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)
Jan 2, 2018, 7:10 pm
#31
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
1. Ticketing stock actually doesn't matter. What matters is how the flight is marketed. If it's AA-marketed, you will earn based on the AA earnings chart; if the flight is marketed by another OW or partner carrier (even if it's on 001 stock) you will earn based on the earnings chart for that carrier (usually some percentage of miles flown). Some AA-marketed flights—for example, some flights that are booked through AA Vacations—are "special fares" and earn miles based on a separate chart for such fares.
2. The same applies to RDMs. It is based on how the flight is marketed.
3. Flights marketed by another OW or partner carrier (as well as Special Fares) usually earn EQDs based on a percentage of miles flown, so yes the ticket price does not factor in to the calculation in those cases.
4. If you are an EXP with available SWUs in your account, you will see a link indicating if an upgrade is available when you are searching on aa.com and logged in to your account. You will need to call the EXP desk to apply the upgrade.
5. EXPs receive a free snack/meal and drink when flying in economy.
6. The standard bonus offer for the AA Executive card is 50,000 miles, I believe. Occasionally there have been higher bonuses—the highest has been 100,000, if memory serves. Most recently, it was 75,000 miles. I don't know if there is a "good" time at which bonus offers tend to be higher.
2. The same applies to RDMs. It is based on how the flight is marketed.
3. Flights marketed by another OW or partner carrier (as well as Special Fares) usually earn EQDs based on a percentage of miles flown, so yes the ticket price does not factor in to the calculation in those cases.
4. If you are an EXP with available SWUs in your account, you will see a link indicating if an upgrade is available when you are searching on aa.com and logged in to your account. You will need to call the EXP desk to apply the upgrade.
5. EXPs receive a free snack/meal and drink when flying in economy.
6. The standard bonus offer for the AA Executive card is 50,000 miles, I believe. Occasionally there have been higher bonuses—the highest has been 100,000, if memory serves. Most recently, it was 75,000 miles. I don't know if there is a "good" time at which bonus offers tend to be higher.
I think flyingeph12 gave you a lot of the technical answers which are helpful. Just my 2 cents:
1,2,3: Eventually, if your boarding pass shows a flight number as AA XXXX, RDM/EQD/EQM will be based on dollars except for the special fare mentioned. If the flight number is CX/BA/IB/QF/QR XXXX, then it will be in accordance with OW table (distance based), depending on the fare code.
6. 75k opening bonus was available this past fall, but with higher spending requirement (7,500 in 3 months IIRC).
1,2,3: Eventually, if your boarding pass shows a flight number as AA XXXX, RDM/EQD/EQM will be based on dollars except for the special fare mentioned. If the flight number is CX/BA/IB/QF/QR XXXX, then it will be in accordance with OW table (distance based), depending on the fare code.
6. 75k opening bonus was available this past fall, but with higher spending requirement (7,500 in 3 months IIRC).
Luckily, I fly for business and have a very nice boss, so I don't have to worry too much about special fares and that type of stuff
Would there be a case where I could go to aa.com and buy a ticket and it is on 001 stock and is BA 755 and Finnair 345 flights?
Jan 2, 2018, 7:19 pm
#32
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
Thanks and that makes sense...helps a ton
Luckily, I fly for business and have a very nice boss, so I don't have to worry too much about special fares and that type of stuff
Would there be a case where I could go to aa.com and buy a ticket and it is on 001 stock and is BA 755 and Finnair 345 flights?
Luckily, I fly for business and have a very nice boss, so I don't have to worry too much about special fares and that type of stuff
Would there be a case where I could go to aa.com and buy a ticket and it is on 001 stock and is BA 755 and Finnair 345 flights?
It's extremely hard to find these tickets on aa.com, (usually on a complex multi-stop itin you could). However, it makes no difference in accruing RDM/EQM/EQD, as long as it's BA or AY flight numbers.
Jan 2, 2018, 7:27 pm
#33
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
Special fare might kick in when your employer uses travel agent.
It's extremely hard to find these tickets on aa.com, (usually on a complex multi-stop itin you could). However, it makes no difference in accruing RDM/EQM/EQD, as long as it's BA or AY flight numbers.
It's extremely hard to find these tickets on aa.com, (usually on a complex multi-stop itin you could). However, it makes no difference in accruing RDM/EQM/EQD, as long as it's BA or AY flight numbers.
Most of my business travel is pretty straight forward, I'll try and keep a lookout for it. I'll probably get bit once, then know exactly what to look for to prevent it from happening again.
Thanks for the help once again
Jan 2, 2018, 7:39 pm
#34
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
My employer assigned travel agent is me and my corporate amex card
Most of my business travel is pretty straight forward, I'll try and keep a lookout for it. I'll probably get bit once, then know exactly what to look for to prevent it from happening again.
Thanks for the help once again
Most of my business travel is pretty straight forward, I'll try and keep a lookout for it. I'll probably get bit once, then know exactly what to look for to prevent it from happening again.
Thanks for the help once again
Jan 2, 2018, 7:48 pm
#35
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
OK, one more goofy question. I am just poking around trying to get a feel for all these "partner" flights and looking at various prices and other data...
I am using flights.google.com and making itineraries - then pricing them to aa.com while logged in
Is there a way to see actual EQM without going all the way almost to the end of the purchase?
Once i get there is that data "Accurate"? so far I have only ended up on flights that were 100% marketed at AA#### flights, no matter which metal they were on....
I am using flights.google.com and making itineraries - then pricing them to aa.com while logged in
Is there a way to see actual EQM without going all the way almost to the end of the purchase?
Once i get there is that data "Accurate"? so far I have only ended up on flights that were 100% marketed at AA#### flights, no matter which metal they were on....
Jan 2, 2018, 7:55 pm
#36
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
OK, one more goofy question. I am just poking around trying to get a feel for all these "partner" flights and looking at various prices and other data...
I am using flights.google.com and making itineraries - then pricing them to aa.com while logged in
Is there a way to see actual EQM without going all the way almost to the end of the purchase?
Once i get there is that data "Accurate"? so far I have only ended up on flights that were 100% marketed at AA#### flights, no matter which metal they were on....
I am using flights.google.com and making itineraries - then pricing them to aa.com while logged in
Is there a way to see actual EQM without going all the way almost to the end of the purchase?
Once i get there is that data "Accurate"? so far I have only ended up on flights that were 100% marketed at AA#### flights, no matter which metal they were on....
Jan 2, 2018, 9:05 pm
#37
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 14
I just discovered AA267 DFW-LIH and noticed that it is seasonal and only 4 days a week. How do I find out the actual dates/season for that flight and what the return flight of that aircraft is? We make several trips a year to LIH and that flight will come in handy. Is there a chart or calendar? I want to see what travel dates for the future are as I am very flexible with my times.
Jan 2, 2018, 11:19 pm
#38
Join Date: May 2017
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 369
OK, one more goofy question. I am just poking around trying to get a feel for all these "partner" flights and looking at various prices and other data...
I am using flights.google.com and making itineraries - then pricing them to aa.com while logged in
Is there a way to see actual EQM without going all the way almost to the end of the purchase?
Once i get there is that data "Accurate"? so far I have only ended up on flights that were 100% marketed at AA#### flights, no matter which metal they were on....
I am using flights.google.com and making itineraries - then pricing them to aa.com while logged in
Is there a way to see actual EQM without going all the way almost to the end of the purchase?
Once i get there is that data "Accurate"? so far I have only ended up on flights that were 100% marketed at AA#### flights, no matter which metal they were on....
Jan 3, 2018, 5:55 am
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,481
I just discovered AA267 DFW-LIH and noticed that it is seasonal and only 4 days a week. How do I find out the actual dates/season for that flight and what the return flight of that aircraft is? We make several trips a year to LIH and that flight will come in handy. Is there a chart or calendar? I want to see what travel dates for the future are as I am very flexible with my times.
Now, the easiest way is just use the Google Flights calendar, i.e. search one-way DFW-LIH, AA, non-stops only and see what you find.
Jan 3, 2018, 2:00 pm
#40
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 54
Interline bag re-checking
Didn't see a response to https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29202871-post2261.html and then the thread got closed, so I'll post here and answer my own question:
I checked with AA and they advised me that I would have to claim my bags in MUC and recheck them on A3. So just in case anyone else has this same question, here's the answer
I'm flying on AA PHL-MUC and then connecting on A3 MUC-HER. It's all on one ticket issued on AA stock (PHL-MUC-HER).
Since A3 is not OneWorld, I'm not sure if there's an interline agreement between them. Will bags checked in PHL go all the way to HER automatically, or do they need to be reclaimed in MUC and re-checked on A3 to HER? I don't think I've ever had to deal with this scenario. I almost never check bags, and I don't think I've ever had an international connection switching airlines. I'd be fine with carry-on but I'll be traveling with my mom and I'm sure she'll want to check her suitcase.
Since A3 is not OneWorld, I'm not sure if there's an interline agreement between them. Will bags checked in PHL go all the way to HER automatically, or do they need to be reclaimed in MUC and re-checked on A3 to HER? I don't think I've ever had to deal with this scenario. I almost never check bags, and I don't think I've ever had an international connection switching airlines. I'd be fine with carry-on but I'll be traveling with my mom and I'm sure she'll want to check her suitcase.
Jan 3, 2018, 2:06 pm
#41
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
I just discovered AA267 DFW-LIH and noticed that it is seasonal and only 4 days a week. How do I find out the actual dates/season for that flight and what the return flight of that aircraft is? We make several trips a year to LIH and that flight will come in handy. Is there a chart or calendar? I want to see what travel dates for the future are as I am very flexible with my times.
Pre-merger, AA used to post a page at aa.com that listed all the new and seasonal routes, including start days and end days. However I haven't seen this in a few years.
Now, the easiest way is just use the Google Flights calendar, i.e. search one-way DFW-LIH, AA, non-stops only and see what you find.
Now, the easiest way is just use the Google Flights calendar, i.e. search one-way DFW-LIH, AA, non-stops only and see what you find.
Jan 3, 2018, 2:19 pm
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,481
Didn't see a response to https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29202871-post2261.html and then the thread got closed, so I'll post here and answer my own question:
I checked with AA and they advised me that I would have to claim my bags in MUC and recheck them on A3. So just in case anyone else has this same question, here's the answer
I checked with AA and they advised me that I would have to claim my bags in MUC and recheck them on A3. So just in case anyone else has this same question, here's the answer
Jan 3, 2018, 4:25 pm
#43
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 54
Jan 3, 2018, 5:17 pm
#44
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: used to be PER, now it's nowhere/eveywhere
Programs: QFF NB, AA GLD
Posts: 3,467
Didn't see a response to https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29202871-post2261.html and then the thread got closed, so I'll post here and answer my own question:
I checked with AA and they advised me that I would have to claim my bags in MUC and recheck them on A3. So just in case anyone else has this same question, here's the answer
I checked with AA and they advised me that I would have to claim my bags in MUC and recheck them on A3. So just in case anyone else has this same question, here's the answer
And thus the FRA-HER flight is to all intents and purposes a domestic flight, with no customs check at the destination.
The rule for Schengen Countries is that a pax goes through immigration and customs on first arrival in the first Schengen Country,and then only goes through Emigration on departure from the last Schengen Country
So in your case you are checked by immigration and customs at FRA
(as an example, in 2006 I entered the area in HEL and my travels were: Finland Estonia Latvia Lithuania Latvia Estonia Finland Spain Portugal Spain. All that 'internal' travel was without border posts - and without passport stamps
.)
Jan 3, 2018, 5:39 pm
#45
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
“What if I have separate tickets in the same PNR for itineraries with
American to a non-oneworld carrier?
Our policy on American to non-oneworld airline tickets has not changed.
We will not through check customers or bags even if the tickets are in
the same PNR
Unfortunately, you won’t necessarily get the degree of granularity you might prefer on your questions in a newbie catchall thread. Auguring down through the threads, or better yet learning the utility of advanced search, will find master threads on topics that often have distilled essential knowledge or rules into Wikiposts at the top of the page. See Using the Search Feature on FlyerTalk: The Definitive Thread.