US Airline Economy Passenger Update: American Airlines has shared an important update that will affect many travelers who book low-cost tickets. The airline said that starting December 17, 2025, passengers who buy Basic Economy tickets will no longer earn AAdvantage miles or Loyalty Points. This change means budget travelers will miss out on rewards they earlier received for flying.
Before this update, AAdvantage members earned two miles for every dollar they spent on regular fares. Now, if a traveler chooses Basic Economy, they will earn zero miles and zero Loyalty Points. Even with this change, the airline will still give some basic comforts. Passengers will still get one free personal item, one free carry-on bag, free snacks, soft drinks, and access to in-flight entertainment.
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Why American Airlines is Doing This?
American Airlines said this move helps the company guide travelers toward Main Cabin tickets. These tickets cost more but offer more freedom and better rewards. The airline clearly explained its rule by saying, “Customers who purchase a basic economy ticket on December 17, 2025, and beyond will not earn AAdvantage miles or Loyalty Points towards AAdvantage status.”
Over the past ten years, many big airlines added Basic Economy fares to compete with low-cost airlines. These tickets usually come with limits like no seat choice, late boarding, and strict rules on changes or refunds. By stopping miles on these fares, American Airlines shows that it wants to reward travelers who pay more and choose flexible options.
Experts believe this change may push more people to upgrade their tickets. Scott Keyes, founder of the travel deals website Going.com, shared his view with CBS News.
He said, “American has been trying to find this sweet spot with Basic Economy fares where it wants them to be available, but doesn’t want people who might otherwise book more expensive fares to be booking them. So they are rolling back some perks and benefits associated with them to make them less appealing to people who could decide, ‘I’ll pay an extra $40 to be in main economy rather than basic.'”
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Money Pressure
This decision also links to the airline’s financial situation. In its latest report, American Airlines posted a loss of $114 million even though it earned $13.7 billion in revenue. This shows how tough competition has become, especially from low-cost airlines. Experts say the airline hopes this new rule will convince travelers to spend more on higher fares and help improve profits.
