In a blow to budget travelers, American Airlines is no longer awarding redeemable miles or loyalty points for Basic Economy tickets.
American Halts Earnings on Basic Economy Tickets
Effective for flights purchased on or after December 17, 2025, American Airlines will no longer award redeemable miles or loyalty points for travel in Basic Economy. This is a major blow for those looking to travel on the cheap while still maintaining AAdvantage status.
The change was quietly introduced on the American Airlines webpage for Basic Economy with little to no fanfare, for obvious reasons, but the change was flagged by JonNYC on X.
Basic Economy fare tickets bought on or after 12:00 a.m. CT on December 17, 2025 will not earn AAdvantage® miles or Loyalty Points. For Basic Economy fare tickets bought on or before 11:59 p.m. CT on December 16, 2025, visit the AAdvantage® Earn page for the airline marketing your flight for details on the AAdvantage® miles and Loyalty Points you’ll earn.
Until this change went into effect, American awarded 2x AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points per dollar spent on Basic Economy tickets. Standard Economy fares have earned, and will continue to earn 5x miles/points per dollar spent.
Why the Change?
American has arguably had the most beneficial Basic Economy fares for elite members when compared against Delta and United. Delta doesn’t award miles or Medallion qualifying dollars (MQDs) on Basic Economy tickets. United limits earnings on its Basic Economy tickets.
Until this change, AAdvantage elite members could still receive their full suite of perks and earn miles and Loyalty Points when traveling on American. This change will likely incentivize AAdvantage members to book more expensive, full-fare Economy tickets in order to maintain mileage and Loyalty Point earnings, including their elite multiplier.
American is banking on the fact that those booking Basic Economy fares will fly regardless of earnings if the price is right, these fares were introduced in order to compete with ultra-low-cost carriers, while they believe AAdvantage frequent flyers will pay up in order to earn miles and Loyalty Points.
My Thoughts
While this is no doubt an unfortunate change, you never want to see earnings devalued, I can’t imagine that many frequent flyers who are actively chasing status are regularly booking these fares.
For passengers that earn status via credit card spend, they likely will continue to book Basic Economy tickets as their benefits will still apply. Those in the middle, who earn from a mixture of flying and spending, may find themselves needing to buy up in order to hit their thresholds.
This isn’t a surprising change from American, as it brings their Basic Economy offering more in line with Delta’s. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see United follow suit and I’m curious to get your thoughts on the change.
Summary
American Airlines has quietly removed the ability to earn miles and Loyalty Points on Basic Economy tickets. All tickets booked on or after December 17, 2025 are subject to the new restrictions.
