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)
Aug 20, 2018, 6:29 am
#1336
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
Thanks (and mods feel free to move as appropriate).
I'm mostly after general impressions - is seeing any way to get between these city pairs in November already better than normal? Does the general number of award seats increase as departure gets closer? I'm familiar with award travel in general and I know there are no hard-and-fast rules, but usually the local experts have some rules of thumb
I'm generally ok with either Y or J for the current rates; with 60k I'm obviously targeting one in J and one in Y (2 pax, so that's 60k exactly).
I'm mostly after general impressions - is seeing any way to get between these city pairs in November already better than normal? Does the general number of award seats increase as departure gets closer? I'm familiar with award travel in general and I know there are no hard-and-fast rules, but usually the local experts have some rules of thumb
I'm generally ok with either Y or J for the current rates; with 60k I'm obviously targeting one in J and one in Y (2 pax, so that's 60k exactly).
So I would book say SYD-BNE-CNS now, just so you've got something locked in. Then, if the nonstop SYD-CNS opens up between now and then, just call AA and you can switch for free.
Aug 20, 2018, 2:38 pm
#1337
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: ORD
Programs: aadvantage, mileage plus, millemiglia
Posts: 100
I have a one way ticket for a flight tomorrow morning CMH-ORD which I don't intend to take. I haven't checked in. Long story, but I'm already in Chicago, so no need for the flight. I can't find a booking class on my receipt , but I only paid $157, so I assume it's a non-refundable ticket with high change fees. I'm wondering if this ticket has any residual value, and if so, how to go about attempting to preserve it. I see that there are thunderstorms predicted for tomorrow in Columbus, so I'm hoping that the flight will be significantly delayed and I can cancel, but with an 8;15am departure this seems unlikely. I only have Gold status on AA, so I can't do a free same day change to a later flight when delays would be more likely. If I get nothing for this, no big deal, but if anyone has an idea of something I could do with it I would be very thankful for the advice.
Aug 20, 2018, 2:39 pm
#1338
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,422
That said, one important point that I think you're missing is that you can book the less desirable or connecting options now and change to the nonstop for no fee should it open up.
So I would book say SYD-BNE-CNS now, just so you've got something locked in. Then, if the nonstop SYD-CNS opens up between now and then, just call AA and you can switch for free.
So I would book say SYD-BNE-CNS now, just so you've got something locked in. Then, if the nonstop SYD-CNS opens up between now and then, just call AA and you can switch for free.
Aug 20, 2018, 6:19 pm
#1339
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFOSJCOAK
Programs: AA-EXP & 1MM+, AS, MR-LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 7,581
Aug 20, 2018, 6:30 pm
#1340
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,203
I've searched and searched. Is there a link to an AA meal resource, i.e. a C/J flight, over X hours or Y miles, at these times, provides this meal service? For example, I'd like to know what dinner is defined as on AA989, 11 PM out of MIA to MVD. UA has the rules spelled out fairly well.
Aug 20, 2018, 7:25 pm
#1341
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
Aug 20, 2018, 7:49 pm
#1342
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,422
To take a similar strategy on UA/DL you need (almost) top status
Aug 21, 2018, 1:12 am
#1343
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 36
If I am in Osaka and my final destination is Vancouver and I want to take First Class JAL.
Does AA miles allow a re-position from Osaka to Tokyo? Then Tokyo to LAX, then to YVR?
I would take Cathay but Cathay's first class availability is harder to come by from HKG to YVR.
Any other First class route recommendation is welcomed, from Osaka to YVR
Does AA miles allow a re-position from Osaka to Tokyo? Then Tokyo to LAX, then to YVR?
I would take Cathay but Cathay's first class availability is harder to come by from HKG to YVR.
Any other First class route recommendation is welcomed, from Osaka to YVR
Last edited by ahh.lun; Aug 21, 2018 at 1:13 am Reason: additional question.
Aug 21, 2018, 5:09 am
#1344
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
If I am in Osaka and my final destination is Vancouver and I want to take First Class JAL.
Does AA miles allow a re-position from Osaka to Tokyo? Then Tokyo to LAX, then to YVR?
I would take Cathay but Cathay's first class availability is harder to come by from HKG to YVR.
Any other First class route recommendation is welcomed, from Osaka to YVR
Does AA miles allow a re-position from Osaka to Tokyo? Then Tokyo to LAX, then to YVR?
I would take Cathay but Cathay's first class availability is harder to come by from HKG to YVR.
Any other First class route recommendation is welcomed, from Osaka to YVR
JL is really your only option for flying F between Japan and North America. CX offers F through HKG as you mentioned, but this would require 2 awards and a lot more miles (and flying).
Aug 21, 2018, 6:57 am
#1345
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,018
I think I may have made a mistake. I booked an award flight knowing I could modify it without fee if the flight is >21 days from the date of booking. However, I also paid for an upgraded $145 main cabin select seat (its a transatlantic fight). If I do modify the flight, will I be able to move that seat over to the next flight? Or will I lose it?
Aug 21, 2018, 7:08 am
#1346
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AA PLT, IHG Spire
Posts: 551
Request a refund
Request a refund
You can request a refund online if you paid for seats and you:
Cancel your flight, rebook, and pay for seats on your rebooked flight.
You can also request a refund if we cancel and rebook you on another flight, causing you to miss a connection or you're denied boarding on an oversold flight and we're unable to get you a like seat. For example if we move you from:
Cancel your flight, rebook, and pay for seats on your rebooked flight.
You can also request a refund if we cancel and rebook you on another flight, causing you to miss a connection or you're denied boarding on an oversold flight and we're unable to get you a like seat. For example if we move you from:
- Main Cabin Extra to a preferred or other seat in the Main Cabin
- Main Cabin Extra aisle / window to Main Cabin Extra middle
- Keep in mind you need to submit separate refund requests for your flights, seats and other purchases
Aug 21, 2018, 12:08 pm
#1347
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 15
Hello,
After many days of searching, I found a one-way business class award ticket from LAX to ICN (with a stop in Hong Kong) by Cathay Pacific.
The reservations agent told me it will cost me 100K miles, is this reasonable or should I be looking more? (like with JAL or AA directly?)
After many days of searching, I found a one-way business class award ticket from LAX to ICN (with a stop in Hong Kong) by Cathay Pacific.
The reservations agent told me it will cost me 100K miles, is this reasonable or should I be looking more? (like with JAL or AA directly?)
Aug 21, 2018, 12:19 pm
#1348
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
Hello,
After many days of searching, I found a one-way business class award ticket from LAX to ICN (with a stop in Hong Kong) by Cathay Pacific.
The reservations agent told me it will cost me 100K miles, is this reasonable or should I be looking more? (like with JAL or AA directly?)
After many days of searching, I found a one-way business class award ticket from LAX to ICN (with a stop in Hong Kong) by Cathay Pacific.
The reservations agent told me it will cost me 100K miles, is this reasonable or should I be looking more? (like with JAL or AA directly?)
1) HKG is Asia 2 while ICN is Asia 1; AA does not allow NA - Asia 1 via Asia 2 on one ticket, so the 100k quote is two separate J tickets.
2) ICN and NRT/HND are both Asia 1, so with the permitted stopover time at Tokyo, you are only paying 60k for a one way J.
See rules here: AA oneworld & Other Airline Partner Award information, rules (master thd)
Aug 22, 2018, 12:47 am
#1349
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 33
Hi,
I have about 90k AA points between two accounts and was excited to be able to redeem it on an international flight, but all the saved awards have connections that make it a really long flight, so I find myself not finding anything to book with my points, and just using shopping portals to keep my points from expiring. Does anyone know any way of finding good routes using saver AA points? Or is this just the way AA is??
I have about 90k AA points between two accounts and was excited to be able to redeem it on an international flight, but all the saved awards have connections that make it a really long flight, so I find myself not finding anything to book with my points, and just using shopping portals to keep my points from expiring. Does anyone know any way of finding good routes using saver AA points? Or is this just the way AA is??
Aug 22, 2018, 1:26 am
#1350
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,
I have about 90k AA points between two accounts and was excited to be able to redeem it on an international flight, but all the saved awards have connections that make it a really long flight, so I find myself not finding anything to book with my points, and just using shopping portals to keep my points from expiring. Does anyone know any way of finding good routes using saver AA points? Or is this just the way AA is??
I have about 90k AA points between two accounts and was excited to be able to redeem it on an international flight, but all the saved awards have connections that make it a really long flight, so I find myself not finding anything to book with my points, and just using shopping portals to keep my points from expiring. Does anyone know any way of finding good routes using saver AA points? Or is this just the way AA is??
AA does seem to offer more SAAver Awards requiring connections. Sometimes those can be changed for free if a nonstop becomes available, but of course there’s no guarantee that will happen.
If you have two AA accounts, I’d suggest having them merged. It will be easier to keep one account active, and since you can’t combine miles from two accounts for one award it will make your miles easier to use.
See this thread (check the Wikipost at the top of the page) HELP DESK: MileSAAver / SAAver award questions, assistance for a lot of useful information about AA awards.