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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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
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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)
Jul 13, 2019, 11:50 am
#1171
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,285
Question regarding lounge access. I have EXP so I know when on an international flight I am allowed to guest one additional person into the lounge with me. Is this one additional guest tied to their specific ticket? I am asking because I may have a situation in a few months were I will be traveling and during my layover two different friends will be at the airport.
If I arrive at the lounge at 8am with friend1 who then leaves at 9:20 to catch their flight could I then guest in friend2 at 10:00 when they arrive? I assume this won't work since otherwise people could sneak in multiple guests as the lounge staff have no real way to know when one guest leaves but I thought I would ask if anyone here has had any success with such a scenario.
If I arrive at the lounge at 8am with friend1 who then leaves at 9:20 to catch their flight could I then guest in friend2 at 10:00 when they arrive? I assume this won't work since otherwise people could sneak in multiple guests as the lounge staff have no real way to know when one guest leaves but I thought I would ask if anyone here has had any success with such a scenario.
Jul 13, 2019, 12:38 pm
#1172
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,811
I had booked the trip through CX, which may have made a difference, come to think of it.
Jul 15, 2019, 4:18 am
#1173
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 54
Same day change for Platinum
I'm "regular" Platinum. As recently as a few months ago, I was able to make a confirmed same day change for free. I was flying DFW to DCA and my meeting finished early. Walked up to the priority ticket counter and asked for an earlier flight and they handed me a new boarding pass, no questions asked.
I tried to do the same thing again last week and discovered that I could only stand by for an earlier flight.
Did the policy change on this? I thought Platinum used to get free same day changes.
I tried to do the same thing again last week and discovered that I could only stand by for an earlier flight.
Did the policy change on this? I thought Platinum used to get free same day changes.
Jul 15, 2019, 4:27 am
#1174
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 54
I don't know about "regularly", but I did get an unrequested at-gate upgrade from PE to Biz on CX. I was Plat on AA, nothing on CX. HKG-AKL, so it was quite a welcome surprise.
I had booked the trip through CX, which may have made a difference, come to think of it.
I had booked the trip through CX, which may have made a difference, come to think of it.
So I got lucky, but it probably had nothing to do with status. Just an op up? I suppose it's possible they could have moved first-row PE to business across the board, or they could have moved elites to business to free up the smaller PE cabin for non-elites, but I suspect the GA did the simplest thing and just moved anyone in the PE bullhead row.
Jul 15, 2019, 5:00 am
#1175
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,470
I'm "regular" Platinum. As recently as a few months ago, I was able to make a confirmed same day change for free. I was flying DFW to DCA and my meeting finished early. Walked up to the priority ticket counter and asked for an earlier flight and they handed me a new boarding pass, no questions asked.
I tried to do the same thing again last week and discovered that I could only stand by for an earlier flight.
Did the policy change on this? I thought Platinum used to get free same day changes.
I tried to do the same thing again last week and discovered that I could only stand by for an earlier flight.
Did the policy change on this? I thought Platinum used to get free same day changes.
Because you asked at the airport you lucked out and got a good agent that was willing to help you out and confirm you straight onto the earlier flight. I've had this happen a few times over the years, YMMV depending on the agent, flight load, etc.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...s-benefits.jsp
Jul 15, 2019, 1:00 pm
#1176
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,811
A similar thing (?) happened to me recently on BA LHR-IAD. Turned out that there was an equipment change with a different seating configuration. The row I was in (first row of PE) didn't exist on the new equipment, so they moved some people from PE to business.
So I got lucky, but it probably had nothing to do with status. Just an op up? I suppose it's possible they could have moved first-row PE to business across the board, or they could have moved elites to business to free up the smaller PE cabin for non-elites, but I suspect the GA did the simplest thing and just moved anyone in the PE bullhead row.
So I got lucky, but it probably had nothing to do with status. Just an op up? I suppose it's possible they could have moved first-row PE to business across the board, or they could have moved elites to business to free up the smaller PE cabin for non-elites, but I suspect the GA did the simplest thing and just moved anyone in the PE bullhead row.
So, who knows. Maybe it was a new craft where 33 was not PE, and either my status made me a winner for the op-up or Biz was not full. I need to start paying more attention to these things, but after a poor night on JFK-HKG I was not exactly alert.
Jul 15, 2019, 7:21 pm
#1177
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: AA PPro, TP Gold, UA Silver, Bonvoy/Hilton Gold, Global Entry
Posts: 296
I'm starting to doubt myself for some reason.
BKK-HKG (business class)//(overnight 10 hour layover)//HKG-HND (first class) on CX can be booked as one award for 40,000 miles, correct?
And if both BA and JL show availability, it should be bookable right?
What's the best way to get this ticketed on the phone, as I've been having trouble having the agents see the same availability that I do.
BKK-HKG (business class)//(overnight 10 hour layover)//HKG-HND (first class) on CX can be booked as one award for 40,000 miles, correct?
And if both BA and JL show availability, it should be bookable right?
What's the best way to get this ticketed on the phone, as I've been having trouble having the agents see the same availability that I do.
Jul 15, 2019, 7:38 pm
#1178
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
I'm starting to doubt myself for some reason.
BKK-HKG (business class)//(overnight 10 hour layover)//HKG-HND (first class) on CX can be booked as one award for 40,000 miles, correct?
And if both BA and JL show availability, it should be bookable right?
What's the best way to get this ticketed on the phone, as I've been having trouble having the agents see the same availability that I do.
BKK-HKG (business class)//(overnight 10 hour layover)//HKG-HND (first class) on CX can be booked as one award for 40,000 miles, correct?
And if both BA and JL show availability, it should be bookable right?
What's the best way to get this ticketed on the phone, as I've been having trouble having the agents see the same availability that I do.
You might want to check over on the CX award thread, as there have been reports of increasing married segment issues with CX. So even though BKK-HKG and HKG-HND are available individually, they may not be available together. You can try to place one segment on hold, call back and see if the agent can see the other segment, and then see if the agent can add that segment to your reservation on hold.
Jul 16, 2019, 3:11 am
#1179
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: AA PPro, TP Gold, UA Silver, Bonvoy/Hilton Gold, Global Entry
Posts: 296
That’s the thing—HKG-HND is only available with BKK-HKG tacked on (which actually works to my favor)
Would giving the agent two flight numbers confuse them?
I’ve called 3 times and I’ve had no luck.
Would giving the agent two flight numbers confuse them?
I’ve called 3 times and I’ve had no luck.
Jul 16, 2019, 8:55 am
#1180
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
I don't know if this will work for award tickets via a partner that isn't bookable online, but I've found recently that technical/web support is often more knowledgable—particularly when it comes to booking a ticket that is more complex or not run-of-the-mill—than the agents at Reservations (or on the elite/EXP desks). You might also try calling Reservations in a different country (like Japan). It could be a point-of-sale issue.
Last edited by flyingeph12; Jul 16, 2019 at 9:00 am
Jul 16, 2019, 3:57 pm
#1181
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: Double OWE (AA EXP, QF Plat), FI Gold
Posts: 1,887
I'm not really a newbie, but I do have what may be a newbie question - is there a place to find the current YOY EQDs? I have this year's (currently just past $25k) but I presume I need to go back to 17 July 2018 to get an accurate count. Is that correct? Is this published anywhere?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Jul 16, 2019, 11:33 pm
#1182
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: AA PPro, TP Gold, UA Silver, Bonvoy/Hilton Gold, Global Entry
Posts: 296
It shouldn't confuse them. I'd ask them to search BKK-HND on Cathay, and if they can't find the flights then tell them the specific flight numbers. As a last resort, I'd confirm that they are searching for the segments together and not individually, since the segments are married.
I don't know if this will work for award tickets via a partner that isn't bookable online, but I've found recently that technical/web support is often more knowledgable—particularly when it comes to booking a ticket that is more complex or not run-of-the-mill—than the agents at Reservations (or on the elite/EXP desks). You might also try calling Reservations in a different country (like Japan). It could be a point-of-sale issue.
I don't know if this will work for award tickets via a partner that isn't bookable online, but I've found recently that technical/web support is often more knowledgable—particularly when it comes to booking a ticket that is more complex or not run-of-the-mill—than the agents at Reservations (or on the elite/EXP desks). You might also try calling Reservations in a different country (like Japan). It could be a point-of-sale issue.
QF, BA, and JL were all showing a number of options involving J/F on CX for BKK-HND, but the agent was insistent that there was no availability.
Could all 3 airlines be seeing phantom availability/does AA not get the same partner availability as other OW partners? I'd HUCA but it's been the same result for the 4 calls I've made over the past few days with both the EXP desk in the US, and reservations in Japan.
I have a hold on the JL nonstop for now, but I was really hoping to catch up with an old friend during that HKG layover...
I really hope the agent isn't somehow just searching the AA website for awards (now that JL awards are available online) /s
Jul 17, 2019, 12:00 am
#1183
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
Thanks for the help. I just got off the phone with Reservations in Japan, and the agent claimed that he couldn't see the availability, and only saw space for a JL nonstop in J.
QF, BA, and JL were all showing a number of options involving J/F on CX for BKK-HND, but the agent was insistent that there was no availability.
Could all 3 airlines be seeing phantom availability/does AA not get the same partner availability as other OW partners? I'd HUCA but it's been the same result for the 4 calls I've made over the past few days with both the EXP desk in the US, and reservations in Japan.
I have a hold on the JL nonstop for now, but I was really hoping to catch up with an old friend during that HKG layover...
I really hope the agent isn't somehow just searching the AA website for awards (now that JL awards are available online) /s
QF, BA, and JL were all showing a number of options involving J/F on CX for BKK-HND, but the agent was insistent that there was no availability.
Could all 3 airlines be seeing phantom availability/does AA not get the same partner availability as other OW partners? I'd HUCA but it's been the same result for the 4 calls I've made over the past few days with both the EXP desk in the US, and reservations in Japan.
I have a hold on the JL nonstop for now, but I was really hoping to catch up with an old friend during that HKG layover...
I really hope the agent isn't somehow just searching the AA website for awards (now that JL awards are available online) /s
Jul 17, 2019, 12:05 am
#1184
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: AA PPro, TP Gold, UA Silver, Bonvoy/Hilton Gold, Global Entry
Posts: 296
I'm stumped at this point...
Jul 17, 2019, 3:47 pm
#1185
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: North Texas
Programs: SWA A-List, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 188
Hopefully this is the right place for this question. I'm looking to change my loyalty from SWA to AA due to a change in travel habits. I've had SWA companion pass for the past 5 years and have become used to getting BOGO free flights. I know that both Citi and Barclay offer companion tickets associated with various amounts of spend on the cards. Does anyone have any experience with using those certificates? I have both Citi and Barclays and thinking about MSing to get the certificate, are they easy to use?
Also, is there any credit card that allows you to short cut to status by putting spend on a specific card? I know the Barclay business card has the $3,000 MQD waiver after 30,000 in spend, are there any others out there?
Also, is there any credit card that allows you to short cut to status by putting spend on a specific card? I know the Barclay business card has the $3,000 MQD waiver after 30,000 in spend, are there any others out there?