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!
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
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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?)
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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: 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)
Oct 26, 2019, 7:11 pm
#1726
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,591
Oct 26, 2019, 7:24 pm
#1727
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,285
Oct 27, 2019, 4:04 am
#1728
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
I like to think that I'm not exactly a newbie but I've got a situation I've never bumped into before.
I'm AA Platinum. I got it when I was e-mailed a trial offer last year and flew enough in the 3 months to keep it through to the end of the year after I got it. I was always under the impression that was supposed to waive the $75 award close-in booking fee. I booked an award on CX for JFK-YVR a week before departure. I flew it two weeks ago. Now I get an e-mail from AA's "corporate receivables" department claiming that they investigated, found I was supposed to be charged the $75, and that they expect some sort of response by November 8. Is this kind of thing normal (the investigating and coming after me for a fee after the fact), and were they right to claim they were supposed to charge me the $75 (are there limitations on that fee waiver)?
I'm AA Platinum. I got it when I was e-mailed a trial offer last year and flew enough in the 3 months to keep it through to the end of the year after I got it. I was always under the impression that was supposed to waive the $75 award close-in booking fee. I booked an award on CX for JFK-YVR a week before departure. I flew it two weeks ago. Now I get an e-mail from AA's "corporate receivables" department claiming that they investigated, found I was supposed to be charged the $75, and that they expect some sort of response by November 8. Is this kind of thing normal (the investigating and coming after me for a fee after the fact), and were they right to claim they were supposed to charge me the $75 (are there limitations on that fee waiver)?
Additionally, even if you were supposed to be charged the fee, it is VERY strange for AA to try and come after it after the fact. Never heard of such a thing, I'd guess it's some sort of a scam. What kind of "response" did they ask for?
Oct 27, 2019, 9:07 am
#1729
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: ORD/MKE
Programs: UA General Member, AA Gold, SPG (Bonvoy) Gold; IHG Plat. Ambassador
Posts: 399
Flying MIA->FCO on miles in AA Biz and BA Club Europe on Monday with a 12 hour layover in LHR. Will I have lounge access while in LHR?
Oct 27, 2019, 10:19 am
#1730
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Sarasota FL
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 403
This article will give you a pretty good idea what bag charges to expect. It does not specify charges for award tickets but you can safely assume your award economy is the same as economy ticket paid with cash. https://upgradedpoints.com/american-...-baggage-fees/
Oct 27, 2019, 10:27 am
#1731
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,029
https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...ss/club-europe
Seats are normal economy seats with middle seat unoccupied
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...es-2019-a.html
Oct 27, 2019, 3:22 pm
#1732
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: OKC
Programs: IHG Spire, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 2,274
Benefits for non-status people with me
I feel like I should know this, but drawing a blank.
Currently AA Gold (may make Plat this year, not sure yet). If I have (up to 8) people on my reservation with me and none have status, which of my benefits if any would they get?
Currently AA Gold (may make Plat this year, not sure yet). If I have (up to 8) people on my reservation with me and none have status, which of my benefits if any would they get?
Oct 27, 2019, 4:06 pm
#1733
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
Oct 27, 2019, 5:23 pm
#1734
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 621
I have an AA Exec and will be flying LAX-YVR on United. Alaska's rules about lounge entry for their own Lounge members say that you can have a boarding pass from any airline. I saw the footnote on the Admirals Club page here about Alaska Lounge access:
I just wanted to confirm about whether this is actually enforced, or if in practice it winds up going by Alaska's rules.
Must present your membership card and boarding pass at lounge check-in counter for same-day departure on an American Airlines, Alaska Airlines or Virgin America marketed and operated flight (flight sold with American / Alaska / Virgin America flight number and flown on American /Alaska / Virgin America aircraft).
Oct 27, 2019, 5:32 pm
#1735
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: HHonors Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, OZ*G, AA Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 1,874
Looks pretty official, no demand for me to click any sketchy links or go to a website that isn't AA, so I've ruled out a scam. Still, if their own rules state I wasn't supposed to be charged the fee, and their "investigation" led to the conclusion that I should be, then that's rather sloppy work on their part.
Oct 27, 2019, 9:23 pm
#1736
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
OK, then I should be in the clear, and I'll mention that when I reply to the letter.
There was an e-mail that came with a PDF letter. The e-mail came from "[email protected]" and stated that a charge to my card on file failed, and for me to call 1-800-882-8880 to make a payment or to ask for more details. The PDF letter is attached below.
Looks pretty official, no demand for me to click any sketchy links or go to a website that isn't AA, so I've ruled out a scam. Still, if their own rules state I wasn't supposed to be charged the fee, and their "investigation" led to the conclusion that I should be, then that's rather sloppy work on their part.
There was an e-mail that came with a PDF letter. The e-mail came from "[email protected]" and stated that a charge to my card on file failed, and for me to call 1-800-882-8880 to make a payment or to ask for more details. The PDF letter is attached below.
Looks pretty official, no demand for me to click any sketchy links or go to a website that isn't AA, so I've ruled out a scam. Still, if their own rules state I wasn't supposed to be charged the fee, and their "investigation" led to the conclusion that I should be, then that's rather sloppy work on their part.
Again, even if the fee was rightly due (it wasn't) I've never heard of AA trying to collect after the fact. AA agents are clueless these days, fees like this are rightly or wrongly charged on a daily basis, if this was a thing we would have heard about it by now.
Oct 27, 2019, 10:29 pm
#1737
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: HHonors Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, OZ*G, AA Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 1,874
All right, I'll leave it be. At the same time, I'm now concerned for a different reason- how would a phisher have gotten hold of the actual ticket number of the award ticket I booked? I looked at the number referenced in the letter and it was in fact the ticket I booked, which is why I didn't dismiss it out of hand.
Oct 28, 2019, 6:33 am
#1738
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 have an AA Exec and will be flying LAX-YVR on United. Alaska's rules about lounge entry for their own Lounge members say that you can have a boarding pass from any airline. I saw the footnote on the Admirals Club page here about Alaska Lounge access:
I just wanted to confirm about whether this is actually enforced, or if in practice it winds up going by Alaska's rules.
I just wanted to confirm about whether this is actually enforced, or if in practice it winds up going by Alaska's rules.
Oct 28, 2019, 9:10 am
#1739
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,932
All right, I'll leave it be. At the same time, I'm now concerned for a different reason- how would a phisher have gotten hold of the actual ticket number of the award ticket I booked? I looked at the number referenced in the letter and it was in fact the ticket I booked, which is why I didn't dismiss it out of hand.
Oct 28, 2019, 11:51 am
#1740
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: OKC
Programs: IHG Spire, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 2,274