Jan 18, 2021, 1:06 am
Last edit by: JDiver
Welcome to the archived 2021 "NEWBIE LOUNGE"Ask Your Consolidated / Combined AA Questions Here (flame free)
MODERATOR GUIDEPOST: (This post can only be edited by moderators.)
FOR THE 2022 THREAD, SEE HERE: link
Welcome to the Newbie Lounge!
Important links:
Link to American Airlines Conditions of Carriage
Link to AAdvantage Terms and Conditions
NOTE: See below for links to the archived older threads.
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:
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:
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: 2020 NEWBIE LOUNGE posts are here.
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!
MODERATOR GUIDEPOST: (This post can only be edited by moderators.)
FOR THE 2022 THREAD, SEE HERE: link
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.)
Link to American Airlines Conditions of Carriage
Link to AAdvantage Terms and Conditions
NOTE: See below for links to the archived older threads.
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?)
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: 2020 NEWBIE LOUNGE posts are here.
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!
NEWBIE LOUNGE 2021: Ask AA newbie questions here - flame-free thread
Feb 2, 2021, 7:56 pm
#46
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 420
So I'm mostly on UA out of EWR (MM'er) but they stopped flying to ANU till May so I snagged two FC tickets for $600ish, which I thought was a steal. And since I'm a lifetime UC member, I'm used to lounges.
SO . . .
It appears that some qualifying AA flights (international in premium cabin) have Admiral's Club access. Is this correct? Will the lounge lizards allow me to pass?
SO . . .
It appears that some qualifying AA flights (international in premium cabin) have Admiral's Club access. Is this correct? Will the lounge lizards allow me to pass?
Feb 3, 2021, 12:41 pm
#47
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,447
Simple question, I think
If AA offers me a FC UG from Y after purchasing my initial tickets, will the UG price be included in my EQDs?
For example, if I paid for a Y ticket of $100 and they offer an F upgrade of $300 weeks after the purchase, will that $300 make the total EQD = $400??
TIA
If AA offers me a FC UG from Y after purchasing my initial tickets, will the UG price be included in my EQDs?
For example, if I paid for a Y ticket of $100 and they offer an F upgrade of $300 weeks after the purchase, will that $300 make the total EQD = $400??
TIA
Feb 4, 2021, 8:24 am
#48
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,303
Is American refunding tickets during this time for flights purchased through third parties if one needs to cancel (through Chase Portal or Expedia for example)?
Feb 4, 2021, 8:28 am
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
Recently, a friend was asked for a $50 service fee for the convenience for a US domestic ticket. For international tickets, I am not sure if the service fee is the same but presumably, it could be higher.
Feb 4, 2021, 8:35 am
#50
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,303
AFAIK, AA does take over OTA tickets but they charge a service fee for tickets booked through an OTA.
Recently, a friend was asked for a $50 service fee for the convenience for a US domestic ticket. For international tickets, I am not sure if the service fee is the same but presumably, it could be higher.
Recently, a friend was asked for a $50 service fee for the convenience for a US domestic ticket. For international tickets, I am not sure if the service fee is the same but presumably, it could be higher.
Feb 4, 2021, 8:41 am
#51
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
I can't speak about the Chase Portal but AA.com also have an option to choose a fully flexible ( refundable option )
Just go to the advanced search option in AA.com and select the "Flexible fare" option in the "Search by" tab if you are looking for a fully refundable fare ( refund to your credit card, not a voucher )
For your convenience, I have shared the link below.
Just go to the advanced search option in AA.com and select the "Flexible fare" option in the "Search by" tab if you are looking for a fully refundable fare ( refund to your credit card, not a voucher )
For your convenience, I have shared the link below.
Feb 6, 2021, 10:36 am
#52
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Wayne, NJ USA
Programs: UA Million Miler, Lifetime United Club member
Posts: 2,175
Tryin' again . . . can anybody advise?
Newbie club questionSo I'm mostly on UA out of EWR (MM'er) but they stopped flying to ANU till May so I snagged two FC tickets for $600ish, which I thought was a steal. And since I'm a lifetime UC member, I'm used to lounges.
SO . . .
It appears that some qualifying AA flights (international in premium cabin) have Admiral's Club access. Is this correct? Will the lounge lizards allow me to pass? My flight is April 24- May 1.
Thanks!
SO . . .
It appears that some qualifying AA flights (international in premium cabin) have Admiral's Club access. Is this correct? Will the lounge lizards allow me to pass? My flight is April 24- May 1.
Thanks!
Feb 6, 2021, 12:03 pm
#53
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Newbie club questionSo I'm mostly on UA out of EWR (MM'er) but they stopped flying to ANU till May so I snagged two FC tickets for $600ish, which I thought was a steal. And since I'm a lifetime UC member, I'm used to lounges.
SO . . .
It appears that some qualifying AA flights (international in premium cabin) have Admiral's Club access. Is this correct? Will the lounge lizards allow me to pass? My flight is April 24- May 1.
Thanks!
SO . . .
It appears that some qualifying AA flights (international in premium cabin) have Admiral's Club access. Is this correct? Will the lounge lizards allow me to pass? My flight is April 24- May 1.
Thanks!
For a limited time: Starting April 1, 2021, qualifying international flights will include flights between the U.S. and Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico. Includes customers in First or Business on a qualifying departing international or transcontinental flight marketed and operated by American or a oneworld® airline.*
Feb 6, 2021, 4:30 pm
#54
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: PHX
Programs: HHonors, UA, AA, CET
Posts: 113
Wasn't sure where to ask this, so figured this might be a good spot. New to Platinum Pro this year (thanks to lower qualifying requirements) and was wondering if mile still go towards 500 mile upgrades. I know I don't need them for myself, but was wondering about earning more for when my wife is with me. I noticed in my "wallet" it's no longer counting how many EQMs are needed until 4 more are earned. On their website I can only find where it talks about earning them as Gold and PLT
Feb 6, 2021, 8:13 pm
#55
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: San Diego
Programs: Plat Pro AAdvantage, but defected to BAEC
Posts: 1,222
Wasn't sure where to ask this, so figured this might be a good spot. New to Platinum Pro this year (thanks to lower qualifying requirements) and was wondering if mile still go towards 500 mile upgrades. I know I don't need them for myself, but was wondering about earning more for when my wife is with me. I noticed in my "wallet" it's no longer counting how many EQMs are needed until 4 more are earned. On their website I can only find where it talks about earning them as Gold and PLT
No, you no longer earn 500 mile upgrade stickers as. Plat Pro. If you need them to upgrade a companion and you are out of, or have insufficient stickers in your account, you will need to buy them.
Feb 7, 2021, 11:35 am
#56
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Wayne, NJ USA
Programs: UA Million Miler, Lifetime United Club member
Posts: 2,175
Yes, under the new policy.
For a limited time: Starting April 1, 2021, qualifying international flights will include flights between the U.S. and Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico. Includes customers in First or Business on a qualifying departing international or transcontinental flight marketed and operated by American or a oneworld® airline.*
For a limited time: Starting April 1, 2021, qualifying international flights will include flights between the U.S. and Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico. Includes customers in First or Business on a qualifying departing international or transcontinental flight marketed and operated by American or a oneworld® airline.*
Feb 8, 2021, 8:02 am
#57
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 1,437
hey guys
flying iad-doh-cmb in j for 70k pp
Id like to book a return and have a layover airport but calendar is not open yet.
So planning to do the following in 3 weeks:
add cmb - mle - cmb - doh - iad
where i plan to stop over in MLE on the way back. Is it possible to add that to my current ow itin, so that I can take advantage of the stopover for the rt price.
Final itin should be like: iad - doh - cmb (stop) - mle (stop ) - cmb - doh - iad for 140k pp
I am asking because iad-doh dried up and there are no more j seats.
flying iad-doh-cmb in j for 70k pp
Id like to book a return and have a layover airport but calendar is not open yet.
So planning to do the following in 3 weeks:
add cmb - mle - cmb - doh - iad
where i plan to stop over in MLE on the way back. Is it possible to add that to my current ow itin, so that I can take advantage of the stopover for the rt price.
Final itin should be like: iad - doh - cmb (stop) - mle (stop ) - cmb - doh - iad for 140k pp
I am asking because iad-doh dried up and there are no more j seats.
Feb 8, 2021, 8:23 am
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,500
hey guys
flying iad-doh-cmb in j for 70k pp
Id like to book a return and have a layover airport but calendar is not open yet.
So planning to do the following in 3 weeks:
add cmb - mle - cmb - doh - iad
where i plan to stop over in MLE on the way back. Is it possible to add that to my current ow itin, so that I can take advantage of the stopover for the rt price.
Final itin should be like: iad - doh - cmb (stop) - mle (stop ) - cmb - doh - iad for 140k pp
I am asking because iad-doh dried up and there are no more j seats.
flying iad-doh-cmb in j for 70k pp
Id like to book a return and have a layover airport but calendar is not open yet.
So planning to do the following in 3 weeks:
add cmb - mle - cmb - doh - iad
where i plan to stop over in MLE on the way back. Is it possible to add that to my current ow itin, so that I can take advantage of the stopover for the rt price.
Final itin should be like: iad - doh - cmb (stop) - mle (stop ) - cmb - doh - iad for 140k pp
I am asking because iad-doh dried up and there are no more j seats.
So if you wanted to stopover in CMB & MLE, everything would price as follows: IAD-CMB (70k) + CMB-MLE (30k) + MLE-IAD (70k).
Feb 8, 2021, 9:34 am
#59
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
hey guys
flying iad-doh-cmb in j for 70k pp
Id like to book a return and have a layover airport but calendar is not open yet.
So planning to do the following in 3 weeks:
add cmb - mle - cmb - doh - iad
where i plan to stop over in MLE on the way back. Is it possible to add that to my current ow itin, so that I can take advantage of the stopover for the rt price.
Final itin should be like: iad - doh - cmb (stop) - mle (stop ) - cmb - doh - iad for 140k pp
I am asking because iad-doh dried up and there are no more j seats.
flying iad-doh-cmb in j for 70k pp
Id like to book a return and have a layover airport but calendar is not open yet.
So planning to do the following in 3 weeks:
add cmb - mle - cmb - doh - iad
where i plan to stop over in MLE on the way back. Is it possible to add that to my current ow itin, so that I can take advantage of the stopover for the rt price.
Final itin should be like: iad - doh - cmb (stop) - mle (stop ) - cmb - doh - iad for 140k pp
I am asking because iad-doh dried up and there are no more j seats.
Here is a different approach:
IAD-CMB 70k miles
CMB-MLE OW - ~$200 in coach.
MLE-IAD 70k miles
It is only a one hour flight CMB-MLE. Not worth the extra miles for me.
Feb 8, 2021, 9:53 am
#60
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 1,437
yes that is what I plan to do. The tix can be sold lower on foreign OTAs so thats the way to go. Thanks guys