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 4, 2018, 3:36 am
#556
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
Apr 5, 2018, 7:12 am
#558
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AA PLT, IHG Spire
Posts: 550
Hello everyone,
I'm traveling from Italy to CUN on AA premium economy and I have a question about transit in MIA.
Since I plan on traveling with all diving gear, I'll bring my canister diving light. Do you know if transiting in Miami I have to pass again through security or re-check luggage? I don't want a TSA idiot confiscating me my 1500$ light (legal and UN38.3 compliant, but I really don't want to argue with US officials)
Thanks!
Alessandro
I'm traveling from Italy to CUN on AA premium economy and I have a question about transit in MIA.
Since I plan on traveling with all diving gear, I'll bring my canister diving light. Do you know if transiting in Miami I have to pass again through security or re-check luggage? I don't want a TSA idiot confiscating me my 1500$ light (legal and UN38.3 compliant, but I really don't want to argue with US officials)
Thanks!
Alessandro
Apr 5, 2018, 7:16 am
#559
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,724
Hello everyone,
I'm traveling from Italy to CUN on AA premium economy and I have a question about transit in MIA.
Since I plan on traveling with all diving gear, I'll bring my canister diving light. Do you know if transiting in Miami I have to pass again through security or re-check luggage? I don't want a TSA idiot confiscating me my 1500$ light (legal and UN38.3 compliant, but I really don't want to argue with US officials)
Thanks!
Alessandro
I'm traveling from Italy to CUN on AA premium economy and I have a question about transit in MIA.
Since I plan on traveling with all diving gear, I'll bring my canister diving light. Do you know if transiting in Miami I have to pass again through security or re-check luggage? I don't want a TSA idiot confiscating me my 1500$ light (legal and UN38.3 compliant, but I really don't want to argue with US officials)
Thanks!
Alessandro
Apr 5, 2018, 8:07 am
#560
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: FL, USA
Programs: AA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,666
MIA is setup for ITI. If your bags are tagged at check in with the red ITI tag, then at MIA you will not collect your bags. Rather they will be transferred to your next flight for you. BUT, you still have to clear immigration and go back through security. If your bags aren't tagged ITI, then you will need to collect them at MIA and drop them back off before reclearing security.
Apr 5, 2018, 9:21 am
#561
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
Hello everyone,
I'm traveling from Italy to CUN on AA premium economy and I have a question about transit in MIA.
Since I plan on traveling with all diving gear, I'll bring my canister diving light. Do you know if transiting in Miami I have to pass again through security or re-check luggage? I don't want a TSA idiot confiscating me my 1500$ light (legal and UN38.3 compliant, but I really don't want to argue with US officials)
Thanks!
Alessandro
I'm traveling from Italy to CUN on AA premium economy and I have a question about transit in MIA.
Since I plan on traveling with all diving gear, I'll bring my canister diving light. Do you know if transiting in Miami I have to pass again through security or re-check luggage? I don't want a TSA idiot confiscating me my 1500$ light (legal and UN38.3 compliant, but I really don't want to argue with US officials)
Thanks!
Alessandro
If pissible, I recommend hand carrying your computer and regulator components (I usually remove the hoses and pack them with a tool to reattach easily), as thieves can still target valuables whilst the bag is in transit - and if you’re like me, I prefer not using others’ refs and computer. (In Miami I actually had a TSA agent steal an item from my dive bag even though the inspection line was visible by passengers and I didn’t leave the area until our dive bags had been passed on.
)P.S. for some good diving, it’s hard to beat Aldora Divers in Cozumel - fast six packs, matched for skills and experience divets, DIN conversions, steel tanks, reliable and uncrowded diving.
Apr 5, 2018, 11:36 am
#562
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Chicago
Programs: AAdvantage EXP | United Silver | HH Diamond | Bonvoy Platinum | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 718
Hi Folks,
I have gold status now so I can fly standby without the fee. I know that your route needs to be the exact same, but are there limits the amount of time between your original flight and the standby flight if it's within the same day. There is an early flight from MCO -> ORD that is priced well, my thought was to show up around 3pm and try and fly standby on the remaining three flights that day. Not sure if you can do that since its several hours later, or what happens if you dont make it onto any flight that day. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I have gold status now so I can fly standby without the fee. I know that your route needs to be the exact same, but are there limits the amount of time between your original flight and the standby flight if it's within the same day. There is an early flight from MCO -> ORD that is priced well, my thought was to show up around 3pm and try and fly standby on the remaining three flights that day. Not sure if you can do that since its several hours later, or what happens if you dont make it onto any flight that day. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Apr 5, 2018, 11:52 am
#563
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AA PLT, IHG Spire
Posts: 550
Hi Folks,
I have gold status now so I can fly standby without the fee. I know that your route needs to be the exact same, but are there limits the amount of time between your original flight and the standby flight if it's within the same day. There is an early flight from MCO -> ORD that is priced well, my thought was to show up around 3pm and try and fly standby on the remaining three flights that day. Not sure if you can do that since its several hours later, or what happens if you dont make it onto any flight that day. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I have gold status now so I can fly standby without the fee. I know that your route needs to be the exact same, but are there limits the amount of time between your original flight and the standby flight if it's within the same day. There is an early flight from MCO -> ORD that is priced well, my thought was to show up around 3pm and try and fly standby on the remaining three flights that day. Not sure if you can do that since its several hours later, or what happens if you dont make it onto any flight that day. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Apr 6, 2018, 11:03 am
#564
Join Date: Apr 2018
Programs: american advantage
Posts: 7
I am new to this forum. I am exec plat member of AA Advantage program. I am looking to receive info regarding AA deals out of NY area for international travel.
Apr 6, 2018, 11:42 am
#565
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,484
You may want to check the Mileage Run forum, here is the link there:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mileage-run-deals-372/
and for the Premium side...
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mile...iscussion-627/
Thanks!
aztimm
Apr 6, 2018, 12:29 pm
#566
Join Date: Apr 2018
Programs: american advantage
Posts: 7
thanks very much!! I do wish it could be consolidated by specific airline for specific reasons. I do appreciate the time everyone puts into this.
Apr 7, 2018, 8:51 am
#567
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,967
Good morning, I just got gold for the first time and according to the Elite website, it shows "50% off Main Cabin Extra Seats (complimentary at check-in)." Only the first segment (flight is 2 segments each way) let me choose a complimentary MCE seat; the rest still show a charge. Do I have to wait until T-24 for each segment to be able to choose a free MCE seat for that segment? Thanks!
Apr 7, 2018, 9:54 am
#568
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,531
Good morning, I just got gold for the first time and according to the Elite website, it shows "50% off Main Cabin Extra Seats (complimentary at check-in)." Only the first segment (flight is 2 segments each way) let me choose a complimentary MCE seat; the rest still show a charge. Do I have to wait until T-24 for each segment to be able to choose a free MCE seat for that segment? Thanks!
Apr 7, 2018, 1:42 pm
#570
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 2,272
I have a 1:30am flight out of JFK on CX in F. I would have access to the AA flagship lounge. It seems it closes at 11:15pm (although the CX says 01:30+ which makes more sense) which would be well before boarding time. Anyone know for sure?
Update: while searching google it claims the closure time is 11:15 when I search through the AA website it says 1am, which is much more logical. Are the flagship dining hours more limited?
Update: while searching google it claims the closure time is 11:15 when I search through the AA website it says 1am, which is much more logical. Are the flagship dining hours more limited?
Last edited by Red259; Apr 7, 2018 at 1:50 pm