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
Sep 26, 2021, 12:06 am
#811
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: San Juan Capistrano, CA
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Diamond, AA 2.5 MM, United Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,460
They told me that, because of my Platinum status, I can upgrade with miles and cash, but I can't just pay the full cost of the higher fare and upgrade it. With regard to whether I would get a refund of the taxes in the event of a cancellation, they said, "no, because it's a nonrefundable fare."
Sep 26, 2021, 5:11 am
#812
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,481
Yes, it would be the price you show there, 15k miles + $75.
Sep 26, 2021, 12:18 pm
#813
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: AA BA CO DL UA US
Posts: 814
With the new system it's supposed to be an automatic refund of miles for AA flights ticketed on the US website. If your other cancellations were early in the year then you probably had to call. Also, I think if you changed the ticket in some way, you might have to call to get miles back.
Sep 26, 2021, 4:01 pm
#814
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
Sunday, October 3rd I have a flight booked from BURBANK-FLL with a stop along the way. I am potentially taking the train down to Miami though, so I am now asking myself, why am I not flying to Miami from LAX instead? I will be a gray area Platinum Pro (Platinum but in theory Platinum Pro but the Alaska flight I'd just taken won't have posted yet and I doubt customer service would be willing to bump my status up a few days) -- is this one of the primary purposes of ExpertFlyer, which I've not subscribed to but now maybe I should? I can subscribe and then search through all of the AA flights that day (I land at Burbank, FROM Fort Lauderdale/Seattle, at 1145 am that day, don't ask, mileage run lol) and figure out which options have the best likelihood of getting upgraded? The 1245 pm is cutting it too close, so I'd probably have to do one of the redeyes at either 1145 pm or 150 am... perfect use of the Lie-Flat. Misery if I don't get the upgrade and have to redeye in coach, I can't sleep upright.
P.S. And yes, I could just pay the first class price, but that defeats to an extent, the idea of a cheap mileage run, and the idea of having status in the first place. Now if I knew for sure they were rolling over Q4 EQD, or if I could book this flight and cancel it later for credit and not have them pro-actively cancel the flight because it'd be obviously physically impossible for me to be on that flight and the one I already have (Southwest has done this to me) - I'd go ahead and book and pay for it.
P.S. And yes, I could just pay the first class price, but that defeats to an extent, the idea of a cheap mileage run, and the idea of having status in the first place. Now if I knew for sure they were rolling over Q4 EQD, or if I could book this flight and cancel it later for credit and not have them pro-actively cancel the flight because it'd be obviously physically impossible for me to be on that flight and the one I already have (Southwest has done this to me) - I'd go ahead and book and pay for it.
Sep 26, 2021, 4:20 pm
#815
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NYC suburbs
Programs: UA LT Gold (BIS), AA LT Plat (CC SUBs & BD), Hilton Dia (CC), Hyatt Glob (BIB), et. al.
Posts: 3,290
Sep 26, 2021, 5:23 pm
#816
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Madison WI
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT - 2.9MM, Lifetime AC, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Hertz Precs Crcl
Posts: 2,213
EDIT: It sppears no 77W is currently being sold as three-class on that route - at least next week.
Last edited by Madison Guy; Sep 26, 2021 at 5:30 pm
Sep 26, 2021, 10:48 pm
#817
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: SFO
Programs: UA
Posts: 200
Just got Gold status but didn't see any 500-mile sticker in my account. I got the Gold as part of Hyatt Platinum challenge. Is this part of the deal or am I being shortchanged?
Sep 26, 2021, 11:06 pm
#818
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: ORD/LHR
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K, 1MM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,292
Do you happen to have an exact copy of the T&C's? As far as I'm aware, completion of status challenges (as well as obtaining status through EQDs and EQMs) do not award any 500-mile stickers. They can only be earned (4 per 12500 EQMs) or bought ($40 each).
Sep 26, 2021, 11:56 pm
#819
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
I don't remember getting anything when I hit gold the standard non-challenge way... if memory serves me right but I am not confident, you must hit gold first, and then earn the 12,500 EQM before end of December or January 31st, to get your first batch. Then it resets but you'll have all of the following year to earn them, too.
Sep 27, 2021, 7:52 am
#820
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 22
Disregard. Firefox worked.
Sep 27, 2021, 8:51 am
#821
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: ORD/LHR
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K, 1MM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,292
I've noticed AA's site can get bugged out. Try clearing your cache and cookies for aa.com on your web browser (don't clear everything though, as you'll then have to log in to every site).
Sep 27, 2021, 5:48 pm
#822
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: PHX
Programs: AA, SPG, UR
Posts: 329
On a mileage ticket on QR, if a better routing opens up 24hrs before the first flight, is there a risk changing to that one. In other words how late can you change your itinerary if you the agent can get you a confirmed booking change. Have biz PHX-IAH-DOH, looking for PHX-SFO-DOH which might open. Any ideas? Don't want to risk current booking and nice seat selections 
Sep 28, 2021, 8:40 am
#823
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,574
I have an award trip booked for March 2022. Mix of AA and BA metal, redeemed with AA miles.
A few days ago, I logged into my AA account and saw that my trip had been completely rerouted to different flights on all segments. This is normal - I expect it when booking trips 10 months in advance - and I'm happy to accept the changes as-is. However, now I cannot do anything with the itinerary at all. I have not received the normal email you get on a flight change, I cannot change seats online, and I get an error message when I attempt to change the trip online.
The itinerary page says "Your flight changed. Please check back soon to see what changed." Except it has now said that for days, so this isn't part of a normal ticket reissue process where you might see something like that for a few minutes as the ticket processes. And I can already see all of the changed flights - I just can't do anything with them.
Does this sound familiar to anyone? I'm not desperate enough to call....yet....but will be in an airport in about a week where I could probably talk to a counter agent if I need to do something to fix a problem.
A few days ago, I logged into my AA account and saw that my trip had been completely rerouted to different flights on all segments. This is normal - I expect it when booking trips 10 months in advance - and I'm happy to accept the changes as-is. However, now I cannot do anything with the itinerary at all. I have not received the normal email you get on a flight change, I cannot change seats online, and I get an error message when I attempt to change the trip online.
The itinerary page says "Your flight changed. Please check back soon to see what changed." Except it has now said that for days, so this isn't part of a normal ticket reissue process where you might see something like that for a few minutes as the ticket processes. And I can already see all of the changed flights - I just can't do anything with them.
Does this sound familiar to anyone? I'm not desperate enough to call....yet....but will be in an airport in about a week where I could probably talk to a counter agent if I need to do something to fix a problem.
Sep 28, 2021, 11:35 am
#824
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
I have an award trip booked for March 2022. Mix of AA and BA metal, redeemed with AA miles.
A few days ago, I logged into my AA account and saw that my trip had been completely rerouted to different flights on all segments. This is normal - I expect it when booking trips 10 months in advance - and I'm happy to accept the changes as-is. However, now I cannot do anything with the itinerary at all. I have not received the normal email you get on a flight change, I cannot change seats online, and I get an error message when I attempt to change the trip online.
The itinerary page says "Your flight changed. Please check back soon to see what changed." Except it has now said that for days, so this isn't part of a normal ticket reissue process where you might see something like that for a few minutes as the ticket processes. And I can already see all of the changed flights - I just can't do anything with them.
Does this sound familiar to anyone? I'm not desperate enough to call....yet....but will be in an airport in about a week where I could probably talk to a counter agent if I need to do something to fix a problem.
A few days ago, I logged into my AA account and saw that my trip had been completely rerouted to different flights on all segments. This is normal - I expect it when booking trips 10 months in advance - and I'm happy to accept the changes as-is. However, now I cannot do anything with the itinerary at all. I have not received the normal email you get on a flight change, I cannot change seats online, and I get an error message when I attempt to change the trip online.
The itinerary page says "Your flight changed. Please check back soon to see what changed." Except it has now said that for days, so this isn't part of a normal ticket reissue process where you might see something like that for a few minutes as the ticket processes. And I can already see all of the changed flights - I just can't do anything with them.
Does this sound familiar to anyone? I'm not desperate enough to call....yet....but will be in an airport in about a week where I could probably talk to a counter agent if I need to do something to fix a problem.
Sep 28, 2021, 2:00 pm
#825
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: PHX/NYC/LA
Programs: AA Plt, Marriott Gold, National EE, Hertz PC, El Mambero De Mucci, PWP Aide to Generalissimo Godot
Posts: 4,893
For lounge access purposes AA never distinguishes between paid tickets and award tickets or upgrades. So if you buy economy and upgrade to business using 500-mi stickers on LAX-MIA then you would get Admiral's Club access (and Flagship Lounge, if it's open). This of course assumes you're on one of the 3-class flights.