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 29, 2018, 2:19 am
#676
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New Zealand
Programs: NZ Elite, QF Platinum (LTS), VA Platinum
Posts: 1,672
Apr 29, 2018, 5:57 am
#677
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DFW, PWM
Programs: AA - EXP, US - CP, HH - Diamond, Marriott - Gold
Posts: 19
Question - Booked on AA PWM-PHL-DFW-NRT on April 19. PHL-DFW segment was cancelled due to a "scratch on the cargo hold." No other flights available to get me to DFW in time for DFW-NRT flight on April 19. Re-booked to fly PHL-CLT-DFW (overnight in DFW) and then fly DFW-NRT on April 20. Arrived NRT one day later (April 21).
Am glad they did not fly if they did not feel it was safe to do so. At the same time, this really put a crimp in my travel plans. Can I/should I expect AA to do anything for my lost day?
Thanks from a semi-newbie.
Am glad they did not fly if they did not feel it was safe to do so. At the same time, this really put a crimp in my travel plans. Can I/should I expect AA to do anything for my lost day?
Thanks from a semi-newbie.
Apr 29, 2018, 6:04 am
#678
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: LFT
Programs: AA Plat, lots of AA, AS, DL, UA miles, former top level CO Elite (sigh...)
Posts: 10,795
Apr 29, 2018, 6:34 am
#679
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
Question - Booked on AA PWM-PHL-DFW-NRT on April 19. PHL-DFW segment was cancelled due to a "scratch on the cargo hold." No other flights available to get me to DFW in time for DFW-NRT flight on April 19. Re-booked to fly PHL-CLT-DFW (overnight in DFW) and then fly DFW-NRT on April 20. Arrived NRT one day later (April 21).
Am glad they did not fly if they did not feel it was safe to do so. At the same time, this really put a crimp in my travel plans. Can I/should I expect AA to do anything for my lost day?
Thanks from a semi-newbie.
Am glad they did not fly if they did not feel it was safe to do so. At the same time, this really put a crimp in my travel plans. Can I/should I expect AA to do anything for my lost day?
Thanks from a semi-newbie.
In the future, if something like that were to happen again, you dont have to stick only to your original DFW-NRT flight. If there was anything to get you to NRT the same day on AA or a partner via ORD, LAX, JFK, BOS, etc., you should have been able to get rebooked on it. But most of the time you have to be proactive with the AAgent that is rebooking you.
Apr 29, 2018, 4:45 pm
#680
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: HHonors, TrueBlue, Delta SkyMiles, Hyatt Discoverist, Starwood Preferred Guest, American Airlines.
Posts: 2,035
Does anyone have step by step instructions on how to transfer Citi and AMEX points to alliances for American Airlines? I think I've tried before, but either get no availability or an error.
Apr 29, 2018, 5:39 pm
#681
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,588
You must first open and link to FFPs that are both MR partners and AA redemption partners (such as BA or IB). After doing so, transferring MR points into one of those linked programs is simple. And Amex occasionally runs transfer bonus promotions for BA and IB. But BA and IB are very different programs when it comes to redeeming for AA flights, so do your research before doing any transfers.
Apr 29, 2018, 8:33 pm
#682
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
The most popular is BA/IB. For certain routes BA redemption incurs significant carrier charges. For CX AM, there is a hard expiration policy. Note that none of the two programs (Citi Thankyou or AMEX MR) have direct points transfer to AAdvantage miles.
Another way to get around is from AMEX MR to Marriott/SPG points to AA miles, but the redemption value is very poor.
Apr 30, 2018, 5:32 am
#683
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: UK
Programs: Bonvoy Gold, AA Plat, Volare Premier, VS Silver, National Emerald Elite, Hertz President Circle
Posts: 2,526
Did a search but nothing came up.
In the case of international economy to business upgrades at check-in, is the ticket class of travel updated (hence J miles, J EDQ, etc), or is the pax just seated in business?
In the case of international economy to business upgrades at check-in, is the ticket class of travel updated (hence J miles, J EDQ, etc), or is the pax just seated in business?
Apr 30, 2018, 6:11 am
#684
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,372
No extra EQMs or EQDs. You'll jus be seated in business. Sometimes there are glitches, and people end up with increased EQMs and EQDs, but it's rare.
Apr 30, 2018, 8:13 am
#685
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: HHonors, TrueBlue, Delta SkyMiles, Hyatt Discoverist, Starwood Preferred Guest, American Airlines.
Posts: 2,035
You must first open and link to FFPs that are both MR partners and AA redemption partners (such as BA or IB). After doing so, transferring MR points into one of those linked programs is simple. And Amex occasionally runs transfer bonus promotions for BA and IB. But BA and IB are very different programs when it comes to redeeming for AA flights, so do your research before doing any transfers.
Apr 30, 2018, 8:47 am
#686
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
See post for details:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...-segments.html
Apr 30, 2018, 9:28 am
#687
Join Date: Apr 2018
Programs: Aadvantage
Posts: 3
Citi Executive Card - Group 4 Boarding?
Hi. About 3 months ago, I signed up for the Citi Executive / AAdvantage World Elite MasterCard, which was supposed to include Admirals Club access, 50,000 miles, and group 4 boarding. The card has a $450 fee, and so far I have been very disappointed with the purported benefits.
My biggest issue has been with the supposed Group 4 boarding. Every time I check in, I am still getting group 5 boarding (same as with my old credit card). I have spoken to customer service reps at AAdvantage, American Airlines, and Citibank, and they all seem to believe that I am supposed to get group 4 boarding, but nobody knows how to fix it (I currently have several open tickets with them). However, when I get to the airport, everyone that I talk to insists that all credit cards provide group 5 boarding (NOT group 4). So, which is the truth? I feel like I have been bait-and-switched with this card, because most of the airport lounges have been overcrowded and crappy, and I'm still waiting for my 50K miles. I don't suppose there's any way I can get my $450 back?
I attempted to attach a screenshot from the AA website that promises Group 4 boarding, but I got an error message that I'm too new to be allowed to attach anything. Thank you in advance for any advice you can provide.
My biggest issue has been with the supposed Group 4 boarding. Every time I check in, I am still getting group 5 boarding (same as with my old credit card). I have spoken to customer service reps at AAdvantage, American Airlines, and Citibank, and they all seem to believe that I am supposed to get group 4 boarding, but nobody knows how to fix it (I currently have several open tickets with them). However, when I get to the airport, everyone that I talk to insists that all credit cards provide group 5 boarding (NOT group 4). So, which is the truth? I feel like I have been bait-and-switched with this card, because most of the airport lounges have been overcrowded and crappy, and I'm still waiting for my 50K miles. I don't suppose there's any way I can get my $450 back?
I attempted to attach a screenshot from the AA website that promises Group 4 boarding, but I got an error message that I'm too new to be allowed to attach anything. Thank you in advance for any advice you can provide.
Apr 30, 2018, 9:53 am
#688
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,588
What, exactly, have you "tried"? The ba.com website is not very good about showing award-seat availability on AA itineraries that require connections. And if you're traveling a relatively short distance -- say SYR-PHL-ISP-PHL-SYR -- then Iberia Plus will be much cheaper (but less flexible) for the roundtrip than BAEC.
Apr 30, 2018, 9:58 am
#689
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 812
To book a Reduced Mileage Award, does there have to be sAAver room available, or does AAnytime space work? I've never booked one, so if there is a guide somewhere it would be helpful!
Apr 30, 2018, 10:02 am
#690
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 643
I guess you have encountered married segment requirement on AA. This is not error but instead, quite normal.
See post for details:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...-segments.html
See post for details:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...-segments.html