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)
Oct 29, 2018, 6:40 pm
#1756
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: United Silver, AA, Delta, Marriott, Hyatt.
Posts: 432
Y fares are the only regular economy tickets presently on sale for the week of my desired date. I will be open to other possibilities, but the combination of the nonstop flight on a 787 and accruing AA miles are strong considerations for me.
Oct 29, 2018, 6:45 pm
#1757
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,558
Edited to add: Of course, originating in the U.K. would attract a substantial U.K. APD.
Last edited by guv1976; Oct 29, 2018 at 6:51 pm
Oct 29, 2018, 6:46 pm
#1758
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
My fantasy is to buy a full fare one-way economy ticket (booking code: Y) from LHR to ORD for a Thursday afternoon late next September, and upgrade to business class for 15000 miles. I don't hold any kind of status. Is my fantasy realistic? Will I be able to get a solid idea of the possibility of this before booking? Assuming it is going to be a serious crap shoot, would I be wise to book a "Premium Economy" seat, try to upgrade that and at least have that to fall back on when I don't get my upgrade? Would I be making such a purchase with a requested upgrade over the phone?
My intended date of travel goes on sale tomorrow...is there any current conventional wisdom on the best timing to make a purchase like this? Or is it the usual idea of pulling the trigger whenever I see a price I can live with?
Thank you!
My intended date of travel goes on sale tomorrow...is there any current conventional wisdom on the best timing to make a purchase like this? Or is it the usual idea of pulling the trigger whenever I see a price I can live with?
Thank you!
Why is your fantasy to book a full fare Y ticket? At that price, you should also consider discounted business class fares, particularly if your date is set.
If you do take a chance on an upgrade, I do like the strategy of booking Premium Economy, as it means even in the worst case scenario you have a more of less acceptable level of comfort on the plane.
You may want to get Expert Flyer membership to monitor for upgrade availability. Sometimes it is confirmable in advance if they release that inventory.
Others will know better than I. But do not assume full Y + 15,000 miles is the best option. You could get it for less in other ways. Also, I would search all airlines. BA, UA, VS, etc... will all possibly get you there just as well.
For the price of a one-way ticket in full-fare Y, you might be able to book a roundtrip in discounted premium economy or business. Full-fare tickets won't increase your odds of clearing an upgrade, and there's no requirement that you actually have to use the return portion.
Oct 29, 2018, 6:48 pm
#1759
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 610
I'll be flying AA for the first time in on Nov 20, MIA-CUR on 738. Seating chart looks pretty bad for a couple who likes to sit together when going on a vacation (nothing decent left for free). Would it be a good idea to pay for preferred/MCE/exit row seating or waiting could lead to some decent seats opening up? If the advice is to pay, what's a good seat? Window with a decent view is preferred, and neither one of us is too long or too wide for a regular Y seat. Current seating map: here.
Oct 29, 2018, 8:29 pm
#1760
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: United Silver, AA, Delta, Marriott, Hyatt.
Posts: 432
They might be difficult to find, but if you can find a MileSAAver Business Class award for your desired flight(s), AA is currently having a sale on miles. For ~ $1,400 (after taxes/fees), you can buy 58,000 miles and redeem them for a SAAver award ticket.
Edited to add: Of course, originating in the U.K. would attract a substantial U.K. APD.
Edited to add: Of course, originating in the U.K. would attract a substantial U.K. APD.
Edit: ok, the 16:05 flight on BA is actually on an A380.
Oct 29, 2018, 8:37 pm
#1761
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: United Silver, AA, Delta, Marriott, Hyatt.
Posts: 432
For the price of a one-way ticket in full-fare Y, you might be able to book a roundtrip in discounted premium economy or business. Full-fare tickets won't increase your odds of clearing an upgrade, and there's no requirement that you actually have to use the return portion.
Oct 29, 2018, 9:23 pm
#1762
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
Wow, the RT price flying in premium economy is $1517, more than $1200 less than the price of the one way full fare premium economy ticket! This would be booking code p. Can I still try to get an upgrade for the leg I will intend to use in this situation? Is there any downside to doing it this way?
I don’t understand what’s a “lesser place” to a BA 747, be ausevwith BA Club Stodgy World just about anything AA flies ex-LHR is going to have better Businss seats than anything BA offers.
(First, yes, BA A380 better than AA, B 747 maybe AA is better.)
Oct 29, 2018, 9:29 pm
#1763
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
Wow, the RT price flying in premium economy is $1517, more than $1200 less than the price of the one way full fare premium economy ticket! This would be booking code p. Can I still try to get an upgrade for the leg I will intend to use in this situation? Is there any downside to doing it this way?
Oct 29, 2018, 9:40 pm
#1764
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: United Silver, AA, Delta, Marriott, Hyatt.
Posts: 432
No downside. Daytime flight, PE is just fine. 1.5 EQM, still can upgrade to Business from P or W on AA, not on BA (requires highest PE fare). Redeye, any J (AA. BA) is better than any PE.)
I don’t understand what’s a “lesser place” to a BA 747, be ausevwith BA Club Stodgy World just about anything AA flies ex-LHR is going to have better Businss seats than anything BA offers.
(First, yes, BA A380 better than AA, B 747 maybe AA is better.)
I don’t understand what’s a “lesser place” to a BA 747, be ausevwith BA Club Stodgy World just about anything AA flies ex-LHR is going to have better Businss seats than anything BA offers.
(First, yes, BA A380 better than AA, B 747 maybe AA is better.)
Thank you. Obviously, taste in planes is subjective...and I will confess that the whopping charge associated with an AAward ticket flown on BA probably colors my view of the hard product there.
What is my strategy in terms of getting an upgrade? If I book it online, do I call an agent to request the upgrade? Will I be able to find out instantly? Will they be ok with the fact that I am only interested in upgrading the one leg I actually intend to fly?
Oct 29, 2018, 9:55 pm
#1765
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
Thank you. Obviously, taste in planes is subjective...and I will confess that the whopping charge associated with an AAward ticket flown on BA probably colors my view of the hard product there.
What is my strategy in terms of getting an upgrade? If I book it online, do I call an agent to request the upgrade? Will I be able to find out instantly? Will they be ok with the fact that I am only interested in upgrading the one leg I actually intend to fly?
What is my strategy in terms of getting an upgrade? If I book it online, do I call an agent to request the upgrade? Will I be able to find out instantly? Will they be ok with the fact that I am only interested in upgrading the one leg I actually intend to fly?
Oct 30, 2018, 2:50 am
#1766
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 789
Why is your fantasy to book a full fare Y ticket? At that price, you should also consider discounted business class fares, particularly if your date is set.
If you do take a chance on an upgrade, I do like the strategy of booking Premium Economy, as it means even in the worst case scenario you have a more of less acceptable level of comfort on the plane.
You may want to get Expert Flyer membership to monitor for upgrade availability. Sometimes it is confirmable in advance if they release that inventory.
Others will know better than I. But do not assume full Y + 15,000 miles is the best option. You could get it for less in other ways. Also, I would search all airlines. BA, UA, VS, etc... will all possibly get you there just as well.
Oct 30, 2018, 4:06 am
#1767
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
Interesting if you try to book one way ticket on AA from LHR to ORD it brings up a far for Premium Economy and Business but no fare for Main Cabin or Basic Main Cabin for any AA metal flights. Roundtrip fare does and discount Business roundtrip is about the same as one way discount Premium Economy.
As you note, a round trip can be cheaper even if you throw away the return.
Don’t forget also the possibility of purchasing a discounted economy ticket in an upgradable fare bucket, upgrading with miles and copay, and then throwing away the return leg.
Oct 30, 2018, 5:18 am
#1768
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: BNE / LHR
Programs: QF Gold
Posts: 1,601
Getting a little thrown off by the Basic, main cabin extra, Premium Economy discussion and what happens as a oneworld sapphire on a transatlantic trip.
My question is: If I book an AA operated flight in any fare other than Basic say LHR-PHL, as a oneworld sapphire I can get an extra legroom seat in main cabin extra as well as free beer/spirits?
The same deal say PHL-ORD, those seated in MCE get free Softdrinks/beer/spirits?
Does the rollout of Premium Economy mean that MCE will be discontinued?
My question is: If I book an AA operated flight in any fare other than Basic say LHR-PHL, as a oneworld sapphire I can get an extra legroom seat in main cabin extra as well as free beer/spirits?
The same deal say PHL-ORD, those seated in MCE get free Softdrinks/beer/spirits?
Does the rollout of Premium Economy mean that MCE will be discontinued?
Oct 30, 2018, 5:19 am
#1769
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,456
Also, if ~$2k is within your budget (what you were going to pay for a one way in Y), have you searched a mixed class round trip with LHR-ORD in business and ORD-LHR in economy? I searched a bunch of random dates over the spring, easy to find this around $2k and then you are confirmed in business and don't have to play the upgrade lottery.
Again, these more discounted fares are generally not loaded this far out, I'd highly recommend you just watch it over the next few months.
Oct 30, 2018, 9:13 am
#1770
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: United Silver, AA, Delta, Marriott, Hyatt.
Posts: 432
To be honest you're going about this all wrong, in this situation for a paid ticket there is absolutely no reason to book it this far in advance, unless you just want to pay more. There will almost certainly be sales between now and then, and even if the timing of the one flight works perfectly for you, there will also almost certainly be schedule changes, so who knows if it will actually stick till next September.
Also, if ~$2k is within your budget (what you were going to pay for a one way in Y), have you searched a mixed class round trip with LHR-ORD in business and ORD-LHR in economy? I searched a bunch of random dates over the spring, easy to find this around $2k and then you are confirmed in business and don't have to play the upgrade lottery.
Again, these more discounted fares are generally not loaded this far out, I'd highly recommend you just watch it over the next few months.
Also, if ~$2k is within your budget (what you were going to pay for a one way in Y), have you searched a mixed class round trip with LHR-ORD in business and ORD-LHR in economy? I searched a bunch of random dates over the spring, easy to find this around $2k and then you are confirmed in business and don't have to play the upgrade lottery.
Again, these more discounted fares are generally not loaded this far out, I'd highly recommend you just watch it over the next few months.
Precisely the type of insight I was seeking. Thank you, I am pretty much locked into my date but I will keep an eye on the options for a while here. If I do end up buying the RT in premium economy p fare I think I would stick with that and not pay the significant extra in miles and money to have a chance at the upgrade.