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)
May 5, 2018, 11:56 pm
#736
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Bangkok
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 11
Early drop baggage at LHR
Ill be flying on AA39 which depart from LHR T3 at 12.50, need to drop off baggage early at 5.30am.
Do they allow to drop baggae early on the day at LHR?
Do they allow to drop baggae early on the day at LHR?
May 6, 2018, 5:10 am
#737
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA & UK -- AA EXP 3.5MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Avis President's Club
Posts: 6,411
May 6, 2018, 5:41 am
#738
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Bangkok
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 11
Having a flight AMS-LHR-MIA, is it possible to drop luggage at LHR before AMS-LHR flight?
May 6, 2018, 3:16 pm
#739
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 54
Is there really nobody who can see the upgrade list???
I'm AA Plat and I have requested an upgrade with miles from W to C on AA716 PHL-MUC on 5/10.
I am waitlisted and the reservation agents tell me there is no way they can see the list and tell me where I am/what my chances are.
I understand that there are a lot of things that influence this and that it could change as higher tier upgrade requests are made, but is there really no way they can look at the list as it currently stands?
Surely somebody can do this, right?
I am waitlisted and the reservation agents tell me there is no way they can see the list and tell me where I am/what my chances are.
I understand that there are a lot of things that influence this and that it could change as higher tier upgrade requests are made, but is there really no way they can look at the list as it currently stands?
Surely somebody can do this, right?
May 6, 2018, 4:14 pm
#741
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,482
I'm AA Plat and I have requested an upgrade with miles from W to C on AA716 PHL-MUC on 5/10.
I am waitlisted and the reservation agents tell me there is no way they can see the list and tell me where I am/what my chances are.
I understand that there are a lot of things that influence this and that it could change as higher tier upgrade requests are made, but is there really no way they can look at the list as it currently stands?
Surely somebody can do this, right?
I am waitlisted and the reservation agents tell me there is no way they can see the list and tell me where I am/what my chances are.
I understand that there are a lot of things that influence this and that it could change as higher tier upgrade requests are made, but is there really no way they can look at the list as it currently stands?
Surely somebody can do this, right?
Looking at PHL-MUC on 5/10, I'd say your chances are so/so. Not terrible but not great. The flight is down to J6, and you're flying on a Thurs, which are factors against you. However in the back the MCE and preferred seats are pretty lightly loaded, so it's likely you wont have much competition. Given the above, you're not likely to see any activity until the day before the flight or day of.
May 6, 2018, 7:27 pm
#743
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
Remember, in 2009 they had an LOU with H-P for an entirely new system, to be called Jetstram, cancelled in bankruptcy.
American Airlines, the world’s second-biggest carrier, said Hewlett-Packard will design a computerized system for reservations, pricing and ticketing that may become the industry standard.
May 7, 2018, 9:37 am
#744
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: CHS
Programs: United 1K, Globalist Hyatt, Plat Marriott
Posts: 289
I'm Exp Plat and have 3 non refundable tickets from ORD to LAX in July. I choose the wrong coast and my wife wants to go east (Portland, Maine) with our kid.
Called AA and my change fee is $200/ticket. By the time i try to get out to Logan, PVD, MHT or PWM I could just fly southwest for the same price after the change fee and the difference in my ticket.
Any other creative options I have besides praying the flight gets cancelled?
Called AA and my change fee is $200/ticket. By the time i try to get out to Logan, PVD, MHT or PWM I could just fly southwest for the same price after the change fee and the difference in my ticket.
Any other creative options I have besides praying the flight gets cancelled?
May 7, 2018, 10:17 am
#745
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
I'm Exp Plat and have 3 non refundable tickets from ORD to LAX in July. I choose the wrong coast and my wife wants to go east (Portland, Maine) with our kid.
Called AA and my change fee is $200/ticket. By the time i try to get out to Logan, PVD, MHT or PWM I could just fly southwest for the same price after the change fee and the difference in my ticket.
Any other creative options I have besides praying the flight gets cancelled?
Called AA and my change fee is $200/ticket. By the time i try to get out to Logan, PVD, MHT or PWM I could just fly southwest for the same price after the change fee and the difference in my ticket.
Any other creative options I have besides praying the flight gets cancelled?
May 7, 2018, 10:19 am
#746
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 4
My wife and I are flying from DFW-PBI on 6/9 (AA2640). We havent selected a seat yet and all available ones either preferred or MCE. I dont have status so I cant see if there are any other open seats. What are the chances that we'll have seats next to each other? should we roll the dice and wait for seat assignments at check-in or just pay for MCE seats?
May 7, 2018, 5:23 pm
#747
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Tulsa, OK
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 140
Please delete my bad post.
Last edited by clkc86; May 7, 2018 at 7:38 pm Reason: Poorly worded question, deleting
May 8, 2018, 8:12 am
#748
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: MSY; 2-time FT Fantasy Football Champ, now in recovery.
Programs: AA lifetime GLD; UA Silver; Marriott LTTE; IHG Plat,
Posts: 14,518
My wife and I are flying from DFW-PBI on 6/9 (AA2640). We havent selected a seat yet and all available ones either preferred or MCE. I dont have status so I cant see if there are any other open seats. What are the chances that we'll have seats next to each other? should we roll the dice and wait for seat assignments at check-in or just pay for MCE seats?
May 8, 2018, 8:17 am
#749
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 4
Hi guys,
So I am flying on an AA plane for the first time... But my ticket never said anything about it being American Eagle until I already booked.
So, my flight is: San Diego to Los Angeles on American Eagle. Then I have 1 hour 53 minutes to get to TBIT for my LATAM flight to Lima, Peru.
I know I should take the shuttle from the American Eagle terminal to Terminal 4 and then take the walkway to TBIT. Just some questions about this...
- Can they actually transfer my luggage to the LATAM plane in such a short time when their terminal is remote? Will they even try? From what I understand AE is not Oneworld? There is no way that I'll have the time to gather and recheck my luggage and clear security again in 2 hrs.
- Can you go from domestic to international at LAX without having to clear security again? I'm pretty sure you can just double checking.
Cheers lots for any responses
So I am flying on an AA plane for the first time... But my ticket never said anything about it being American Eagle until I already booked.
So, my flight is: San Diego to Los Angeles on American Eagle. Then I have 1 hour 53 minutes to get to TBIT for my LATAM flight to Lima, Peru.
I know I should take the shuttle from the American Eagle terminal to Terminal 4 and then take the walkway to TBIT. Just some questions about this...
- Can they actually transfer my luggage to the LATAM plane in such a short time when their terminal is remote? Will they even try? From what I understand AE is not Oneworld? There is no way that I'll have the time to gather and recheck my luggage and clear security again in 2 hrs.
- Can you go from domestic to international at LAX without having to clear security again? I'm pretty sure you can just double checking.
Cheers lots for any responses
May 8, 2018, 10:04 am
#750
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
Hi guys,
So I am flying on an AA plane for the first time... But my ticket never said anything about it being American Eagle until I already booked.
So, my flight is: San Diego to Los Angeles on American Eagle. Then I have 1 hour 53 minutes to get to TBIT for my LATAM flight to Lima, Peru.
I know I should take the shuttle from the American Eagle terminal to Terminal 4 and then take the walkway to TBIT. Just some questions about this...
- Can they actually transfer my luggage to the LATAM plane in such a short time when their terminal is remote? Will they even try? From what I understand AE is not Oneworld? There is no way that I'll have the time to gather and recheck my luggage and clear security again in 2 hrs.
- Can you go from domestic to international at LAX without having to clear security again? I'm pretty sure you can just double checking.
Cheers lots for any responses
So I am flying on an AA plane for the first time... But my ticket never said anything about it being American Eagle until I already booked.
So, my flight is: San Diego to Los Angeles on American Eagle. Then I have 1 hour 53 minutes to get to TBIT for my LATAM flight to Lima, Peru.
I know I should take the shuttle from the American Eagle terminal to Terminal 4 and then take the walkway to TBIT. Just some questions about this...
- Can they actually transfer my luggage to the LATAM plane in such a short time when their terminal is remote? Will they even try? From what I understand AE is not Oneworld? There is no way that I'll have the time to gather and recheck my luggage and clear security again in 2 hrs.
- Can you go from domestic to international at LAX without having to clear security again? I'm pretty sure you can just double checking.
Cheers lots for any responses
American Eagle dba American Airlines certainly is oneworld.
Arrive remote, bus to Terminal 4, walk TBIT connector without having to check in or do security.
1:53 is plenty of time to transfer hold baggage to LATAM. If you’re flying on a single ticket / PNR, no worries.
(If you’re not, then you’ve got worries because you’d have to bus, recover bags at Terminal 5, walk them to TBIT, check in etc.) See the GUIDE thread to LAX for maps, photos, etc. - start with the Wikipost at the top of the page.