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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MODERATOR GUIDEPOST:
(This post can only be edited by moderators.)
Welcome to the Newbie Lounge!
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.
The 2018 AA NEWBIE LOUNGE post thread is here
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The 2016 AA NEWBIE LOUNGE post thread is here
Thanks for reading!
ARCHIVE: NEWBIE LOUNGE 2019: Ask "Newbie" AA Questions Here (flame free)
Mar 24, 2019, 5:06 pm
#466
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: BA
Posts: 954
is married segment logic a thing on award flights? SAT-CLT-LGA isn't showing sAAver availability, but SAT-CLT and CLT-LGA is showing availability individually. BA could book the legs on separate tickets but not on the same itinerary. other partners say the same. not sure if this is related to married segments or what.
Mar 24, 2019, 5:29 pm
#467
Join Date: Jan 2003
Programs: American Airlines Platinum, National Executive
Posts: 3,790
Unfortunately, I do not have an EF subscription. But I just got off the phone with a nice lady agent with AA and the "upfare" approach was the way to go.
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!
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!
Mar 24, 2019, 8:31 pm
#468
Join Date: May 2018
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: AS MVP Gold, B6, Hertz President's Circle, HH Gold, Marriot Bonvoy Gold, VX Elevate Gold (RIP)
Posts: 47
Postponing Meal Service On Transcon
I haven't flown AA in years, but I'll be flying them next month SFO-JFK, outbound J and inbound F on A321 Layout 3. Do FAs allow you to postpone meal service until the second half of the trip in J and F on 3-cabin transcon flights like these?
Also, regarding the same flights, I see on seatguru.com that these planes have coat racks at the very front. Are these for F alone or can J passengers hang jackets there, too?
Many thanks.
Also, regarding the same flights, I see on seatguru.com that these planes have coat racks at the very front. Are these for F alone or can J passengers hang jackets there, too?
Many thanks.
Last edited by BigOAir; Mar 24, 2019 at 9:34 pm
Mar 25, 2019, 6:27 am
#469
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,466
is married segment logic a thing on award flights? SAT-CLT-LGA isn't showing sAAver availability, but SAT-CLT and CLT-LGA is showing availability individually. BA could book the legs on separate tickets but not on the same itinerary. other partners say the same. not sure if this is related to married segments or what.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...ch-2019-a.html
More award availability restricted by married segments / connections
Mar 25, 2019, 7:14 am
#470
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
Mar 25, 2019, 10:13 am
#471
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,466
Looking at AA50 tomorrow, the flight is J3, meaning only 3 seats left for sale in business. On an elite heavy route like DFW-LHR getting a LFBU will be very, very rare; if those 3 seats don't sell before departure, then they will almost certainly be given to those on the upgrade waitlist (either using SWU or miles/co-pay).
Mar 25, 2019, 12:22 pm
#472
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
AA sometimes offers this type of upgrade at check-in (LFBU, Load Factor Based Upgrade), however you will typically only see this on flights that are especially wide open up front.
Looking at AA50 tomorrow, the flight is J3, meaning only 3 seats left for sale in business. On an elite heavy route like DFW-LHR getting a LFBU will be very, very rare; if those 3 seats don't sell before departure, then they will almost certainly be given to those on the upgrade waitlist (either using SWU or miles/co-pay).
Looking at AA50 tomorrow, the flight is J3, meaning only 3 seats left for sale in business. On an elite heavy route like DFW-LHR getting a LFBU will be very, very rare; if those 3 seats don't sell before departure, then they will almost certainly be given to those on the upgrade waitlist (either using SWU or miles/co-pay).
And one more question: what will take precedence, the SWU or the miles/co-pay option, when and if AA upgrades wait listed pax on this flight? The answer will determine my course of action concerning future international trips with AA.
Mar 25, 2019, 5:47 pm
#473
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
Yep, that's how I see the situation as well. Thanks again.
And one more question: what will take precedence, the SWU or the miles/co-pay option, when and if AA upgrades wait listed pax on this flight? The answer will determine my course of action concerning future international trips with AA.
And one more question: what will take precedence, the SWU or the miles/co-pay option, when and if AA upgrades wait listed pax on this flight? The answer will determine my course of action concerning future international trips with AA.
Note that, upgrade instrument is behind status in terms of priority. So if a CK requested miles+copay vs a EXP requested SWU, CK is prioritized in upgrade list. (Status then upgrade instrument then 12 month rolling EQD)
Mar 26, 2019, 6:21 am
#474
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
On AA's published guides, SWU and miles are at the same upgrade priority. However, IIRC it was mentioned somewhere here SWU should have higher priority than miles.
Note that, upgrade instrument is behind status in terms of priority. So if a CK requested miles+copay vs a EXP requested SWU, CK is prioritized in upgrade list. (Status then upgrade instrument then 12 month rolling EQD)
Note that, upgrade instrument is behind status in terms of priority. So if a CK requested miles+copay vs a EXP requested SWU, CK is prioritized in upgrade list. (Status then upgrade instrument then 12 month rolling EQD)
Mar 26, 2019, 7:10 am
#475
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,466
It doesn't, the status of the SWU "giver" has no bearing on waitlist position, all that matters is the status of the passenger.
Mar 26, 2019, 9:12 am
#476
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
JJeffrey is correct. The original reply was assuming CK/EXP requesting SWU/miles for him/herself. It should have been written as the pax's status, not the requester's.
Mar 26, 2019, 11:43 am
#477
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: PBI
Posts: 96
International Leaving Early
I am currently booked FLL-ORD-FCO in June on Flight 110. This route doesn't begin until April 1st, so I've been tracking other random AA flights to FCO and flights out of ORD to get an idea of some things. I haven't flown international since 2005, so I know I sound like an uninformed fool. I have noticed that quite a few leave early, some say departed 20 minutes early.
Under what reasons would the flight leave that early? I assume, and hope, that they ensure every booked passenger is onboard before making such a decision?
I am afraid my paranoia is getting the best of me since we're on the only flight from FLL-ORD that morning. My brain keeps envisioning the ORD-FCO segment leaving without us if our first flight gets delayed a little.
We've already had a hiccup in our flights getting changed without notice, thankfully we got it resolved. But I booked very early to get bulkhead PE seats and I'll have a really good ugly cry if I miss my flight and get reaccommodated in some lousy economy seat (j/k, I always fly economy and PE is just a splurge for us on this trip.) I will cry though, that I am not joking about!
Under what reasons would the flight leave that early? I assume, and hope, that they ensure every booked passenger is onboard before making such a decision?
I am afraid my paranoia is getting the best of me since we're on the only flight from FLL-ORD that morning. My brain keeps envisioning the ORD-FCO segment leaving without us if our first flight gets delayed a little.
We've already had a hiccup in our flights getting changed without notice, thankfully we got it resolved. But I booked very early to get bulkhead PE seats and I'll have a really good ugly cry if I miss my flight and get reaccommodated in some lousy economy seat (j/k, I always fly economy and PE is just a splurge for us on this trip.) I will cry though, that I am not joking about!
Mar 26, 2019, 11:49 am
#478
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AA PLT, IHG Spire
Posts: 551
AA Basic Economy - Do Elites get free seat selection?
Quick question, Having never selected a basic economy fare, do AA elites still get to pick a preferred/MCE seat for free in advance on a BE fare? As a AA Gold do I still get access to MCE for free 24 hrs before the flight?
I have seen that I keep the baggage and boarding group I would normally get, and I know that on a BE fare I can't be upgraded to first. But if I still can get MCE for free, then I don't mind trading the reduced miles/segments for a substantial price discount.
I have seen that I keep the baggage and boarding group I would normally get, and I know that on a BE fare I can't be upgraded to first. But if I still can get MCE for free, then I don't mind trading the reduced miles/segments for a substantial price discount.
Mar 26, 2019, 11:54 am
#479
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/PHX
Programs: IATA, Sabre, AvgeekAgent
Posts: 1,958
If you are at the gate 60-45 min before scheduled departure, you have no risk of missing the flight. AA will ensure that every confirmed passenger that was present at the gate within those time parameters gets on the flight, however early it departs. I'd be more concerned with an aircraft change or other mishap that complicates your bulkhead PE seat assignments between now and the flight time. Keep an eye on your reservation every week or so until it's time to leave, and call AA if anything seems awry.
Mar 26, 2019, 12:03 pm
#480
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: PBI
Posts: 96
If you are at the gate 60-45 min before scheduled departure, you have no risk of missing the flight. AA will ensure that every confirmed passenger that was present at the gate within those time parameters gets on the flight, however early it departs. I'd be more concerned with an aircraft change or other mishap that complicates your bulkhead PE seat assignments between now and the flight time. Keep an eye on your reservation every week or so until it's time to leave, and call AA if anything seems awry.