Jan 1, 2020, 9:11 am
Last edit by: JDiver
Welcome to the 2020 "NEWBIE LOUNGE"Ask Your Consolidated / Combined AA Questions Here (flame free)
MODERATOR GUIDEPOST: (This post can only be edited by moderators.)
Welcome to the Newbie Lounge!
MODERATOR GUIDEPOST: (This post can only be edited by moderators.)
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.)
Q. How can I find information more easily than reading through all the threads? Now that I'm here, what do I do next?
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.
- 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?)
- FlyerTalk Glossary (What is all this jargon?)
- The NEW FlyerTalk: Helpful Hints, Tips and Suggestions to Enhance Your Experience (Information Desk Forum)
- Especially useful to new members: FAQs (How to post like a pro and more)
- 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.
- New and uncertain where to start here, and it's about American Airlines? Start in our "NEWBIE LOUNGE" thread, here: link.
- 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.)
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.
- One can search FlyerTalk with Google with this web form.
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 2020: Ask "Newbie" AA Questions Here (flame free)
Aug 23, 2020, 7:54 pm
#196
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: NZ
Posts: 1,548
Does an Award redeposit (after cancellation of an award ticket) count as a "qualifying activity" when working out the expiry date of my miles? Or do I need to go back to the date the award ticket was booked (the previous transaction on the account)?
Many thanks
Many thanks
Aug 24, 2020, 6:32 am
#197
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,443
Yep, an award redeposit resets the mileage expiration clock as of the date of the redeposit.
Aug 24, 2020, 8:03 am
#198
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: ORD, sadly...
Programs: AA Exec Plat
Posts: 599
Aug 24, 2020, 4:24 pm
#199
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DFW
Programs: UA 1K, AA Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 466
On widebody flights (787 in my case) do Gold's get the option of choosing a Premium Economy seat at checkin, if available? What about if the flight is to Hawaii? I can't seem to find if there's a difference in the fine print.
Aug 24, 2020, 4:26 pm
#200
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: DFW
Posts: 310
PE to Hawaii is sold as a separate cabin so no. Otherwise, domestically it's sold as any other MCE seat so you can select a PE seat whenever you're normally entitled to MCE for free.
Aug 28, 2020, 9:07 am
#201
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 2,203
You can keep trying to rebook if the fare has stayed the same each 24 hours as needed.
international fares are filed and published to the GDSs on an hourly basis. Domestic fares, I believe, are filed ever six hours, but not 100% sure.
international fares are filed and published to the GDSs on an hourly basis. Domestic fares, I believe, are filed ever six hours, but not 100% sure.
Looked for this but didn't see it. I apologize if it's redundant.
I'm looking at booking a trip. Looking on google flights, it appears like the price will decrease soon. When does AA update their prices? (Sunday mornings, x days before the flight, etc.) Is there any logic to it? I'm looking a a flight that leaves Friday and returns on a Monday. TIA.
Also, is there any limit to the amount of times you can hold a ticket? I'm considering putting the tickets on hold, then letting the hold expire/renewing the hold each day if the price is the same. That way I can hedge my bets for a price decrease. Any downsides to this? I'm looking at doing it for a week max.
I'm looking at booking a trip. Looking on google flights, it appears like the price will decrease soon. When does AA update their prices? (Sunday mornings, x days before the flight, etc.) Is there any logic to it? I'm looking a a flight that leaves Friday and returns on a Monday. TIA.
Also, is there any limit to the amount of times you can hold a ticket? I'm considering putting the tickets on hold, then letting the hold expire/renewing the hold each day if the price is the same. That way I can hedge my bets for a price decrease. Any downsides to this? I'm looking at doing it for a week max.
Aug 28, 2020, 7:50 pm
#202
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Boston Suburbrs
Programs: AA ExPlat, IHG Spire Amb
Posts: 1,205
EQD on BA operated by AA
With some great BA sales, I'm considering a little TATL action once the COVID is better. I'm wondering how to maximize EQD. If I fly LHR-SFO, I can push distance up connecting through LAX or JFK (or others). LAX maximizes time on BA in first, but JFK is more miles, though now its a cross country on AA metal in business (ticketed on BA stock). How is that AA metal segment going to credit EQDs? I assume its on the BA chart, but what class -- am I better off connecting thru LAX to maximize my 30% BA A class EQDs, or do I win going through JFK?
Aug 28, 2020, 8:57 pm
#203
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,443
With some great BA sales, I'm considering a little TATL action once the COVID is better. I'm wondering how to maximize EQD. If I fly LHR-SFO, I can push distance up connecting through LAX or JFK (or others). LAX maximizes time on BA in first, but JFK is more miles, though now its a cross country on AA metal in business (ticketed on BA stock). How is that AA metal segment going to credit EQDs? I assume its on the BA chart, but what class -- am I better off connecting thru LAX to maximize my 30% BA A class EQDs, or do I win going through JFK?
As to what will earn the most, you need to figure out the exact fare codes for each segment, then ask in the dedicated thread, where it should be a rather easy analysis.
GUIDE: Earning EQD / Elite Qualifying Dollars on AA & partner airlines (as of 2019)
Sep 1, 2020, 9:48 am
#204
Join Date: Nov 2019
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 34
Does anyone know why the fees are so high?! I am trying to find flights to london or paris next summer using miles in business, but the fees are so high? If there are any tips to avoid, thank you!
Sep 1, 2020, 10:50 am
#205
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,443
That said, I don't ever remember seeing taxes and fees that high as what you're showing for one pax. I replicated it on a dummy booking, showing $1400 in carrier surcharges alone on a AUS-LHR roundtrip, plus all the taxes.
Short answer is avoid BA metal for the long haul segments.
Sep 1, 2020, 12:31 pm
#206
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,922
In February I had $1,685 for an ORD-LHR-UK round trip in July and $1,720 for one this month.
Sep 2, 2020, 12:53 am
#207
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 200
I thought AA was going to extend mileage expiration date?
Mine says Award miles:
217,121
Expiring on Sep 7, 2020. Should I act to extend my miles or it won't expire on SEP 7th?
Thanks
Mine says Award miles:
217,121
Expiring on Sep 7, 2020. Should I act to extend my miles or it won't expire on SEP 7th?
Thanks
Sep 2, 2020, 11:33 pm
#208
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
How can I keep my miles from expiring? ExpandJust earn or redeem miles on American or with an AAdvantage partner at least once every 18 months. We’ll automatically extend your mileage expiration date 18 months from the date of your most recent activity.
Your wallet shows the number of miles you have and the earliest date they could expire. If you are under 21 years of age, you are not subject to the 18-month qualifying activity period. The account profile must contain a valid birth date to be excluded from the 18-month activity rule.
Your wallet shows the number of miles you have and the earliest date they could expire. If you are under 21 years of age, you are not subject to the 18-month qualifying activity period. The account profile must contain a valid birth date to be excluded from the 18-month activity rule.
Sep 3, 2020, 1:24 am
#209
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: used to be PER, now it's nowhere/eveywhere
Programs: QFF NB, AA GLD
Posts: 3,464
mid last month, I received the following from AA
AAdvantage® award mile expiration is paused until 2021
...
We’re temporarily pausing the expiration of award eligible miles through at least December 31, 2020. Miles that were set to expire during this time will now expire on January 1, 2021, if there’s no additional activity in your account before then.
For a short time, your account may display an incorrect expiration date. Rest assured that your miles won’t expire before January 1, 2021. We’re working to update your account with the new expiration date.
...
...
We’re temporarily pausing the expiration of award eligible miles through at least December 31, 2020. Miles that were set to expire during this time will now expire on January 1, 2021, if there’s no additional activity in your account before then.
For a short time, your account may display an incorrect expiration date. Rest assured that your miles won’t expire before January 1, 2021. We’re working to update your account with the new expiration date.
...
Sep 3, 2020, 10:25 am
#210
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
If you redeemed miles your remaining miles should have an expiration date 18 months from that activity.