American Airlines in major change to loyalty scheme that could affect thousands
American Airlines has announced changes that will make it harder for travellers to accumulate miles and loyalty points.
The carrier revealed its plans earlier this week, stating that it would begin restricting the eligibility of tickets purchased through third-party vendors, such as travel agents or online booking platforms, to earn AAdvantage miles and loyalty points.
Effective May 1, American Airlines will only award points for flights booked through select partners and "preferred agencies," which will be disclosed in a list slated for release in April.
This shift marks a departure from the airline's previous policy and shows a strategic push for customers to book directly through its website, thereby bypassing the need to pay commissions to third-party vendors.
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Passengers check-in for American Airlines flights (Getty Images)Scott Chandler, American's senior vice president of revenue management and loyalty told The Points Guy : "We want to just make sure that customers understand what they're getting when they book with their specific agency... So it's really for the customer so they understand that there is a better way to find products and understand what they're buying."
While corporate travellers and AAdvantage Business members will have continued eligibility to earn points regardless of where they book their flights, average travellers purchasing basic economy tickets will only accrue miles and loyalty points when booking exclusively through American Airlines.
American's decision mirrors strategies employed by major hotel chains like Hilton and Marriott, which also restrict the crediting of points for loyalty schemes to direct bookings.
Effective May 1, American Airlines will only award points for flights booked through select partners (LightRocket via Getty Images)For all the latest news, politics, sports, and showbiz from the USA, go to The Mirror US
The move could have significant ramifications for travelers who utilize transferable credit card points through platforms like American Express, Chase, or Capital One, potentially disrupting their ability to earn miles or status credits if these partners are not included on American's preferred list.
The airline's decision comes amidst a backdrop of rising costs for passengers, as American Airlines recently announced an increase in checked baggage fees for domestic flights.
This fee hike, the first in nearly six years, has drawn criticism from travelers, who voiced their discontent on social media platforms. One user on X ( Twitter ), said the fee increase was a "reason to boycott" the airline. "American Airlines doubles down on everything that is wrong with passenger air travel," wrote another user.
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