American Airlines will no longer allow passengers purchasing basic economy fares to earn frequent flyer miles or points toward elite status starting December 17, 2025, aligning with industry trends as airlines seek to attract higher-spending customers. Basic economy tickets will still include some amenities like a personal item, carry-on, snacks, and entertainment, with elite members retaining some benefits. This move follows similar policies by Delta and contrasts with United, which still allows mile earning on basic economy tickets.
American Airlines has reversed its decision to change how passengers earn miles and Loyalty Points, which would have excluded bookings made through third-party platforms. The move, aimed at reducing confusion and retaining customers, follows the departure of Chief Commercial Officer Vasu Raja and a lowered financial outlook for the second quarter. CEO Robert Isom emphasized the importance of working with agencies and partners to avoid customer disruption and reaffirmed the airline's commitment to its Sun Belt strategy.
United Airlines now allows groups of up to five MileagePlus members to combine and redeem their airline miles into one linked account, aiming to alleviate the financial burden of travel for families and friends. The program is free to join and will not affect an individual's Premier status, and it comes after United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby addressed recent incidents involving the airline's planes. This move follows similar programs already available from JetBlue, Frontier, and Spirit, and is designed to encourage more passengers to join the loyalty program ahead of the summer travel season.
United Airlines has introduced a new feature allowing members of its MileagePlus loyalty program to pool their frequent flyer miles with family and friends, enabling them to use the combined stash for trips on United. Customers can designate a "pool leader" and select up to four other participants, who can be any age, to contribute to the joint account. This move follows similar initiatives by other airlines like JetBlue Airways and Frontier Airlines, and aims to engage less-frequent to moderately frequent travelers and their families in the loyalty program.
American Airlines has increased the price of checking a bag for the first time in over five years, with fees now ranging from $35 to $45 for domestic flights. The airline is also limiting which travel agency bookings are eligible to earn frequent flyer miles, aiming to drive traffic to its website. However, frequent flyer members with elite status and some credit card holders will still receive a complimentary checked bag, and the carrier is reducing fees for slightly overweight bags. Additionally, customers who purchase basic economy tickets will only earn frequent flyer miles if they book directly through American Airlines' website.
United Airlines is offering 30,000 frequent flyer miles to passengers who were affected by the week-long delays and cancellations. The airline faced severe weather, air traffic control issues, and operational challenges, resulting in numerous flight disruptions. United initially blamed the Federal Aviation Administration but also faced staffing issues. The offer of frequent flyer miles is in addition to other forms of assistance provided to affected customers, such as hotel vouchers and future travel credits.
CNBC's "Now Boarding" podcast discusses frequent flyer status, airline perks, and whether the game is worth it with guests Tom Stuker, who has flown more than 23 million miles and has lifetime Global Services status on United Airlines, and Brett Snyder, a former airline manager and founder of the Cranky Network Weekly. Topics include the benefits of airline status, how to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles, and the future of airline loyalty programs.
