Jan 1, 2019, 2:12 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
Welcome to the 2019 "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!
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(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.)
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NOTE: 2019 NEWBIE LOUNGE older posts are here.
The 2018 AA NEWBIE LOUNGE post thread is here
The 2017 AA NEWBIE LOUNGE post thread is here
The 2016 AA NEWBIE LOUNGE post thread is here
Thanks for reading!
ARCHIVE: NEWBIE LOUNGE 2019: Ask "Newbie" AA Questions Here (flame free)
Sep 15, 2019, 8:41 am
#1501
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,440
I just completed the challenge offered by AA and get to keep platinum pro through Jan. 2021. Thanks to this site, it was a little easier to plan for the challenge and thanks to all that post here. Is there any way to upgrade on an award travel with status? Conflicting articles out there on this.
Also, do I get the SWUs some people have talked about? Or is that only ExP? Lastly, what’s the best way to see if an upgrade is available when booking? Thanks!!
Also, do I get the SWUs some people have talked about? Or is that only ExP? Lastly, what’s the best way to see if an upgrade is available when booking? Thanks!!
On award flights, anyone (even no-status pax) can change to a higher class of service award for no fee if it's available, you just have to pay the difference in miles.
And only EXP & CK get SWU's.
Finally, ExpertFlyer (paid service) is the only real way to check yourself if upgrade space is available before you book. This let's you check for C space, which is what you would need if you are trying to upgrade with miles/copay (or SWU's). Otherwise you just have to call AA, which will largely be a fruitless exercise as finding C space in advance is pretty rare.
Sep 15, 2019, 10:55 am
#1502
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: BER
Programs: OW Sapphire, *A Gold
Posts: 982
Hello dear experts,
I made a booking on mixed metal, BA+AA (TXL-CUN) return through an OTA. I know i should have done it through AA website, but the price difference was quite big, and also, i did not find any information about AA having a BPG, so i assumed they don't.
The booking class for that flight is Q. Is there any chance of upgrading for cash to PE on the return transatlantic flight without doing it through the OTA, which are likely to charge me for it? Would i be offered an upgrade option during online check-in?
Thanks for your help.
I made a booking on mixed metal, BA+AA (TXL-CUN) return through an OTA. I know i should have done it through AA website, but the price difference was quite big, and also, i did not find any information about AA having a BPG, so i assumed they don't.
The booking class for that flight is Q. Is there any chance of upgrading for cash to PE on the return transatlantic flight without doing it through the OTA, which are likely to charge me for it? Would i be offered an upgrade option during online check-in?
Thanks for your help.
Last edited by Deckter; Sep 15, 2019 at 12:29 pm
Sep 15, 2019, 3:23 pm
#1503
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: Bonvoy ambassador - lifetime plat / Hilton diamond / hyatt globalist / AA CK baby!
Posts: 870
Howdy,
Not really an AA newbie here, been EXP for more than just a year or two, but I'm new to the AA forum, so this will probably be a newbie question...
I have already used all of my SWUs for the year. Something has come up and I need to visit my partner in England in short notice. When I log onto my AA account and look at flights I normally see that little notice for flights that might have confirmable space for SWU use, but right now I dont see it. Is that because I dont have any more SWUs for this year, and havent re-qualified yet? Using google flights I cant find anything between tampa and london in the dates I need for much less than 8-10k$. I could just get an award ticket but I need EQMs and EQDs for the year as I already burned those SWAs AND had 2 trips worth of biz extra miles expiring this year I used... With plenty of $800 coach seats and $1500 premium coach seats, I would much rather pay for a ticket, but I'd also much rather be in a lay flat bed, so I would only go that route if I know in advance I can get the upgrade (with miles obviously)
Any way I can search for this on my own without having to phone in an ask a rep to check a billion and one route, and date combos?
TIA
Not really an AA newbie here, been EXP for more than just a year or two, but I'm new to the AA forum, so this will probably be a newbie question...
I have already used all of my SWUs for the year. Something has come up and I need to visit my partner in England in short notice. When I log onto my AA account and look at flights I normally see that little notice for flights that might have confirmable space for SWU use, but right now I dont see it. Is that because I dont have any more SWUs for this year, and havent re-qualified yet? Using google flights I cant find anything between tampa and london in the dates I need for much less than 8-10k$. I could just get an award ticket but I need EQMs and EQDs for the year as I already burned those SWAs AND had 2 trips worth of biz extra miles expiring this year I used... With plenty of $800 coach seats and $1500 premium coach seats, I would much rather pay for a ticket, but I'd also much rather be in a lay flat bed, so I would only go that route if I know in advance I can get the upgrade (with miles obviously)
Any way I can search for this on my own without having to phone in an ask a rep to check a billion and one route, and date combos?
TIA
Sep 15, 2019, 3:29 pm
#1504
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,285
Howdy,
Not really an AA newbie here, been EXP for more than just a year or two, but I'm new to the AA forum, so this will probably be a newbie question...
I have already used all of my SWUs for the year. Something has come up and I need to visit my partner in England in short notice. When I log onto my AA account and look at flights I normally see that little notice for flights that might have confirmable space for SWU use, but right now I dont see it. Is that because I dont have any more SWUs for this year, and havent re-qualified yet? Using google flights I cant find anything between tampa and london in the dates I need for much less than 8-10k$. I could just get an award ticket but I need EQMs and EQDs for the year as I already burned those SWAs AND had 2 trips worth of biz extra miles expiring this year I used... With plenty of $800 coach seats and $1500 premium coach seats, I would much rather pay for a ticket, but I'd also much rather be in a lay flat bed, so I would only go that route if I know in advance I can get the upgrade (with miles obviously)
Any way I can search for this on my own without having to phone in an ask a rep to check a billion and one route, and date combos?
TIA
Not really an AA newbie here, been EXP for more than just a year or two, but I'm new to the AA forum, so this will probably be a newbie question...
I have already used all of my SWUs for the year. Something has come up and I need to visit my partner in England in short notice. When I log onto my AA account and look at flights I normally see that little notice for flights that might have confirmable space for SWU use, but right now I dont see it. Is that because I dont have any more SWUs for this year, and havent re-qualified yet? Using google flights I cant find anything between tampa and london in the dates I need for much less than 8-10k$. I could just get an award ticket but I need EQMs and EQDs for the year as I already burned those SWAs AND had 2 trips worth of biz extra miles expiring this year I used... With plenty of $800 coach seats and $1500 premium coach seats, I would much rather pay for a ticket, but I'd also much rather be in a lay flat bed, so I would only go that route if I know in advance I can get the upgrade (with miles obviously)
Any way I can search for this on my own without having to phone in an ask a rep to check a billion and one route, and date combos?
TIA
Sep 15, 2019, 3:37 pm
#1505
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: Bonvoy ambassador - lifetime plat / Hilton diamond / hyatt globalist / AA CK baby!
Posts: 870
Is getting a subscription to expert flier going to give me any data that i wont otherwise already have if I havent burned all of my SWUs for the year?
If this bit of data is the *only* thing I see myself needing is there any way to force the AA (or google flights) web page to show it to me?
Thanks
Sep 15, 2019, 4:31 pm
#1506
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,992
I made a booking on mixed metal, BA+AA (TXL-CUN) return through an OTA. I know I should have done it through AA website, but the price difference was quite big, and also, i did not find any information about AA having a BPG, so i assumed they don't.
The booking class for that flight is Q. Is there any chance of upgrading for cash to PE on the return transatlantic flight without doing it through the OTA, which are likely to charge me for it? Would i be offered an upgrade option during online check-in?.
The booking class for that flight is Q. Is there any chance of upgrading for cash to PE on the return transatlantic flight without doing it through the OTA, which are likely to charge me for it? Would i be offered an upgrade option during online check-in?.
AA (001) or BA(125) ticket?
Route? (TXL-LHR-xxx-CUN?)
AA or BA status?
Transatlantic flight with which airline?
The OTA "owns" the ticket until the first segment,
A common question but more detail needed.
But just expect to fly in the seat you purchased
AA AA Partner Airline Upgrade Award - BA, IB, including codeshares (master thd)
AA Upgrades Options by AA operated flight but BA marketed and stock
BA Pro-active Online Upgrade (POUG) tracking and discussion | 2019 thread
Sep 15, 2019, 4:38 pm
#1507
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 61
A newbie question that I couldn't find the answer to ... If I use paid Upgrade vouchers for a flight upgrade does that bump EQD or EQM higher?
Sep 15, 2019, 5:16 pm
#1508
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: BER
Programs: OW Sapphire, *A Gold
Posts: 982
AA or BA flight numbers?
AA (001) or BA(125) ticket?
Route? (TXL-LHR-xxx-CUN?)
AA or BA status?
Transatlantic flight with which airline?
The OTA "owns" the ticket until the first segment,
A common question but more detail needed.
But just expect to fly in the seat you purchased
AA (001) or BA(125) ticket?
Route? (TXL-LHR-xxx-CUN?)
AA or BA status?
Transatlantic flight with which airline?
The OTA "owns" the ticket until the first segment,
A common question but more detail needed.
But just expect to fly in the seat you purchased
AA or BA flight numbers? - TXL - LHR - TXL on BA, all other flight numbers on AA
AA (001) or BA(125) ticket? AA
Route? (TXL-LHR-xxx-CUN?) TXL - LHR - MIA - CUN
AA or BA status? Neither
Transatlantic flight with which airline? The segment is AA0038 (MIA - LHR)
When you say that the OTA owns the ticket until i fly the first segment, does that mean that after that i deal with AA even in case of IRROPS?
And thanks for the links provided, i'll have a look at them.
Sep 15, 2019, 5:44 pm
#1509
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Arkansas/SFO
Programs: AA EXP 2MM
Posts: 333
EXP - Club recommendations for ORD International Terminal 5
Flying SFO-ORD on AA tomorrow, then connecting to Finnair to HEL. As an AA EXP and Admirals Club member, I believe I have a choice of One World clubs in International Terminal 5. Would appreciate suggestions as t which would be the best choice.
Sep 15, 2019, 5:48 pm
#1510
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
I would go to the Flagship Lounge in T3 and just give yourself enough time to get to T5 before boarding (there is an airside shuttle if you have your AY boarding pass). None of the T5 lounges are really worth it in my opinion.
Sep 15, 2019, 5:51 pm
#1511
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,285
Plus one to that. BA lounge in T5 is not worth it. I would go to Flagship in T3, eat dinner and have a drink or two, then take airside bus to T5 and go to BA lounge is there is still time. There are no other oneworld lounge in T5
Sep 15, 2019, 10:27 pm
#1512
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plat
Posts: 1,472
I've been flying mainly on price / availability lately, but will likely still make EXP for this year. Sorry I haven't been paying attention.
- Have 2020 program details been announced yet? What changes do I need to be aware of?
- Given EXP was harder to make in the last two years, are they opening up advance upgrade availability? I lost a bunch of SWUs recently.
- Have 2020 program details been announced yet? What changes do I need to be aware of?
- Given EXP was harder to make in the last two years, are they opening up advance upgrade availability? I lost a bunch of SWUs recently.
Sep 15, 2019, 11:39 pm
#1513
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
I've been flying mainly on price / availability lately, but will likely still make EXP for this year. Sorry I haven't been paying attention.
- Have 2020 program details been announced yet? What changes do I need to be aware of?
- Given EXP was harder to make in the last two years, are they opening up advance upgrade availability? I lost a bunch of SWUs recently.
- Have 2020 program details been announced yet? What changes do I need to be aware of?
- Given EXP was harder to make in the last two years, are they opening up advance upgrade availability? I lost a bunch of SWUs recently.
Sep 16, 2019, 1:44 pm
#1514
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,435
Thanks to everyone for their help. I'm always ready to pounce at T-24!. So while doing online checkin at T-24, there will be a link for "change seat," or something like that...and at that point, the system will recognize me as Gold and MCE will be available to choose?
Sep 17, 2019, 6:17 am
#1515
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: MSY; 2-time FT Fantasy Football Champ, now in recovery.
Programs: AA lifetime GLD; UA Silver; Marriott LTTE; IHG Plat,
Posts: 14,517
(That assumes you had gold status before buying the ticket. Easiest way to verify is to start a seat change now, and see if the elite-only seats are selectable; if so, you're good to go. If not, you should call AA in advance to have them refresh the status on the ticket).