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)
Feb 20, 2018, 8:41 am
#332
Join Date: May 2008
Location: WAS
Programs: AA Ex Plt
Posts: 1,630
FLight delay
Can one determine why a flight was delayed? AA seems to be making excuses and I cannot verify if the agents were simply making up stuff
Cheers
Cheers
Feb 20, 2018, 9:19 am
#333
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 63
Asking here because I feel like if I were better at figuring out exactly what to search for I could answer my own question...
In June I'm flying round trip RDU-LHR in paid business class. I'm meeting a friend over there who will have already been in London. We are taking the same flight back, though. She's in coach, tough.
I'd been very much looking forward to experiencing the lounges at LHR on the way back and you all have given me some great suggestions, but I'll feel like a real heel leaving her alone!
Is there a guest pass I can buy so that she can do some lounge hopping with me in LHR? I'd like to be able to hit all the good lounges with her before we fly out. If I can buy one, how exactly do I go about it?
Thanks!!
In June I'm flying round trip RDU-LHR in paid business class. I'm meeting a friend over there who will have already been in London. We are taking the same flight back, though. She's in coach, tough.
I'd been very much looking forward to experiencing the lounges at LHR on the way back and you all have given me some great suggestions, but I'll feel like a real heel leaving her alone!
Is there a guest pass I can buy so that she can do some lounge hopping with me in LHR? I'd like to be able to hit all the good lounges with her before we fly out. If I can buy one, how exactly do I go about it?
Thanks!!
Feb 20, 2018, 11:35 am
#334
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,466
Asking here because I feel like if I were better at figuring out exactly what to search for I could answer my own question...
In June I'm flying round trip RDU-LHR in paid business class. I'm meeting a friend over there who will have already been in London. We are taking the same flight back, though. She's in coach, tough.
I'd been very much looking forward to experiencing the lounges at LHR on the way back and you all have given me some great suggestions, but I'll feel like a real heel leaving her alone!
Is there a guest pass I can buy so that she can do some lounge hopping with me in LHR? I'd like to be able to hit all the good lounges with her before we fly out. If I can buy one, how exactly do I go about it?
Thanks!!
In June I'm flying round trip RDU-LHR in paid business class. I'm meeting a friend over there who will have already been in London. We are taking the same flight back, though. She's in coach, tough.
I'd been very much looking forward to experiencing the lounges at LHR on the way back and you all have given me some great suggestions, but I'll feel like a real heel leaving her alone!
Is there a guest pass I can buy so that she can do some lounge hopping with me in LHR? I'd like to be able to hit all the good lounges with her before we fly out. If I can buy one, how exactly do I go about it?
Thanks!!
Business class alone on LHR-RDU will permit yourself to any of the oneworld business lounges in T3, but no guests. Without status, about the only option would be to buy her a day pass for the Admirals Club, which would obviously let her into the AC but not the other oneworld lounges.
Feb 20, 2018, 11:36 am
#335
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,466
Feb 20, 2018, 11:36 am
#336
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,584
Hi - I am an infrequent AA flier. My wife and I had bought international tickets to fly with our youngest, an infant in arms, and because he was sick, were forced to cancel. We got a doctor's note and my understanding is that we have to book a flight and travel by the date that our original ticket was purchased. I think that if that flight is less than the total amount of our credit, we will be issued vouchers for the difference that have a longer expiration? We will have a difficult time traveling by that date.
- Is my understanding of the above correct?
- Is there any way for me to get that voucher without us taking an actual flight? Can I book a cheap flight and not use the ticket and get the voucher for the difference?
- Similar to question 2 - could I buy a ticket for someone else to use?
- Any other ideas on how to best handle this?
Feb 20, 2018, 11:37 am
#337
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,466
Feb 20, 2018, 11:50 am
#338
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 63
Do you (or her) have any status with AA or oneworld? Unfortunately the only way you can bring a guest to lounge hop in this scenario is if you (or her) have oneworld Emerald or Sapphire status.
Business class alone on LHR-RDU will permit yourself to any of the oneworld business lounges in T3, but no guests. Without status, about the only option would be to buy her a day pass for the Admirals Club, which would obviously let her into the AC but not the other oneworld lounges.
Business class alone on LHR-RDU will permit yourself to any of the oneworld business lounges in T3, but no guests. Without status, about the only option would be to buy her a day pass for the Admirals Club, which would obviously let her into the AC but not the other oneworld lounges.
We're flying AA, which I didn't specify - but you're saying that I can buy her a pass for the American lounge, but whereas *I* would get to try the other lounges as a business fare, she only gets the one lounge?
Perhaps still worth it. We could both go to the American lounge and I could go try to grab some noodles at the Cathay lounge on my own. (I think that's the one you guys recommended - I have to go find my other thread!)
Feb 20, 2018, 12:05 pm
#339
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,466
Shoot. I don't have any status and I don't believe that she does, either. When you say "AC," do you mean the lounge that I was planning on going to? I'm afraid that I've never been to a lounge before so I'm a bit stupid about the names for things...
We're flying AA, which I didn't specify - but you're saying that I can buy her a pass for the American lounge, but whereas *I* would get to try the other lounges as a business fare, she only gets the one lounge?
Perhaps still worth it. We could both go to the American lounge and I could go try to grab some noodles at the Cathay lounge on my own. (I think that's the one you guys recommended - I have to go find my other thread!)
We're flying AA, which I didn't specify - but you're saying that I can buy her a pass for the American lounge, but whereas *I* would get to try the other lounges as a business fare, she only gets the one lounge?
Perhaps still worth it. We could both go to the American lounge and I could go try to grab some noodles at the Cathay lounge on my own. (I think that's the one you guys recommended - I have to go find my other thread!)
Feb 20, 2018, 12:21 pm
#340
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 63
Yep, the AC is the Admirals Club, the AA business class lounge at LHR. You can access it by virtue of your LHR-RDU flight in business, and she can purchase a day pass for entry. Your flight will also get you (but no guests) into any of the other oneworld business lounges at LHR T3, including CX, QF, and BA. So you could both go to the AC for a bit, then you could hop over and check out the CX or QF lounges by yourself (don't waste your time with the BA lounge).
Feb 20, 2018, 3:23 pm
#341
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: PHX
Programs: AA
Posts: 1
AA Newbie with Platinum Challenge Question
Recently starting traveling weekly for work. Using AA domestically only. Started a Platinum Challenge on Jan 25 but based on EQM's and EQD's I will finish the challenge on March 18. I am accumulating 2,540 EQM's and $350 (average) EQD's per week. Once I complete the current challenge is there any quick(er) way to get to Platinum Pro? Another challenge? Paying? I read the thread on 'only 2 status exceptions every 5 years.' Suggestions please. Thanks
Feb 20, 2018, 5:23 pm
#342
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, MR LT Platinum
Posts: 18
I have very bad luck using award tickets out of DFW.
My dad and aunt both work for AA and love to tell me how empty the planes are on the flights when they check with their employee tools.
Last edited by backspinnn; Feb 20, 2018 at 5:28 pm Reason: Forgot about downgrade
Feb 20, 2018, 6:10 pm
#343
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
Recently starting traveling weekly for work. Using AA domestically only. Started a Platinum Challenge on Jan 25 but based on EQM's and EQD's I will finish the challenge on March 18. I am accumulating 2,540 EQM's and $350 (average) EQD's per week. Once I complete the current challenge is there any quick(er) way to get to Platinum Pro? Another challenge? Paying? I read the thread on 'only 2 status exceptions every 5 years.' Suggestions please. Thanks
Once you complete your challenge, there’s no way to accelerate achieving the next status tier. At 75,000 EQM and $9,000 or 90 segments, you’ll get Platinum Pro.
Feb 20, 2018, 7:16 pm
#344
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA ExPl, DL PM, UA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, probably some others
Posts: 4,097
Kind of a strange question, so figured newbie thread might be best:
Flying an one-way AA award ticket I purchased with Etihad miles from LGA-DFW-MAF with my partner. I booked the two tickets together and they're on the same PNR. I want to throw away the DFW-MAF leg and my partner wants to continue onto MAF. No checked bags. Will my partner be allowed to board/fly the final leg if I'm not present?
Flying an one-way AA award ticket I purchased with Etihad miles from LGA-DFW-MAF with my partner. I booked the two tickets together and they're on the same PNR. I want to throw away the DFW-MAF leg and my partner wants to continue onto MAF. No checked bags. Will my partner be allowed to board/fly the final leg if I'm not present?
Feb 20, 2018, 7:25 pm
#345
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
Kind of a strange question, so figured newbie thread might be best:
Flying an one-way AA award ticket I purchased with Etihad miles from LGA-DFW-MAF with my partner. I booked the two tickets together and they're on the same PNR. I want to throw away the DFW-MAF leg and my partner wants to continue onto MAF. No checked bags. Will my partner be allowed to board/fly the final leg if I'm not present?
Flying an one-way AA award ticket I purchased with Etihad miles from LGA-DFW-MAF with my partner. I booked the two tickets together and they're on the same PNR. I want to throw away the DFW-MAF leg and my partner wants to continue onto MAF. No checked bags. Will my partner be allowed to board/fly the final leg if I'm not present?