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2d ago

American Airlines Ends AAdvantage Earning on Basic Economy, Effective Dec. 17

The shift reflects a spend-focused loyalty strategy that nudges travelers toward higher‑priced fares.

An American Airlines Boeing 787 at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
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Passengers check in for an American Airlines flight at San Francisco International Airport in April. The airline confirmed Friday that customers who buy basic economy fares will no longer earn frequent-flyer miles or credit toward elite status in the airline’s AAdvantage program, starting this week.

Overview

  • American confirmed that Basic Economy tickets purchased on or after Dec. 17, 2025 earn zero AAdvantage miles and zero Loyalty Points.
  • The change was implemented via quiet website updates first spotted by aviation watcher JonNYC before the airline issued statements.
  • AAdvantage elites on Basic Economy remain eligible for domestic first-class upgrades, and basic fares still include a personal item, a carry-on, snacks, soft drinks and in‑flight entertainment.
  • Updated earning charts show the zero‑credit policy also applies to Basic/Light fares on Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Fiji Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus for tickets issued from Dec. 17.
  • The policy aligns American with Delta’s no‑earn basic fares and contrasts with United’s limited earning, drawing immediate traveler frustration and analysis that it aims to drive buy‑ups to main cabin.