If you’ve been flying American Airlines on a shoestring budget, there’s some bad news: your cheap tickets just got a lot less rewarding.
As of Wednesday, passengers booking basic economy fares will no longer earn AAdvantage miles or loyalty points.
That’s a sharp shift for travelers who relied on these low-cost seats to rack up miles toward free flights, upgrades, or hotel perks.
Joining the Trend
American isn’t alone in this move.
Delta stopped offering miles on basic economy fares back in early 2022, while United still allows passengers to earn rewards on its cheapest tickets.
For those loyal to American, this change means paying more to move up to the next fare tier if you want to continue collecting miles.
The reaction online has been heated.
On Reddit, one frustrated flyer wrote, “I’m getting tired of everyone coming down on us peeps in the middle and working class. It’s unchecked greed.”
The Evolution of Basic Economy
American Airlines introduced basic economy fares in 2017 to compete with ultra-low-cost carriers like Frontier and Spirit Airlines.
Originally, this fare was stripped down to the bare minimum — passengers couldn’t even bring a carry-on bag for the first ten months.
As the fare grew more popular, American gradually added perks like free snacks, in-flight entertainment, and frequent-flyer points.
Despite that, basic economy passengers have always faced limitations, including last boarding groups and strict no-change, no-refund policies.
Even so, American had been one of the few major U.S. airlines allowing entry-level flyers to earn loyalty points.
One Reddit user noted, “Honestly, I’m a little surprised American Airlines’ policy on basic economy fares was as generous as it has been for this long.
Delta has been far stingier on basic economy benefits for years.”
What Basic Economy Still Offers
Basic economy fares remain extremely affordable — sometimes as low as $90 one-way, according to the Daily Mail.
And while passengers won’t earn miles anymore, they still get a personal item and a carry-on bag for free, along with snacks, soft drinks, and in-flight entertainment.
An American Airlines spokesperson told the Daily Mail, “We routinely evaluate our fare products to remain competitive in the marketplace.”
The Bigger Picture: Airlines Target High-End Travelers
American’s move reflects a broader industry trend: airlines are steering customers toward higher-priced fare classes.
Most carriers have been cutting low-profit routes and doubling down on luxury travel destinations, particularly in Europe, where first-class travelers are driving massive profits.
This year, airlines have reported billion-dollar earnings, largely thanks to high-end travelers.
Meanwhile, budget-conscious flyers are flying less, prompting airlines to reduce cheap domestic flights.
Delta, for example, announced “surgical” cuts to its U.S. flights in August, United is trimming 4% of its domestic routes, and JetBlue is also reducing flights.
Challenges for Budget Airlines
Low-cost carriers haven’t fared much better.
Spirit Airlines filed for its second bankruptcy in under a year, and Avelo Airlines was forced to suspend flights to its biggest markets due to financial pressure.
With airlines prioritizing wealthy travelers and cutting back on cheaper options, the landscape for budget flyers is shrinking fast.
The big question now is: what’s next for travelers who just want a cheap seat and a few miles to show for it?
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn