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)
Nov 12, 2018, 10:35 am
#1831
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,435
Question about T-24 for longer int'l segments. Travelling LAX-LHR-FCO on AA Miles. LAX-LHR segment is on AA and LHR-FCO is BA. We have confirmed AA seats, but not BA, because they charge to reserve a seat prior to T24. We want to reserve our seats for the BA segment at T24, but not sure when the clock starts.
LAX Flight is Thursday at 6:30 pm, so I know we can check in Weds at 6:30. But can I also check into the BA segment and grab seats at that time?
The LHR-FCO flight is at 7pm.following day. With the time zone differences, that's 11 am our time Friday. So T24 back from that is 11am Thursday my time. Is that the first time i can grab the seats?
Thanks!
LAX Flight is Thursday at 6:30 pm, so I know we can check in Weds at 6:30. But can I also check into the BA segment and grab seats at that time?
The LHR-FCO flight is at 7pm.following day. With the time zone differences, that's 11 am our time Friday. So T24 back from that is 11am Thursday my time. Is that the first time i can grab the seats?
Thanks!
Nov 12, 2018, 11:19 am
#1832
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,285
Question about T-24 for longer int'l segments. Travelling LAX-LHR-FCO on AA Miles. LAX-LHR segment is on AA and LHR-FCO is BA. We have confirmed AA seats, but not BA, because they charge to reserve a seat prior to T24. We want to reserve our seats for the BA segment at T24, but not sure when the clock starts.
LAX Flight is Thursday at 6:30 pm, so I know we can check in Weds at 6:30. But can I also check into the BA segment and grab seats at that time?
The LHR-FCO flight is at 7pm.following day. With the time zone differences, that's 11 am our time Friday. So T24 back from that is 11am Thursday my time. Is that the first time i can grab the seats?
Thanks!
LAX Flight is Thursday at 6:30 pm, so I know we can check in Weds at 6:30. But can I also check into the BA segment and grab seats at that time?
The LHR-FCO flight is at 7pm.following day. With the time zone differences, that's 11 am our time Friday. So T24 back from that is 11am Thursday my time. Is that the first time i can grab the seats?
Thanks!
Yku will be able to select seats for free 24 hours prior to each flight leg.
Nov 12, 2018, 8:15 pm
#1833
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 139
AA AAdvantage experts pls help me with strange award availability disappearance (in this instance I am using ExpertFlyer and the AA award booking via App): for example: if I search BIL (Bilings, MT) to NYC on Experflyer or on AA app for say December 24th - I get 1 option or no options for any given day for say BIL to NYC via DFW in U class...but if I search them separately I can find tons of
BIL to DFW U award space as well as tons of DFW to NYC U award space...is there a way to force the availability out for the space online or can you call it in and have a CSR manually book it via phone or is it just something AA does and I am SOL (without booking two separate segments)...TYIA!
BIL to DFW U award space as well as tons of DFW to NYC U award space...is there a way to force the availability out for the space online or can you call it in and have a CSR manually book it via phone or is it just something AA does and I am SOL (without booking two separate segments)...TYIA!
Nov 13, 2018, 3:36 am
#1834
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,442
AA AAdvantage experts pls help me with strange award availability disappearance (in this instance I am using ExpertFlyer and the AA award booking via App): for example: if I search BIL (Bilings, MT) to NYC on Experflyer or on AA app for say December 24th - I get 1 option or no options for any given day for say BIL to NYC via DFW in U class...but if I search them separately I can find tons of
BIL to DFW U award space as well as tons of DFW to NYC U award space...is there a way to force the availability out for the space online or can you call it in and have a CSR manually book it via phone or is it just something AA does and I am SOL (without booking two separate segments)...TYIA!
BIL to DFW U award space as well as tons of DFW to NYC U award space...is there a way to force the availability out for the space online or can you call it in and have a CSR manually book it via phone or is it just something AA does and I am SOL (without booking two separate segments)...TYIA!
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...-segments.html
Nov 13, 2018, 5:27 am
#1835
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: ORD
Programs: aadvantage, mileage plus, millemiglia
Posts: 100
My wife and I were recently downgraded on the ORD-DFW leg of ORD-DFW-SCL. Her ticket was an award, and the downgrade was involuntary. I was on a paid ticket, so mine was voluntary. AA gave us each a $400 voucher, as well as refunding a small amount of cash to me and miles to her. All in all, I thought it was fair. We still had club access at ORD. My question is about the vouchers. Do they work just like cash (other than the 'must originate in the U.S.' restriction)? Do I still earn EQMs and am I still eligible for upgrades when I use them? Thanks in advance for any insight.
Nov 13, 2018, 5:36 am
#1836
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,442
My wife and I were recently downgraded on the ORD-DFW leg of ORD-DFW-SCL. Her ticket was an award, and the downgrade was involuntary. I was on a paid ticket, so mine was voluntary. AA gave us each a $400 voucher, as well as refunding a small amount of cash to me and miles to her. All in all, I thought it was fair. We still had club access at ORD. My question is about the vouchers. Do they work just like cash (other than the 'must originate in the U.S.' restriction)? Do I still earn EQMs and am I still eligible for upgrades when I use them? Thanks in advance for any insight.
Nov 13, 2018, 8:36 am
#1837
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
AA AAdvantage experts pls help me with strange award availability disappearance (in this instance I am using ExpertFlyer and the AA award booking via App): for example: if I search BIL (Bilings, MT) to NYC on Experflyer or on AA app for say December 24th - I get 1 option or no options for any given day for say BIL to NYC via DFW in U class...but if I search them separately I can find tons of
BIL to DFW U award space as well as tons of DFW to NYC U award space...is there a way to force the availability out for the space online or can you call it in and have a CSR manually book it via phone or is it just something AA does and I am SOL (without booking two separate segments)...TYIA!
BIL to DFW U award space as well as tons of DFW to NYC U award space...is there a way to force the availability out for the space online or can you call it in and have a CSR manually book it via phone or is it just something AA does and I am SOL (without booking two separate segments)...TYIA!
Yes, this is called married segment availability and is one of the many program "enhancements" that AA has given us over the past year.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...-segments.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...-segments.html
If you see BIL-DFW and DFW-NYC flights that together are a valid connection, you can use the multi-city search to put the segments on hold in one PNR and then call in to get them priced as one award.
Nov 13, 2018, 9:28 am
#1838
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,531
Nov 13, 2018, 9:35 am
#1839
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,442
Not sure this is a married segments issue. Sounds more like there are not many options with a valid connection in DFW. Domestic connections must be within 4 hours, and there is a minimum connection time too (although DFW’s is technically pretty short).
If you see BIL-DFW and DFW-NYC flights that together are a valid connection, you can use the multi-city search to put the segments on hold in one PNR and then call in to get them priced as one award.
Nevertheless it looks like a moot point, searching BIL-NYC on Dec. 24 I see U space on several BIL-DFW-NYC options, so hopefully the OP will check again and grab it.
Nov 13, 2018, 10:57 am
#1840
Join Date: May 2018
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 4
Hi!
A few questions:
1) What the deal with American and welcome drinks in Domestic First? Seems like some flights they serve them some they don't. It seems to correlate with whether a meal is served in flight or not.
2) How does American handle bags when the passenger misses a connection? I was on a flight that was delayed long enough that I missed a connection in Charlotte, American rebooked me on another flight the next day to my destination, however they kept my bag overnight (instead of unloading it in Charlotte as I would have expected) and the bag actually beat me to my destination (which I"m guessing means it was on an earlier flight, one that I couldn't make it on). Is it standard practice for American to hang on to bags like this? Would have been nice to have my toothbrush that morning.
3) I'll be flying JKF-SFP in first on American's 32B planes, currently the cabin is pretty open, is there any particular seat I should grab or avoid?
Thanks!
A few questions:
1) What the deal with American and welcome drinks in Domestic First? Seems like some flights they serve them some they don't. It seems to correlate with whether a meal is served in flight or not.
2) How does American handle bags when the passenger misses a connection? I was on a flight that was delayed long enough that I missed a connection in Charlotte, American rebooked me on another flight the next day to my destination, however they kept my bag overnight (instead of unloading it in Charlotte as I would have expected) and the bag actually beat me to my destination (which I"m guessing means it was on an earlier flight, one that I couldn't make it on). Is it standard practice for American to hang on to bags like this? Would have been nice to have my toothbrush that morning.
3) I'll be flying JKF-SFP in first on American's 32B planes, currently the cabin is pretty open, is there any particular seat I should grab or avoid?
Thanks!
Nov 13, 2018, 11:08 am
#1841
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,442
Hi!
A few questions:
1) What the deal with American and welcome drinks in Domestic First? Seems like some flights they serve them some they don't. It seems to correlate with whether a meal is served in flight or not.
2) How does American handle bags when the passenger misses a connection? I was on a flight that was delayed long enough that I missed a connection in Charlotte, American rebooked me on another flight the next day to my destination, however they kept my bag overnight (instead of unloading it in Charlotte as I would have expected) and the bag actually beat me to my destination (which I"m guessing means it was on an earlier flight, one that I couldn't make it on). Is it standard practice for American to hang on to bags like this? Would have been nice to have my toothbrush that morning.
3) I'll be flying JKF-SFP in first on American's 32B planes, currently the cabin is pretty open, is there any particular seat I should grab or avoid?
Thanks!
A few questions:
1) What the deal with American and welcome drinks in Domestic First? Seems like some flights they serve them some they don't. It seems to correlate with whether a meal is served in flight or not.
2) How does American handle bags when the passenger misses a connection? I was on a flight that was delayed long enough that I missed a connection in Charlotte, American rebooked me on another flight the next day to my destination, however they kept my bag overnight (instead of unloading it in Charlotte as I would have expected) and the bag actually beat me to my destination (which I"m guessing means it was on an earlier flight, one that I couldn't make it on). Is it standard practice for American to hang on to bags like this? Would have been nice to have my toothbrush that morning.
3) I'll be flying JKF-SFP in first on American's 32B planes, currently the cabin is pretty open, is there any particular seat I should grab or avoid?
Thanks!
1) Pre-Departure Beverage (PDB) service can vary wildly as you've mentioned, depending on the route, hub, and whether it's a LAA or LUS crew. Lengthy thread here: Predeparture Drinks / Beverage (PDB)...
2) Your experience with bags sounds very typical, sometimes you can get them back in situations like this, and sometimes not. YMMV.
3) I assume you mean JFK-SFO in F? All of the seats are the same, 1-1 config, just depends if you want to be close to the front or back.
Nov 13, 2018, 7:38 pm
#1842
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
Nov 14, 2018, 12:25 pm
#1843
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 50
I'd like to use AA miles to book a flight for a friend who I will not be flying with. Once I make the award booking is there a way my friend can have access to the ticket to enter their passport info/choose seats/make date/time changes?
Nov 14, 2018, 12:28 pm
#1844
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,921
Name plus record locator should work.
Nov 14, 2018, 12:59 pm
#1845
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 314
With the record locator they can probably enter their passport info and choose seats, but I doubt they would be allowed to make changes to the itinerary since you booked it.