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)
Jan 21, 2018, 10:10 am
#167
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3
Thank you Mwenenzi.
How does one get upgraded on QF flights if I can't use AA miles...just pay? I only have Ruby status with One World.
Thanks
How does one get upgraded on QF flights if I can't use AA miles...just pay? I only have Ruby status with One World.
Thanks
Jan 21, 2018, 10:35 am
#168
Join Date: Apr 2007
Programs: QF, VA, AC, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 3,784
It's probably a question for the Qantas forum but Qantas only allows upgrades using QF points, and even then not in all circumstances.
Jan 21, 2018, 11:19 am
#169
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,023
Or cash at the full fare difference between your QF economy fare and premium economy or business/first.
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Jan 21, 2018 at 12:39 pm Reason: spelling
Jan 21, 2018, 12:16 pm
#170
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
Qantas is very restrictive with upgrades. The “lottery” mentioned previously might (but most likely won’t, afaik,) result in an upgrade. The only sure upgrade is to upfare to the desired class of service at the fare available when you upfare - and the strictness includes upfaring the entire ticket, including segments already flown.
Jan 23, 2018, 6:07 pm
#171
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
Today's (Jan 24) flight HKG-DFW has a seat chart coming up as 2-4-2 for the MCE cabin. It appears all is as expected from the 77W with the exception of rows 16-21. I'm assuming this is a seat map glitch but it seems odd. Any insights?
Also, I am able to access security and immigration in HKG with a mobile BP? i don't remember receiving one in the past when checking in with AA.
Edit: is 2-4-2 a PE 'cabin'?
Also, I am able to access security and immigration in HKG with a mobile BP? i don't remember receiving one in the past when checking in with AA.
Edit: is 2-4-2 a PE 'cabin'?
Last edited by dsquared37; Jan 23, 2018 at 8:20 pm
Jan 23, 2018, 10:13 pm
#172
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
Today's (Jan 24) flight HKG-DFW has a seat chart coming up as 2-4-2 for the MCE cabin. It appears all is as expected from the 77W with the exception of rows 16-21. I'm assuming this is a seat map glitch but it seems odd. Any insights?
Also, I am able to access security and immigration in HKG with a mobile BP? i don't remember receiving one in the past when checking in with AA.
Edit: is 2-4-2 a PE 'cabin'?
Also, I am able to access security and immigration in HKG with a mobile BP? i don't remember receiving one in the past when checking in with AA.
Edit: is 2-4-2 a PE 'cabin'?
“8 First Class seats (same as before)
52 Business Class (same as before)
28 Premium Economy (from 0)
28 Main Cabin Extra (reduction of two seats, all in 10 across configuration, all bulkheads or exit rows)
188 Main Cabin / Economy / Coach (reduction from 202 seats)”
But, afaik, AA starts selling PE in February, so what you see on the seat map isn’t what exists.
AA says you can use your mobile boarding pass at HKG - link.
Last edited by JDiver; Jan 23, 2018 at 10:19 pm
Jan 24, 2018, 1:05 am
#173
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 789
Jan 25, 2018, 9:40 am
#174
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CHI
Posts: 129
I have booked 4 of 5 economy seats needed for ORD>NRT and return in Sept. on JAL with AA miles. I have been monitoring the BA site for the 5th needed ticket but no luck so far. Today, I see that there is plenty of availability for me to book all the tickets on AA economy instead. Since 3 of the 5 of us are Plat Pro (2 earned, and one gifted), I'm wondering if I switch to the AA flights, will I be able to try to upgrade to Business if they become available? Am I right in thinking I'll get hit with a $150 fee per ticket for changing them from the JAL flights to AA?
Or, I continue to wait for the other JAL seat to open up since we have plenty of time. It's a family trip, so the uncertainty of that last ticket not being set is making me a little anxious. Thanks for any input.
Or, I continue to wait for the other JAL seat to open up since we have plenty of time. It's a family trip, so the uncertainty of that last ticket not being set is making me a little anxious. Thanks for any input.
Jan 25, 2018, 12:21 pm
#175
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 have booked 4 of 5 economy seats needed for ORD>NRT and return in Sept. on JAL with AA miles. I have been monitoring the BA site for the 5th needed ticket but no luck so far. Today, I see that there is plenty of availability for me to book all the tickets on AA economy instead. Since 3 of the 5 of us are Plat Pro (2 earned, and one gifted), I'm wondering if I switch to the AA flights, will I be able to try to upgrade to Business if they become available? Am I right in thinking I'll get hit with a $150 fee per ticket for changing them from the JAL flights to AA?
Or, I continue to wait for the other JAL seat to open up since we have plenty of time. It's a family trip, so the uncertainty of that last ticket not being set is making me a little anxious. Thanks for any input.
Or, I continue to wait for the other JAL seat to open up since we have plenty of time. It's a family trip, so the uncertainty of that last ticket not being set is making me a little anxious. Thanks for any input.
If you’re anxious, get the five awards on AA, and get MCE seats with your status. And upfaring to J with miles will not incur redeposit or change fees either.
See https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...ancel-etc.html for more information, and read the Wikipost at the top of the page.
Jan 25, 2018, 4:43 pm
#176
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: BA, AS MVP Gold, AA
Posts: 10
I have an existing reservation coming up tomorrow for SFO-ORD that I had reserved with my Alaska MVP Gold number back when they were domestic partners. I have an MCE seat, but realized I won't earn any miles from the current setup given the end of the partnership.
Contacting Twitter support even within the 24 hours pre-flight where MCE usually becomes "available", they insisted I would need to give up my seat assignment to change mileage accounts. The ticket is pretty cheap so I don't stand to earn a ton, but mostly want my improved boarding group from the Citi AA card.
Is my best course of action:
1. Request the change at the terminal tomorrow
2. Request credit/swap post-trip (is this possible in this context?)
3. Enjoy MCE and write off the mileage earning on AA
Contacting Twitter support even within the 24 hours pre-flight where MCE usually becomes "available", they insisted I would need to give up my seat assignment to change mileage accounts. The ticket is pretty cheap so I don't stand to earn a ton, but mostly want my improved boarding group from the Citi AA card.
Is my best course of action:
1. Request the change at the terminal tomorrow
2. Request credit/swap post-trip (is this possible in this context?)
3. Enjoy MCE and write off the mileage earning on AA
Jan 25, 2018, 5:26 pm
#177
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 might try at the gate prior to boarding. I may be wrong, but given MCE becomes available prior to flight anyway, I doubt a GA would do more than change the FFN - reassigning a seat would be an extra and unnecessary step, IMO.
Jan 25, 2018, 5:40 pm
#178
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: BA, AS MVP Gold, AA
Posts: 10
That was my assumption when I thought I could get it swapped over Twitter within the check in window when MCE is 'free'. Might just be them enforcing "policy" at a human level vs technical.
Jan 25, 2018, 6:38 pm
#179
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
See https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...ec-2017-a.html.
“8 First Class seats (same as before)
52 Business Class (same as before)
28 Premium Economy (from 0)
28 Main Cabin Extra (reduction of two seats, all in 10 across configuration, all bulkheads or exit rows)
188 Main Cabin / Economy / Coach (reduction from 202 seats)”
But, afaik, AA starts selling PE in February, so what you see on the seat map isn’t what exists.
AA says you can use your mobile boarding pass at HKG - link.
“8 First Class seats (same as before)
52 Business Class (same as before)
28 Premium Economy (from 0)
28 Main Cabin Extra (reduction of two seats, all in 10 across configuration, all bulkheads or exit rows)
188 Main Cabin / Economy / Coach (reduction from 202 seats)”
But, afaik, AA starts selling PE in February, so what you see on the seat map isn’t what exists.
AA says you can use your mobile boarding pass at HKG - link.
As for the seats, they were PE. It exists. It's real. It's in the sky. They even gave a menu with free booze (though they claimed to seal it for customs 90 min prior to arrival).
Jan 25, 2018, 8:03 pm
#180
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CHI
Posts: 129
There should be no change or redeposit fee for changing one world carriers for the same origin and destination, and staying within connection times and zones.
If you’re anxious, get the five awards on AA, and get MCE seats with your status. And upfaring to J with miles will not incur redeposit or change fees either.
See https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...ancel-etc.html for more information, and read the Wikipost at the top of the page.
If you’re anxious, get the five awards on AA, and get MCE seats with your status. And upfaring to J with miles will not incur redeposit or change fees either.
See https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...ancel-etc.html for more information, and read the Wikipost at the top of the page.