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)
Jun 1, 2018, 1:36 am
#871
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 789
I am very inexperienced at booking reward travel and looking for some advice. I having been accumulating miles to use towards a trip to Europe for myself & my wife for our anniversary next April -- hoping to get business class seats. I'll be flying from DFW to CPH in late April and back in mid-May. I have seen lots of advice about trying to avoid British Airways due to the hefty surcharges, but it seems every search comes up with BA as the only option. The good side is that there seems to be good availability for business class seats at 57.5K each way, however round-trip surcharges appear total over $2K for the two of us. I've primarily searched using the AA website as well as British Airways. It's my understanding that a direct AA flight to London, even if connecting to a British Airways flight to CPH from there would significantly decrease the surcharge.
Would you recommend waiting a bit to see if availability on an AA flight opens up or should I just bite the bullet and pay the surcharge so I don't risk the available BA seats disappearing?
Some previous discussions I've read mention trying to pursue routing through a non-UK airport such as CDG or MAD ... is there a good way to try to force the reward flight search to these routes versus through London?
I've also seen reference to searching for flights on Finnair and/or Iberia as well, but am no having luck finding any good options there either.
Thank you in advance for any information you can provide!
Would you recommend waiting a bit to see if availability on an AA flight opens up or should I just bite the bullet and pay the surcharge so I don't risk the available BA seats disappearing?
Some previous discussions I've read mention trying to pursue routing through a non-UK airport such as CDG or MAD ... is there a good way to try to force the reward flight search to these routes versus through London?
I've also seen reference to searching for flights on Finnair and/or Iberia as well, but am no having luck finding any good options there either.
Thank you in advance for any information you can provide!
Jun 1, 2018, 5:56 am
#872
Join Date: May 2018
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 3
Thank you rjlon, i appreciate the feedback!
Jun 1, 2018, 10:16 am
#873
Join Date: May 2008
Location: WAS
Programs: AA Ex Plt
Posts: 1,630
All -
Not sure where to ask this AA question so I turned here. New corporate policy is steerage and corporate credit card. Will AA let me use a different CC to pay the difference in fare to PE or C?
Eg. Fare for economy is $1000. Fare for PE is $1500. Will AA allow me to buy the fare economy fare with the corporate card ($1000) and then up fare afterwards to PE with a personal card ($500) splitting the cost?
Thanks
Cheers
Not sure where to ask this AA question so I turned here. New corporate policy is steerage and corporate credit card. Will AA let me use a different CC to pay the difference in fare to PE or C?
Eg. Fare for economy is $1000. Fare for PE is $1500. Will AA allow me to buy the fare economy fare with the corporate card ($1000) and then up fare afterwards to PE with a personal card ($500) splitting the cost?
Thanks
Cheers
Jun 1, 2018, 10:53 am
#874
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AA PLT, IHG Spire
Posts: 551
All -
Not sure where to ask this AA question so I turned here. New corporate policy is steerage and corporate credit card. Will AA let me use a different CC to pay the difference in fare to PE or C?
Eg. Fare for economy is $1000. Fare for PE is $1500. Will AA allow me to buy the fare economy fare with the corporate card ($1000) and then up fare afterwards to PE with a personal card ($500) splitting the cost?
Thanks
Cheers
Not sure where to ask this AA question so I turned here. New corporate policy is steerage and corporate credit card. Will AA let me use a different CC to pay the difference in fare to PE or C?
Eg. Fare for economy is $1000. Fare for PE is $1500. Will AA allow me to buy the fare economy fare with the corporate card ($1000) and then up fare afterwards to PE with a personal card ($500) splitting the cost?
Thanks
Cheers
Jun 1, 2018, 12:46 pm
#875
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
To add to the above...April/May 2019 is still eons away in the airline world, it's highly likely that better options will open up later on AA metal across the pond (or AY or IB). I certainly would not be in any rush to book the BA awards. I fly back and forth between the US and CPH several times a year, many of which are award flights, and the BA options are always plentiful. Europe traffic certainly picks up out of the winter slump by April and May, but you're still a little shy of the true peak season in June and July. As long as you can be flexible with travel days you shouldn't have any trouble...and if you can fly midweek your chances will increase exponentially.
Jun 1, 2018, 1:47 pm
#876
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 4
Newbie Q: Does AA do premier accelerator type offers for EQMs?
Hi Gurus,
Newbie to AA who is moving over from United. I have to meet EQMs as a part of my challenge. My question is does AA do something similar to the United's Premier Accelerator deals where you can pay to get EQMs? This typically happens when you check in for the flight and the screen gives you an option to purchase "regular award" miles and then a premier accelerator option to buy EQM.
Appreciate the replies.
Thanks
Newbie to AA who is moving over from United. I have to meet EQMs as a part of my challenge. My question is does AA do something similar to the United's Premier Accelerator deals where you can pay to get EQMs? This typically happens when you check in for the flight and the screen gives you an option to purchase "regular award" miles and then a premier accelerator option to buy EQM.
Appreciate the replies.
Thanks
Jun 1, 2018, 2:08 pm
#877
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
Hi Gurus,
Newbie to AA who is moving over from United. I have to meet EQMs as a part of my challenge. My question is does AA do something similar to the United's Premier Accelerator deals where you can pay to get EQMs? This typically happens when you check in for the flight and the screen gives you an option to purchase "regular award" miles and then a premier accelerator option to buy EQM.
Appreciate the replies.
Thanks
Newbie to AA who is moving over from United. I have to meet EQMs as a part of my challenge. My question is does AA do something similar to the United's Premier Accelerator deals where you can pay to get EQMs? This typically happens when you check in for the flight and the screen gives you an option to purchase "regular award" miles and then a premier accelerator option to buy EQM.
Appreciate the replies.
Thanks
Jun 2, 2018, 4:02 pm
#878
Join Date: Dec 2008
Programs: continental one pass,BA exwcutive club
Posts: 12
PHL Connection International to Domestic
I am flying AA from Manchester( UK) to PHL then onward with AA to Houston Tx. My International flight arrives in Terminal A and from what I can see.. the domestic AA flight to Houston also leaves from Terminal A..which surprised me. I know that I will have to clear Immigration, collect bags, clear customs and re- check bag to Houston , ... maybe security ? then find my Houston gate. I have a long layover so not worried about time, just wondering if this is a fairly straightforward process. Any advice or experiences much appreciated. Thanks
Jun 2, 2018, 5:26 pm
#879
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
I am flying AA from Manchester( UK) to PHL then onward with AA to Houston Tx. My International flight arrives in Terminal A and from what I can see.. the domestic AA flight to Houston also leaves from Terminal A..which surprised me. I know that I will have to clear Immigration, collect bags, clear customs and re- check bag to Houston , ... maybe security ? then find my Houston gate. I have a long layover so not worried about time, just wondering if this is a fairly straightforward process. Any advice or experiences much appreciated. Thanks
Last edited by JDiver; Jun 2, 2018 at 5:33 pm
Jun 2, 2018, 6:13 pm
#880
Join Date: Dec 2008
Programs: continental one pass,BA exwcutive club
Posts: 12
Thank you
Jun 3, 2018, 12:56 pm
#881
Join Date: May 2018
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 3
To add to the above...April/May 2019 is still eons away in the airline world, it's highly likely that better options will open up later on AA metal across the pond (or AY or IB). I certainly would not be in any rush to book the BA awards. I fly back and forth between the US and CPH several times a year, many of which are award flights, and the BA options are always plentiful. Europe traffic certainly picks up out of the winter slump by April and May, but you're still a little shy of the true peak season in June and July. As long as you can be flexible with travel days you shouldn't have any trouble...and if you can fly midweek your chances will increase exponentially.
Thank you JJeffrey, I appreciate you sharing your knowledge & experience. I will exercise some patience and watch for additional options to become available.
Jun 3, 2018, 1:22 pm
#882
Join Date: Dec 2008
Programs: continental one pass,BA exwcutive club
Posts: 12
Jun 3, 2018, 1:59 pm
#883
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,030
I am flying AA from Manchester( UK) to PHL then onward with AA to Houston Tx. My International flight arrives in Terminal A and from what I can see.. the domestic AA flight to Houston also leaves from Terminal A..which surprised me. I know that I will have to clear Immigration, collect bags, clear customs and re- check bag to Houston , ... maybe security ? then find my Houston gate. I have a long layover so not worried about time, just wondering if this is a fairly straightforward process. Any advice or experiences much appreciated. Thanks
I’d read the AA Guide: PHL / Philadelphia International Airport - MCT, Connection, MCT, etc. thread; the Wikipost at the top of the page offers some information about PHL airport, including a map and a Link to downloadable PDF PHL airport map
Just follow the signs. 100's of people transfer to other flights every day
Jun 3, 2018, 3:49 pm
#884
Join Date: Dec 2008
Programs: continental one pass,BA exwcutive club
Posts: 12
I do believe you're right
Jun 3, 2018, 5:32 pm
#885
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
Stopovers on partner award tickets, and on paid tickets
If I book an award from BKK-JFK via HND/NRT on JL, or via HKG on CX, I have some questions about award and paid tickets re stopovers.
If if booking a J award, is any kind of stopover allowed? Even if not, would a very long connection, i.e. overnight, be allowed? I would like to be able to fit in a brief visit to Tokyo for at least one sushi dinner and a tempura lunch within a <24 hour period.
On a paid J ticket on JL or CX - either directly booked with the airline or as an AA code share - would a stopover of any kind even longer than 24 hours be allowed in Tokyo or Hong Kong?
Thanks for any advice!
If if booking a J award, is any kind of stopover allowed? Even if not, would a very long connection, i.e. overnight, be allowed? I would like to be able to fit in a brief visit to Tokyo for at least one sushi dinner and a tempura lunch within a <24 hour period.
On a paid J ticket on JL or CX - either directly booked with the airline or as an AA code share - would a stopover of any kind even longer than 24 hours be allowed in Tokyo or Hong Kong?
Thanks for any advice!