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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(This post can only be edited by moderators.)
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)
Mar 23, 2019, 9:19 pm
#452
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 5
. Scheduled arrival is 0930. But as you can see the actual times vary from 0645 to 0815. I searched and almost all of that flights arrived within that window. I could not find any arriving at the scheduled 0930 time. I was curious if anyone has seen anything like this where the scheduled time is so much later than the actual arrival time? (Given the history of the flights). I’m aware the winds will effect but a two hour window seems large. Heck I will be happy to arrive early! We sre headed to avignon... so tickets are much cheaper to buy well in advance. So that two hours makes a large difference in train times.
Thanks for your reply
Mar 23, 2019, 9:27 pm
#453
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,990
https://www.aa.com/booking/flights/c...3397867430-992
But worth checking from time to time. Schedules can change.
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Mar 23, 2019 at 9:37 pm
Mar 23, 2019, 9:39 pm
#454
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
right! Thank you
. Scheduled arrival is 0930. But as you can see the actual times vary from 0645 to 0815. I searched and almost all of that flights arrived within that window. I could not find any arriving at the scheduled 0930 time. I was curious if anyone has seen anything like this where the scheduled time is so much later than the actual arrival time? (Given the history of the flights). I’m aware the winds will effect but a two hour window seems large. Heck I will be happy to arrive early! We sre headed to avignon... so tickets are much cheaper to buy well in advance. So that two hours makes a large difference in train times.
Thanks for your reply
Mar 24, 2019, 4:50 am
#455
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/PHX
Programs: IATA, Sabre, AvgeekAgent
Posts: 1,958
You should be alerted if there is a material change in schedule, but it is a good idea to take a look at the itinerary periodically if your flights are a ways out. Equipment changes will probably not generate a notification unless they need to downgrade or request to move you to another flight (so AA is not likely to call just to tell you seat assignments were lost/changed).
Mar 24, 2019, 4:59 am
#456
Join Date: Jan 2003
Programs: American Airlines Platinum, National Executive
Posts: 3,790
If you clear the upgrade/standby lists but aren't at the gate, what happens?
What happens if you clear the upgrade or standby list but aren't at the gate to pick up a new boarding pass when the agent calls your name:
1. Does your seat automatically change in the AA app, so you get the new seat and don't need to do anything more (i.e., if you're hoping to go standby or clear the upgrade list, it doesn't matter if you're at the gate or not),
OR
2. Do you get a new seat only if you come to the podium when the gate agent calls your name (i.e., if you're not at the gate, you'll lose your upgrade or standby seat)?
I'm not new; I've been flying AA and US for 20+ years. However, I can't tell what happens in this situation. Sometimes I go standby on an earlier flight, and as I'm in flight on the earlier flight, I check the AA app and see that I've cleared the upgrade list on my original flight and my seat has changed--even though I'm no longer on that flight.
Thanks.
1. Does your seat automatically change in the AA app, so you get the new seat and don't need to do anything more (i.e., if you're hoping to go standby or clear the upgrade list, it doesn't matter if you're at the gate or not),
OR
2. Do you get a new seat only if you come to the podium when the gate agent calls your name (i.e., if you're not at the gate, you'll lose your upgrade or standby seat)?
I'm not new; I've been flying AA and US for 20+ years. However, I can't tell what happens in this situation. Sometimes I go standby on an earlier flight, and as I'm in flight on the earlier flight, I check the AA app and see that I've cleared the upgrade list on my original flight and my seat has changed--even though I'm no longer on that flight.
Thanks.
Mar 24, 2019, 5:29 am
#457
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/PHX
Programs: IATA, Sabre, AvgeekAgent
Posts: 1,958
What happens if you clear the upgrade or standby list but aren't at the gate to pick up a new boarding pass when the agent calls your name:
1. Does your seat automatically change in the AA app, so you get the new seat and don't need to do anything more (i.e., if you're hoping to go standby or clear the upgrade list, it doesn't matter if you're at the gate or not),
1. Does your seat automatically change in the AA app, so you get the new seat and don't need to do anything more (i.e., if you're hoping to go standby or clear the upgrade list, it doesn't matter if you're at the gate or not),
Mar 24, 2019, 6:20 am
#458
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,438
What happens if you clear the upgrade or standby list but aren't at the gate to pick up a new boarding pass when the agent calls your name:
1. Does your seat automatically change in the AA app, so you get the new seat and don't need to do anything more (i.e., if you're hoping to go standby or clear the upgrade list, it doesn't matter if you're at the gate or not),
OR
2. Do you get a new seat only if you come to the podium when the gate agent calls your name (i.e., if you're not at the gate, you'll lose your upgrade or standby seat)?
I'm not new; I've been flying AA and US for 20+ years. However, I can't tell what happens in this situation. Sometimes I go standby on an earlier flight, and as I'm in flight on the earlier flight, I check the AA app and see that I've cleared the upgrade list on my original flight and my seat has changed--even though I'm no longer on that flight.
Thanks.
1. Does your seat automatically change in the AA app, so you get the new seat and don't need to do anything more (i.e., if you're hoping to go standby or clear the upgrade list, it doesn't matter if you're at the gate or not),
OR
2. Do you get a new seat only if you come to the podium when the gate agent calls your name (i.e., if you're not at the gate, you'll lose your upgrade or standby seat)?
I'm not new; I've been flying AA and US for 20+ years. However, I can't tell what happens in this situation. Sometimes I go standby on an earlier flight, and as I'm in flight on the earlier flight, I check the AA app and see that I've cleared the upgrade list on my original flight and my seat has changed--even though I'm no longer on that flight.
Thanks.
However, there have been plenty of examples on here over the years of rogue GAs that skip over people on the upgrade list if they're not present at the gate when they call their name. Complete garbage and takes value away from having lounge access if you have to worry that if you're not at the gate an hour before the flight you might get skipped.
As with everything AA these days, YMMV depending on the employee you have to deal with.
Mar 24, 2019, 6:30 am
#459
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/PHX
Programs: IATA, Sabre, AvgeekAgent
Posts: 1,958
However, there have been plenty of examples on here over the years of rogue GAs that skip over people on the upgrade list if they're not present at the gate when they call their name. Complete garbage and takes value away from having lounge access if you have to worry that if you're not at the gate an hour before the flight you might get skipped.
Mar 24, 2019, 11:56 am
#460
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: LFT
Programs: AA Plat, lots of AA, AS, DL, UA miles, former top level CO Elite (sigh...)
Posts: 10,795
I'm flying on AA 50 this Tuesday DFW-LHR in premium economy. I purchased a round trip PE ticket back in November and am currently wait listed for an upgrade to business via an SWU provided by a good friend who is a top tier elite with AA. However, it sure looks like this flight may be full in the business cabin. AA 50 was also listed as sold out in J on 3/26 as recently as yesterday. Then checking aa.com earlier today, one seat had become available for sale in business. So I called AA res to inquire if I might be able to pay for an upgrade into J as it appears my wait listed SWU upgrade will probably not clear. The nice agent on the phone was not sure if this could be done and I was placed on hold for awhile while she checked in to this. She then stated that the upgrade for which I was willing to pay for would not be possible even though a seat is available in business. And when I asked why, I did not get much in the way of a definitive answer. BTW, I am already upgraded to business on the return LHR-DFW as well as being already upgraded to first DFW-LFT. Any thoughts concerning why AA is unable to upgrade me to J when yours truly is prepared to pay for the privilege?
Mar 24, 2019, 12:31 pm
#461
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Show Me State
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 3
Do I Have Any Redress option(s)
Good morning all. This is my first post, and pardon me for trying to fit in multiple issues/questions all at once!
In any case I recently flew with family for Spring break, and used the opportunity to redeem my 2 companion certificates. The original itinerary was return SGF-ORD-LAX. On the morning of our return, I received a text message that the ORD-SGF leg had been canceled (due to some vague ATC problem), and my options were to fly out of LAX the following day (different times were offered). This was not acceptable to me for a variety of reasons besides being with 3 children under age 10. At some point from speaking to an AA customer rep, I asked if they had availability from ORD to "nearby airports" to Springfield, say within a 2-4 hour drive. They were able to have us fly into XNA, and from there we had to take an Uber for a 2.30hr ride home, at a cost of nearly $200.
On the flight from LAX to ORD, just before departing, as children are known to be somewhat inquisitive, my 9 y.o daughter found an almost full motion sickness bag. We immediately drew the attention of the crew members to this gross discovery. They apologized profusely, offered the kids free lunch, beverage, and added a miserly 2000 AA miles to my account. As I mentioned, you couldn't fault how professional and sympathetic the hostesses were.
At the end of our trip, I contacted AA to let them know about the incident (forget the grossness, but more importantly the potential health hazards associated with bodily fluids/waste). I also asked about at least getting a refund for the Uber trip fare. To my utmost surprise, I received a generic "we let you down, and promise to do better" response, and attached a $100 dollar each for the 4 of us. I was sorely disappointed, and expected them to be more responsive.
Does this seem a reasonable response/"compensation", or should I push them for more? Thanks for your time, and I look forward to being more active in the forum!
In any case I recently flew with family for Spring break, and used the opportunity to redeem my 2 companion certificates. The original itinerary was return SGF-ORD-LAX. On the morning of our return, I received a text message that the ORD-SGF leg had been canceled (due to some vague ATC problem), and my options were to fly out of LAX the following day (different times were offered). This was not acceptable to me for a variety of reasons besides being with 3 children under age 10. At some point from speaking to an AA customer rep, I asked if they had availability from ORD to "nearby airports" to Springfield, say within a 2-4 hour drive. They were able to have us fly into XNA, and from there we had to take an Uber for a 2.30hr ride home, at a cost of nearly $200.
On the flight from LAX to ORD, just before departing, as children are known to be somewhat inquisitive, my 9 y.o daughter found an almost full motion sickness bag. We immediately drew the attention of the crew members to this gross discovery. They apologized profusely, offered the kids free lunch, beverage, and added a miserly 2000 AA miles to my account. As I mentioned, you couldn't fault how professional and sympathetic the hostesses were.
At the end of our trip, I contacted AA to let them know about the incident (forget the grossness, but more importantly the potential health hazards associated with bodily fluids/waste). I also asked about at least getting a refund for the Uber trip fare. To my utmost surprise, I received a generic "we let you down, and promise to do better" response, and attached a $100 dollar each for the 4 of us. I was sorely disappointed, and expected them to be more responsive.
Does this seem a reasonable response/"compensation", or should I push them for more? Thanks for your time, and I look forward to being more active in the forum!
Mar 24, 2019, 1:45 pm
#462
Join Date: Jan 2003
Programs: American Airlines Platinum, National Executive
Posts: 3,790
I'm flying on AA 50 this Tuesday DFW-LHR in premium economy. I purchased a round trip PE ticket back in November and am currently wait listed for an upgrade to business via an SWU provided by a good friend who is a top tier elite with AA. However, it sure looks like this flight may be full in the business cabin. AA 50 was also listed as sold out in J on 3/26 as recently as yesterday. Then checking aa.com earlier today, one seat had become available for sale in business. So I called AA res to inquire if I might be able to pay for an upgrade into J as it appears my wait listed SWU upgrade will probably not clear. The nice agent on the phone was not sure if this could be done and I was placed on hold for awhile while she checked in to this. She then stated that the upgrade for which I was willing to pay for would not be possible even though a seat is available in business. And when I asked why, I did not get much in the way of a definitive answer. BTW, I am already upgraded to business on the return LHR-DFW as well as being already upgraded to first DFW-LFT. Any thoughts concerning why AA is unable to upgrade me to J when yours truly is prepared to pay for the privilege?
OR
The seat map at AA.com is not accurate and the flight is full and the agent just was confused. I'd think that this is the reason: the online seat maps aren't necessarily accurate.
Mar 24, 2019, 2:42 pm
#463
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: LFT
Programs: AA Plat, lots of AA, AS, DL, UA miles, former top level CO Elite (sigh...)
Posts: 10,795
This might be a situation of "hang up and call again" and asking to "upfare" your ticket.
OR
The seat map at AA.com is not accurate and the flight is full and the agent just was confused. I'd think that this is the reason: the online seat maps aren't necessarily accurate.
OR
The seat map at AA.com is not accurate and the flight is full and the agent just was confused. I'd think that this is the reason: the online seat maps aren't necessarily accurate.
I'll call back with the "upfare" request and attempt to ascertain if the J seat really is available.
Mar 24, 2019, 3:05 pm
#464
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
Thanks. The seat map shows five seats in J but the agent said only one business class seat was available for sale....which is what aa.com stated as well. She also said the other four seats are actually taken; they just haven't been assigned yet.
I'll call back with the "upfare" request and attempt to ascertain if the J seat really is available.
I'll call back with the "upfare" request and attempt to ascertain if the J seat really is available.
Mar 24, 2019, 3:22 pm
#465
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: LFT
Programs: AA Plat, lots of AA, AS, DL, UA miles, former top level CO Elite (sigh...)
Posts: 10,795
Turns out there is one business class seat for sale on AA 50 DFW-LHR on 3/26. That's the good news. However, the fare difference in my case from PE to J is north of $4,000. As I'm now retired, that's a bit steep for my travel budget.
So my plan is to check with AA at DFW when I arrive on my connecting flight from LFT (I should arrive into DFW on Eagle about 3-1/2 hours before AA 50 is sched to depart) and see if there still might be a seat in J at a cost less than $4K+.
And any other ideas are always welcome, folks! I've only been flying with American since 1965 but continue to learn something new concerning the AAdvantage FF game on an on-going basis!
