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)
Sep 4, 2018, 6:24 am
#1426
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,494
Thanks I am looking at mid May into early June, e.g. 5/17-6/1 with some flexibility. I did speak with AA about why W is more expensive than J and you are correct. Apparently a discount business fare (I) outbound cannot be combined with a discount premium economy inbound or vice versa, so it shows a fully flexible W fare.
Sep 4, 2018, 10:23 am
#1427
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: DFW
Posts: 8,036
I’m looking for book a flight in J (booking codes I and J). I have to book using my corporate card in business; however, first is available for about $1700 more round trip, which I’d like to pay out of pocket. Can I book the business ticket and then call in to pay the difference to F and will I be hit with a change fee?
Sep 4, 2018, 10:29 am
#1428
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AA PLT, IHG Spire
Posts: 551
I’m looking for book a flight in J (booking codes I and J). I have to book using my corporate card in business; however, first is available for about $1700 more round trip, which I’d like to pay out of pocket. Can I book the business ticket and then call in to pay the difference to F and will I be hit with a change fee?
Sep 4, 2018, 10:31 am
#1429
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: DFW
Posts: 8,036
Since you are buying an upfare to a higher class of travel you should not be charged a change fee on your ticket. You may have to pay a $50 fee to AA to re-issue another agencies booking depending on how your corporate travel is initially booked. If you book the initial flight directly with AA there should be no additional fees.
Sep 4, 2018, 11:38 am
#1430
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: DFW
Posts: 23
Basic Economy
I'm about to book my first Basic Economy Fare. I am Platinum Pro, and have the Citi Platinum Select World Elite MC. I think that makes me eligible for some perks (boarding with my priority group)? Do I have to book with that card in order to get the perks, or is there something else I need to do? Thanks!
Sep 4, 2018, 11:56 am
#1431
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,494
I'm about to book my first Basic Economy Fare. I am Platinum Pro, and have the Citi Platinum Select World Elite MC. I think that makes me eligible for some perks (boarding with my priority group)? Do I have to book with that card in order to get the perks, or is there something else I need to do? Thanks!
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...ic-economy.jsp
Sep 4, 2018, 11:57 am
#1432
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,603
I'm about to book my first Basic Economy Fare. I am Platinum Pro, and have the Citi Platinum Select World Elite MC. I think that makes me eligible for some perks (boarding with my priority group)? Do I have to book with that card in order to get the perks, or is there something else I need to do? Thanks!
Sep 4, 2018, 4:52 pm
#1433
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: DFW
Posts: 23
AA from DFW to anywhere
Thanks for the basic econ information. Now, I am interested in good fares from DFW on AA (or partners). Essentially, looking for mini mileage runs/weekend trips as I'm quite short on miles this year. Is there a way to set up alerts just for fares from DFW?
Sep 4, 2018, 8:02 pm
#1434
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 12
AA777 upgrade question
So I’m flying DTW-DFW-HNL this weekend. I didn’t realize when it was booked that the DFW-HNL segment is a 777, which appears to have 3 classes of service. I have not flown this type of aircraft before, so I called to see how the upgrade works. Reservations said I would upgrade to the next class of service which she said is “business class”. so looking at the seating chart i see main cabin, premium economy, and first class. if I get my comp upgrade can I expect a seat in premium economy or first?
Sep 4, 2018, 8:17 pm
#1435
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: TPA/SRQ
Programs: Hyatt Explorer, Marriott Titanium, AA Plat Pro, UA Silver, Avis Plus, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,692
So I’m flying DTW-DFW-HNL this weekend. I didn’t realize when it was booked that the DFW-HNL segment is a 777, which appears to have 3 classes of service. I have not flown this type of aircraft before, so I called to see how the upgrade works. Reservations said I would upgrade to the next class of service which she said is “business class”. so looking at the seating chart i see main cabin, premium economy, and first class. if I get my comp upgrade can I expect a seat in premium economy or first?
it had main cabin, PE, and First/business
Sep 4, 2018, 8:57 pm
#1436
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 12
So I’m flying DTW-DFW-HNL this weekend. I didn’t realize when it was booked that the DFW-HNL segment is a 777, which appears to have 3 classes of service. I have not flown this type of aircraft before, so I called to see how the upgrade works. Reservations said I would upgrade to the next class of service which she said is “business class”. so looking at the seating chart i see main cabin, premium economy, and first class. if I get my comp upgrade can I expect a seat in premium economy or first?
Sep 4, 2018, 9:28 pm
#1437
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,419
I believe that if your upgrade doesn’t clear, as EXP you may be able to select a seat in premium economy upon check-in.
Sep 6, 2018, 8:05 am
#1438
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: BA
Posts: 954
Do free checked bag benefits from AA credit cards not apply on these newfangled basic economy transatlantic fares?