Jan 1, 2018, 1:26 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
The 2019 Newbie Lounge thread can be found here.
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:
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.) NOTE: The 2016 AA NEWBIE LOUNGE post thread is here
NOTE: The 2017 AA NEWBIE LOUNGE post thread is here
Thanks for reading!
Welcome to the 2018 "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).
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.)
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.)
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.)
NOTE: The 2017 AA NEWBIE LOUNGE post thread is here
Thanks for reading!
ARCHIVE: 2018 NEWBIE LOUNGE Ask Your "Newbie" AA Questions Here (flame free)
Oct 15, 2018, 8:24 am
#1681
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: AA Advantage
Posts: 9
Thank you so much for answering my question. Just wasnt sure what it meant and if it was helpful in any way
Oct 15, 2018, 11:33 am
#1682
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,535
AA will allow an award ticket to be “held” for 5 days. Will they allow 2 different tickets to be on hold at the same time for the same traveler and same date? For example, would they allow JFK-LHR January 1st and JFK-LHR same date 4 hours later (same traveler) to both be on hold at the same time? If so, will they allow 2 tickets to be held which include the exact same first flight with different connecting flights? Thank you.
Several sources write that for an AA award, you can change your travel dates and routing at no cost so long as your origin, destination and class of service remain the same. Does that include awards on partner airlines and adding an extra flight? For example, PVG-AUH-JFK award booked on EY, presuming availability on the same date could one change at no cost to PVG-AUH-LHR on EY connecting to LHR-JFK on BA (understanding that BA fuel surcharge would apply)?
Several sources write that for an AA award, you can change your travel dates and routing at no cost so long as your origin, destination and class of service remain the same. Does that include awards on partner airlines and adding an extra flight? For example, PVG-AUH-JFK award booked on EY, presuming availability on the same date could one change at no cost to PVG-AUH-LHR on EY connecting to LHR-JFK on BA (understanding that BA fuel surcharge would apply)?
Oct 15, 2018, 11:36 am
#1683
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: AA Advantage
Posts: 9
Thank you all so much. I didnt know there are so many rules to this.
Oct 15, 2018, 1:55 pm
#1684
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’d recommend reading this thread: FAQ: Miles + Copay Upgrade / Upgrades (master thread), particularly the Wikipost at the top of the page.
It’ll give you an insiders’ view if how the upgrade pricess works, etc.
It’ll give you an insiders’ view if how the upgrade pricess works, etc.
Oct 17, 2018, 11:40 am
#1685
Join Date: May 2013
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 45
Miles expiring in two weeks
What’s the fastest way of adding miles? I have no plans to use them anytime soon but want to keep my 100,000 miles. A credit card spend or shopping portal may not post fast enough to retain the miles. Any other options?? Thanks!
Oct 17, 2018, 11:44 am
#1686
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 106
I booked a domestic AA flight for 20,000 miles on 10/13/18. I checked today and the same flight is available for 7,500 miles. Is there any way to get 12,500 miles refunded ?
Oct 17, 2018, 11:49 am
#1687
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AA PLT, IHG Spire
Posts: 550
Since it looks like you are changing award types, (from AAnytime to sAAver) they would likely charge you a $150 award redeposit fee if you call and ask to switch.
You can check to see if there is domestic first class available for roughly the same price as your current award, since the redeposit fee is waived if you rebook in a higher cabin.
If not, its probably worth it to pay the $150 and get the refund, considering that it is like buying back your miles at 1.2 cents per mile
You can check to see if there is domestic first class available for roughly the same price as your current award, since the redeposit fee is waived if you rebook in a higher cabin.
If not, its probably worth it to pay the $150 and get the refund, considering that it is like buying back your miles at 1.2 cents per mile
Oct 17, 2018, 12:47 pm
#1688
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 106
Since it looks like you are changing award types, (from AAnytime to sAAver) they would likely charge you a $150 award redeposit fee if you call and ask to switch.
You can check to see if there is domestic first class available for roughly the same price as your current award, since the redeposit fee is waived if you rebook in a higher cabin.
If not, its probably worth it to pay the $150 and get the refund, considering that it is like buying back your miles at 1.2 cents per mile
You can check to see if there is domestic first class available for roughly the same price as your current award, since the redeposit fee is waived if you rebook in a higher cabin.
If not, its probably worth it to pay the $150 and get the refund, considering that it is like buying back your miles at 1.2 cents per mile
It's an American Eagle flight so no option to upgrade.
Will it work if I cancel the reservation and book the same flight using 7500 miles. Maybe use that ticket later when it is available for 20,000 miles ?
Oct 17, 2018, 12:59 pm
#1689
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,535
You could reschedule the AAnytime ticket now for another date -- far in the future -- on a date when 20K AAnytime seats are offered. Then, if there is subsequently a significant schedule change, you could cancel and redeposit those miles free of charge. If that doesn't come to pass, you could use that award ticket on some other date, or choose to cancel and pay the $150 redeposit fee later on.
Oct 17, 2018, 1:07 pm
#1690
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
for that as well. But keep an eye on it and purchase miles at the last minute if the transfer does not go through.
Obviously, a flight and probably an hotel stay credited to AA would work.
Don’t forget that redeeming miles also counts as activity. Using a small number of miles is another option.
Oct 17, 2018, 1:37 pm
#1691
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 106
https://www.aadvantageeshopping.com/....htm?gmid=5196
Last edited by ShakuniMama; Oct 17, 2018 at 1:46 pm
Oct 17, 2018, 1:37 pm
#1692
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,993
(The search function is good)
Oct 17, 2018, 1:55 pm
#1693
Suspended
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Hilton HHonors Gold
Posts: 2,863
Hi,
question: in case of plan changes, is it possible to cancel and redeposit miles for an anytime award the same day of departure, after having checked in?
thanks
question: in case of plan changes, is it possible to cancel and redeposit miles for an anytime award the same day of departure, after having checked in?
thanks
Oct 17, 2018, 2:04 pm
#1694
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: AA 1MM
Posts: 185
Domestic Upgrade question;
If I get a sticker/complimentary upgrade, will my EQM be higher than if sitting in coach w/o upgrade?
International Upgrade question;
If I book coach, but upgrade with miles + Copay, will my EQM be higher than original coach ticket? What about using or being gifted a SWU?
Omni question;
What is it and what are the prerequisites for access? My guess is an Off Topic section, but would like confirmation.
Glad this is a flame free zone
If I get a sticker/complimentary upgrade, will my EQM be higher than if sitting in coach w/o upgrade?
International Upgrade question;
If I book coach, but upgrade with miles + Copay, will my EQM be higher than original coach ticket? What about using or being gifted a SWU?
Omni question;
What is it and what are the prerequisites for access? My guess is an Off Topic section, but would like confirmation.
Glad this is a flame free zone
Oct 17, 2018, 3:08 pm
#1695
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,443