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
, 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: 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)
May 3, 2019, 7:14 am
#691
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,735
Apologies for what I'm sure is a repeat question, but is it normal to be charged a fare difference for same day flight change when routing is different but origin and destination cities remain the same? Due to forecast storms at DFW this evening I was wanting to change my routing to a similar timed flight via PHX. No options were shown under SDFC in the AA app, and when I called the Gold line I was told it would be $500+ to change routing. FAQ on AA.com just says "origin and destination cities must remain the same".
Thanks in advance for any clarification, just wondering if I should HUCA or take my chances in DFW...
Thanks in advance for any clarification, just wondering if I should HUCA or take my chances in DFW...
May 3, 2019, 2:45 pm
#692
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: AA Platinum, Pro, Marriott Platinum, Sonesta Preferred
Posts: 115
Apologies in advanced that this question has been asked...
I am going to HKG and HND in August and have some questions about lounge access.
Party of 3: Me: AA PPro and hold a Citi Exe Platinum (with Admiral's Club); Wife: No Status; Child (8 yo): No status
We will be arriving HKG from EWR on CX. We will just head to the hotel right after arrival. So, no need for lounge access.
We will then do HKG to NRT on CX a few days later in Y.
We will then do HND to JFK on JL a few days after that in Y.
So, what (if any) lounge access do we have in HKG (when we fly HKG-NRT) and HND (when we fly HND-JFK).
I understand that my Citi Ex Plt card's membership for AC is not recognized for partner's lounge. But what about my PPro status (Sapphire in OW)? I think I am allowed access. But since i have 1 additional adult and child (total of 3), how does that work? Would they only allow either me + my significant other or me + my child access, since the policy is to only allow 1 guest? Do you guys have experience traveling as a family and gained access to OW partners lounges in HKG and HND when only one of the family member as Sapphire or Emerald status?
Thanks in advance.
I am going to HKG and HND in August and have some questions about lounge access.
Party of 3: Me: AA PPro and hold a Citi Exe Platinum (with Admiral's Club); Wife: No Status; Child (8 yo): No status
We will be arriving HKG from EWR on CX. We will just head to the hotel right after arrival. So, no need for lounge access.
We will then do HKG to NRT on CX a few days later in Y.
We will then do HND to JFK on JL a few days after that in Y.
So, what (if any) lounge access do we have in HKG (when we fly HKG-NRT) and HND (when we fly HND-JFK).
I understand that my Citi Ex Plt card's membership for AC is not recognized for partner's lounge. But what about my PPro status (Sapphire in OW)? I think I am allowed access. But since i have 1 additional adult and child (total of 3), how does that work? Would they only allow either me + my significant other or me + my child access, since the policy is to only allow 1 guest? Do you guys have experience traveling as a family and gained access to OW partners lounges in HKG and HND when only one of the family member as Sapphire or Emerald status?
Thanks in advance.
May 3, 2019, 5:03 pm
#693
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,811
I flew BA Biz 747 MIA-LHR-MIA in UD 62A, a window seat which had its feet adjacent to the emergency exit. That meant no stepping over anyone or having meal service passed over anyone.
My Biz international experience is still pretty limited so I can't compare too many alternatives; that said, I really liked the 2 spacious storage bins at my side better than the storage on the 777 to BOM.
May 4, 2019, 12:48 am
#694
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: DSM
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 110
Apologies for what I'm sure is a repeat question, but is it normal to be charged a fare difference for same day flight change when routing is different but origin and destination cities remain the same? Due to forecast storms at DFW this evening I was wanting to change my routing to a similar timed flight via PHX. No options were shown under SDFC in the AA app, and when I called the Gold line I was told it would be $500+ to change routing. FAQ on AA.com just says "origin and destination cities must remain the same".
Thanks in advance for any clarification, just wondering if I should HUCA or take my chances in DFW...
Thanks in advance for any clarification, just wondering if I should HUCA or take my chances in DFW...
Not relevant to the original question, but my flight through DFW was delayed by 90 min, not due to weather at DFW but due to incoming flight. Not sure why. And as it turned out, the flight via PHX that I wanted has been delayed over 12 hours and will arrive at noon instead of 11:30 pm yesterday, so it all worked out!
May 4, 2019, 10:33 am
#695
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NYC suburbs
Programs: UA LT Gold (BIS), AA LT Plat (CC SUBs & BD), Hilton Dia (CC), Hyatt Glob (BIB), et. al.
Posts: 3,290
Is Hidden City ticketing as much of a risk for international award flights as it is for paid flights? (Risk in terms of AAdvantage membership, not baggage considerations.) For example, looking in August, LHR to JFK on AA metal (to avoid BA fuel surcharges
), “LHR-JFK”, offers zero saver business choices. However, when searching “LHR-LAX”, several of the saver choices include a LHR-JFK business segment (connecting to a JFK-LAX business segment).
Is the risk assessment different if the connection at JFK is a few hours during the day compared to an overnight connection? (Seems it might be more common to need to cancel a connecting flight following an overnight connection.)
Thank you.
), “LHR-JFK”, offers zero saver business choices. However, when searching “LHR-LAX”, several of the saver choices include a LHR-JFK business segment (connecting to a JFK-LAX business segment).Is the risk assessment different if the connection at JFK is a few hours during the day compared to an overnight connection? (Seems it might be more common to need to cancel a connecting flight following an overnight connection.)
Thank you.
May 4, 2019, 1:04 pm
#696
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,481
Apologies in advanced that this question has been asked...
I am going to HKG and HND in August and have some questions about lounge access.
Party of 3: Me: AA PPro and hold a Citi Exe Platinum (with Admiral's Club); Wife: No Status; Child (8 yo): No status
We will be arriving HKG from EWR on CX. We will just head to the hotel right after arrival. So, no need for lounge access.
We will then do HKG to NRT on CX a few days later in Y.
We will then do HND to JFK on JL a few days after that in Y.
So, what (if any) lounge access do we have in HKG (when we fly HKG-NRT) and HND (when we fly HND-JFK).
I understand that my Citi Ex Plt card's membership for AC is not recognized for partner's lounge. But what about my PPro status (Sapphire in OW)? I think I am allowed access. But since i have 1 additional adult and child (total of 3), how does that work? Would they only allow either me + my significant other or me + my child access, since the policy is to only allow 1 guest? Do you guys have experience traveling as a family and gained access to OW partners lounges in HKG and HND when only one of the family member as Sapphire or Emerald status?
Thanks in advance.
I am going to HKG and HND in August and have some questions about lounge access.
Party of 3: Me: AA PPro and hold a Citi Exe Platinum (with Admiral's Club); Wife: No Status; Child (8 yo): No status
We will be arriving HKG from EWR on CX. We will just head to the hotel right after arrival. So, no need for lounge access.
We will then do HKG to NRT on CX a few days later in Y.
We will then do HND to JFK on JL a few days after that in Y.
So, what (if any) lounge access do we have in HKG (when we fly HKG-NRT) and HND (when we fly HND-JFK).
I understand that my Citi Ex Plt card's membership for AC is not recognized for partner's lounge. But what about my PPro status (Sapphire in OW)? I think I am allowed access. But since i have 1 additional adult and child (total of 3), how does that work? Would they only allow either me + my significant other or me + my child access, since the policy is to only allow 1 guest? Do you guys have experience traveling as a family and gained access to OW partners lounges in HKG and HND when only one of the family member as Sapphire or Emerald status?
Thanks in advance.
May 4, 2019, 1:13 pm
#697
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,481
Is Hidden City ticketing as much of a risk for international award flights as it is for paid flights? (Risk in terms of AAdvantage membership, not baggage considerations.) For example, looking in August, LHR to JFK on AA metal (to avoid BA fuel surcharges), “LHR-JFK”, offers zero saver business choices. However, when searching “LHR-LAX”, several of the saver choices include a LHR-JFK business segment (connecting to a JFK-LAX business segment).
Is the risk assessment different if the connection at JFK is a few hours during the day compared to an overnight connection? (Seems it might be more common to need to cancel a connecting flight following an overnight connection.)
Thank you.
), “LHR-JFK”, offers zero saver business choices. However, when searching “LHR-LAX”, several of the saver choices include a LHR-JFK business segment (connecting to a JFK-LAX business segment).Is the risk assessment different if the connection at JFK is a few hours during the day compared to an overnight connection? (Seems it might be more common to need to cancel a connecting flight following an overnight connection.)
Thank you.
May 4, 2019, 11:52 pm
#698
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NYC suburbs
Programs: UA LT Gold (BIS), AA LT Plat (CC SUBs & BD), Hilton Dia (CC), Hyatt Glob (BIB), et. al.
Posts: 3,290
Thank you, I like your assessment. 
If booked that way (LHR-JFK-LAX, business saver, all AA metal) months ahead of time, presuming that LHR-JFK only is still not available, would AA allow dropping the JFK-LAX segment a month or two prior? Or would they see that LHR-JFK only is not available and therefore not allow such a change?
If booked that way (LHR-JFK-LAX, business saver, all AA metal) months ahead of time, presuming that LHR-JFK only is still not available, would AA allow dropping the JFK-LAX segment a month or two prior? Or would they see that LHR-JFK only is not available and therefore not allow such a change?
May 5, 2019, 8:55 am
#699
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 10
Question regarding the Elite Qualifying Miles:
Does transfer points from Marriott/spg program consider earning Elite Qualifying Miles?
For example, If I transfer 450,000 Marriott points to AA, will I get get AAdvantage® Executive Platinum status?
Does transfer points from Marriott/spg program consider earning Elite Qualifying Miles?
For example, If I transfer 450,000 Marriott points to AA, will I get get AAdvantage® Executive Platinum status?
May 5, 2019, 9:01 am
#700
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,285
only miles flown on AA or OneWorld partners will count towards EQM. By transferring miles from Marriot you will get 0 EQMs
May 5, 2019, 9:02 am
#701
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,929
You are only transferring redeemable miles (RDM) which you can use for flights, upgrades, etc. You will get no elite credit.
May 5, 2019, 9:05 am
#702
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,481
Thank you, I like your assessment.
If booked that way (LHR-JFK-LAX, business saver, all AA metal) months ahead of time, presuming that LHR-JFK only is still not available, would AA allow dropping the JFK-LAX segment a month or two prior? Or would they see that LHR-JFK only is not available and therefore not allow such a change?
If booked that way (LHR-JFK-LAX, business saver, all AA metal) months ahead of time, presuming that LHR-JFK only is still not available, would AA allow dropping the JFK-LAX segment a month or two prior? Or would they see that LHR-JFK only is not available and therefore not allow such a change?
Personally I wouldn't worry, just book the LHR-JFK-LAX and cancel the 2nd segment when you arrive in JFK.
May 5, 2019, 10:48 am
#704
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NYC suburbs
Programs: UA LT Gold (BIS), AA LT Plat (CC SUBs & BD), Hilton Dia (CC), Hyatt Glob (BIB), et. al.
Posts: 3,290
(Fondly recalling the “stopover allowed at North America gateway city” AA rules of a few years ago, then this would all be a no-brainer and I’d end up with a “free” JFK-LAX business class ticket.
)Thanks again JJeffrey.
May 5, 2019, 11:36 am
#705
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
Thank you very much once again. Your suggestions are reasonable and understood. Now I’m thinking about the outbound NYC-LHR flight(s). Considering I live near NYC and it would involve dropping the FIRST segment, wondering how much more challenging it would be to book LAX-JFK-LHR and try to drop the LAX-JFK segment.
(Fondly recalling the “stopover allowed at North America gateway city” AA rules of a few years ago, then this would all be a no-brainer and I’d end up with a “free” JFK-LAX business class ticket. )
Thanks again JJeffrey.
(Fondly recalling the “stopover allowed at North America gateway city” AA rules of a few years ago, then this would all be a no-brainer and I’d end up with a “free” JFK-LAX business class ticket.
)Thanks again JJeffrey.
(from guv1976) There is no charge for dropping the final segment(s) of a one-way Flex award, as long as doing so does not change the award's destination zone . If you are worried about losing your free DFW stopover, then do not call to drop the MAD-TXL segment until after you have flown YYC-DFW. HOWEVER...
DO note AA has instructed agents not to drop or add segments if doing so violates a married segment rule governing that award. See More award availability restricted by married segments / connections for further information. (Dropping last or first leg of an award ticket - any repercussions? (merged threads))
DO note AA has instructed agents not to drop or add segments if doing so violates a married segment rule governing that award. See More award availability restricted by married segments / connections for further information. (Dropping last or first leg of an award ticket - any repercussions? (merged threads))