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 11, 2018, 8:47 pm
#781
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 4
I'm having a lot of trouble understanding the Admirals Club/Flagship Lounge/Qantas Lounge access rules based on having an first/business class ticket along with the difference between Admirals and Flagship overall? I'm flying from PEK-->LAX-->BOS with about 7 hours to waste in LAX and want to make sure I'd have access and understand where if not all of them?
May 11, 2018, 8:54 pm
#782
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
I'm having a lot of trouble understanding the Admirals Club/Flagship Lounge/Qantas Lounge access rules based on having an first/business class ticket along with the difference between Admirals and Flagship overall? I'm flying from PEK-->LAX-->BOS with about 7 hours to waste in LAX and want to make sure I'd have access and understand where if not all of them?
Assuming you don't have status with AA or any other oneworld members: PEK - LAX is AA 180 with B789. AFAIK, there is no first class so you will not have access to Qantas lounge. However, you will have access to AA Flagship Lounge at LAX. Please use your boarding pass for AA180 to access.
May 12, 2018, 7:19 am
#783
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'm having a lot of trouble understanding the Admirals Club/Flagship Lounge/Qantas Lounge access rules based on having an first/business class ticket along with the difference between Admirals and Flagship overall? I'm flying from PEK-->LAX-->BOS with about 7 hours to waste in LAX and want to make sure I'd have access and understand where if not all of them?
In LAX, you’ll have to process immigration, recover your hold baggage, process customs, recheck your baggage as you exit customs at the Tom Bradley International Terminal. You’ll be landside, and will have to process through security to airside.
The best place to do this if you have your ongoing boarding pass is as you exit arrivals at TBIT - there’s a security checkpoint just before exiting to your right. Process, go upstairs as if you were going to Terminal 4 (where your BOS flight is likely to depart).
Here you can double back to your right to the oneworld Business Lounge (operated by Qantas; be sure to have your PEK-LAX boarding pass at hand) or go to T-4 and to the Flagship Lounge (look for the Admirals Club signage; it’s about mid-concourse). Or both, if you wish. You’ll be able to have a shower if you wish, food, etc. (The Qantas First Lounge would apply if you had flown in in a three class First or had oneworld Emerald status.)
Resource threads here (be sure to read the expandable Wikipost at the top of the page):
LAX AA T-4 - TBIT secure airside connector (open Feb 2016)
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...ction-etc.html
LAX / Los Angeles Int'l. Terminal 4 Flagship Lounge (master thread)
Guide: LAX / Los Angeles TBIT / Bradley Int’l. oneworld Lounges
May 15, 2018, 11:38 am
#784
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 126
I'm may be moving to an AA hub. If I switch over from Delta and do a status challenge for gold. Does that typically come with a spend requirement?
May 15, 2018, 3:05 pm
#786
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: N/A
Posts: 685
New EXP here!
Any tips or checklists to do when achieving status? Anything I should look forward to using to enhance my flying experience over plat pro? I'm most excited about SDFC's, award redpositing & cancelling with no fees, and international lounge access.
Any tips or checklists to do when achieving status? Anything I should look forward to using to enhance my flying experience over plat pro? I'm most excited about SDFC's, award redpositing & cancelling with no fees, and international lounge access.
May 15, 2018, 5:28 pm
#787
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’d recommend reading the Wikipost at the top of the page of What are Executive Platinum / EP / EXP benefits? Are they worth it? (master thd).
May 16, 2018, 3:00 pm
#788
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 13
Anyone ever had the experience of AA agents finding partner award availability that you were not able to find on BA.com/Qantas or one of the other online services?
May 16, 2018, 3:45 pm
#789
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Maryland
Programs: AAdvantage, Starwood
Posts: 51
should I book half the trip now? WAS—GCM
I need 120k AA miles to book 4 round trip tix next March to the Caribbean. I only have 97k. I'm planning to get another AA card in July so I would probably have the rest of the miles by Sept or so. Would you book one of the segments now with 60k miles and the other half when I have more miles? If yes, would you book the outbound or return flight. OR I could transfer some SPG points to AA but I really don't want to cause I want them for hotel stays.
I have some Amex MRs and Chase URs but when I look on British Airways site, I don't see any award flights even though there were saver awards on AA. I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong. I'm trying to get from WAS area to GCM around 3/16 but could also fly out of PHL but ideally still return to WAS (with my preference being BWI over IAD/DCA)
I have some Amex MRs and Chase URs but when I look on British Airways site, I don't see any award flights even though there were saver awards on AA. I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong. I'm trying to get from WAS area to GCM around 3/16 but could also fly out of PHL but ideally still return to WAS (with my preference being BWI over IAD/DCA)
May 16, 2018, 4:01 pm
#790
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,588
I need 120k AA miles to book 4 round trip tix next March to the Caribbean. I only have 97k. I'm planning to get another AA card in July so I would probably have the rest of the miles by Sept or so. Would you book one of the segments now with 60k miles and the other half when I have more miles? If yes, would you book the outbound or return flight. OR I could transfer some SPG points to AA but I really don't want to cause I want them for hotel stays.
I have some Amex MRs and Chase URs but when I look on British Airways site, I don't see any award flights even though there were saver awards on AA. I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong. I'm trying to get from WAS area to GCM around 3/16 but could also fly out of PHL but ideally still return to WAS (with my preference being BWI over IAD/DCA)
I have some Amex MRs and Chase URs but when I look on British Airways site, I don't see any award flights even though there were saver awards on AA. I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong. I'm trying to get from WAS area to GCM around 3/16 but could also fly out of PHL but ideally still return to WAS (with my preference being BWI over IAD/DCA)
If AA's seasonal PHL-GCM nonstop is operating when you are traveling, and if you can find SAAver seats on the nonstop, you should be able to secure them for 10,000 Avios per person, one way. I would book that, and then use your AA miles for your return trip to WAS.
If they are available, SAAver seats on AA's CLT-GCM nonstop would cost just 7,500 Avios per person, but CLT is a long way from WAS.
May 17, 2018, 7:44 am
#791
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Maryland
Programs: AAdvantage, Starwood
Posts: 51
BA charges separately for each flight flown, and AA does not offer nonstops between WAS and GCM; so unless you can find a through-flight (single flight number) between WAS and GCM with SAAver availability, you would pay a minimum of 15,000 Avios per person one way in Economy. And ba.com is not very good about displaying available award itineraries that involve connecting flights on AA.
If AA's seasonal PHL-GCM nonstop is operating when you are traveling, and if you can find SAAver seats on the nonstop, you should be able to secure them for 10,000 Avios per person, one way. I would book that, and then use your AA miles for your return trip to WAS.
If they are available, SAAver seats on AA's CLT-GCM nonstop would cost just 7,500 Avios per person, but CLT is a long way from WAS.
If AA's seasonal PHL-GCM nonstop is operating when you are traveling, and if you can find SAAver seats on the nonstop, you should be able to secure them for 10,000 Avios per person, one way. I would book that, and then use your AA miles for your return trip to WAS.
If they are available, SAAver seats on AA's CLT-GCM nonstop would cost just 7,500 Avios per person, but CLT is a long way from WAS.
May 17, 2018, 9:32 am
#792
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
Thank you for pointing this out! If I can book PHL to GCM round trip using BA avios it will only be 80k total instead of 120k. I can save the AA miles for a trip to Europe. PHL is 1hr50m from my house which is twice as long as to IAD but I think it's worth it for the nonstop flight since I have two toddlers. If I call BA, will they hold the reservation while I transfer the points? Thank you so much!!
Have you actually searched ba.com and found Avios availability for 4 persons on the PHL-GCM nonstop flight on your date?
May 17, 2018, 10:17 am
#793
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Maryland
Programs: AAdvantage, Starwood
Posts: 51
Not today, but I searched AA and found saver availability but when I searched on BA it didn't show flights on multiple days I checked.
May 17, 2018, 11:03 am
#794
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,588
Are you sure that the SAAver availability you found on aa.com was for the nonstop flight, and not for some connection? If aa.com is showing availability for the nonstop and ba.com is not, you can try calling a BAEC Service Center and asking if they see award seats on the nonstop. If yes, you could then transfer the miles, and hope that the seats are still available by the time the miles hit your BAEC account. There's some risk involved, but you might be willing to run it.
May 17, 2018, 11:53 am
#795
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Maryland
Programs: AAdvantage, Starwood
Posts: 51
Are you sure that the SAAver availability you found on aa.com was for the nonstop flight, and not for some connection? If aa.com is showing availability for the nonstop and ba.com is not, you can try calling a BAEC Service Center and asking if they see award seats on the nonstop. If yes, you could then transfer the miles, and hope that the seats are still available by the time the miles hit your BAEC account. There's some risk involved, but you might be willing to run it.