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American Airlines announced today that beginning on July 11th, AAdvantage® miles and Loyalty Points will only be awarded on tickets booked directly with American, eligible oneworld® and partner airlines, and preferred travel agencies. This is a big change and something that puts American behind Delta and United for mileage earning.
Under this change, tickets must be booked directly through:
- American and its airline partners’ website and apps
- Through reservations and airport teams
- Ticket sales centers
- As an AAdvantage Business™ member, anywhere you book
- Contracted corporate travel agents
- Preferred travel agencies (these have not yet been revealed)
- Flights booked as part of an American Airlines Vacations™ package
AAdvantage® members will no longer be able to earn miles on Basic Economy fares when they are not booked directly through American or by an AAdvantage Business™ member or as part of a contracted corporate agreement.
These changes were initially expected next month, but American has pushed the launch date until July. This might be that it needs time to determine who its preferred travel agencies are and to report who made the list. The change could have major implications for earnings on any of the legacy US carriers if United and Delta choose to copy what American is doing here. We’ll need to wait and see who the preferred agencies are and if this includes the major ones that support business travel.
Anthony’s Take: American is making it more difficult for passengers that choose not to book directly with the airline. It will be interesting to see what agencies are preferred and if the other carriers copy this move.
(Image Credits: Daniel Shapiro and American Airlines.)
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