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 1, 2018, 8:57 am
#1186
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
You had answered your own question on your opening remark on free checked bag benefit. Unfortunately, this benefit do not apply to international, or BA/IB/AY-operated flights.
Last edited by andersonCooper; Aug 1, 2018 at 9:15 am
Aug 2, 2018, 9:22 am
#1187
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: TPA/SRQ
Programs: Hyatt Explorer, Marriott Titanium, AA Plat Pro, UA Silver, Avis Plus, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,692
Ok, I got a comp ugrade to F. Can I change my seat and do I need to wait until T-24 IF the answer is yes,
Thank you
Thank you
Aug 2, 2018, 10:15 am
#1189
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: TPA/SRQ
Programs: Hyatt Explorer, Marriott Titanium, AA Plat Pro, UA Silver, Avis Plus, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,692
Thank you!!
Aug 2, 2018, 12:38 pm
#1190
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 am looking at this MR, because it fits a time schedule.
But trying to see what the fare class is I go to LATAM and I can't find what fare class it and I can't replicate the flights on ITA which would give to me.
Never mind its gone.....It was MIA - EZE. I am looking for something ex MCO/TPA/MIA
Looking for a weekend between 8/13 and 9/3 to make the status.
Thank you
But trying to see what the fare class is I go to LATAM and I can't find what fare class it and I can't replicate the flights on ITA which would give to me.
Never mind its gone.....It was MIA - EZE. I am looking for something ex MCO/TPA/MIA
Looking for a weekend between 8/13 and 9/3 to make the status.
Thank you
Last edited by Ceres; Aug 2, 2018 at 12:43 pm Reason: it dissapeared
Aug 2, 2018, 2:37 pm
#1191
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 106
Is there any benefit to checking-in for an AA flight at T-24? For SW you get your boarding pass number based on when you check-in, but if you already have a seat assigned I don't see why there is a rush to check-in at exactly T-24. Unless I am missing something?
Aug 2, 2018, 2:47 pm
#1192
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AA PLT, IHG Spire
Posts: 551
I find its a good idea to check the seatmap as I check in and see if some better seats have opened up as elites get upgraded.
Aug 2, 2018, 3:32 pm
#1193
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 789
Theoretically if you check in within the prescribed times it should not make a difference. However in the case of an issue arising (previous flight canceled, equipment change, etc and there are too many pax for the flight, those who check in at the last minute are most likely to find themselves inconvenienced.) As you can change seats after checking in and you can be upgraded at any time checked in or not, there is no real advantage to checking in late. I would not say check in immediately at T-24 but I would do it well before the last minute. If you are trying to do it on your cell and you cannot get a good signal or when you go on the website (perhaps over night Central time if you are flying from overseas) to be met with a message that maintenance is underway and try later, you have an unexpected issue which raises stress when you do not need it.
Aug 4, 2018, 1:59 pm
#1194
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: AA EXP, UA Gold,Marriott PP,Hilton Diamond, National EX, Hertz PC
Posts: 114
If I am flying Cathay but I want the miles and EQD's to post to AA, do I book it through Cathay and just add my AA FF#?
Aug 4, 2018, 2:35 pm
#1195
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
It all depends on your fare code with CX.
If it’s full Y or above, you will earn 1.0-1.5 EQM per flown mile.
If it’s B or H, you’ll earn 0.75 EQM per flown mile.
In those cases, have your AA FFN added to the ticketing / PNR. And keep the boarding passes, just in case.
If it’s below that, K, M, L, V, Q, S, G, N, you’ll earn absolutely nothing.
See this page on aa.com.
If you buy it through AA as an zaA codeshare / marketed flight, you’ll earn as if flying AA.
Aug 6, 2018, 2:01 am
#1196
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: USA
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hilton Gold, Marriott/SPG Gold
Posts: 221
Another option is to buy PE T class tickets from BA - same formula for EQD/EQM with those and their price is often similar to CX E class, and those can be upgraded using Avios + cash in some cases (stringent rules apply - these are explained in the BA forum). Note that the flight must be operated by BA or a oneworld airline to get AA miles. E.g. a BA codeshare operated by AS won't get any AA miles.
Aug 6, 2018, 12:12 pm
#1197
Join Date: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,637
It's been a while since I've flown on AA. I have an award ticket. The next day I changed the dates. Agent said that ticket is not reissued and same ticket number is used. The date change appears correctly in my Aadvantage account. The 'Print trip' option does not display the ticket number. I tried this previously mention way to get a ticket receipt. https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/27442741-post4789.html Does not work for me, but did in the past. Should I call back to verify this?
Aug 6, 2018, 1:00 pm
#1198
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 236
Last month I cancelled a reservation less than 24 hours after purchase (for an itinerary more than 7 days out) that was purchased using AA gift cards. According to the first rep I spoke to, the funds won't be returned to the gift cards for at least 20 days. A second rep then said the funds will be refunded to an electronic voucher instead of to the original gift cards used. I searched AA's website and didn't find a clear explanation as to the refund policy when using gift cards. Can someone clarify? I'm on day 13 since cancellation and no refund has been received yet. Additionally, I completed AA's refund request form and have been checking the status, but still nothing after 2 weeks
Aug 6, 2018, 1:44 pm
#1199
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,481
Last month I cancelled a reservation less than 24 hours after purchase (for an itinerary more than 7 days out) that was purchased using AA gift cards. According to the first rep I spoke to, the funds won't be returned to the gift cards for at least 20 days. A second rep then said the funds will be refunded to an electronic voucher instead of to the original gift cards used. I searched AA's website and didn't find a clear explanation as to the refund policy when using gift cards. Can someone clarify? I'm on day 13 since cancellation and no refund has been received yet. Additionally, I completed AA's refund request form and have been checking the status, but still nothing after 2 weeks
AA Gift Card / Cards discussion, issues, questions (master thread)
Aug 6, 2018, 1:53 pm
#1200
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
It's been a while since I've flown on AA. I have an award ticket. The next day I changed the dates. Agent said that ticket is not reissued and same ticket number is used. The date change appears correctly in my Aadvantage account. The 'Print trip' option does not display the ticket number. I tried this previously mention way to get a ticket receipt. https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/27442741-post4789.html Does not work for me, but did in the past. Should I call back to verify this?