American Airlines Ends Mileage Earning for Basic Economy Tickets
Fort Worth, Thursday, 18 December 2025.
American Airlines now prohibits basic economy passengers from earning frequent flyer miles, aligning with Delta’s restrictive policies to incentivize upgrades to higher-margin standard economy fares.
A Sharp Pivot in Loyalty Strategy
Effective December 17, 2025, American Airlines has ceased awarding AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points on basic economy fares [1][2]. This policy applies strictly to tickets purchased on or after 12:00 a.m. CT on that date [3]. Previously, customers purchasing these entry-level fares earned 2 miles and Loyalty Points per dollar spent, a rate that was already significantly reduced from the standard 5 per dollar awarded on main cabin tickets [2]. The airline has framed this decision as part of a routine evaluation of its fare products to ensure competitiveness in the marketplace [2]. However, industry analysis suggests the primary objective is to make the basic economy product sufficiently restrictive to compel travelers to purchase standard economy fares, thereby increasing revenue per passenger [3].
Competitive Landscape and Revenue Strategy
This adjustment brings American Airlines into closer alignment with Delta Air Lines, which similarly bars basic economy passengers from earning miles or qualifying dollars toward elite status [1][2]. The move creates a distinct divergence from United Airlines; while United continues to award redeemable miles on basic bookings, it enforces a strict ban on full-sized carry-on bags for these passengers [2]. American Airlines notably reversed a similar carry-on restriction in 2018 and continues to allow one free carry-on bag and personal item for basic economy flyers [1][2]. This creates a complex trade-off for consumers: American offers better baggage policies than United, but now offers fewer loyalty rewards than United, matching Delta’s restrictive earning model [1][3].
Implications for Elite Status
Despite the complete removal of mileage earning, American Airlines has preserved specific benefits for its most frequent flyers. A spokeswoman for the airline confirmed that elite loyalty members will remain eligible for first-class upgrades on domestic flights, even when traveling on basic economy tickets [1]. Furthermore, elite members retain the ability to select Main Cabin Extra seats [2]. This nuance suggests that while the airline is closing the door on using cheap fares to earn status, it is not stripping away the benefits of status already held by the traveler, maintaining a delicate balance for its high-value customers who may occasionally book lower fares.
Network Growth Amidst Cuts
Coinciding with these restrictions, the carrier is aggressively expanding its domestic footprint to underserved markets. On the same day the loyalty cuts took effect, American announced a 16-route expansion scheduled for 2026, targeting outdoor-centric destinations and smaller cities [4]. The new schedule includes service to locations such as Lincoln, Nebraska; Nantucket, Massachusetts; and Bozeman, Montana [4]. This simultaneous announcement highlights a dual-pronged strategy: broadening the network’s physical reach to capture market share in regional travel while tightening the financial mechanics of its loyalty program to maximize yield [4].