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)
Nov 15, 2018, 7:20 am
#1848
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 229
Upgrade priority
When 2 people are on the same booking, 1 PLT (who made the booking) 1 GLD, what is the priority for upgrades?
i’m 2 on the list, my partner is 7, with 3 seats available? Do partners upgrade at the same time if available? Or just the list order?
i’m 2 on the list, my partner is 7, with 3 seats available? Do partners upgrade at the same time if available? Or just the list order?
Nov 15, 2018, 9:28 am
#1849
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: san francisco
Posts: 236
I've started looking for award availability to Japan. AA has a number of flights to Japan, so I thought maybe I could find an AA flight. No matter what dates I search, and what city pairs, there is absolutely zero MileSAAver award space available - only Anytime awards. Is this a known thing?
I know that JAL is an option and I will search them as well, but I'm shocked that there are ZERO flights available - why have the award chart show the option?
I know that JAL is an option and I will search them as well, but I'm shocked that there are ZERO flights available - why have the award chart show the option?
Nov 15, 2018, 10:24 am
#1850
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,584
I've started looking for award availability to Japan. AA has a number of flights to Japan, so I thought maybe I could find an AA flight. No matter what dates I search, and what city pairs, there is absolutely zero MileSAAver award space available - only Anytime awards. Is this a known thing?
I know that JAL is an option and I will search them as well, but I'm shocked that there are ZERO flights available - why have the award chart show the option?
I know that JAL is an option and I will search them as well, but I'm shocked that there are ZERO flights available - why have the award chart show the option?
Nov 15, 2018, 10:42 am
#1851
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,466
I've started looking for award availability to Japan. AA has a number of flights to Japan, so I thought maybe I could find an AA flight. No matter what dates I search, and what city pairs, there is absolutely zero MileSAAver award space available - only Anytime awards. Is this a known thing?
I know that JAL is an option and I will search them as well, but I'm shocked that there are ZERO flights available - why have the award chart show the option?
I know that JAL is an option and I will search them as well, but I'm shocked that there are ZERO flights available - why have the award chart show the option?
Nov 15, 2018, 10:51 am
#1852
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,466
I'm EXP and my girlfriend is PLT, we go through this exercise a lot.
Nov 15, 2018, 12:03 pm
#1853
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 50
I'm trying to use my AA miles to book a flight for a friend. I've heard that they may be asked to show the credit card used to book the ticket when they fly (international flight) so we're trying to use their credit card to pay the taxes and fees for the award ticket. Problem is I'm getting an error message that the name on the credit card does not match the AAdvantage account name. Is there a way around this? If I just use a cc in my name then the name on the paying card won't match the name of the traveler. ?? I really want to avoid creating any problems at the airport for my friend as she is young and not a frequent flyer.
Nov 15, 2018, 3:21 pm
#1854
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,466
I'm trying to use my AA miles to book a flight for a friend. I've heard that they may be asked to show the credit card used to book the ticket when they fly (international flight) so we're trying to use their credit card to pay the taxes and fees for the award ticket. Problem is I'm getting an error message that the name on the credit card does not match the AAdvantage account name. Is there a way around this? If I just use a cc in my name then the name on the paying card won't match the name of the traveler. ?? I really want to avoid creating any problems at the airport for my friend as she is young and not a frequent flyer.
It is a longstanding AA policy that the name on the credit card used to pay for the taxes/fees must match the name on the AA account the miles are pulled from. Just book her ticket using your card, everything will be fine.
Nov 15, 2018, 5:15 pm
#1855
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: AA
Posts: 14
Can I SDFC into a >4 hour connection? Some old threads here indicated that four hours was max connecting time when booking, but would I be able to SDFC into a ~10 hour connection? I'm a CK if that matters.
Nov 15, 2018, 8:25 pm
#1856
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: PWM
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 1,335
Greetings! Is it possible to add someone else's reservation to your online account? I'm monitoring a flight for a friend and it's a pain to type in their name and PNR every time. Is there an easier way? UA has the option to "save trip" so it appears alongside your own reservations.
Nov 16, 2018, 6:05 am
#1857
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: san francisco
Posts: 236
Update: Today there is MileSAAver business class availability. Looks like a bug happened yesterday - same searches that showed nothing are showing reasonable availability.
Nov 16, 2018, 9:59 am
#1858
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 50
Not sure where you heard that, but I have never seen nor heard of AA requiring the passenger show the card used to book the ticket. I've booked tons of award tickets for others, many int'l, and this has never been the case (not to mention for my own personal award flights it's never been the case either).
It is a longstanding AA policy that the name on the credit card used to pay for the taxes/fees must match the name on the AA account the miles are pulled from. Just book her ticket using your card, everything will be fine.
It is a longstanding AA policy that the name on the credit card used to pay for the taxes/fees must match the name on the AA account the miles are pulled from. Just book her ticket using your card, everything will be fine.
Nov 16, 2018, 5:47 pm
#1859
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,466
Thanks for the advice JJeffrey. It's a partner award so she's not flying on AA. Maybe this is something that some airlines periodically do or only with certain airlines to certain countries.? IDK! Anyway I read that caution in a Forbes article about booking with points for others and then on another thread on FT. Hopefully, it won't be an issue! Thanks again for the reply.
Nov 17, 2018, 3:17 pm
#1860
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 907
On a recent booking of a transatlantic flight in Basic Eco, I was surprised to get assigned a MCE seat. I am merely OW Sapphire (not with AA but BA). The flight in question was AA150 (booked under a BA codeshare).
The seat they assigned me during booking is 20D. Do they really give Sapphires MCE at the time of booking, even when booking Basic Economy? Or is the seat map shown to me somehow messed up?
I am a bit confused as the seatmap on AA.com differs from the one on Seatguru.
The seat they assigned me during booking is 20D. Do they really give Sapphires MCE at the time of booking, even when booking Basic Economy? Or is the seat map shown to me somehow messed up?
I am a bit confused as the seatmap on AA.com differs from the one on Seatguru.
Last edited by Simon Schus; Nov 17, 2018 at 3:25 pm