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?)
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.
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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)
Aug 20, 2019, 9:55 am
#1366
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,933
First time poster here, is there an app or website where I can search for cheap flights out of CLT? I want to do a couple mileage/segment runs to retain Gold, and I want to take my son on his first flight somewhere cheap as well. I have just been entering destination airport codes on the AA app to look at prices but figured there's got to be a better way?
Aug 20, 2019, 10:01 am
#1367
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,933
Hello, my first post here on the AA forum. For some reason I can't find out how much, or indeed whether there is a cost to reserve a seat when booking through AA, on AA metal, in premium economy? Are all seats free to select, or are some free and some not free? Also in case it's relevant I have bronze status with BAEC (oneworld ruby), which I'm guessing may affect this as well. The reason I'm wondering is because I'm trying to comapre BA vs AA on LHR-JFK, and I know that BA would charge for an advance seat selection in WT+ for me, unless I am within 7 days of the flight due to bronze status. Many thanks!
Aug 20, 2019, 2:59 pm
#1368
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 68
I booked following award flights for my SO and myself. SEA-LAX-JFK-AUH. The first 2 flights are operated by AA and these two tickets are under same PNR.
From my understanding, AA allows me to drop SEA-LAX segment without fees. But is it possible to only drop it for 1 passenger?
Thanks
From my understanding, AA allows me to drop SEA-LAX segment without fees. But is it possible to only drop it for 1 passenger?
Thanks
Aug 20, 2019, 3:05 pm
#1369
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Posts: 655
If I am not mistaking: "Selling Class" on BA is equal to "Purchased fares booked in" on the BA earning miles chart at AAdvantage right?
Aug 20, 2019, 3:20 pm
#1370
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
I booked following award flights for my SO and myself. SEA-LAX-JFK-AUH. The first 2 flights are operated by AA and these two tickets are under same PNR.
From my understanding, AA allows me to drop SEA-LAX segment without fees. But is it possible to only drop it for 1 passenger?
Thanks
From my understanding, AA allows me to drop SEA-LAX segment without fees. But is it possible to only drop it for 1 passenger?
Thanks
Aug 20, 2019, 5:48 pm
#1371
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFOSJCOAK
Programs: AA-EXP & 1MM+, AS, MR-LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 7,581
I have an open-jaw booking (1 PNR & SWUs cleared on all flights) per following:
PVG-xLAX-SFO (transit time in LAX was 4.5 hours which I prefer)
SFO-xLAX-PEK
Now I received email that AA changed my LAX-SFO flight to an earlier flight by 1.5 hours. My plan was to exit airport and have a meeting outside. Now new schedule will make that impossible.
Can I cancel that leg (LAX-SFO) only without (hopefully) having the rest of ticket cancelled by AA?
How should I approach this with AA?
Thanks for advice & suggestions.
PVG-xLAX-SFO (transit time in LAX was 4.5 hours which I prefer)
SFO-xLAX-PEK
Now I received email that AA changed my LAX-SFO flight to an earlier flight by 1.5 hours. My plan was to exit airport and have a meeting outside. Now new schedule will make that impossible.
Can I cancel that leg (LAX-SFO) only without (hopefully) having the rest of ticket cancelled by AA?
How should I approach this with AA?
Thanks for advice & suggestions.
AA allowed me to cancel original ticket (if schedule change is more than 1 hour, mine was) and get full refund. Meantime, I was able to have AA rebook me on just one way PVG-LAX (at less than 50% of the original RT fare) and applied and cleared SWU instantly (well almost, phone call lasted 47 minutes). It all worked out fine!
Aug 21, 2019, 9:33 am
#1372
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 2
AA advantage status change during year
Hello all!
New to FlyerTalk but have already gathered great information! I have a quick question on AA advantage status changes. I will be hitting platium pro on my next flight and have 4 more flights already scheduled through September/October. Will AA automatically update those reservations with my PP status. Mainly asking for the automatic upgrade benefit as opposed to using stickers. Or, should I call AA to ensure my new status is properly reflected for all of my upcoming flights after I hit PP? Thanks in advance for any help.
Kevin
New to FlyerTalk but have already gathered great information! I have a quick question on AA advantage status changes. I will be hitting platium pro on my next flight and have 4 more flights already scheduled through September/October. Will AA automatically update those reservations with my PP status. Mainly asking for the automatic upgrade benefit as opposed to using stickers. Or, should I call AA to ensure my new status is properly reflected for all of my upcoming flights after I hit PP? Thanks in advance for any help.
Kevin
Aug 21, 2019, 11:29 am
#1373
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
Hello all!
New to FlyerTalk but have already gathered great information! I have a quick question on AA advantage status changes. I will be hitting platium pro on my next flight and have 4 more flights already scheduled through September/October. Will AA automatically update those reservations with my PP status. Mainly asking for the automatic upgrade benefit as opposed to using stickers. Or, should I call AA to ensure my new status is properly reflected for all of my upcoming flights after I hit PP? Thanks in advance for any help.
Kevin
New to FlyerTalk but have already gathered great information! I have a quick question on AA advantage status changes. I will be hitting platium pro on my next flight and have 4 more flights already scheduled through September/October. Will AA automatically update those reservations with my PP status. Mainly asking for the automatic upgrade benefit as opposed to using stickers. Or, should I call AA to ensure my new status is properly reflected for all of my upcoming flights after I hit PP? Thanks in advance for any help.
Kevin
Aug 21, 2019, 1:33 pm
#1374
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 57
Can anyone tell me if AA supplies noise-cancelling headphones for HNL-DFW (BC seats)? I am hoping that I don’t have to pack my own headphones….
Aug 21, 2019, 1:49 pm
#1375
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 25
Exec Plat, have been flying a fair bit in the past, however this year, I was doing some math and think I will be around $2-$3k EQDs away from re qualifying for Exec Plat. I was reading about some options on what I could do (other than simply paying the difference or the like) and saw some topics on Premium Fare deals with partner airlines.
From what i understand, flying on some partner airlines allows the to calculate your EQDs based on miles flown, rather than dollar spent. Based on your fare class, it calculates your EQDs based off the mileage and some fare class ratio. My question is, how do I get started looking for things like this? I would definitely be interested in taking a long flight somewhere just for the EQDs i could get, but from what ive read, theres a lot of specific fares and other things to know
From what i understand, flying on some partner airlines allows the to calculate your EQDs based on miles flown, rather than dollar spent. Based on your fare class, it calculates your EQDs based off the mileage and some fare class ratio. My question is, how do I get started looking for things like this? I would definitely be interested in taking a long flight somewhere just for the EQDs i could get, but from what ive read, theres a lot of specific fares and other things to know
Aug 21, 2019, 2:06 pm
#1376
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
Exec Plat, have been flying a fair bit in the past, however this year, I was doing some math and think I will be around $2-$3k EQDs away from re qualifying for Exec Plat. I was reading about some options on what I could do (other than simply paying the difference or the like) and saw some topics on Premium Fare deals with partner airlines.
From what i understand, flying on some partner airlines allows the to calculate your EQDs based on miles flown, rather than dollar spent. Based on your fare class, it calculates your EQDs based off the mileage and some fare class ratio. My question is, how do I get started looking for things like this? I would definitely be interested in taking a long flight somewhere just for the EQDs i could get, but from what ive read, theres a lot of specific fares and other things to know
From what i understand, flying on some partner airlines allows the to calculate your EQDs based on miles flown, rather than dollar spent. Based on your fare class, it calculates your EQDs based off the mileage and some fare class ratio. My question is, how do I get started looking for things like this? I would definitely be interested in taking a long flight somewhere just for the EQDs i could get, but from what ive read, theres a lot of specific fares and other things to know
For example, I see lots of decent PE fares on CX this fall, JFK-SIN roundtrip for $1900. Looking at the CX Earning Page at aa.com, discount PE fares earn 20% EQD of miles flown. So a JFK-HKG-SIN roundtrip would be around 19k flown miles resulting in $3800 EQD for the $1900 ticket.
But if all you need is $2k EQD, you really need to find something for around $1k to make it worthwhile, otherwise you're better off just spending $2k on a ticket and going where you want to go. Check BA fares, decent deals in PE from the US to Europe. I see a $900 roundtrip PE fare from LAX-ARN for example that would earn around $2500 EQD.
Aug 21, 2019, 2:14 pm
#1377
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 25
Generally speaking, finding a cheap long haul flight in a premium cabin will yield the best EQD per mile results. Premium Economy can often be the sweet spot. You can look at the partner earning pages at aa.com to see exactly how many EQD, EQM etc you will earn for each booking code on each partner airline.
For example, I see lots of decent PE fares on CX this fall, JFK-SIN roundtrip for $1900. Looking at the CX Earning Page at aa.com, discount PE fares earn 20% EQD of miles flown. So a JFK-HKG-SIN roundtrip would be around 19k flown miles resulting in $3800 EQD for the $1900 ticket.
But if all you need is $2k EQD, you really need to find something for around $1k to make it worthwhile, otherwise you're better off just spending $2k on a ticket and going where you want to go. Check BA fares, decent deals in PE from the US to Europe. I see a $900 roundtrip PE fare from LAX-ARN for example that would earn around $2500 EQD.
For example, I see lots of decent PE fares on CX this fall, JFK-SIN roundtrip for $1900. Looking at the CX Earning Page at aa.com, discount PE fares earn 20% EQD of miles flown. So a JFK-HKG-SIN roundtrip would be around 19k flown miles resulting in $3800 EQD for the $1900 ticket.
But if all you need is $2k EQD, you really need to find something for around $1k to make it worthwhile, otherwise you're better off just spending $2k on a ticket and going where you want to go. Check BA fares, decent deals in PE from the US to Europe. I see a $900 roundtrip PE fare from LAX-ARN for example that would earn around $2500 EQD.
Thanks! Yea, i was assuming I would need to find something at $1k or less to make it worthwhile. My airports are either LAX or DFW so i have some good options, so ill start looking around using the earning page as a guide. Thanks!
Aug 21, 2019, 2:24 pm
#1378
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/prem...-pe-695-a.html
Aug 21, 2019, 2:38 pm
#1379
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 25
PE on partner airlines (BA, CX, JL) is definitely the sweet spot for EQDs with AAdvantage. Saw this in the Premium Fares forum; maybe you can make it work:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/prem...-pe-695-a.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/prem...-pe-695-a.html
But I think i have a lot of stuff to look at now, and ill be sure to keep an eye on that board for more like it
Aug 21, 2019, 8:19 pm
#1380
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 68
Agent was able to do exactly what you said. Thanks a lot!