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)
Jul 27, 2018, 10:00 am
#1156
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,470
Slightly frustrating issue i wonder if anyone can assist with. I have a single booking with two flights, an AA coded BA flight connecting at LHR onto an AA flight to North America, both now within 24 hours of departure.
On ba.com i can check in for the BA flight but not the AA flight. On aa.com when i click check in it just keeps redirecting me to ba.com. Any ideas how to check in and get a boarding pass for the AA flight?
On ba.com i can check in for the BA flight but not the AA flight. On aa.com when i click check in it just keeps redirecting me to ba.com. Any ideas how to check in and get a boarding pass for the AA flight?
Jul 27, 2018, 10:09 am
#1157
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 789
The First lounge at LAX gave access to International First Class and First Class passengers to JFK as well EXP’s traveling Inyernationally (ie not Mexico and Csnada) or flights to JFK. Rules at JFK were the same but inckuded SFO and LAX pax. I asked why and was tokd it was also a three class service.
Jul 27, 2018, 10:30 am
#1158
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,470
The First lounge at LAX gave access to International First Class and First Class passengers to JFK as well EXP’s traveling Inyernationally (ie not Mexico and Csnada) or flights to JFK. Rules at JFK were the same but inckuded SFO and LAX pax. I asked why and was tokd it was also a three class service.
Either you misunderstood or the agent you asked didn't know the rules, which wouldn't be the first time, but such is the case.
Jul 27, 2018, 10:51 am
#1159
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,631
Not a newbie, but can't find a relevant thread and embarrassed to start a new thread about this.
I have held an award booking for two on aa.com after logging into my AAdvantage account. We've decided that the other passenger's miles will be used. Can she just log in and complete the booking? It looks, from doing a dry run, that they will let her book it; but will it still deduct my miles since I started the booking in the first place?
I know I could call, but then I'd have to pay the booking fee...
I have held an award booking for two on aa.com after logging into my AAdvantage account. We've decided that the other passenger's miles will be used. Can she just log in and complete the booking? It looks, from doing a dry run, that they will let her book it; but will it still deduct my miles since I started the booking in the first place?
I know I could call, but then I'd have to pay the booking fee...
Jul 27, 2018, 11:15 am
#1160
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,584
Not a newbie, but can't find a relevant thread and embarrassed to start a new thread about this.
I have held an award booking for two on aa.com after logging into my AAdvantage account. We've decided that the other passenger's miles will be used. Can she just log in and complete the booking? It looks, from doing a dry run, that they will let her book it; but will it still deduct my miles since I started the booking in the first place?
I know I could call, but then I'd have to pay the booking fee...
I have held an award booking for two on aa.com after logging into my AAdvantage account. We've decided that the other passenger's miles will be used. Can she just log in and complete the booking? It looks, from doing a dry run, that they will let her book it; but will it still deduct my miles since I started the booking in the first place?
I know I could call, but then I'd have to pay the booking fee...
Jul 27, 2018, 11:18 am
#1161
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,631
No. And don't want to risk canceling and seeing if the awards become available.
Jul 27, 2018, 11:42 am
#1162
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,470
Jul 27, 2018, 12:11 pm
#1164
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,470
Jul 28, 2018, 7:49 pm
#1165
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 5
If an EXP or PP purchase a Y ticket and then gets a complimentary upgrade to F on a domestic route, do they get lounge access?
What about Gold and Plat in the same situation with 500 mile upgrades?
What about Gold and Plat in the same situation with 500 mile upgrades?
Jul 28, 2018, 9:33 pm
#1166
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
It depends on the route. For most domestic routes, no access by AA status/cabin (exceptions: transcons). For international, there'll be lounge access in this case but the upgrade you described (op-up) is extremely rare and you cannot use 500-mile to upgrade an international segment. In general, no domestic AC/FL access by AA status regardless of upgrade or not, except CK accessing FL and transcons.
Note that domestic here also includes flights to Canada etc.
Jul 31, 2018, 7:00 am
#1167
Join Date: Jul 2018
Programs: AA PlatPro, IHG Spire Amb, HH Diamond
Posts: 11
Hi all,
New frequent traveler here! I recently started working for a consulting firm and traveling multiple times every week. I did a status challenge and am at Platinum and am about 20k miles away from PP. I find I've got a few questions mulling about in my head that you guys may be able to answer.
1) Do miles on partners count as EQMs? I'm flying to Tahiti via Air Tahiti Nui (I bought the ticket on AA.com) and I'm hoping the 12k miles will be attributed to my quest to reach platinum pro. Any ideas?
2) Any tips on upgrades? I am unfortunately often flying busy routes at busy times (like CLT-NY on Monday mornings and Thursday evenings). I often find myself at the top of the upgrade list and then nothing happens. It's happened enough that I wonder if I'm just unlucky or if they're skipping over me for some reason. Any experiences you've had that could help me out?
3) Any tips or tricks anyone has used to earn EQMs in order to gain status?
Thanks in advance!
New frequent traveler here! I recently started working for a consulting firm and traveling multiple times every week. I did a status challenge and am at Platinum and am about 20k miles away from PP. I find I've got a few questions mulling about in my head that you guys may be able to answer.
1) Do miles on partners count as EQMs? I'm flying to Tahiti via Air Tahiti Nui (I bought the ticket on AA.com) and I'm hoping the 12k miles will be attributed to my quest to reach platinum pro. Any ideas?
2) Any tips on upgrades? I am unfortunately often flying busy routes at busy times (like CLT-NY on Monday mornings and Thursday evenings). I often find myself at the top of the upgrade list and then nothing happens. It's happened enough that I wonder if I'm just unlucky or if they're skipping over me for some reason. Any experiences you've had that could help me out?
3) Any tips or tricks anyone has used to earn EQMs in order to gain status?
Thanks in advance!
Jul 31, 2018, 7:35 am
#1168
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 all,
New frequent traveler here! I recently started working for a consulting firm and traveling multiple times every week. I did a status challenge and am at Platinum and am about 20k miles away from PP. I find I've got a few questions mulling about in my head that you guys may be able to answer.
... Thanks in advance.
New frequent traveler here! I recently started working for a consulting firm and traveling multiple times every week. I did a status challenge and am at Platinum and am about 20k miles away from PP. I find I've got a few questions mulling about in my head that you guys may be able to answer.
... Thanks in advance.
1) Do miles on partners count as EQMs? I'm flying to Tahiti via Air Tahiti Nui (I bought the ticket on AA.com) and I'm hoping the 12k miles will be attributed to my quest to reach platinum pro. Any ideas?
Unless you purchased the TN flights as AA “codeshares” (AA marketed flights), you’ll earn nothing, regardless of where you purchased the flights. But, if you purchased them from AA and you’re connecting to TN from an AA flight, you might have AA flight numbers - check your e-ticket to see how your LAX-PPT is coded.
All AA coded flights earn as if you were flying AA. Other partners earn as shown on their specific charts here: https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...r-airlines.jsp
2) Any tips on upgrades? I am unfortunately often flying busy routes at busy times (like CLT-NY on Monday mornings and Thursday evenings). I often find myself at the top of the upgrade list and then nothing happens. It's happened enough that I wonder if I'm just unlucky or if they're skipping over me for some reason. Any experiences you've had that could help me out?
AA is flying their aircraft fuller. Upgrades are issued in a very rigid order. There’s really nothing you can do, given you’re flying for work with inflexible schedules. See here: Upgrade Priority: Status, Upgrade Type, Rolling 12 Month EQD Spend.
3) Any tips or tricks anyone has used to earn EQMs in order to gain status?
Choose your fare carefully, don’t overlook the EQD requirement - EQM without EQD won’t earn you status. Consider the Barclays Aviator Card to earn EQD and EQM. Get the Red, upgrade to Silver in a few months. See https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...er-thread.html
Read here; there’s a huge amount of hived knowledge. I’m a retired consultant “road warrior”, not quite 20years as EP (falling back to lifetime Platinum next year) and I’ve learned a lot from members here.
Jul 31, 2018, 8:17 am
#1169
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: NYC
Posts: 73
My SO put a Cathay award on hold using her AA account. However, she does not have enough miles in her account to complete the booking. If I have enough miles in my account, can I call and have them complete the booking using my miles, or am I stuck waiting for the hold to expire and attempting to book using my account?
Jul 31, 2018, 8:22 am
#1170
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
My SO put a Cathay award on hold using her AA account. However, she does not have enough miles in her account to complete the booking. If I have enough miles in my account, can I call and have them complete the booking using my miles, or am I stuck waiting for the hold to expire and attempting to book using my account?
It looks like you have enough miles on your account, so you could simply go ahead to book the same trip, and then cancel her hold on her account.