American Airlines makes major change to its basic economy tickets

The change in policy only surfaced when a terms and conditions update on the carrier’s website was noticed by frequent flyers on Wednesday

American Airlines has introduced a basic economy policy change by stealth (American Airlines)

American Airlines has stopped awarding loyalty points and miles for basic economy fares.

The change in policy only surfaced when a terms and conditions update on the carrier’s website was noticed by frequent flyers on Wednesday. No emails were sent to members of the carrier’s loyalty scheme, AAdvantage, and no press release was issued.

The airline later confirmed the new rule in a statement, saying: "We routinely evaluate our fare products to remain competitive in the marketplace.

“Customers who purchase a basic economy ticket on December 17, 2025, and beyond will not earn AAdvantage miles or loyalty points towards AAdvantage status.

American Airlines customers who purchased a basic economy ticket on December 17 or after will not earn AAdvantage miles or loyalty points (American Airlines)

“Basic economy customers will continue to receive one free personal item and one free carry-on bag, free snacks, soft drinks and in-flight entertainment.”

If you purchased your basic economy ticket on or before December 16, 2025, you will still earn miles and points, even if your flight is in 2026.

American passengers can earn points on every other ticket type — main cabin (the standard economy fare and typically $30 to $90 more than basic on domestic flights), main cabin extra, premium economy, business class and first class.

How much you earn, regardless of cabin type, depends on your AAdvantage status level, with zero-status members earning five loyalty points and five miles per $1, and Executive Platinum members 11 points and miles.

For the past three years, basic economy fares earned two miles and two loyalty points per $1 spent, down from five miles and five points before 2022.

For the past three years, basic economy fares earned two miles and two loyalty points per $1 spent, down from five miles and five points before 2022 (American Airlines)

The move by American Airlines is no doubt an attempt to nudge passengers towards buying more expensive tickets, but could risk driving them towards booking ultra-cheap fares with rival carriers such as Spirit and Frontier.

However, Delta Air Lines stripped loyalty points from its basic fares in 2021, and far from the move harming the carrier’s market share, it’s gone from strength to strength.

Rob Burgess, editor of frequent flyer site headforpoints.com, said: "Basic economy is an odd concept. The 'big three' U.S. legacy airlines created it so that, in flight searches, they price-match low-cost carriers such as Frontier and Spirit.

“However, they really don't want you booking it. It has been as unattractive as possible — tickets can't be changed, you don't get free checked luggage, you don't get free seat selection and you have to board last, meaning your hand baggage may be taken off you due to full overhead bins.

"American clearly wants to make basic economy even less attractive. These tickets already earned fewer miles than standard economy tickets, but moving to nothing is a very harsh move.

“A few years ago U.S. carriers moved to giving out status based on spend, not number of flights taken, but clearly AA now believes that you must do the "right" kind of spend if you want your ticket to count towards earning status. What's more concerning is that members have not been informed of this change, except via a message posted on the AA website."