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)
Mar 22, 2018, 4:16 am
#481
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,466
Hi - totally new to the AA program and received the email to purchase mileage which seems to be a pretty good deal. 150K + 115K bonus miles for USD4425. I am based in Singapore, and wondering if it is worth it. No immediate travel requirements so can wait for awards to open up. Is it easy to get flights on partner airlines?
Finding flights on partner carriers can be both relatively easy, if you know how/what/where to look, or incredibly frustrating and difficult. On certain carriers and routes award space can be next to impossible to find, while on others it's much easier.
In any case, I'd definitely recommend some time reading the AA forum, there are specific threads and wikis related to booking awards in general as well as specific threads for each partner carrier (CX, JL, QF, QR, etc).
Mar 22, 2018, 5:19 am
#482
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 789
Buying a bunch of miles like that speculatively is almost always a terrible idea, especially if you don't have any type of award in mind and are not familiar with the AA program.
Finding flights on partner carriers can be both relatively easy, if you know how/what/where to look, or incredibly frustrating and difficult. On certain carriers and routes award space can be next to impossible to find, while on others it's much easier.
In any case, I'd definitely recommend some time reading the AA forum, there are specific threads and wikis related to booking awards in general as well as specific threads for each partner carrier (CX, JL, QF, QR, etc).
Finding flights on partner carriers can be both relatively easy, if you know how/what/where to look, or incredibly frustrating and difficult. On certain carriers and routes award space can be next to impossible to find, while on others it's much easier.
In any case, I'd definitely recommend some time reading the AA forum, there are specific threads and wikis related to booking awards in general as well as specific threads for each partner carrier (CX, JL, QF, QR, etc).
Mar 22, 2018, 6:12 pm
#483
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: OneWorld, UR
Posts: 4
So I found an American flight on google flight and it said to call Iberia to book. Iberia said they couldn't book American Airlines flights.
Isn't that how codesharing works?
Isn't that how codesharing works?
Mar 22, 2018, 6:35 pm
#484
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,584
Did you provide the IB agent with the IB (codeshare) flight number? Did you attempt to book the trip on the Iberia website?
Mar 22, 2018, 7:50 pm
#485
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: OneWorld, UR
Posts: 4
I couldn't even get that far with her! From the get-go she said no, they couldn't book those flights and wouldn't let me give her the numbers. I had better luck with British Airways and was able to get the flights I wanted at the price I wanted.
Mar 23, 2018, 10:30 am
#486
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Riberas del Pilar, Mexico
Posts: 437
I've searched this forum and the AA site but couldn't find the answer so I'll post my question here and get the real, true scoop. Booking a trip next year for London in paid business but would like to overnight in Dallas (from Guadalajara) rather than doing the GDL-DFW-LHR in one swell foop. Will this cost extra and is this allowed since it's not a mileage upgrade (remember those?) or being booked with miles? Or will they really stick it to me on the fare? As always, thanks in advance.
Last edited by Gringa; Mar 23, 2018 at 10:36 am
Mar 23, 2018, 10:40 am
#487
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,584
I've searched this forum and the AA site but couldn't find the answer so I'll post my question here and get the real, true scoop. Booking a trip next year for London in paid business but would like to overnight in Dallas (from Guadalajara) rather than doing the GDL-DFW-LHR in one swell foop. Will this cost extra and is this allowed since it's not a mileage upgrade (remember those?) or being booked with miles? Or will they really stick it to me on the fare? As always, thanks in advance.
Even if a free stopover is permitted, flying to LHR might still cost more, if the lower-priced fare bucket is not available on the subsequent day's flight.
Mar 23, 2018, 10:56 am
#488
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Riberas del Pilar, Mexico
Posts: 437
You get up to 24 hours to connect on an international ticket -- cash or miles. If you want to remain in DFW for more than 24 hours, you'd have to check the rules of your fare to determine whether stopovers are permitted, either for a fee, or at no additional charge.
Even if a free stopover is permitted, flying to LHR might still cost more, if the lower-priced fare bucket is not available on the subsequent day's flight.
Even if a free stopover is permitted, flying to LHR might still cost more, if the lower-priced fare bucket is not available on the subsequent day's flight.
Mar 23, 2018, 3:22 pm
#489
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 2,272
Can I use AA miles and do the following booking as all one award from Hong Kong? CX in F for HKG-NRT (layover in NRT) then NRT-JFK in JAL in F for 110k total? From Asia 2 and Asia 1 it seems that segment is normally 40k for F but Asia 2 to North america is 110k which would be 10k cheaper then if they are booked separately?
Mar 23, 2018, 6:24 pm
#490
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,584
Can I use AA miles and do the following booking as all one award from Hong Kong? CX in F for HKG-NRT (layover in NRT) then NRT-JFK in JAL in F for 110k total? From Asia 2 and Asia 1 it seems that segment is normally 40k for F but Asia 2 to North america is 110k which would be 10k cheaper then if they are booked separately?
Mar 23, 2018, 6:53 pm
#491
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 2,272
Damn I thought I did this before but I'm starting to think I did it with Alaska miles or something not AA. The cost of this trip just jumped up quite a bit sadly because I don't have the miles to get from China to Japan.
Mar 24, 2018, 4:27 am
#492
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 789
Jal
been my experience that combining JAL with another carrier on one award is very difficult. Also JAL F on International long haul tends to be waitlisted until close to the flight.
Mar 24, 2018, 12:01 pm
#493
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 2,272
Hmm I have a redemption on JAL I am eyeing. It would be really great news if more JAL flights open up close in.
Mar 24, 2018, 1:13 pm
#494
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,245
If a flight is oversold and you willingly take the bump to another carrier... does requesting ORC also apply to EQD?
Mar 25, 2018, 7:45 am
#495
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 789
I have seen this behavior on the flights I use regularly for F redemptions on AAdvantage (Tokyo - London, Tokyo - Los Angeles and Tokyo - New York 62, 43, 4, 6, basically the 773 routes where the high prices are unfortunately).