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 11, 2018, 7:11 pm
#1486
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
Generally yes, but these types of questions are best asked in the Citi and Barclays forums where there is lots of info and data points on applying for multiple cards.
Sep 12, 2018, 1:22 pm
#1488
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: HH Gold (again), US/UA/DL non-elite, ZE Presidents Circle, WN reluctant no fee convert.
Posts: 1,449
I'm trying to call AAdvantage to book a number of award flights that have to be booked via phone, but the system keeps hanging up on me, saying they are busy. I assume this is because of Florence. Is there another number to call? I don't want to miss out on the award seats.
I hear ya, same with me. But, that tape has been activated since the first of the week (Monday, 9/10), when I called, so Florence is probably just exacerbating the situation.
Sep 12, 2018, 1:28 pm
#1489
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: HH Gold (again), US/UA/DL non-elite, ZE Presidents Circle, WN reluctant no fee convert.
Posts: 1,449
so I have 4 system wide upgrades that are going to expire end of January. I really don’t know what to do with them. Seems like a waste to use on a domestic flight, and being EXP I usually get comp. upgraded on most of my domestic flights. Trying to find a long haul international flight that won’t break the bank seems impossible. Suggestions on a good flight to book where I could really get the most value? (DTW home) Can I gift these, redeem for miles, or cash em out? Or just let em expire?
Try to find military or first responders, nurses, etc., even your dental hygenist (forgive her for that slip up ouch last time).
Sep 12, 2018, 3:21 pm
#1490
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Berlin
Programs: Meow Mix
Posts: 1,434
Hi Guys,
Infrequent AA flyer here. I just booked a basic economy fare for LHR-ORD-LHR on 125 stock and selected MCE seats (as a OneWorld emerald).
Checking expertlfyer, it seems that 8 J K L for LHR-ORD are blocked and when I try to use the AA PNR on the AA website to modify seats, it shows up blocked as well. Does anyone know how I can access these seats or are there special requirements for them?
Infrequent AA flyer here. I just booked a basic economy fare for LHR-ORD-LHR on 125 stock and selected MCE seats (as a OneWorld emerald).
Checking expertlfyer, it seems that 8 J K L for LHR-ORD are blocked and when I try to use the AA PNR on the AA website to modify seats, it shows up blocked as well. Does anyone know how I can access these seats or are there special requirements for them?
Sep 13, 2018, 8:32 am
#1491
Join Date: Jul 2004
Programs: CO, UA, AA, WN, DL Gold
Posts: 2,981
Refreshments?
So we are on a couple of first class flights that were supposed to have breakfast and dinner but because of the hurricane we are now on different flights that show refreshments being served. What are refreshments?
Sep 13, 2018, 9:43 am
#1492
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AA PLT, IHG Spire
Posts: 551
Refreshments usually means drinks and snack basket. Maybe warm nuts or cookie.
Sep 13, 2018, 10:36 am
#1493
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Chicago
Programs: AAdvantage EXP | United Silver | HH Diamond | Bonvoy Platinum | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 718
Hi Guys,
Infrequent AA flyer here. I just booked a basic economy fare for LHR-ORD-LHR on 125 stock and selected MCE seats (as a OneWorld emerald).
Checking expertlfyer, it seems that 8 J K L for LHR-ORD are blocked and when I try to use the AA PNR on the AA website to modify seats, it shows up blocked as well. Does anyone know how I can access these seats or are there special requirements for them?
Infrequent AA flyer here. I just booked a basic economy fare for LHR-ORD-LHR on 125 stock and selected MCE seats (as a OneWorld emerald).
Checking expertlfyer, it seems that 8 J K L for LHR-ORD are blocked and when I try to use the AA PNR on the AA website to modify seats, it shows up blocked as well. Does anyone know how I can access these seats or are there special requirements for them?
Sep 13, 2018, 10:38 am
#1494
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Chicago
Programs: AAdvantage EXP | United Silver | HH Diamond | Bonvoy Platinum | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 718
Drinks, and a snack tray that has chips, nuts, and some sweets.
Sep 13, 2018, 1:04 pm
#1495
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Chicago
Programs: AAdvantage EXP | United Silver | HH Diamond | Bonvoy Platinum | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 718
Has anyone as an elite gotten to fly standby on a route where the departure airport and final arrival airport are the same but not the stopover, when there was NOT an issue with weather/cancellations. I ask because I have a flight from ORD->PHL->PUJ and a similar route through MIA would get me there faster, I am Gold with an Admirals Club Membership (sometimes they are more helpful than the gate agents). Just wondering if there were any success stories.
Sep 13, 2018, 2:47 pm
#1496
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AA PLT, IHG Spire
Posts: 551
I'm pretty sure they do not allow SDFC/Standby on different routings unless there is a cancellation/weather issue due to the fact people tended to abuse it to get extra miles & circuitous routings.
You might get lucky with something happening (weather, cancellation) to allow you to change it, but as a rule, elite status will not help you there.
Read the wiki over here for lots of data: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...er-thread.html
You might get lucky with something happening (weather, cancellation) to allow you to change it, but as a rule, elite status will not help you there.
Read the wiki over here for lots of data: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...er-thread.html
Sep 13, 2018, 2:51 pm
#1497
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AA PLT, IHG Spire
Posts: 551
Also, since that is an international route I do not think AA would let you standby anyway. Standby is only for domestic itineraries (and JFK-LHR).
Sep 13, 2018, 8:25 pm
#1498
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: PSP
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, United
Posts: 1,081
Booked AA flight that connects to EY. Need the EY record locator. Anyway to find it short of calling AA??Thanks for any help.
Sep 14, 2018, 6:16 am
#1499
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 90
I have an option for a connection to LIH through PHX or LAX. I'm flying First Class through an award booking and the connection/arrival times are pretty much the same (~1.5 hour connection). Aircraft departing LAX is an A321 (32B) and departing PHX is a 757 (752). I'm wondering if someone could provide guidance on where I should make my connection based primarily on aircraft choice and secondarily on airport.
Last edited by jsl_313; Sep 14, 2018 at 6:26 am
Sep 14, 2018, 7:17 am
#1500
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 56
AA flagship lounge access MIA?
Apologies if this should be posted elsewhere. I have searched but could not find an answer to this. We are booked next month directly with AA LHR-MIA-BZE on one PNR in J (only Bronze currently with BA). Was hoping to try the AA flagship lounge in MIA but we're having to overnight in MIA so, although the 2nd leg is also J, I don't think it is a qualifying flight or would they allow access since our ticket is transatlantic? I'm guessing that's probably wishful thinking?