FORT WORTH, TEXAS – Starting with tickets issued on May 1, 2024, American Airlines will update the way customers earn AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points on flights, depending on where they book.
Customers will earn miles and Loyalty Points on flights when they:
Basic Economy fare tickets will only earn when booked directly with American and eligible partner airlines.
“We want to make it more convenient for customers to enjoy the value and magic of travel,” said Vasu Raja, American’s Chief Commercial Officer. “Not only does booking directly with American provide the best possible experience, it’s also where we offer the best fares and it’s most rewarding for our AAdvantage members.”
AAdvantage members will also continue to earn miles and Loyalty Points through non-airline partners, like the AAdvantage eShopping, AAdvantage Hotels and AAdvantage Events platforms and more.
Adjustments to ancillary services
For the first time since 2018, American is adjusting bag fees for first and second checked bags for travel booked on or after Feb. 20. The new bag fees for domestic flights including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are $35 for first checked bags purchased online or $40 for first checked bags purchased at the airport. The second checked bag fee is $45 purchased online or at the airport. The new bag fees for Canada and short-haul international flights are $35 for first checked bags and $45 for second checked bags purchased online or at the airport.
Certain AAdvantage members and credit cardmembers still receive important benefits:
Customers who purchase premium cabins on domestic and international flights will continue to receive complimentary bags. American also offers complimentary bags to active-duty U.S. military personnel on all American flights.
The pet-in-cabin fee is now $150 for tickets purchased on or after Feb. 20.
American is introducing the lowest fee ever for checked items that are only a few pounds heavier or a few inches larger than a standard bag. The lower costs and simpler fee structure for oversize and overweight checked items result in savings of more than $350 for some customers.
| Checked item | Current fee | Travel on/after April 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Bag +50–70 lbs. | $100–$200 | +50–53 lbs. / $30 +53–70 lbs. / $100–$200 |
| Bag +70–100 lbs. | $200–$450 | $200–$450 |
| Bag +62 linear inches | +62–126 inches $150–$200 | +62–65 inches / $30 +65–115 inches / $150–$200 |
| Items that are both oversize and overweight +50–70 lbs. | $250–$400 | $30–$200 (one single fee instead of two) |
| Items that are both oversize and overweight +70–100 lbs. | $350–$650 | $200–$450 (one single fee instead of two) |
American is also reducing the oversize limit to 115 linear inches and will no longer allow javelins, pole vaults and hang gliders starting April 17.
As previously announced, American will continue to enhance the AAdvantage program so that loyalty with American goes even further for members.
Some of these benefits have already rolled out:
*Eligible AAdvantage Credit Cards include AAdvantage Aviator Silver Mastercard, AAdvantage Aviator Red Mastercard, AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard, Citi / AAdvantage Executive Card, Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select Card, CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Card. Review your AAdvantage® Aviator Mastercard Reward Rules and your Citi Terms and Conditions for details.
The article American Airlines is updating the way customers earn AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points on flights first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.
