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)
Apr 23, 2018, 12:58 pm
#646
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 805
Ah. AFAIK, AA has unfortunately monetized most seats with any desirability at all. But as I understand it, many seats will become available D-24,and others might become available as / if upgrades become available to those seeking to upgrade. (I’d book the best available to you now, unless you want to buy your way to improved seating, and look at seat availability at _D-24 or 23.)
Right before boarding I asked the GA and she said there was an aisle seat available in the last row but otherwise it was full. We boarded and sure enough, there were aisle seats available. It didn't seem like they were waiting on anyone to make it to the gate either. Why couldn't the GA see that the seat next to me was empty and move me over?
Apr 23, 2018, 2:59 pm
#647
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,933
That's what I thought as well. At 24 hours out there were even less seats available for sale, none to select for free, and I was assigned a middle preferred seat. My point is why isn't the seat map on the app, GA map, and actual seat map the same when you're 30 minutes out?
Right before boarding I asked the GA and she said there was an aisle seat available in the last row but otherwise it was full. We boarded and sure enough, there were aisle seats available. It didn't seem like they were waiting on anyone to make it to the gate either. Why couldn't the GA see that the seat next to me was empty and move me over?
Right before boarding I asked the GA and she said there was an aisle seat available in the last row but otherwise it was full. We boarded and sure enough, there were aisle seats available. It didn't seem like they were waiting on anyone to make it to the gate either. Why couldn't the GA see that the seat next to me was empty and move me over?
Apr 23, 2018, 8:45 pm
#648
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,975
There's good news on our first trip to Hawaii, that our upgrade on the LAX-OGG segment has cleared 3 days in advance on my Plat Pro status "on us." Since I'm new to upgrades, I have these matters:
I need to buy 500-mile upgrades for my wife, and I guess with the upgrades showing as "confirmed," I might as well buy them before check-in opens.
We have separate PNRs, which I've called to link. When I check in with my PNR, will I be prompted to check her in too, or do they need to be done entirely separately? If the latter, does it matter which is done first?
I need to buy 500-mile upgrades for my wife, and I guess with the upgrades showing as "confirmed," I might as well buy them before check-in opens.
We have separate PNRs, which I've called to link. When I check in with my PNR, will I be prompted to check her in too, or do they need to be done entirely separately? If the latter, does it matter which is done first?
Apr 24, 2018, 5:29 am
#649
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
There's good news on our first trip to Hawaii, that our upgrade on the LAX-OGG segment has cleared 3 days in advance on my Plat Pro status "on us." Since I'm new to upgrades, I have these matters:
I need to buy 500-mile upgrades for my wife, and I guess with the upgrades showing as "confirmed," I might as well buy them before check-in opens.
We have separate PNRs, which I've called to link. When I check in with my PNR, will I be prompted to check her in too, or do they need to be done entirely separately? If the latter, does it matter which is done first?
I need to buy 500-mile upgrades for my wife, and I guess with the upgrades showing as "confirmed," I might as well buy them before check-in opens.
We have separate PNRs, which I've called to link. When I check in with my PNR, will I be prompted to check her in too, or do they need to be done entirely separately? If the latter, does it matter which is done first?
Yes, you need to have the upgrades in your account before you can check in. So you can buy them anytime between now and then.
And for check-in, you have to check yourself in first, then your wife.
Apr 24, 2018, 2:08 pm
#650
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 132
I'm looking to buy 4 economy flights through the chase ultimate rewards portal today. When I look at available seats, there are only 2 random regular seats open, the rest are preferred and main cabin extra. Since I'm flying with a 7 and 13 year old (with special needs), what are my options to make sure each kid is seated with one of us parents? We usually sit 2 and 2, near each other if possible.
I also couldn't find an obvious answer, are the flights refundable/changeable and for how much? I'm used to southwest.
I also couldn't find an obvious answer, are the flights refundable/changeable and for how much? I'm used to southwest.
Apr 25, 2018, 7:36 am
#651
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AA PLT, IHG Spire
Posts: 551
I'm looking to buy 4 economy flights through the chase ultimate rewards portal today. When I look at available seats, there are only 2 random regular seats open, the rest are preferred and main cabin extra. Since I'm flying with a 7 and 13 year old (with special needs), what are my options to make sure each kid is seated with one of us parents? We usually sit 2 and 2, near each other if possible.
I also couldn't find an obvious answer, are the flights refundable/changeable and for how much? I'm used to southwest.
I also couldn't find an obvious answer, are the flights refundable/changeable and for how much? I'm used to southwest.
Apr 25, 2018, 8:26 am
#652
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 132
Is it possible to buy and select the regular seats now and buy the preferred/main cabin extra seats later? I thought of calling AA after I booked to see if they could work any magic based on our family dynamics.
Apr 25, 2018, 8:41 am
#653
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 805
As you can see a few posts up I've had the same sort of issues with the AA seat selection process, just to a lessor extent since I wasn't trying to sit with a child.
Apr 25, 2018, 9:10 am
#654
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 132
Yes. If you can't find anything now or decide not to pay for seats then I'd ask the GA before you board to see if you can switch seats with someone to be seated with your kids.
As you can see a few posts up I've had the same sort of issues with the AA seat selection process, just to a lessor extent since I wasn't trying to sit with a child.
As you can see a few posts up I've had the same sort of issues with the AA seat selection process, just to a lessor extent since I wasn't trying to sit with a child.
hmmm, now that I think about it, having someone else tend to my 7 year old for 6 hours? Yes, thank you! Sounds like the perfect flight!
Apr 25, 2018, 11:40 am
#655
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 33
I'm mostly a united flyer but given my recent flying trends AA is looking like an interesting switch.
Home base is BTV and sometimes fly out of montreal. Mostly business trips to semi major cities all over the country and occasional international travel.
I mostly do chase right now for cc spend and the CSR and FU are my daily drivers, though I did just do one of the AA credit card bonus's recently.
anywho i have a few short and long term questions
short term:
1. i am trying to fly BTV to CVG (or DAY) roundrip anytime next week. I prefer first but beggars and all. I found Saver avaiability on the AA site and my understanding one was I could book it cheaper through british airways. I went to search the route and no dice
thoughts?
2. what is my ideal credit card partner ship if i want to switch to earning AA compatible miles. bonus's are fine but daily drivers are also accepted. I'm only silver on united and may not even make it again, so assume limited if any status. however I do pay for perks so i have no trouble reaching dollar spend limits.
thanks for any help.
-Bob
Home base is BTV and sometimes fly out of montreal. Mostly business trips to semi major cities all over the country and occasional international travel.
I mostly do chase right now for cc spend and the CSR and FU are my daily drivers, though I did just do one of the AA credit card bonus's recently.
anywho i have a few short and long term questions
short term:
1. i am trying to fly BTV to CVG (or DAY) roundrip anytime next week. I prefer first but beggars and all. I found Saver avaiability on the AA site and my understanding one was I could book it cheaper through british airways. I went to search the route and no dice
thoughts? 2. what is my ideal credit card partner ship if i want to switch to earning AA compatible miles. bonus's are fine but daily drivers are also accepted. I'm only silver on united and may not even make it again, so assume limited if any status. however I do pay for perks so i have no trouble reaching dollar spend limits.
thanks for any help.
-Bob
Apr 25, 2018, 12:22 pm
#656
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,107
For whatever reason, sometimes legitimate AA routes don’t show up on the BA site. Not sure why, but I have ran into that myself several times. Example: I have 4 airports with AA flights within ~2hrs. BA recognizes 3 of those.
Typically though, and I have not done it in a while, the same flight through BA will take less miles. So if you can transfer points to BA at a 1:1 or AA at a 1:1, then you come out ahead a little bit by transferring to BA.
Typically though, and I have not done it in a while, the same flight through BA will take less miles. So if you can transfer points to BA at a 1:1 or AA at a 1:1, then you come out ahead a little bit by transferring to BA.
Apr 25, 2018, 1:51 pm
#657
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CDG
Programs: A bit of this and a bit of that
Posts: 777
Hello Everyone, super Newbie question here (I have no status in AA):
Last Feb I flew with AA and earned 11k EQM (and the site says "continue flying until 31/01/2020 to enjoy your category".
I will be earning around 40k EQM between January and March 2019.. will they accumulate with those 11k I earned this year?
I don't understand if those 11k expire on 31/01/2020 or when
Thanks!
Last Feb I flew with AA and earned 11k EQM (and the site says "continue flying until 31/01/2020 to enjoy your category".
I will be earning around 40k EQM between January and March 2019.. will they accumulate with those 11k I earned this year?
I don't understand if those 11k expire on 31/01/2020 or when
Thanks!
Apr 25, 2018, 2:07 pm
#658
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
Hello Everyone, super Newbie question here (I have no status in AA):
Last Feb I flew with AA and earned 11k EQM (and the site says "continue flying until 31/01/2020 to enjoy your category".
I will be earning around 40k EQM between January and March 2019.. will they accumulate with those 11k I earned this year?
I don't understand if those 11k expire on 31/01/2020 or when
Thanks!
Last Feb I flew with AA and earned 11k EQM (and the site says "continue flying until 31/01/2020 to enjoy your category".
I will be earning around 40k EQM between January and March 2019.. will they accumulate with those 11k I earned this year?
I don't understand if those 11k expire on 31/01/2020 or when
Thanks!
Earned EQ anything are merely mileposts / counters for status, though they do trigger electronic upgrades earning points, etc. they can’t be accumulated or taken forward to another year. 1/1/xx the counter starts running for that year’s status-earning, and the prior year’s earnings expire.Status earned is valid the year earned, the following year and one month. That is to say Gold earned this year would be valid the remainder of 2018, all of 2019 and if not otherwise renewed, through 31 Jan 2020. I earned EXP last year, and will turn into a pumpkin 31 Jan 2019 - or at least Lifetime Platinum, anyway, in my case. (And 31 Jan is when the 500 miles upgrades at 12,500 EQM milestones resets.)
Award miles earned are valid until 18 months go by with no activity (at all) in one’s account.
Last edited by JDiver; Apr 25, 2018 at 3:08 pm
Apr 25, 2018, 2:36 pm
#659
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,933
Hello Everyone, super Newbie question here (I have no status in AA):
Last Feb I flew with AA and earned 11k EQM (and the site says "continue flying until 31/01/2020 to enjoy your category".
I will be earning around 40k EQM between January and March 2019.. will they accumulate with those 11k I earned this year?
I don't understand if those 11k expire on 31/01/2020 or when!
Last Feb I flew with AA and earned 11k EQM (and the site says "continue flying until 31/01/2020 to enjoy your category".
I will be earning around 40k EQM between January and March 2019.. will they accumulate with those 11k I earned this year?
I don't understand if those 11k expire on 31/01/2020 or when
!
Apr 25, 2018, 3:03 pm
#660
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 643
Is award availability tied to city of origin rather than to the flight itself?
Example: I can get a saaver award JFK-MCO-MIA-GND. I really don't want an overnight in MCO, so I'm willing to buy myself a ticket to MIA, and then use miles for MIA-GND. However, MIA-GND is apparently only open if I first fly JFK-MCO-MIA. Is this normal? I thought a given flight either had availability or didn't.
(and btw, AA miles are feeling real useless right now. So many options out of JFK, but ONLY if I'm willing to have a miserable overnight. Like an overnight in Boston - but if I look for awards from Boston, it wants to force an overnight in SFO...do they not want me to redeem at all?)
Example: I can get a saaver award JFK-MCO-MIA-GND. I really don't want an overnight in MCO, so I'm willing to buy myself a ticket to MIA, and then use miles for MIA-GND. However, MIA-GND is apparently only open if I first fly JFK-MCO-MIA. Is this normal? I thought a given flight either had availability or didn't.
(and btw, AA miles are feeling real useless right now. So many options out of JFK, but ONLY if I'm willing to have a miserable overnight. Like an overnight in Boston - but if I look for awards from Boston, it wants to force an overnight in SFO...do they not want me to redeem at all?)