American Airlines Basic Economy tickets will no longer earn AAdvantage miles or

December 17, 2025 at 11:49 PM•1 min read

American Airlines eliminates AAdvantage mile and Loyalty Point accrual for passengers booking Basic Economy fares.

Key Points

1American Airlines has ceased the accrual of AAdvantage redeemable miles and status-earning Loyalty Points for all Basic Economy purchases.
2The new fare policy is designed to widen the gap between Basic Economy and Main Cabin, pushing frequent travelers toward higher revenue tickets.
3This restriction applies immediately, significantly diminishing the incentive for AAdvantage members to book the carrier's lowest-priced fares.

American Airlines has implemented a significant restriction on its Basic Economy fare class, effective immediately. The carrier announced that AAdvantage loyalty program members will no longer earn redeemable miles or status-qualifying Loyalty Points when purchasing these no-frills tickets. This policy shift fundamentally alters the value proposition of American's lowest-priced fares, making them considerably less attractive to frequent flyers aiming to maintain or achieve elite status.

Previously, while Basic Economy tickets restricted seat selection, carry-on allowance (for non-status holders), and change flexibility, they still contributed toward a member's mileage balance and status progression. The removal of this earning potential is seen as a strategic move by American Airlines to further differentiate its standard Main Cabin product and incentivize travelers to purchase higher-priced fares. This change impacts all AAdvantage members, regardless of their current status tier, and is expected to drive up average ticket revenue for the carrier.