Why American Airlines Basic Economy Fares No Longer Earn AAdvantage Miles

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

Starting December 17, 2025, customers purchasing American Airlines basic economy fares will no longer earn AAdvantage miles or Loyalty Points toward elite status. This new policy applies to all tickets booked on or after this date. The move sharply reduces the value proposition of the airline’s lowest-priced tickets for loyalty members.

Key Policy Details

Previously, AAdvantage members earned a reduced rate. They accrued two miles and Loyalty Points for every dollar spent on a basic economy ticket. This was compared to the five miles per dollar earned on Main Cabin and higher fares. Under the updated rules, the earning rate for the cheapest fare class drops to zero.

American Airlines stated this change is part of a routine evaluation. The goal is to remain competitive in the marketplace, according to a statement.

• No AAdvantage miles or Loyalty Points earned on new basic economy bookings.
• Yes, customers still receive one free carry-on bag and one personal item.
• Yes, free snacks, soft drinks, and in-flight entertainment remain included.
• Yes, AAdvantage elite members still qualify for complimentary domestic upgrades.

Industry Context and Strategy

This adjustment aligns American Airlines with a major competitor, Delta. Delta Air Lines already prevents its SkyMiles members from earning rewards on its basic economy fares. However, the policy differs from United Airlines. United still allows MileagePlus members to earn miles on its basic economy tickets. United’s basic economy, however, often restricts carry-on bags, a rule American Airlines reversed in 2018.

Basic economy fares were first introduced to compete with low-cost carriers. These tickets typically come with basic economy fare restrictions. These limits include limited seat selection, change fees, and last boarding priority.

Travel industry analysts view the change as a strategic play. The airline is trying to limit the appeal of its lowest fare. The goal is to encourage price-sensitive travelers to upgrade to a higher-priced Main Cabin ticket. This supports the airline’s focus on airline premium revenue focus and higher-margin products.

Financial and Loyalty Impact

The policy change comes as American Airlines focuses on improving its financial performance. The carrier reported a GAAP net loss of $114 million on a record revenue of $13.7 billion in its most recent quarter. By reducing the benefits of the cheapest tickets, the airline aims to increase the average ticket price and drive higher revenue per passenger.

For frequent flyers, this represents a devaluation of the AAdvantage program for budget travel. Travelers prioritizing earning miles on cheapest tickets must now choose Main Cabin or higher. This makes it harder for AAdvantage members to earn status-qualifying Loyalty Points unless they spend more. The change underscores the industry-wide trend of rewarding the highest-spending customers.

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