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)
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Welcome to the Newbie Lounge!
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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.
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Thanks for reading!
ARCHIVE: NEWBIE LOUNGE 2019: Ask "Newbie" AA Questions Here (flame free)
Jan 31, 2019, 9:03 am
#166
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AA PLT, IHG Spire
Posts: 551
No, you get access when travelling on award tickets, as long as the paid ticket would have access. Non-revenue passengers in this case means someone travelling standby on an employee pass or buddy pass.
Jan 31, 2019, 10:12 am
#167
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 1
I've searched and have read a few threads but I'm still not 100% clear on my question, so here goes..
I'm trying to book award travel to Germany (multi-city with Hamburg and Berlin. The order doesn't matter to me) from DC for mid-April and am not having much luck or maybe just out of luck. I know there are quite a few routes but all seem to be on Oneworld partner flights (BA for this instance) but neither using the booking tool or calling the Platinum 800# seem to find the ones that I see when I search regular fare flights. Is it that only certain flights are allowed to be booked with reward travel? Everything on the site says I should be able to use miles on partner flights but I can't figure out how. At this point, a regular fare on United is a quarter the cost and I can status challenge if I want. TIA
I'm trying to book award travel to Germany (multi-city with Hamburg and Berlin. The order doesn't matter to me) from DC for mid-April and am not having much luck or maybe just out of luck. I know there are quite a few routes but all seem to be on Oneworld partner flights (BA for this instance) but neither using the booking tool or calling the Platinum 800# seem to find the ones that I see when I search regular fare flights. Is it that only certain flights are allowed to be booked with reward travel? Everything on the site says I should be able to use miles on partner flights but I can't figure out how. At this point, a regular fare on United is a quarter the cost and I can status challenge if I want. TIA
Jan 31, 2019, 11:15 am
#168
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
I've searched and have read a few threads but I'm still not 100% clear on my question, so here goes..
I'm trying to book award travel to Germany (multi-city with Hamburg and Berlin. The order doesn't matter to me) from DC for mid-April and am not having much luck or maybe just out of luck. I know there are quite a few routes but all seem to be on Oneworld partner flights (BA for this instance) but neither using the booking tool or calling the Platinum 800# seem to find the ones that I see when I search regular fare flights. Is it that only certain flights are allowed to be booked with reward travel? Everything on the site says I should be able to use miles on partner flights but I can't figure out how. At this point, a regular fare on United is a quarter the cost and I can status challenge if I want. TIA
I'm trying to book award travel to Germany (multi-city with Hamburg and Berlin. The order doesn't matter to me) from DC for mid-April and am not having much luck or maybe just out of luck. I know there are quite a few routes but all seem to be on Oneworld partner flights (BA for this instance) but neither using the booking tool or calling the Platinum 800# seem to find the ones that I see when I search regular fare flights. Is it that only certain flights are allowed to be booked with reward travel? Everything on the site says I should be able to use miles on partner flights but I can't figure out how. At this point, a regular fare on United is a quarter the cost and I can status challenge if I want. TIA
HELP DESK: MileSAAver / SAAver award questions, assistance
Jan 31, 2019, 12:06 pm
#169
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,588
I've searched and have read a few threads but I'm still not 100% clear on my question, so here goes..
I'm trying to book award travel to Germany (multi-city with Hamburg and Berlin. The order doesn't matter to me) from DC for mid-April and am not having much luck or maybe just out of luck. I know there are quite a few routes but all seem to be on Oneworld partner flights (BA for this instance) but neither using the booking tool or calling the Platinum 800# seem to find the ones that I see when I search regular fare flights. Is it that only certain flights are allowed to be booked with reward travel? Everything on the site says I should be able to use miles on partner flights but I can't figure out how. At this point, a regular fare on United is a quarter the cost and I can status challenge if I want. TIA
I'm trying to book award travel to Germany (multi-city with Hamburg and Berlin. The order doesn't matter to me) from DC for mid-April and am not having much luck or maybe just out of luck. I know there are quite a few routes but all seem to be on Oneworld partner flights (BA for this instance) but neither using the booking tool or calling the Platinum 800# seem to find the ones that I see when I search regular fare flights. Is it that only certain flights are allowed to be booked with reward travel? Everything on the site says I should be able to use miles on partner flights but I can't figure out how. At this point, a regular fare on United is a quarter the cost and I can status challenge if I want. TIA
If you are traveling to or from an airport not served by AA metal, MileSAAver awards are your only option if you want to redeem for just one award from origin to destination.
Jan 31, 2019, 2:13 pm
#170
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,028
I've searched and have read a few threads but I'm still not 100% clear on my question, so here goes..
I'm trying to book award travel to Germany (multi-city with Hamburg and Berlin. The order doesn't matter to me) from DC for mid-April and am not having much luck or maybe just out of luck. I know there are quite a few routes but all seem to be on Oneworld partner flights (BA for this instance) but neither using the booking tool or calling the Platinum 800# seem to find the ones that I see when I search regular fare flights. Is it that only certain flights are allowed to be booked with reward travel? Everything on the site says I should be able to use miles on partner flights but I can't figure out how. At this point, a regular fare on United is a quarter the cost and I can status challenge if I want. TIA
I'm trying to book award travel to Germany (multi-city with Hamburg and Berlin. The order doesn't matter to me) from DC for mid-April and am not having much luck or maybe just out of luck. I know there are quite a few routes but all seem to be on Oneworld partner flights (BA for this instance) but neither using the booking tool or calling the Platinum 800# seem to find the ones that I see when I search regular fare flights. Is it that only certain flights are allowed to be booked with reward travel? Everything on the site says I should be able to use miles on partner flights but I can't figure out how. At this point, a regular fare on United is a quarter the cost and I can status challenge if I want. TIA
AA do not fly to Hamburg HAM or Berlin TXL, so you will be steered to BA via LHR
AA Saver awards on BA, if available, will have a high $ carrier surcharge. A saver award on an AA aircraft will not.
Try for an award to anywhere in Germany and then train to Hamburg & Berlin.
AA forum thread--> Where exactly does AA fly to Europe? Which routes have good business seats?
Sample routes:-->Great Circle Mapper
Feb 1, 2019, 8:45 am
#171
Join Date: Dec 2015
Programs: UA Silver, AA Gold
Posts: 221
Question About Award Change
Yesterday I found a great saver business award NRT-LAX-DFW-ZZZ (required only 60k miles). However, there is a 12 hour layover at LAX, which is obviously less than ideal. I still booked it (7 day hold) to grab the NRT-LAX saver business seat.
I've tried reading up on AA award changes and same day change rules, but I'm still a bit confused, so I'd like the experts to help with my options to eventually reduce that LAX layover time.
First question -- in the weeks leading up to the flight, if an earlier LAX-DFW saver premium seat opens up, can I adjust the LAX-DFW-ZZZ segments forward without there being new available saver business inventory on the NRT-LAX segment? Or does the computer have to revalidate inventory all the way through NRT-LAX-DFW-ZZZ?
Second question -- if I can't adjust the flights before I start travel, and I fly the NRT-LAX leg, does AA allow SDC to the remaining segments while I'm in LAX? I'm a UA flyer and this is allowed and easy to do even on the app, but I can't find whether that's allowed on AA.
Any other ideas or strategies? If it matters, I am AA Gold and the miles are from a general member's account.
I've tried reading up on AA award changes and same day change rules, but I'm still a bit confused, so I'd like the experts to help with my options to eventually reduce that LAX layover time.
First question -- in the weeks leading up to the flight, if an earlier LAX-DFW saver premium seat opens up, can I adjust the LAX-DFW-ZZZ segments forward without there being new available saver business inventory on the NRT-LAX segment? Or does the computer have to revalidate inventory all the way through NRT-LAX-DFW-ZZZ?
Second question -- if I can't adjust the flights before I start travel, and I fly the NRT-LAX leg, does AA allow SDC to the remaining segments while I'm in LAX? I'm a UA flyer and this is allowed and easy to do even on the app, but I can't find whether that's allowed on AA.
Any other ideas or strategies? If it matters, I am AA Gold and the miles are from a general member's account.
Feb 1, 2019, 9:10 am
#172
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 80
Free Checked Bags With AA credit cards
I see that both the Citi AAdvantage card and the Aviator Barclaycard offer a free checked bag on domestic itineraries, but do they also allow for a free checked bag on an international basic economy fare? Thanks!
Feb 1, 2019, 9:14 am
#173
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
Yesterday I found a great saver business award NRT-LAX-DFW-ZZZ (required only 60k miles). However, there is a 12 hour layover at LAX, which is obviously less than ideal. I still booked it (7 day hold) to grab the NRT-LAX saver business seat.
I've tried reading up on AA award changes and same day change rules, but I'm still a bit confused, so I'd like the experts to help with my options to eventually reduce that LAX layover time.
First question -- in the weeks leading up to the flight, if an earlier LAX-DFW saver premium seat opens up, can I adjust the LAX-DFW-ZZZ segments forward without there being new available saver business inventory on the NRT-LAX segment? Or does the computer have to revalidate inventory all the way through NRT-LAX-DFW-ZZZ?
Second question -- if I can't adjust the flights before I start travel, and I fly the NRT-LAX leg, does AA allow SDC to the remaining segments while I'm in LAX? I'm a UA flyer and this is allowed and easy to do even on the app, but I can't find whether that's allowed on AA.
Any other ideas or strategies? If it matters, I am AA Gold and the miles are from a general member's account.
I've tried reading up on AA award changes and same day change rules, but I'm still a bit confused, so I'd like the experts to help with my options to eventually reduce that LAX layover time.
First question -- in the weeks leading up to the flight, if an earlier LAX-DFW saver premium seat opens up, can I adjust the LAX-DFW-ZZZ segments forward without there being new available saver business inventory on the NRT-LAX segment? Or does the computer have to revalidate inventory all the way through NRT-LAX-DFW-ZZZ?
Second question -- if I can't adjust the flights before I start travel, and I fly the NRT-LAX leg, does AA allow SDC to the remaining segments while I'm in LAX? I'm a UA flyer and this is allowed and easy to do even on the app, but I can't find whether that's allowed on AA.
Any other ideas or strategies? If it matters, I am AA Gold and the miles are from a general member's account.
However, AA has implemented lots of married segment availability as of late which has made this type of change, which used to be easy, a real PITA. Now many agents are required to find availability on the entire route again (which of course won't exist in most instances) before being able to make a change to one or two segments like this. Take a look at the below thread to get an idea of what's going on.
More award availability restricted by married segments / connections
Feb 1, 2019, 10:35 am
#174
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,588
Per the terms of the benefit, the cards only provide for the first checked bag on domestic itineraries. Some people have reported that trans-border flights to Canada also qualify, but do not expect to get a free bag on other international flights -- unless you book a fare that includes it.
Feb 1, 2019, 8:02 pm
#175
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Charlotte, NC USA
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott Lifetime / Annual Titanium; Massively Missing Starwood
Posts: 5,339
I'm looking to fly a party of 3 from CLT to MAD via MIA, and return from BCN to CLT via MIA.
Travelers: me - old; wife - not nearly as old but still over 21; daughter - under driving age.
I want to book my wife and I into premium economy so we can earn miles, and then try to use my Exec Plat or mileage upgrades to get into business.
I'd like to book my daughter into business using her own miles.
If my wife an I don't clear to business, I would put my wife in business and my daughter and I would sit in coach (premium economy is what I'm thinking actually).
What I don't know, is if I can call and book my daughter on a flight or even do it online since she is a minor... < 10.
Looking for suggestions on how to book this mostly, and opinions on other options if there are any.
Travelers: me - old; wife - not nearly as old but still over 21; daughter - under driving age.
I want to book my wife and I into premium economy so we can earn miles, and then try to use my Exec Plat or mileage upgrades to get into business.
I'd like to book my daughter into business using her own miles.
If my wife an I don't clear to business, I would put my wife in business and my daughter and I would sit in coach (premium economy is what I'm thinking actually).
What I don't know, is if I can call and book my daughter on a flight or even do it online since she is a minor... < 10.
Looking for suggestions on how to book this mostly, and opinions on other options if there are any.
Feb 2, 2019, 11:09 am
#176
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
I'm looking to fly a party of 3 from CLT to MAD via MIA, and return from BCN to CLT via MIA.
Travelers: me - old; wife - not nearly as old but still over 21; daughter - under driving age.
I want to book my wife and I into premium economy so we can earn miles, and then try to use my Exec Plat or mileage upgrades to get into business.
I'd like to book my daughter into business using her own miles.
If my wife an I don't clear to business, I would put my wife in business and my daughter and I would sit in coach (premium economy is what I'm thinking actually).
What I don't know, is if I can call and book my daughter on a flight or even do it online since she is a minor... < 10.
Looking for suggestions on how to book this mostly, and opinions on other options if there are any.
Travelers: me - old; wife - not nearly as old but still over 21; daughter - under driving age.
I want to book my wife and I into premium economy so we can earn miles, and then try to use my Exec Plat or mileage upgrades to get into business.
I'd like to book my daughter into business using her own miles.
If my wife an I don't clear to business, I would put my wife in business and my daughter and I would sit in coach (premium economy is what I'm thinking actually).
What I don't know, is if I can call and book my daughter on a flight or even do it online since she is a minor... < 10.
Looking for suggestions on how to book this mostly, and opinions on other options if there are any.
1) Have you checked award availability for your daughter's ticket? Unless you happen to just get really lucky, you're most likely looking at AAnytime awards, i.e. I'd make sure she has enough miles for this plan to work.
2) You will have to call AA to book your daughter's award ticket, so they can notate the PNR that she is not traveling alone.
3) Since initially you and your wife will be in PE while your daughter will be in business, not sure how this affects AA's minors policy, i.e. since you're in a different cabin would they try to charge the unaccompanied minor fee?
In any event, a call to AA is in order.
Feb 2, 2019, 2:04 pm
#177
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Riberas del Pilar, Mexico
Posts: 437
I know JDiver will show up with a 10 page long thread addressing my issue 
but here goes. Using the AA app on my Ipad, when I went to update info on a reservation I have, it made me log in again and then wouldn't accept my password after very carefully entering it many times. I'm logged in when I open the app, it's only after I need to change something that I have this issue. Is it me or is it AA?
but here goes. Using the AA app on my Ipad, when I went to update info on a reservation I have, it made me log in again and then wouldn't accept my password after very carefully entering it many times. I'm logged in when I open the app, it's only after I need to change something that I have this issue. Is it me or is it AA?
Feb 2, 2019, 6:26 pm
#178
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 know JDiver will show up with a 10 page long thread addressing my issue but here goes. Using the AA app on my Ipad, when I went to update info on a reservation I have, it made me log in again and then wouldn't accept my password after very carefully entering it many times. I'm logged in when I open the app, it's only after I need to change something that I have this issue. Is it me or is it AA?
but here goes. Using the AA app on my Ipad, when I went to update info on a reservation I have, it made me log in again and then wouldn't accept my password after very carefully entering it many times. I'm logged in when I open the app, it's only after I need to change something that I have this issue. Is it me or is it AA?
As bad, I’ve never experienced this on my iPad. But I wonder if it’s a bad cookie?
Feb 2, 2019, 9:11 pm
#179
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Riberas del Pilar, Mexico
Posts: 437
Hmmm. Maybe it is. I’ll delete the cookies and see if that does it. Gracias!
Feb 3, 2019, 8:34 am
#180
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Gold, DL MM 8/22/16!
Posts: 2,563
You solved my problem. THANK YOU! I was so convinced it was a date issue I missed the consistency of BA metal segments causing the problem. I was looking at MSP-BCN where lots of routes are possible.