American Airlines postpones major changes to mileage and Loyalty Points earning for the time being

American Airlines Delays Changes to Booking Policies, Encourages Direct Transactions

American Airlines has decided to postpone the implementation of changes to its booking policies that would incentivize travelers to book directly with the airline. Originally set to take effect on May 1, the new policies will now be enforced starting July 11.

The airline’s decision to delay the changes was made to allow travel agencies more time to transition to the new system, ensuring a smooth process for customers to continue earning AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points. American Airlines emphasized the importance of supporting travel agencies through this transition for the benefit of mutual customers.

Under the revised booking policies, travelers will only earn AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points for flights booked through select partners and preferred travel agencies. Basic economy tickets will exclusively earn miles and Loyalty Points when booked directly with American.

While the full list of qualifying booking channels is yet to be released, American Airlines outlined three categories that will be eligible for earning miles and status credits:

1. Booking directly with American and eligible partner airlines.
2. Booking travel as an AAdvantage Business member or contracted corporate traveler.
3. Booking through preferred travel agencies.

The move by American Airlines marks the first instance of a U.S. airline restricting mileage earnings to specific booking channels. By encouraging direct transactions, the airline aims to enhance the overall travel experience and create opportunities for additional upsells, such as upgrades and preferred seats.

In addition to the changes in booking policies, American Airlines also raised its checked bag fees earlier this year, making it the airline with the highest checked bag fees among major U.S. network carriers. The carrier introduced new fees for domestic and short-haul international flights, while maintaining existing bag fee waivers for elite status members and cobranded credit card holders.

Overall, American Airlines is focusing on enhancing the loyalty program experience for AAdvantage members, offering exclusive benefits and perks to incentivize membership and direct bookings. With these changes, the airline aims to increase customer engagement and loyalty, ultimately driving more transactions and sign-ups for its loyalty program.