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)
Jan 18, 2019, 8:57 am
#106
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
Am I correct in thinking that the miles/$ aren't actually charged unless/until the upgrade processes? And second question, assuming you haven't checked in for the flight yet, are these "paid" upgrades prioritized ahead of status and/or SWU upgrade requests?
Appreciate your knowledge!
-Z
Appreciate your knowledge!
-Z
At the airport, upgrades requested will be prioritized in this order:
- Status tier (CK, EXP, PPRO, PLT, GLD, no status)
- Upgrade type
- Systemwide and mileage + copay upgrades
- 500-mile upgrades on purchased tickets
- 500-mile upgrades on award tickets for eligible status tiers
- Rolling last 12 month EQD spend
- Fare booking code (highest to lowest )
- Date/time of the request
- Load Factor Based Upgrades (after all other upgrade requests have been fulfilled)
Jan 19, 2019, 7:13 am
#107
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 7
Hi,
I'm arriving in Miami on a BA Business ticket, then have a 4 hour layover before a separately purchased economy flight to PLS with AA. Would like to use the showers in AA Lounge, will they let me in ? Am I better off saying I want to use it as an Arrivals Lounge ? Thanks for help
I'm arriving in Miami on a BA Business ticket, then have a 4 hour layover before a separately purchased economy flight to PLS with AA. Would like to use the showers in AA Lounge, will they let me in ? Am I better off saying I want to use it as an Arrivals Lounge ? Thanks for help
Jan 19, 2019, 8:19 am
#108
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,481
Hi,
I'm arriving in Miami on a BA Business ticket, then have a 4 hour layover before a separately purchased economy flight to PLS with AA. Would like to use the showers in AA Lounge, will they let me in ? Am I better off saying I want to use it as an Arrivals Lounge ? Thanks for help
I'm arriving in Miami on a BA Business ticket, then have a 4 hour layover before a separately purchased economy flight to PLS with AA. Would like to use the showers in AA Lounge, will they let me in ? Am I better off saying I want to use it as an Arrivals Lounge ? Thanks for help
Jan 20, 2019, 3:44 am
#110
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 7
only other issue is the terminals at Miami - BA ticket doesn't say which terminal I arrive at and neither does the AA departure ticket to PLS - is it possible to walk airside between terminals and lounges at Miami, once I have cleared the Transfers desk ?
Jan 20, 2019, 5:24 am
#111
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,481
Yes, your BA flight will arrive at E and AA will depart from D most likely, these are right next to each other and connected both airside and landside.
Jan 20, 2019, 8:09 am
#112
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
So, if you’ve assured they put ITI tags on your baggage it will go through to PLS; if not, you’ll have to recover your baggage at the carousels and manage it through customs, turning it in at the baggage recheck facility exiting customs.
Here, you are landside, butthere should be a queue to your left to go through TSA security and get back airside. Then you’ll be able to proceed to the lounges.
Last edited by JDiver; Jan 20, 2019 at 8:25 am
Jan 20, 2019, 10:02 am
#114
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: One World
Posts: 130
Recommendations on which lounge to visit at DFW and CDG? Also does CDG have an arrival lounge with showers?
Jan 20, 2019, 10:10 am
#115
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
At CDG, there is no arrivals lounge. On departure, the Cathay lounge is usually preferred to the Admirals Club.
Jan 20, 2019, 10:47 am
#116
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: One World
Posts: 130
Thanks for your help!
Jan 20, 2019, 2:08 pm
#117
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Charlotte, NC USA
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott Lifetime / Annual Titanium; Massively Missing Starwood
Posts: 5,338
Not a newbie, but my question feels like it is.
I'm trying to find a list of AA operated international flights, including the seasonal ones. The maps I find on the AA website are, frankly, garbage and not at all useful. Anyone?
I'm trying to find a list of AA operated international flights, including the seasonal ones. The maps I find on the AA website are, frankly, garbage and not at all useful. Anyone?
Jan 20, 2019, 4:58 pm
#118
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,022
Jan 20, 2019, 9:12 pm
#119
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 812
A question of opinion for the ORD lounge regulars here. I have asked this somewhat indirectly before, but would like a couple opinions.
I have DSM>ORD on one ticket, in economy, connecting to ORD>DOH, on a separate ticket, in J. I arrive ORD at 2:04PM and depart at 6:10PM. Since I am in international J, I have the option to use the Flagship lounge. However, I will need to leave the secure area, collect my bags, go to T5 check in with QR, then head back to T3, go through security assuming they let me, and then access the lounge. Then I would have to get back to T5 for my flight. Given I have a significant amount of time, is that effort worth it? Or should I use the T5 lounge that QR contracts, I think it is the Air France one? I also have Priority Pass that I can use.
I have DSM>ORD on one ticket, in economy, connecting to ORD>DOH, on a separate ticket, in J. I arrive ORD at 2:04PM and depart at 6:10PM. Since I am in international J, I have the option to use the Flagship lounge. However, I will need to leave the secure area, collect my bags, go to T5 check in with QR, then head back to T3, go through security assuming they let me, and then access the lounge. Then I would have to get back to T5 for my flight. Given I have a significant amount of time, is that effort worth it? Or should I use the T5 lounge that QR contracts, I think it is the Air France one? I also have Priority Pass that I can use.
Jan 21, 2019, 8:10 am
#120
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 31
Hi everyone,
Not sure if this is the right thread. I will be planning a trip with my family of 4 to Hawaii in Oct and have never flown AA before.
I wanted to get some advice regarding being able to sit with my 7 & 4 yr old children with Basic Economy seating. On AA's
website it says "If you don't choose seats in Main Cabin or Basic Economy within 48 hours of buying tickets, we will attempt to assign children under 15 with at least one adult they're traveling with."
What is the likelihood of this actually happening? Does AA actually do a good job of seating families with children together or
should I just go ahead and pay extra to pick the seats? If I paid extra it would be an extra $90/ pp.
If AA does split me and my wife up we are ok with that, just as long as the kids sit with one of us or split between the 2 of us.
Thank you for any feedback.
Not sure if this is the right thread. I will be planning a trip with my family of 4 to Hawaii in Oct and have never flown AA before.
I wanted to get some advice regarding being able to sit with my 7 & 4 yr old children with Basic Economy seating. On AA's
website it says "If you don't choose seats in Main Cabin or Basic Economy within 48 hours of buying tickets, we will attempt to assign children under 15 with at least one adult they're traveling with."
What is the likelihood of this actually happening? Does AA actually do a good job of seating families with children together or
should I just go ahead and pay extra to pick the seats? If I paid extra it would be an extra $90/ pp.
If AA does split me and my wife up we are ok with that, just as long as the kids sit with one of us or split between the 2 of us.
Thank you for any feedback.