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
Aug 20, 2021, 7:55 pm
#646
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Buckeye, AZ
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 241
12/15/21 will be traveling LHR/DFW/PHX. The LHR/DFW will be BA F class and flying AA First/Business DFW/PHX. Do to recent flight time schedules I will have just short of a 4 hour lay over. Will I be allowed to use the Admirals lounge during the lay over?
Aug 20, 2021, 9:12 pm
#647
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,399
Yes. You should even be able to use the Flagship Lounge if it's open by then.
Aug 21, 2021, 11:11 am
#649
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 36,028
I'm looking at an itinerary that has a connection in PHL. But there's a "Change terminal" warning noted. What does that mean? I've never been to/through PHL. Thanks!
Aug 21, 2021, 11:16 am
#650
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Buckeye, AZ
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 241
It means you have to go to a different terminal t continue your journey. Think arriving LHR T5 then having to go to T3 to continue on.
Aug 21, 2021, 11:18 am
#651
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 36,028
Thanks! How difficult is the transit and how long does it typically take? Is there a train or ?? Happy to be pointed at a different thread if there is one.
Aug 21, 2021, 12:00 pm
#652
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,498
What is the itinerary in question here? As mentioned changing planes at PHL is similar to any other AA hub, get off your arriving flight and walk to your next gate. Could take 5 mins or it could be a 15 min walk depending on which gates you arrive and depart from. There are shuttles available from certain points that can lessen the walking.
AA Guide: PHL / Philadelphia International Airport - MCT, Connection, MCT, etc.
Aug 21, 2021, 3:40 pm
#653
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,653
Aug 22, 2021, 12:27 pm
#654
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CDG
Programs: A bit of this and a bit of that
Posts: 777
Hi everyone!
I bought a ticket through IB's website operated by BA:
LIS-LHR in J (business)
LHR-EZE in I (business)
The flight got cancelled so I was moved to a reservation operated by IB:
LIS-MAD in J (business)
MAD-EZE in J (business)
The agent told me that I will earn AAdvantage miles according to my initial itinerary (J & I), is that so? or will I earn them according to the ticket class of the new reservation?
Thanks in advance!
I bought a ticket through IB's website operated by BA:
LIS-LHR in J (business)
LHR-EZE in I (business)
The flight got cancelled so I was moved to a reservation operated by IB:
LIS-MAD in J (business)
MAD-EZE in J (business)
The agent told me that I will earn AAdvantage miles according to my initial itinerary (J & I), is that so? or will I earn them according to the ticket class of the new reservation?
Thanks in advance!
Aug 22, 2021, 3:56 pm
#655
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Hi everyone!
I bought a ticket through IB's website operated by BA:
LIS-LHR in J (business)
LHR-EZE in I (business)
The flight got cancelled so I was moved to a reservation operated by IB:
LIS-MAD in J (business)
MAD-EZE in J (business)
The agent told me that I will earn AAdvantage miles according to my initial itinerary (J & I), is that so? or will I earn them according to the ticket class of the new reservation?
Thanks in advance!
I bought a ticket through IB's website operated by BA:
LIS-LHR in J (business)
LHR-EZE in I (business)
The flight got cancelled so I was moved to a reservation operated by IB:
LIS-MAD in J (business)
MAD-EZE in J (business)
The agent told me that I will earn AAdvantage miles according to my initial itinerary (J & I), is that so? or will I earn them according to the ticket class of the new reservation?
Thanks in advance!
Aug 23, 2021, 12:30 pm
#656
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: San Diego
Programs: Plat Pro AAdvantage, but defected to BAEC
Posts: 1,222
The computer will likely give you earnings based on the revised itinerary because it is an automated process. I have had irregular ops with Finnair before and AA gave me credit based on what I flew. Had it been more advantageous, I could have asked for original routing/class credit. (It wasn't).
I had an 001 stock ticket on a BA operated itinerary (SAN-LHR-SAN) which after BA canned the SAN flights morphed into a LAX-LHR-DFW-SAN trip. EQM/EQD and RDM for the flights taken were based on miles, rather than on the fare paid (less taxes, etc.) to AA.
I made out better in the EQD front, but gave up a little on the RDM. Still, I was happy with that.
Aug 23, 2021, 4:18 pm
#657
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX oriented World Digital Nomad
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hyatt Globalist, MLife/Cosmo Identity Gold, Other Vegas too...
Posts: 1,317
Started getting more of these paid upgrade offers after booking flights... $200 to move into Biz/1st but the actual fare difference is say, $400.
Are there any pros/cons? Does the $200 count towards EQD? Will I get the EQM bonus?
Are there any pros/cons? Does the $200 count towards EQD? Will I get the EQM bonus?
Aug 23, 2021, 4:35 pm
#658
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: DTW/EYW
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, United 1K, Delta Platinum ,Hilton Diamond, Mariott Gold
Posts: 275
Yes you will get the EQDs from the upgrade. Yes you get the EQM bonus.
Aug 23, 2021, 5:12 pm
#659
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 385
I just did this. You _do not_ collect EQD on the upgrade, but you do collect the fare class multipler for EQM. Purchased Flagship Business one way JFK-LAX. Flagship first were going for 4x as much. Got the offer to upgrade later for 50% of what I paid for Business. The EQDs and EQMs actually posted midflight.
Aug 24, 2021, 4:03 am
#660
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: ORD, sadly...
Programs: AA Exec Plat
Posts: 599
I just did this. You _do not_ collect EQD on the upgrade, but you do collect the fare class multipler for EQM. Purchased Flagship Business one way JFK-LAX. Flagship first were going for 4x as much. Got the offer to upgrade later for 50% of what I paid for Business. The EQDs and EQMs actually posted midflight.