Airlines Strategy
American Airlines Ends Mileage Earning on Basic Economy Fares
American Airlines stops awarding miles and Loyalty Points on Basic Economy fares purchased after December 17, 2025, aligning with Delta’s policy.
This article summarizes reporting by NBC DFW.
American Airlines has quietly updated its loyalty program terms to remove all mileage and status earning capabilities from its lowest-priced tickets. As of this week, travelers purchasing Basic Economy fares will no longer accrue AAdvantage® miles or Loyalty Points, marking a significant shift in the carrier’s approach to budget-conscious flyers.
According to reporting by NBC DFW, the policy change took effect for tickets purchased on or after December 17, 2025. The move aligns American Airlines more closely with Delta Air Lines, which also restricts earnings on its most restrictive fares, effectively creating a “pay-to-play” environment for travelers seeking elite status.
The update was not accompanied by a formal press release but appeared as a revision to the “Basic Economy” section of the airline’s official website. This “stealth” implementation has drawn attention from frequent flyers and industry analysts who view it as a strategy to further segment customers based on their willingness to pay for premium attributes.
Under the previous structure, Basic Economy passengers earned 2 miles and Loyalty Points per dollar spent, a rate that was already reduced by 60% compared to standard Main Cabin fares. The new policy eliminates this earning potential entirely.
The revised terms apply specifically to the date of purchase rather than the date of travel. According to the updated terms on AA.com:
While the ability to earn status has been removed, American Airlines has retained certain amenities that distinguish its Basic Economy product from ultra-low-cost carriers. Passengers traveling on these fares are still permitted one free carry-on bag and one personal item. Additionally, standard in-flight perks such as complimentary snacks, soft drinks, and entertainment remain included.
Travelers who already hold elite status will continue to receive their applicable benefits, such as priority boarding and upgrades, when flying Basic Economy, even though the flight itself will not contribute to retaining that status for the following year.
This policy update places American Airlines in direct alignment with Delta Air Lines regarding loyalty earnings on basic fares, while widening the gap with other competitors. Delta Air Lines currently awards zero miles or status credit for Basic Economy tickets. By matching this restriction, American has effectively standardized the “no-earn” model among two of the “Big Three” legacy carriers.
United Airlines takes a different approach. United allows Basic Economy passengers to earn Premier Qualifying Points (revenue-based credit) but does not award Premier Qualifying Flights (segment counts). However, United is significantly more restrictive regarding baggage, prohibiting full-sized carry-on bags for non-elite Basic Economy passengers on domestic routes.
In contrast, carriers like Southwest, Alaska Airlines, and JetBlue continue to offer loyalty incentives on their lowest fares, though often at reduced rates compared to standard tickets.
We view this move as a calculated effort by American Airlines to force a clearer choice upon the consumer: pay a premium for the possibility of status, or accept a purely transactional relationship with the airline.
By removing the trickle of Loyalty Points previously available on Basic Economy, American is signaling that its elite ecosystem is reserved exclusively for higher-yield customers. For a traveler spending $100 on a ticket, the loss of ~200 redeemable miles is negligible in terms of redemption value. However, the inability to earn Loyalty Points is a major blow to “status chasers” who rely on segment volume and cheap fares to reach tiers like AAdvantage Gold or Platinum.
Furthermore, the retention of the free carry-on bag suggests that American is wary of ceding too much ground to Spirit and Frontier. While they are willing to cut loyalty costs, they appear unwilling to adopt United’s strict baggage ban, likely to avoid alienating the general leisure traveler who prioritizes luggage space over frequent flyer miles.
If I bought my ticket last week but fly next month, do I earn miles? Does this affect Main Cabin tickets? Can I still bring a carry-on bag?
American Airlines Eliminates Mileage Earning on Basic Economy Fares
Details of the New Earning Policy
Key Changes and Effective Dates
Remaining Benefits
Industry Context: The Race to the Bottom?
AirPro News Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. If your ticket was purchased before December 17, 2025, you will earn miles and points under the old policy (2 per dollar).
No. Standard Main Cabin fares and higher continue to earn miles and Loyalty Points at the standard rates (starting at 5 per dollar for general members).
Yes. American Airlines has not changed its baggage policy for Basic Economy. You are allowed one free carry-on bag and one personal item.
Sources
Photo Credit: American Airlines