American Airlines Quietly Ends AAdvantage Miles Earning on Basic Economy Fares

December 25, 2025 at 01:03 AM•2 min read

American Airlines has quietly ended AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points earning for Basic Economy tickets purchased on or after December 17, 2025, pushing flyers to higher-fare classes.

Key Points

1American Airlines ceased all AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points earning on Basic Economy tickets for purchases made on or after December 17, 2025.
2The policy was implemented without prior public announcement, discovered via a quiet update to the airline's terms and conditions.
3The change aligns American Airlines with Delta Air Lines' policy, aiming to incentivize passengers to book higher-priced Main Cabin fares.
4Basic Economy passengers retain the right to one free carry-on bag, free snacks, and in-flight entertainment.

American Airlines has implemented a significant change to its frequent flyer program.

Basic Economy fare tickets no longer earn AAdvantage miles or Loyalty Points. This new policy applies to all tickets purchased on or after 12:00 a.m. Central Time on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. Previously, members of the American Airlines AAdvantage program earned a reduced rate of miles and points on these fares. Now, that earning rate has been cut to zero.

Policy Implementation and Details

The change was noted by frequent flyers through an update to the airline's terms and conditions. No advance notice, such as an email or press release, was issued to AAdvantage status earning members. The airline stated it "routinely evaluate[s] our fare products to remain competitive in the marketplace".

Tickets bought before December 17, 2025, will still accrue miles and points.
Customers purchasing Basic Economy fare tickets will still receive a free personal item and a carry-on bag.
Complimentary snacks, soft drinks, and in-flight entertainment also remain.

Industry and Passenger Impact

This move is a major shift in the airline loyalty program changes landscape. It is viewed as an attempt to encourage passengers to purchase more expensive Main Cabin fares. Standard Main Cabin tickets continue to earn five AAdvantage loyalty miles per dollar spent.

Competitive Alignment

The new policy brings American Airlines in line with a major competitor, Delta Air Lines. Delta also prohibits mileage and status earning on its lowest fare class. Conversely, United Airlines still allows its basic economy customers to earn some miles, though it typically restricts carry-on bags.

The Traveler's Choice

For budget-conscious travelers, the decision now involves a clearer trade-off. They must choose between the lowest price and the ability to earn frequent flyer rewards. This policy change significantly impacts travelers who rely on American Airlines Basic Economy as a budget-friendly way to slowly accrue AAdvantage miles Loyalty Points toward elite status. It reinforces the industry trend of rewarding higher-spending, more loyal customers. For more commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights.