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.
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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.
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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:
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- 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.)
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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.)
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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.
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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)
May 5, 2019, 11:37 am
#706
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,929
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.
May 5, 2019, 3:48 pm
#707
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Omaha
Programs: AA Life Plat 4mm, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,460
I’m looking for 2 J Saver seats MCI-CDG for around April 1, everything showing up is BA. I found 2 LAX-CDG on TN, even DFW-CDG worked however when I put in MCI they go away.
OK so I check MCI-LAX saver - it is available on the early flight, can I put these both reservations on separate holds then ask the Plantinum desk to marry them into one 57.5k award?
OK so I check MCI-LAX saver - it is available on the early flight, can I put these both reservations on separate holds then ask the Plantinum desk to marry them into one 57.5k award?
May 5, 2019, 4:10 pm
#708
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,022
I’m looking for 2 J Saver seats MCI-CDG for around April 1, everything showing up is BA. I found 2 LAX-CDG on TN, even DFW-CDG worked however when I put in MCI they go away.
OK so I check MCI-LAX saver - it is available on the early flight, can I put these both reservations on separate holds then ask the Plantinum desk to marry them into one 57.5k award?
OK so I check MCI-LAX saver - it is available on the early flight, can I put these both reservations on separate holds then ask the Plantinum desk to marry them into one 57.5k award?
From AA to Europe---> Where exactly does AA fly to Europe? Which routes have good business seats?
AA fly CDG - CLT (s), DFW, JFK, MIA, ORD (s), PHL
Many threads / posts on problems with AA awards
May 5, 2019, 9:10 pm
#709
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 JDiver and MADPhil. I should have known that this has already been discussed extensively in the FT forums.
May 6, 2019, 10:02 am
#710
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 4
Struggling to figure out the best way to make a mixed domestic award / paid booking where one party (my daughter) is 15.
The flight would be end-June (not inside of the 21-day window). Basically, I have 43,000 miles and not enough time to earn/transfer up to the requisite 50,000 miles to get a pair of round trip tickets. The cost for an additional mileage buy doesn't make sense, either. So I think the only way to do it is to get 3 award tickets and pay for the return trip - I'm just not sure how that return would work since my minor daughter would then have her own reservation on the return.
Is the only way to do this to call an agent? Any ways to reduce telephone booking fees? Thanks in advance.
The flight would be end-June (not inside of the 21-day window). Basically, I have 43,000 miles and not enough time to earn/transfer up to the requisite 50,000 miles to get a pair of round trip tickets. The cost for an additional mileage buy doesn't make sense, either. So I think the only way to do it is to get 3 award tickets and pay for the return trip - I'm just not sure how that return would work since my minor daughter would then have her own reservation on the return.
Is the only way to do this to call an agent? Any ways to reduce telephone booking fees? Thanks in advance.
May 6, 2019, 10:26 am
#711
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,929
Struggling to figure out the best way to make a mixed domestic award / paid booking where one party (my daughter) is 15.
The flight would be end-June (not inside of the 21-day window). Basically, I have 43,000 miles and not enough time to earn/transfer up to the requisite 50,000 miles to get a pair of round trip tickets. The cost for an additional mileage buy doesn't make sense, either. So I think the only way to do it is to get 3 award tickets and pay for the return trip - I'm just not sure how that return would work since my minor daughter would then have her own reservation on the return.
Is the only way to do this to call an agent? Any ways to reduce telephone booking fees? Thanks in advance.
The flight would be end-June (not inside of the 21-day window). Basically, I have 43,000 miles and not enough time to earn/transfer up to the requisite 50,000 miles to get a pair of round trip tickets. The cost for an additional mileage buy doesn't make sense, either. So I think the only way to do it is to get 3 award tickets and pay for the return trip - I'm just not sure how that return would work since my minor daughter would then have her own reservation on the return.
Is the only way to do this to call an agent? Any ways to reduce telephone booking fees? Thanks in advance.
May 6, 2019, 11:22 am
#712
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 4
You should be able to buy the tickets online as your daughter is old enough to travel on her own. AA may want proof of age when she travels. You may have to pay for seats to ensure that you sit together and, since there is no way to reliably link your reservations with one paid and one award ticket, you will have to be pro-active to ensure that you stay together if flights are disrupted.
May 6, 2019, 11:29 am
#713
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,929
ETA: welcome to FT, as you can see we are all learning new things so please stick around
May 6, 2019, 3:43 pm
#714
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
Struggling to figure out the best way to make a mixed domestic award / paid booking where one party (my daughter) is 15.
The flight would be end-June (not inside of the 21-day window). Basically, I have 43,000 miles and not enough time to earn/transfer up to the requisite 50,000 miles to get a pair of round trip tickets. The cost for an additional mileage buy doesn't make sense, either. So I think the only way to do it is to get 3 award tickets and pay for the return trip - I'm just not sure how that return would work since my minor daughter would then have her own reservation on the return.
Is the only way to do this to call an agent? Any ways to reduce telephone booking fees? Thanks in advance.
The flight would be end-June (not inside of the 21-day window). Basically, I have 43,000 miles and not enough time to earn/transfer up to the requisite 50,000 miles to get a pair of round trip tickets. The cost for an additional mileage buy doesn't make sense, either. So I think the only way to do it is to get 3 award tickets and pay for the return trip - I'm just not sure how that return would work since my minor daughter would then have her own reservation on the return.
Is the only way to do this to call an agent? Any ways to reduce telephone booking fees? Thanks in advance.
Calling if the transaction can’t be done online does not incur fees.
If you’re getting awards for two, I think the 15 year old should get the two award tickets on the same PNR. That could make some things easier, and the adult earns miles on the paid ticket - presumably an adult with an AAdvantage account.
I’d also request the AA rep “add a TCP note to each PNR” - that means adding a “to complete party” note in the record somany employee working with the record in case of irregular operations (“irops”) can keep the two parties together if reaccommodation becomes necessary.
If traveling to another country, check for requirements for minors, such as a notarupized letter signed by both parents or proof only one person has custody.
May 7, 2019, 3:56 am
#715
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 1
Hello.
I have 60K AAdvantage miles that expire in 10 days. In longer have an AA co-branded credit card, so I need to do some activity in order for my miles to not expire.
I was thinking about using the AAdvantage eShopping mall to buy a few things from Walmart. Will this work to extend my mileage expiration date? When will I get the miles in my account, I want to make sure I get them in the next 10 days and not after, because then my 60K miles might be gone.
Or any other suggestions for easy things I can do to extend my miles?
I have 60K AAdvantage miles that expire in 10 days. In longer have an AA co-branded credit card, so I need to do some activity in order for my miles to not expire.
I was thinking about using the AAdvantage eShopping mall to buy a few things from Walmart. Will this work to extend my mileage expiration date? When will I get the miles in my account, I want to make sure I get them in the next 10 days and not after, because then my 60K miles might be gone.
Or any other suggestions for easy things I can do to extend my miles?
May 7, 2019, 4:42 am
#716
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,481
Hello.
I have 60K AAdvantage miles that expire in 10 days. In longer have an AA co-branded credit card, so I need to do some activity in order for my miles to not expire.
I was thinking about using the AAdvantage eShopping mall to buy a few things from Walmart. Will this work to extend my mileage expiration date? When will I get the miles in my account, I want to make sure I get them in the next 10 days and not after, because then my 60K miles might be gone.
Or any other suggestions for easy things I can do to extend my miles?
I have 60K AAdvantage miles that expire in 10 days. In longer have an AA co-branded credit card, so I need to do some activity in order for my miles to not expire.
I was thinking about using the AAdvantage eShopping mall to buy a few things from Walmart. Will this work to extend my mileage expiration date? When will I get the miles in my account, I want to make sure I get them in the next 10 days and not after, because then my 60K miles might be gone.
Or any other suggestions for easy things I can do to extend my miles?
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...an-flying.html
May 7, 2019, 9:59 am
#717
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 4
Welcome to FlyerTalk.
Calling if the transaction can’t be done online does not incur fees.
If you’re getting awards for two, I think the 15 year old should get the two award tickets on the same PNR. That could make some things easier, and the adult earns miles on the paid ticket - presumably an adult with an AAdvantage account.
I’d also request the AA rep “add a TCP note to each PNR” - that means adding a “to complete party” note in the record somany employee working with the record in case of irregular operations (“irops”) can keep the two parties together if reaccommodation becomes necessary.
If traveling to another country, check for requirements for minors, such as a notarupized letter signed by both parents or proof only one person has custody.
Calling if the transaction can’t be done online does not incur fees.
If you’re getting awards for two, I think the 15 year old should get the two award tickets on the same PNR. That could make some things easier, and the adult earns miles on the paid ticket - presumably an adult with an AAdvantage account.
I’d also request the AA rep “add a TCP note to each PNR” - that means adding a “to complete party” note in the record somany employee working with the record in case of irregular operations (“irops”) can keep the two parties together if reaccommodation becomes necessary.
If traveling to another country, check for requirements for minors, such as a notarupized letter signed by both parents or proof only one person has custody.
May 7, 2019, 10:07 am
#718
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 both for the welcome and your suggestions! I did end up calling AA to get it set-up and the agent waived the 2nd booking fee (the first, for my minor daughter, was automatically waived. As you said, they do not charge if forced to call-in to book). Technically, they could have charged a booking fee for making the second PNR since I could have done that piece online. Even the booking agent didn't know that 15-year olds were in their own group, though - old enough to not receive the unaccompanied minor fee but young enough to still require manual booking. Makes no sense. I also don't understand why their system doesn't allow for a mixed paid / award reservation but that's another topic. Thanks again.
The Sabre system is built in antiquated code and it shows.
Prior to the merger, AA had a contract with Hewlett Packard Enterprise to develop an entirely new passenger service system to be called “Jetstream”, but bankruptcy put that idea to rest and Doug Parker chose to use Sabre for AA PSS going forward. https://www.dallasnews.com/business/...ct-termination
May 7, 2019, 10:20 am
#719
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Washington D.C.
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 131
Need some help with upgrade options from paid Premium Economy (P fare) to Business. We're flying IAD-MIA-GIG round-trip. We have no status.
1) Are there any paid upgrade options during check-in for international flights? If so, how much should I expect?
2) Can I upgrade with miles with no status? It says I need 15k miles to upgrade from Premium Economy to Business. Does a P fare qualify for that?
3) Worst case scenario, can I use stickers to upgrade the domestic segments? (I know my chances are close to none but it doesn't hurt to try).
Thanks!
1) Are there any paid upgrade options during check-in for international flights? If so, how much should I expect?
2) Can I upgrade with miles with no status? It says I need 15k miles to upgrade from Premium Economy to Business. Does a P fare qualify for that?
3) Worst case scenario, can I use stickers to upgrade the domestic segments? (I know my chances are close to none but it doesn't hurt to try).
Thanks!
May 7, 2019, 10:53 am
#720
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,481
Need some help with upgrade options from paid Premium Economy (P fare) to Business. We're flying IAD-MIA-GIG round-trip. We have no status.
1) Are there any paid upgrade options during check-in for international flights? If so, how much should I expect?
2) Can I upgrade with miles with no status? It says I need 15k miles to upgrade from Premium Economy to Business. Does a P fare qualify for that?
3) Worst case scenario, can I use stickers to upgrade the domestic segments? (I know my chances are close to none but it doesn't hurt to try).
Thanks!
1) Are there any paid upgrade options during check-in for international flights? If so, how much should I expect?
2) Can I upgrade with miles with no status? It says I need 15k miles to upgrade from Premium Economy to Business. Does a P fare qualify for that?
3) Worst case scenario, can I use stickers to upgrade the domestic segments? (I know my chances are close to none but it doesn't hurt to try).
Thanks!
LFBU's, Load Factor Based Upgrade: DOD / DODU (LFBU) Space-available, counter, kiosk, and online upgrade (master thd)
2) You don't need status to upgrade with miles. 15k is from full fare Premium Economy (W). P is discount Premium Economy, so it will require 25k miles + $350 each way.
3) You cannot use stickers to upgrade the domestic segments if you don't have any status. Your profile says EXP, btw.