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.)
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- 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]
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- The NEW FlyerTalk: Helpful Hints, Tips and Suggestions to Enhance Your Experience (Information Desk Forum)
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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)
Feb 8, 2019, 8:40 am
#211
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,462
Was considering doing a paid challenge to platinum status.
I don’t really want to pay the extra $300 for status during the challenge because I’m flying business domestically so I wouldn’t receive anything for doing so.
I would complete the challenge in the morning from CMH-LAX. Later that day I’m flying LAX- HKG in PE.
How quickly does AA award status from flying on a challenge. I’m asking because I need OW Sapphire/AA platinum to access the AA flagship lounge in LAX.
Any way I could call AA that morning after flying to finish my challenge and have the status added to my account immediately?
I don’t really want to pay the extra $300 for status during the challenge because I’m flying business domestically so I wouldn’t receive anything for doing so.
I would complete the challenge in the morning from CMH-LAX. Later that day I’m flying LAX- HKG in PE.
How quickly does AA award status from flying on a challenge. I’m asking because I need OW Sapphire/AA platinum to access the AA flagship lounge in LAX.
Any way I could call AA that morning after flying to finish my challenge and have the status added to my account immediately?
Feb 8, 2019, 8:59 am
#212
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 7
Planning a trip ONT-PHX next month. On google flights, it says operated by Mesa as American Eagle. Will I still get AA Gold benefits such as >500 mile free upgrade and free checked bag?
Feb 8, 2019, 9:09 am
#213
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,462
Feb 8, 2019, 9:38 am
#214
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: GCM, formerly DFW
Programs: AA Exp
Posts: 271
I'm flying YYC-DFW-MIA-GCM in a month, but it was almost $1000 less to buy an itinerary that involves a 9-hr layover in DFW, the last flight DFW-MIA, and an overnight in MIA before heading home.
Since I arrive in DFW at 11:19 and there are two flights DFW-MIA that would get me to MIA before the 20:03 MIA-GCM, how likely am I to get an Admirals Lounge agent to bump up my itinerary being a Platinum so I can make that flight and get in the same day? Is there a minimum connection time that would prevent me from being able to fly on the 12:49 DFW-MIA?
Since I arrive in DFW at 11:19 and there are two flights DFW-MIA that would get me to MIA before the 20:03 MIA-GCM, how likely am I to get an Admirals Lounge agent to bump up my itinerary being a Platinum so I can make that flight and get in the same day? Is there a minimum connection time that would prevent me from being able to fly on the 12:49 DFW-MIA?
Feb 8, 2019, 9:50 am
#215
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,462
I'm flying YYC-DFW-MIA-GCM in a month, but it was almost $1000 less to buy an itinerary that involves a 9-hr layover in DFW, the last flight DFW-MIA, and an overnight in MIA before heading home.
Since I arrive in DFW at 11:19 and there are two flights DFW-MIA that would get me to MIA before the 20:03 MIA-GCM, how likely am I to get an Admirals Lounge agent to bump up my itinerary being a Platinum so I can make that flight and get in the same day? Is there a minimum connection time that would prevent me from being able to fly on the 12:49 DFW-MIA?
Since I arrive in DFW at 11:19 and there are two flights DFW-MIA that would get me to MIA before the 20:03 MIA-GCM, how likely am I to get an Admirals Lounge agent to bump up my itinerary being a Platinum so I can make that flight and get in the same day? Is there a minimum connection time that would prevent me from being able to fly on the 12:49 DFW-MIA?
Assuming you get to MIA early that's when things get tricky. Technically you can't go standby for the late MIA-GCM flight since it's A) international and B) the calendar day before your ticketed flight. However I'd still give it a try, I've had mixed success in this type of situation, you may get a friendly agent who will put you on the list. I'd try first at the Admirals Club and then again at the gate if that didn't work.
Feb 8, 2019, 9:54 am
#216
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: GCM, formerly DFW
Programs: AA Exp
Posts: 271
MCT's don't matter for standby purposes, once you land in DFW it will be no problem for an Admirals Club agent to add you to the standby list for the 12:49 DFW-MIA flight. In any event 1.5 hrs. is plenty of time at DFW.
Assuming you get to MIA early that's when things get tricky. Technically you can't go standby for the late MIA-GCM flight since it's A) international and B) the calendar day before your ticketed flight. However I'd still give it a try, I've had mixed success in this type of situation, you may get a friendly agent who will put you on the list. I'd try first at the Admirals Club and then again at the gate if that didn't work.
Assuming you get to MIA early that's when things get tricky. Technically you can't go standby for the late MIA-GCM flight since it's A) international and B) the calendar day before your ticketed flight. However I'd still give it a try, I've had mixed success in this type of situation, you may get a friendly agent who will put you on the list. I'd try first at the Admirals Club and then again at the gate if that didn't work.
*I suppose if I make it to MIA at a decent hour I could just buy the late Cayman Airways flight for ~$120. Still way cheaper than alternative American itinerary
Last edited by bscooter26; Feb 8, 2019 at 12:12 pm
Feb 8, 2019, 9:15 pm
#217
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 18
Noob to redeeming AA miles - have built up a decent balance but never used. Looking to go to Australia in October 2019, one way in biz for 2 people from LAX/SFO. Can go LAX/SFO to SYD/BRIS/MEL - just one way. No luck so far in finding anything on aa.com, only economy. Any tips much appreciated.
Feb 8, 2019, 10:21 pm
#218
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
Noob to redeeming AA miles - have built up a decent balance but never used. Looking to go to Australia in October 2019, one way in biz for 2 people from LAX/SFO. Can go LAX/SFO to SYD/BRIS/MEL - just one way. No luck so far in finding anything on aa.com, only economy. Any tips much appreciated.
We’ve secured pars of Business awards to and from Australia for ourselves, and Australia to and from the USA for friends. All but one of those trips were through BNE, one via MEL.
Feb 9, 2019, 5:58 am
#219
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 155
There is never a guarantee that if you cancel an award flight that the seat will go back into award inventory. Previously this would be easy, you could call AA and have them add the CLT-FLL onto your existing MKE-CLT reservation that's on hold. However with all the new married segments "issues" it can now require there be space on the entire journey to make a change, i.e. MKE-CLT-FLL needs to all be available. In any event I would call AA and ask to add the CLT-FLL onto your existing MKE-CLT reservation and just see what they say.
Feb 9, 2019, 1:24 pm
#220
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
Feb 9, 2019, 5:41 pm
#221
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: YYZ,ART,SYR,YUL
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 13
LA flights not credited to AAdvantage
I took a longish flight in I and Z on LA from MIA to JNB via SCL and GRU. LA, even though I had registered my AAdvantage number with them on their website, didn't credit the flights to AAdvantage until I asked them at a counter in GRU to add the AAdvantage number (yet again). So from GRU onwards the rest of the trip credited. I asked American to credit me for the complete flight. Seemed a formality to me, they got the relevant reference/booking number and saw that the two flights were missing. Anyhow, today (after god-knows-how-many-weeks) American sends me an email telling me that they deny my request because the miles have been credited to a different frequent flyer program. Let's just say that that is factually false. I am not a member of another program (LA etc) that I could have had this miles credited to.
Naturally, when you hit reply and reply, they send you a message telling you that they do not monitor their mailboxes (why would they, that would be customer service oriented, last thing they aim to achieve these days).
So, I'm trying to find out the best way forward. Naturally AAdvantage call centers are also closed until Monday. Should I use their website form to launch an appeal, or call? I'm flabbergasted about the reply I got from them...
Naturally, when you hit reply and reply, they send you a message telling you that they do not monitor their mailboxes (why would they, that would be customer service oriented, last thing they aim to achieve these days).
So, I'm trying to find out the best way forward. Naturally AAdvantage call centers are also closed until Monday. Should I use their website form to launch an appeal, or call? I'm flabbergasted about the reply I got from them...
Feb 9, 2019, 6:18 pm
#222
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 5
Admirals Club Access
I have a 12:10 a.m. flight from SFO to DFW booked in economy, connecting to a DFW-Guatemala City flight booked in business (same ticket). Will I be able to access the Admirals Club lounge in San Francisco prior to the DFW leg of the trip (technically access would be the day prior to my business class flight to Guatemala, as first leg departs shortly after midnight)?
Feb 9, 2019, 10:48 pm
#223
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: IAD
Posts: 735
The AA gift card terms say that:
I want the pay the taxes on an award originating outside the US. Are there any workarounds to pay with the AA gift card?
Gift Cards are redeemable toward the purchase of air travel wholly on flights operated by American Airlines, American Eagle® and oneworld® carriers for itineraries sold and originating in the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands.
Feb 10, 2019, 5:32 am
#224
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,462
I took a longish flight in I and Z on LA from MIA to JNB via SCL and GRU. LA, even though I had registered my AAdvantage number with them on their website, didn't credit the flights to AAdvantage until I asked them at a counter in GRU to add the AAdvantage number (yet again). So from GRU onwards the rest of the trip credited. I asked American to credit me for the complete flight. Seemed a formality to me, they got the relevant reference/booking number and saw that the two flights were missing. Anyhow, today (after god-knows-how-many-weeks) American sends me an email telling me that they deny my request because the miles have been credited to a different frequent flyer program. Let's just say that that is factually false. I am not a member of another program (LA etc) that I could have had this miles credited to.
Naturally, when you hit reply and reply, they send you a message telling you that they do not monitor their mailboxes (why would they, that would be customer service oriented, last thing they aim to achieve these days).
So, I'm trying to find out the best way forward. Naturally AAdvantage call centers are also closed until Monday. Should I use their website form to launch an appeal, or call? I'm flabbergasted about the reply I got from them...
Naturally, when you hit reply and reply, they send you a message telling you that they do not monitor their mailboxes (why would they, that would be customer service oriented, last thing they aim to achieve these days).
So, I'm trying to find out the best way forward. Naturally AAdvantage call centers are also closed until Monday. Should I use their website form to launch an appeal, or call? I'm flabbergasted about the reply I got from them...
Feb 10, 2019, 5:41 am
#225
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,462
I have a 12:10 a.m. flight from SFO to DFW booked in economy, connecting to a DFW-Guatemala City flight booked in business (same ticket). Will I be able to access the Admirals Club lounge in San Francisco prior to the DFW leg of the trip (technically access would be the day prior to my business class flight to Guatemala, as first leg departs shortly after midnight)?