Booking directly with American Airlines and their airline partners will now make travel even better for AAdvantage® members, as the carrier is updating the way customers can earn miles and Loyalty Points on flights.
On Tuesday (February 20, 2024), American Airlines announced that they are updating the way customers earn AAdvantage® Miles and Loyalty Points. With the changes, customers will enjoy the best possible travel experience when booking directly with American Airlines. Customers can effortlessly manage their trips online, receive travel credit for canceled trips and more. From May 1st, 2024, AAdvantage members will earn miles and Loyalty Points when they book directly with American or eligible partner airlines, book travel anywhere as an AAdvantage Business member or contracted corporate traveler, or book through preferred travel agencies, with a list to be published in late April.
In Tuesday’s announcement, American Airlines’ Chief Commercial Officer, Vasu Raja, said,
“We want to make it more convenient for customers to enjoy the value and magic of travel. Not only does booking directly with American provide the best possible experience, it's also where we offer the best fares and it's most rewarding for our AAdvantage members.”
Additionally, with the program update, Basic Economy fare tickets will only earn miles when tickets are booked directly through American and eligible partner airlines. AAdvantage members will continue to earn miles and Loyalty points through partners such as AAdvantage eShopping, AAdvantage Hotels, AAdvantage Events and more.
For travel booked on or after February 20, 2024, American is also adjusting bag fees for first and second checked bags for the first time since 2018. The new bag fees for domestic flights (including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) are now $35 for the first checked bag purchased online ($40 at the airport), and $45 for a second checked bag purchased online or at the airport. The new bag fees for short-haul international flights to Canada will now be $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second (online or at the airport).
All AAdvantage status members will continue to enjoy complimentary bags, and certain AAdvantage members and credit cardholders will continue to enjoy complimentary bags on American Airlines flights. Additionally, customers who purchase premium cabins on all domestic and international flights, as well active-duty U.S. military personnel will continue to enjoy free bags. For tickets purchased on or after February 20, 2024, the pet-in-cabin fee is now $150. The carrier is also lowering fees for checked items that are only a few pounds heavier or a few inches larger than a standard bag. American is also reducing the oversize limit to 115 linear inches, and will no longer allow javelins, pole vaults and hang gliders starting April 17, 2024.
American Airlines' New Overweight and Oversized Baggage Fees - Courtesy American Airlines
Some previously rolled out AAdvantage enhancements include the ability to transfer AAdvantage miles to another member's account for 66 percent less, as well as the option of redeeming miles with select airline partners in 2024. Later this year, members will also be able to cancel non-refundable Basic Economy tickets and receive a partial Trip Credit for a fee, as well as the ability to pay for Wi-Fi on select flights with miles. Starting March 1st, 2024, AAdvantage members can standby for an earlier flight free of charge, and will also enjoy an extra six months to use Trip Credit than non-members when canceling travel online.
American Airlines’ purpose is ‘To Care for People on Life’s Journey®’. Shares in the American Airlines Group, Inc., trade on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol AAL and the company’s stock is included in the S&P 500.
Source: American Airlines