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)
Dec 29, 2018, 4:31 pm
#2086
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
Hey guys question about being 1550 miles short for an award flight.
I want to book a Qatar flight from Addis Ababa - Doha - JFK for 40k miles and $60 in fees.
However, I am at 38,450 at Platinum Pro status with AA. I was considering buying a couple grand worth of miles to make the 40k but they seem to be a terrible deal: 98.43 for 2k after taxes and fees. Another option would be going on a miles run but that would cost more than paying for the miles. There might be a chance that I will travel for work before my trip but I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to acquire these remaining miles to 40k.
Thanks.
I want to book a Qatar flight from Addis Ababa - Doha - JFK for 40k miles and $60 in fees.
However, I am at 38,450 at Platinum Pro status with AA. I was considering buying a couple grand worth of miles to make the 40k but they seem to be a terrible deal: 98.43 for 2k after taxes and fees. Another option would be going on a miles run but that would cost more than paying for the miles. There might be a chance that I will travel for work before my trip but I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to acquire these remaining miles to 40k.
Thanks.
If you have a lot of time, there are possibly other ways you can get miles, such as a credit card application, etc.
Dec 29, 2018, 4:46 pm
#2087
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Through the AA shopping portal, you can get 2000 miles if you sign up for a trial of the economist magazine. It's $12 for 12 weeks; you can cancel after that.
I did this same offer through the AS shopping portal a few months ago (and just canceled). It takes a minimum of 45 days to post (because you don't get the bonus if you cancel before then). So if you have about 2 months, that would be an easy way of getting the miles.
I did this same offer through the AS shopping portal a few months ago (and just canceled). It takes a minimum of 45 days to post (because you don't get the bonus if you cancel before then). So if you have about 2 months, that would be an easy way of getting the miles.
Dec 29, 2018, 5:47 pm
#2088
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
Hey guys question about being 1550 miles short for an award flight.
I want to book a Qatar flight from Addis Ababa - Doha - JFK for 40k miles and $60 in fees.
However, I am at 38,450 at Platinum Pro status with AA. I was considering buying a couple grand worth of miles to make the 40k but they seem to be a terrible deal: 98.43 for 2k after taxes and fees. Another option would be going on a miles run but that would cost more than paying for the miles. There might be a chance that I will travel for work before my trip but I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to acquire these remaining miles to 40k.
Thanks.
I want to book a Qatar flight from Addis Ababa - Doha - JFK for 40k miles and $60 in fees.
However, I am at 38,450 at Platinum Pro status with AA. I was considering buying a couple grand worth of miles to make the 40k but they seem to be a terrible deal: 98.43 for 2k after taxes and fees. Another option would be going on a miles run but that would cost more than paying for the miles. There might be a chance that I will travel for work before my trip but I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to acquire these remaining miles to 40k.
Thanks.
Dec 29, 2018, 5:57 pm
#2089
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
If it were me in your hypothetical, I would just get off at SEA and not fly the last segment.
Dec 31, 2018, 10:27 am
#2090
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Ohio
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 32
I think as long as people don’t do this frequently, it shouldn’t be a problem. If one books a return far out, if the schedule changes it could be cancelled - though I’m not sure what effect it’d have if a one way costs more.
We often do two crossings so we use both outbound and return. On one ways, we have found weird less expensive one ways involving codeshares - on OTA sites, and of course we have used lots of awards. (We’ve probably earned about 10M award miles between the two of us, and we have done AAnytime awards - the DFW-KEF a few months ago were, but the alternative of $20k for both was always a nonstarter).
But you should be able to find a pair of award seats to LON - even if you spend a couple of days in London, there’s lots to see, do and eat.
We often do two crossings so we use both outbound and return. On one ways, we have found weird less expensive one ways involving codeshares - on OTA sites, and of course we have used lots of awards. (We’ve probably earned about 10M award miles between the two of us, and we have done AAnytime awards - the DFW-KEF a few months ago were, but the alternative of $20k for both was always a nonstarter).
But you should be able to find a pair of award seats to LON - even if you spend a couple of days in London, there’s lots to see, do and eat.
I did follow your suggestion and looked at a couple throwaway ticketing options, but I still come out ahead using miles (purchasing additional as needed) for this one-way flight.
Dec 31, 2018, 10:32 am
#2091
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
Update: continuing to look for award space for DAY - LHR in September. Just in time for the New Year, it appears AA has increased all of the weekday AAnytime business class awards for September from 110,000 to 135,000 miles. I find that interesting since it appears they haven't sold a single business class seat on most of the TATL flights. How often do they increase the cost of AAnytime awards and is there any chance of it coming back down? Wondering if I should book AAnytime and cut my losses or keep holding out for sAAver award space.
I did follow your suggestion and looked at a couple throwaway ticketing options, but I still come out ahead using miles (purchasing additional as needed) for this one-way flight.
I did follow your suggestion and looked at a couple throwaway ticketing options, but I still come out ahead using miles (purchasing additional as needed) for this one-way flight.
The pricing on awards is, as far as I know, dynamic, depending on actual sales and award purchases and predictive information. It may be award costs may go down again, if like $ prices AA sells high this far out and drops prices ~4 months out.
Dec 31, 2018, 10:35 am
#2092
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Ohio
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 32
What tool are you using to determine seat sales?
The pricing on awards is, as far as I know, dynamic, depending on actual sales and award purchases and predictive information. It may be award costs may go down again, if like $ prices AA sells high this far out and drops prices ~4 months out.
The pricing on awards is, as far as I know, dynamic, depending on actual sales and award purchases and predictive information. It may be award costs may go down again, if like $ prices AA sells high this far out and drops prices ~4 months out.
Dec 31, 2018, 10:43 am
#2093
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
That has worked for me.
Qantas releases award seats to their flyers ~360 days out, so there’s no hope of booking when they’re initially released with the AA 321 day limitation. Yet I’ve secured pairs of MileSAAver Business suites between the US and Australia several times when they have been released and I’ve reacted quickly. (On that transpacific route, I always look at different cities to anchor to - LAX, SFO and SYD, MEL, BNE - BNE being the one that comes open, and adding to or from SYD, ADL, CNS, TSV, etc.)
The 2019 Newbie Lounge thread can be found here.
Qantas releases award seats to their flyers ~360 days out, so there’s no hope of booking when they’re initially released with the AA 321 day limitation. Yet I’ve secured pairs of MileSAAver Business suites between the US and Australia several times when they have been released and I’ve reacted quickly. (On that transpacific route, I always look at different cities to anchor to - LAX, SFO and SYD, MEL, BNE - BNE being the one that comes open, and adding to or from SYD, ADL, CNS, TSV, etc.)
The 2019 Newbie Lounge thread can be found here.
Last edited by JDiver; Jan 1, 2019 at 2:18 pm Reason: Insert moderator note