears that there are never any awards available for Sun/Mon travel on any dates from May to as far into June as I can see. This goes for J or Y. Can I assume that this will be the case into August? My travel date would be on a Monday, so it looks like I am either going to have to extend my vacation and fly on a Saturday, or cut it short and fly on Tuesday. Is my thinking right on this or am I missing something.
Are there other awards that may only be available by calling AA, or tricky routing that I may not know about?
Are there other awards that may only be available by calling AA, or tricky routing that I may not know about?
Jul 9, 2017, 7:44 pm
#1279
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 am looking to book two award flights in J for BNA to PRG. My date is not until 08/20/2018, but I am trying to think ahead so I am ready to book when the awards become available. Looking at awards as far into the future as I can for now, it appears that there are never any awards available for Sun/Mon travel on any dates from May to as far into June as I can see. This goes for J or Y. Can I assume that this will be the case into August? My travel date would be on a Monday, so it looks like I am either going to have to extend my vacation and fly on a Saturday, or cut it short and fly on Tuesday. Is my thinking right on this or am I missing something.
Are there other awards that may only be available by calling AA, or tricky routing that I may not know about?
Are there other awards that may only be available by calling AA, or tricky routing that I may not know about?
Then, ask questions for assistance in that thread.
Good luck.
Jul 10, 2017, 8:01 am
#1280
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Arlington, VA
Posts: 397
Clearing 500 mile certs at close-in purchase?
Apologies if this is covered, but I'm a UA elite who was gifted temporary AA platinum status by AA and a bunch of these 500 mile thingies as part of a status challenge. Question is this:
As platinum I think I know 500 mile certs can clear within 48 hours of departure.
If I buy a non-refundable ticket less than 48 hours prior to departure, I can't use the 24 hour refund window on the ticket, making it instantly non-refundable.
Is there any way to know at the time of ticket purchase, i.e. before I click "buy," whether there is 500 mile upgrade inventory open and whether I'd clear by virtue of making the request and being within my upgrade window?
On UA you can check upgrade inventory for instruments / miles, and if it's there when you buy have an agent process you into it. No idea if AA has any equivalent?
Thanks for humoring the noob.
As platinum I think I know 500 mile certs can clear within 48 hours of departure.
If I buy a non-refundable ticket less than 48 hours prior to departure, I can't use the 24 hour refund window on the ticket, making it instantly non-refundable.
Is there any way to know at the time of ticket purchase, i.e. before I click "buy," whether there is 500 mile upgrade inventory open and whether I'd clear by virtue of making the request and being within my upgrade window?
On UA you can check upgrade inventory for instruments / miles, and if it's there when you buy have an agent process you into it. No idea if AA has any equivalent?
Thanks for humoring the noob.
Jul 10, 2017, 8:02 am
#1281
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: sdf
Programs: HHonors Gold/AAdvantage /Delta Skymiles
Posts: 248
Thanks, I have looked through the wiki and will post in the appropriate thread.
Jul 10, 2017, 6:23 pm
#1282
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: LAX/IAD
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 162
If I book into a J Saaver award ticket, and a F Saaver award opens up later on, will I be able to change to that without any fees (aside for the 21 day /$75 fee and paying the mileage difference)?
This is for AA193, LAX->HKG
This is for AA193, LAX->HKG
Jul 10, 2017, 9:18 pm
#1283
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: TG ROP Gold, EY Guest Gold
Posts: 22
Hi everyone,
I've never flown with American Airlines before. My uncle booked a flight for me to visit DC from Sydney. Seems like I got stuck in the middle seat at the back of the plane. Could someone please run me over the seat change (seems like I have to pay for any seat change) online? What's the Main Cabin Extra and it looks like the flight is full. I would appreciate your help, thank you so much!
I've never flown with American Airlines before. My uncle booked a flight for me to visit DC from Sydney. Seems like I got stuck in the middle seat at the back of the plane. Could someone please run me over the seat change (seems like I have to pay for any seat change) online? What's the Main Cabin Extra and it looks like the flight is full. I would appreciate your help, thank you so much!
Jul 12, 2017, 8:22 am
#1284
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: London
Programs: Mucci Blue, BAEC Gold, Blockbuster Video card
Posts: 1,378
Newb status question.
I am a regular BA flyer but someone told me recently (purely anecdotally although they sounded credible) that achieving top tier status (I guess that's Exec Platinum) is easier than the equivalent on BA.
Is this true?
I wasn't entirely sure from the website whether you need the qualifying target in dollars, miles AND segments. And what that in reality equates to. if I fly a couple of long haul J class trips would that do it? if so I am tempted to start allocating to AAdvantage rather than BA Exec club going forward. But I am halfway through a tier points year with BA so want to be sure first.
All help for an AA newb appreciated.
I am a regular BA flyer but someone told me recently (purely anecdotally although they sounded credible) that achieving top tier status (I guess that's Exec Platinum) is easier than the equivalent on BA.
Is this true?
I wasn't entirely sure from the website whether you need the qualifying target in dollars, miles AND segments. And what that in reality equates to. if I fly a couple of long haul J class trips would that do it? if so I am tempted to start allocating to AAdvantage rather than BA Exec club going forward. But I am halfway through a tier points year with BA so want to be sure first.
All help for an AA newb appreciated.
Jul 12, 2017, 8:26 am
#1285
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,148
Hi everyone,
I've never flown with American Airlines before. My uncle booked a flight for me to visit DC from Sydney. Seems like I got stuck in the middle seat at the back of the plane. Could someone please run me over the seat change (seems like I have to pay for any seat change) online? What's the Main Cabin Extra and it looks like the flight is full. I would appreciate your help, thank you so much!
I've never flown with American Airlines before. My uncle booked a flight for me to visit DC from Sydney. Seems like I got stuck in the middle seat at the back of the plane. Could someone please run me over the seat change (seems like I have to pay for any seat change) online? What's the Main Cabin Extra and it looks like the flight is full. I would appreciate your help, thank you so much!
If you do not have Elite status with AA or Oneworld, you will have to pay for the MCE seat.
Otherwise, retrieve your record locator (6 digits) from your uncle and you can go to AA.com with that and your name to pull up the flight and change seats. ^
Jul 12, 2017, 8:29 am
#1286
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,148
Newb status question.
I am a regular BA flyer but someone told me recently (purely anecdotally although they sounded credible) that achieving top tier status (I guess that's Exec Platinum) is easier than the equivalent on BA.
Is this true?
I wasn't entirely sure from the website whether you need the qualifying target in dollars, miles AND segments. And what that in reality equates to. if I fly a couple of long haul J class trips would that do it? if so I am tempted to start allocating to AAdvantage rather than BA Exec club going forward. But I am halfway through a tier points year with BA so want to be sure first.
All help for an AA newb appreciated.
I am a regular BA flyer but someone told me recently (purely anecdotally although they sounded credible) that achieving top tier status (I guess that's Exec Platinum) is easier than the equivalent on BA.
Is this true?
I wasn't entirely sure from the website whether you need the qualifying target in dollars, miles AND segments. And what that in reality equates to. if I fly a couple of long haul J class trips would that do it? if so I am tempted to start allocating to AAdvantage rather than BA Exec club going forward. But I am halfway through a tier points year with BA so want to be sure first.
All help for an AA newb appreciated.
To reach EXP, you are required $12,000 in spend (Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQD)) (with AA or on Oneworld partners) and one of the following:
100,000 Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM)
120 Elite Qualifying Segments (EQS)
You do not need *both* EQM and EQS to qualify... just one or the other - in addition to EQD.
Jul 12, 2017, 8:48 am
#1287
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: London
Programs: Mucci Blue, BAEC Gold, Blockbuster Video card
Posts: 1,378
Lots of opinions on this one. But if you're based in Europe and flying long-haul J, it's usually easier to hit BAEC Gold quicker than AA Executive Platinum (EXP).
To reach EXP, you are required $12,000 in spend (Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQD)) (with AA or on Oneworld partners) and one of the following:
100,000 Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM)
120 Elite Qualifying Segments (EQS)
You do not need *both* EQM and EQS to qualify... just one or the other - in addition to EQD.
To reach EXP, you are required $12,000 in spend (Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQD)) (with AA or on Oneworld partners) and one of the following:
100,000 Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM)
120 Elite Qualifying Segments (EQS)
You do not need *both* EQM and EQS to qualify... just one or the other - in addition to EQD.
Hmmm - ok. If an EQS is like a leg of a journey then that sounds like a lot. The dollar spend is actually pretty low but the other bits sound as you say more onerous than BA Gold, which is fundamentally a fairly mechanistic thing - two long haul J plus some other bits and pieces will get you silver. Four long haul J plus a decent amount of short haul or 5 long haul plus not much else will get you gold.
I am therefore probably better off sticking with BA
Greatly appreciate the clarification. Thanks.
Jul 12, 2017, 8:51 am
#1288
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,148
Hmmm - ok. If an EQS is like a leg of a journey then that sounds like a lot. The dollar spend is actually pretty low but the other bits sound as you say more onerous than BA Gold, which is fundamentally a fairly mechanistic thing - two long haul J plus some other bits and pieces will get you silver. Four long haul J plus a decent amount of short haul or 5 long haul plus not much else will get you gold.
I am therefore probably better off sticking with BA
Greatly appreciate the clarification. Thanks.
I am therefore probably better off sticking with BA
Greatly appreciate the clarification. Thanks.
I passed 100K with AA in May this year. I looked at my flying and did the math on what I would have had with BAEC at the same point, and it was around 2000 Tier points. That's just for me... and most of my flying was a mix of Y/J long-haul on AA/BA.
Jul 12, 2017, 8:52 am
#1289
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,933
Newb status question.
I am a regular BA flyer but someone told me recently (purely anecdotally although they sounded credible) that achieving top tier status (I guess that's Exec Platinum) is easier than the equivalent on BA.
Is this true?
I wasn't entirely sure from the website whether you need the qualifying target in dollars, miles AND segments. And what that in reality equates to. if I fly a couple of long haul J class trips would that do it? if so I am tempted to start allocating to AAdvantage rather than BA Exec club going forward. But I am halfway through a tier points year with BA so want to be sure first.
All help for an AA newb appreciated.
I am a regular BA flyer but someone told me recently (purely anecdotally although they sounded credible) that achieving top tier status (I guess that's Exec Platinum) is easier than the equivalent on BA.
Is this true?
I wasn't entirely sure from the website whether you need the qualifying target in dollars, miles AND segments. And what that in reality equates to. if I fly a couple of long haul J class trips would that do it? if so I am tempted to start allocating to AAdvantage rather than BA Exec club going forward. But I am halfway through a tier points year with BA so want to be sure first.
All help for an AA newb appreciated.
Jul 12, 2017, 8:54 am
#1290
Join Date: Jun 2015
Programs: AA LP pleb, QR Plat., Bonvoy Ti, IHG Diamond Amb, Foolish Hoarder of Miles, Fid. Def.
Posts: 125
Newb status question.
I am a regular BA flyer but someone told me recently (purely anecdotally although they sounded credible) that achieving top tier status (I guess that's Exec Platinum) is easier than the equivalent on BA.
Is this true?
I wasn't entirely sure from the website whether you need the qualifying target in dollars, miles AND segments. And what that in reality equates to. if I fly a couple of long haul J class trips would that do it? if so I am tempted to start allocating to AAdvantage rather than BA Exec club going forward. But I am halfway through a tier points year with BA so want to be sure first.
All help for an AA newb appreciated.
I am a regular BA flyer but someone told me recently (purely anecdotally although they sounded credible) that achieving top tier status (I guess that's Exec Platinum) is easier than the equivalent on BA.
Is this true?
I wasn't entirely sure from the website whether you need the qualifying target in dollars, miles AND segments. And what that in reality equates to. if I fly a couple of long haul J class trips would that do it? if so I am tempted to start allocating to AAdvantage rather than BA Exec club going forward. But I am halfway through a tier points year with BA so want to be sure first.
All help for an AA newb appreciated.
Of course, AA enforces a minimum spend requirement (albeit with several workarounds available), but I'd be curious to meet someone who managed to rack up 1500 BAEC tier points without spending at least that much.