Jan 7, 2024, 11:12 am
Last edit by: JY1024
Welcome to the 2024 "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!
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:
2022-23 NEWBIE LOUNGE posts are here.
2021 NEWBIE LOUNGE posts are here
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.)
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:
- 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:
2022-23 NEWBIE LOUNGE posts are here.
2021 NEWBIE LOUNGE posts are here
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 2024: Ask AA newbie questions here - flame-free thread
Dec 17, 2024 | 12:48 pm
#1591
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,083
Thanks, that makes sense now. (Update: the AA app is now showing my itinerary with that segment missing.)
The date is August 23, 2025 and the flight number was IB 3675. Thanks again, I really appreciate this newbie thread
The date is August 23, 2025 and the flight number was IB 3675. Thanks again, I really appreciate this newbie thread
Dec 17, 2024 | 12:59 pm
#1592
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Airport Lounges (Usually in ORD and LHR)
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, AY Gold, QR Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,707
What is the time of the flight? Using the IB codeshare number doesn't pull up the correct flight.
Dec 17, 2024 | 3:15 pm
#1593
Join Date: Dec 2022
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 434
Cancellation of AUH-LHR BA award flight
I tried searching for a thread on AAdvantage awards on BA (using a similar format to "AAdvantage Award on JL / JAL / Japan Airlines (master thread)") but didn't return any Google results.
I used AA miles to book two business class award tickets, BKK-CMB-AUH-LHR-JFK. The first two segments are on UL; the latter two are on BA. The reason for this routing is that these were the only available award flights on the date we needed.
BA has canceled its AUH-LHR flights between ~April and October. We are traveling in early April. When I clicked on my record locator, there was a message stating that "your trip changed." Clicking on that message did nothing, but the AUH-LHR segment is now missing.
I assume that this issue will not fix itself, and I will need to call. I'd appreciate the forum's advice on how AA's obligation to rebook us interacts with what I believe is BA's "UK261" obligation to rebook us--and what airline would be best to contact first.
Getting an AUH-LHR EY flight to replace the canceled BA flight would be perfectly acceptable, but the only awards showing on AA's end include an additional segment (even in economy) and BA A320s, which I really want to avoid during a long journey.
I used AA miles to book two business class award tickets, BKK-CMB-AUH-LHR-JFK. The first two segments are on UL; the latter two are on BA. The reason for this routing is that these were the only available award flights on the date we needed.
BA has canceled its AUH-LHR flights between ~April and October. We are traveling in early April. When I clicked on my record locator, there was a message stating that "your trip changed." Clicking on that message did nothing, but the AUH-LHR segment is now missing.
I assume that this issue will not fix itself, and I will need to call. I'd appreciate the forum's advice on how AA's obligation to rebook us interacts with what I believe is BA's "UK261" obligation to rebook us--and what airline would be best to contact first.
Getting an AUH-LHR EY flight to replace the canceled BA flight would be perfectly acceptable, but the only awards showing on AA's end include an additional segment (even in economy) and BA A320s, which I really want to avoid during a long journey.
Dec 17, 2024 | 3:45 pm
#1594
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Airport Lounges (Usually in ORD and LHR)
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, AY Gold, QR Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,707
I tried searching for a thread on AAdvantage awards on BA (using a similar format to "AAdvantage Award on JL / JAL / Japan Airlines (master thread)") but didn't return any Google results.
I used AA miles to book two business class award tickets, BKK-CMB-AUH-LHR-JFK. The first two segments are on UL; the latter two are on BA. The reason for this routing is that these were the only available award flights on the date we needed.
BA has canceled its AUH-LHR flights between ~April and October. We are traveling in early April. When I clicked on my record locator, there was a message stating that "your trip changed." Clicking on that message did nothing, but the AUH-LHR segment is now missing.
I assume that this issue will not fix itself, and I will need to call. I'd appreciate the forum's advice on how AA's obligation to rebook us interacts with what I believe is BA's "UK261" obligation to rebook us--and what airline would be best to contact first.
Getting an AUH-LHR EY flight to replace the canceled BA flight would be perfectly acceptable, but the only awards showing on AA's end include an additional segment (even in economy) and BA A320s, which I really want to avoid during a long journey.
I used AA miles to book two business class award tickets, BKK-CMB-AUH-LHR-JFK. The first two segments are on UL; the latter two are on BA. The reason for this routing is that these were the only available award flights on the date we needed.
BA has canceled its AUH-LHR flights between ~April and October. We are traveling in early April. When I clicked on my record locator, there was a message stating that "your trip changed." Clicking on that message did nothing, but the AUH-LHR segment is now missing.
I assume that this issue will not fix itself, and I will need to call. I'd appreciate the forum's advice on how AA's obligation to rebook us interacts with what I believe is BA's "UK261" obligation to rebook us--and what airline would be best to contact first.
Getting an AUH-LHR EY flight to replace the canceled BA flight would be perfectly acceptable, but the only awards showing on AA's end include an additional segment (even in economy) and BA A320s, which I really want to avoid during a long journey.
Dec 18, 2024 | 4:19 pm
#1595
Join Date: Feb 2024
Posts: 169
random question but is there any reason why someone would benefit from having first or second level of AA status if they already had Alaska of the same level or vice versa? Outside of very particular cases where it's dramatically easier to earn one vs the other for someone.
I ask because I think it might work better for me to ultimately switch over to Alaska and I'm trying to decide when to switch over my non flying loyalty spend because to enjoy my AA status next year I'll need to credit any of my OW flights to AA which will make it harder for me to qualify during 2025 for 2026 anyway, but I do shop and dine enough that I could potentially earn the first one maybe two levels of Alaska next year even though I wouldn't see any benefit of that until my AA status expires March 2026.
I ask because I think it might work better for me to ultimately switch over to Alaska and I'm trying to decide when to switch over my non flying loyalty spend because to enjoy my AA status next year I'll need to credit any of my OW flights to AA which will make it harder for me to qualify during 2025 for 2026 anyway, but I do shop and dine enough that I could potentially earn the first one maybe two levels of Alaska next year even though I wouldn't see any benefit of that until my AA status expires March 2026.
Dec 18, 2024 | 4:30 pm
#1596
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Airport Lounges (Usually in ORD and LHR)
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, AY Gold, QR Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,707
random question but is there any reason why someone would benefit from having first or second level of AA status if they already had Alaska of the same level or vice versa? Outside of very particular cases where it's dramatically easier to earn one vs the other for someone.
I ask because I think it might work better for me to ultimately switch over to Alaska and I'm trying to decide when to switch over my non flying loyalty spend because to enjoy my AA status next year I'll need to credit any of my OW flights to AA which will make it harder for me to qualify during 2025 for 2026 anyway, but I do shop and dine enough that I could potentially earn the first one maybe two levels of Alaska next year even though I wouldn't see any benefit of that until my AA status expires March 2026.
I ask because I think it might work better for me to ultimately switch over to Alaska and I'm trying to decide when to switch over my non flying loyalty spend because to enjoy my AA status next year I'll need to credit any of my OW flights to AA which will make it harder for me to qualify during 2025 for 2026 anyway, but I do shop and dine enough that I could potentially earn the first one maybe two levels of Alaska next year even though I wouldn't see any benefit of that until my AA status expires March 2026.
Dec 18, 2024 | 4:34 pm
#1597
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: PNS
Programs: Not Beholden Anymore. Prefer Delta.
Posts: 721
Hello Lounge. Quick question. My mother is on a one way ticket with a connection. She is in F on the second leg as F was sold out on the first flight. Does she still get to use the F baggage allowance on departure and can she use the F line for checking in even though she is in main cabin on the first flight? Thanks in advance.
AeRo
AeRo
Dec 18, 2024 | 4:37 pm
#1598
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Airport Lounges (Usually in ORD and LHR)
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, AY Gold, QR Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,707
Hello Lounge. Quick question. My mother is on a one way ticket with a connection. She is in F on the second leg as F was sold out on the first flight. Does she still get to use the F baggage allowance on departure and can she use the F line for checking in even though she is in main cabin on the first flight? Thanks in advance.
AeRo
AeRo
Dec 18, 2024 | 5:00 pm
#1599
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 15,122
Hello Lounge. Quick question. My mother is on a one way ticket with a connection. She is in F on the second leg as F was sold out on the first flight. Does she still get to use the F baggage allowance on departure and can she use the F line for checking in even though she is in main cabin on the first flight? Thanks in advance.
Dec 19, 2024 | 6:35 am
#1600
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AA PLT, IHG Spire
Posts: 572
Hello Lounge. Quick question. My mother is on a one way ticket with a connection. She is in F on the second leg as F was sold out on the first flight. Does she still get to use the F baggage allowance on departure and can she use the F line for checking in even though she is in main cabin on the first flight? Thanks in advance.
AeRo
AeRo
Dec 19, 2024 | 10:12 am
#1601
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Airport Lounges (Usually in ORD and LHR)
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, AY Gold, QR Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,707
Yes she is entitled to the F checkin and baggage allowance, although sometimes the baggage allowance in this case (second flight only) doesn't populate in the computer well. I've had to remind checkin agents that the second flight is in F if they try to charge for baggage, and they had to put in an override.
Dec 20, 2024 | 6:52 am
#1602
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: Former AA EXP,Former UA Gold,Marriott PP,Hilton Diamond, National EX, Hertz PC
Posts: 120
I have a flight coming up in J on a 772, is see posts that 24-48 hours out you can see which seat type you will have(I know it can change). Does this seat map only show on your reservation because I have never seen this before? Is there another site to look at?
Dec 20, 2024 | 7:30 am
#1603
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 15,122
If you want to see an example of the notches, do a dummy booking for today's JFK-MXP flight and look at the seatmap.
You can also go to a site like Flightradar24 and search your flight, starting about 3-4 days out it will show you the tail number of the plane scheduled. Cross reference that with the AA fleet site (linked in the thread below) to see what config is scheduled.
Aircraft guide: Which 777-200ER / 772 / 777? (2019 on)
Dec 20, 2024 | 10:33 am
#1604
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Airport Lounges (Usually in ORD and LHR)
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, AY Gold, QR Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,707
It shows up anywhere on AA (seatmap viewer, when booking close-in, etc). Other sites that display seatmaps do not specify the config, unless you go the route in the post above and cross reference the fleet site and aircraft assignment.
Dec 20, 2024 | 11:10 am
#1605
Join Date: Nov 2024
Posts: 18
I am flying LAX → JFK → MIA → DOM and LAX → JFK in J. I understand that I am eligible to access the LAX Flagship Lounge and the JFK Greenwich Lounge.
- Can I also access the AA Flagship Lounge in MIA during my layover? (Note: DOM is in the Caribbean.)
- At LAX, am I eligible to access the Oneworld Business Lounge or the Alaska Lounge? I am an AA EXP.