Millions affected as major airline ends advantage miles program on basic economy tickets

American Airlines has made a alteration that affects however millions of travelers gain rewards connected its cheapest tickets — and present the hose is facing immoderate backlash for it.

Under the updated policy, passengers who acquisition basal system fares volition nary longer gain AAdvantage miles oregon loyalty points toward elite status. 

The alteration applies to tickets booked connected oregon aft Dec. 17, according to the airline.

American Airlines said the alteration is portion of an effort to stay competitive.

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"We routinely measure our fare products to stay competitory successful the marketplace," the hose said successful a connection to Fox News Digital.

"Basic Economy customers volition proceed to person 1 escaped idiosyncratic point and 1 escaped carry-on bag, escaped snacks, brushed drinks and in-flight entertainment," the hose besides said. 

Passengers who acquisition basal system tickets volition nary longer gain AAdvantage miles oregon loyalty points toward elite status, said American Airlines. (iStock)

Previously, AAdvantage members earned miles and points based connected the terms of their ticket, adjacent erstwhile flying connected the airline’s lowest fare class. 

Under the updated policy, those rewards volition present beryllium reserved for main compartment fares and higher.

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Reaction to the alteration has been mixed connected online forums specified arsenic Reddit, wherever users debated whether basal system travelers should expect to gain loyalty rewards astatine all.

Some commenters argued that astir passengers who publication the lowest-priced fares are chiefly motivated by cost, not by loyalty perks.

The announcement has drawn mixed reactions online, with immoderate radical questioning whether low-cost fares should see loyalty benefits. (iStock)

"I can’t ideate your emblematic bare-bones basal flyer truly cares that overmuch astir points oregon miles," 1 idiosyncratic wrote.

The idiosyncratic added that terms tends to outweigh loyalty considerations for galore travelers.

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Others supported the airline’s decision, saying elite presumption should beryllium tied to higher spending.

"If you’re booking basal economy, you shouldn’t reap the benefits," different commenter said, noting that American Airlines was among the past large carriers to marque specified a change.

Some travelers said basal system customers prioritize debased prices implicit miles, portion others agreed elite presumption should beryllium constricted to higher spenders. (iStock)

Some predominant flyers, however, criticized the determination — arguing it removes 1 of the fewer incentives for budget-conscious concern travelers.

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"This is awful," 1 self-identified platinum subordinate wrote. 

"I alert for enactment a lot, but my institution won’t wage for thing much than basal economy. Having the presumption and points is what makes traveling for enactment worthy it."

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Delta Air Lines already has constricted rewards connected its lowest-priced fares. 

The airline’s website indicates that passengers who publication basal system tickets bash not gain SkyMiles oregon recognition toward elite status.

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For American Airlines, mileage net use lone to definite summons types, with eligibility determined by fare people and booking conditions, according to the company's website.