American Airlines Cancels Perks for Basic Economy Fliers, to Add 15 New Routes

The airline announced that starting Dec. 17, Basic Economy ticket holders are no longer eligible for AAdvantage miles or Loyalty Points.

A Boeing 737 American Airlines passenger aircraft (foreground) and an Airbus A320 American Airlines passenger aircraft (center) at a terminal at LaGuardia airport in New York on April 30, 2025. Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images

While American Airlines prepares to add 15 new routes by next summer, this week it quietly ended perks for travelers purchasing Basic Economy tickets.

According to a Dec. 18 post on social media platform X, the airline announced that starting Dec. 17, Basic Economy ticket holders are no longer eligible for AAdvantage miles or Loyalty Points.

“We routinely evaluate our fare products to remain competitive in the marketplace. Customers who purchase a Basic Economy ticket on December 17, 2025 and beyond will not earn AAdvantage miles or Loyalty Points towards AAdvantage status,” the post stated. “Basic Economy customers will continue to receive one free personal item and one free carry-on bag, free snacks, soft drinks, and in-flight entertainment.”

According to American’s website, AAdvantage miles are earned through flying, credit card spending, and partners, then redeemed for flights, upgrades, hotels, cars, and more. Loyalty Points toward Elite status can provide members with perks such as priority boarding, free bags, and bonus miles.

The AAdvantage miles earned are based on American Airlines ticket prices, which include the base price and carrier-imposed fees but exclude government-imposed taxes and fees.

The Epoch Times has reached out to American Airlines for comment.

Meanwhile, the company just announced the addition of 15 new flights by the summer of 2026.

In a Dec. 18 company statement, American noted it will be adding service to locations including: Erie, Pennsylvania; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Tri-Cities, Tennessee. Additionally, it will expand winter-only flights to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Key West, Florida, into the summer, between May 21 and Sept. 8.

Other new destinations for next year will include: Anchorage, Alaska; Bozeman and Kalispell, Montana; Columbia, Missouri; Madison, Wisconsin; Nantucket, Massachusetts; and Rapid City, South Dakota.

“American is proud to offer unmatched connectivity across the United States. Today we’re furthering our commitment with new routes designed to help customers realize their travel goals in 2026 from important hubs such as Chicago and Phoenix,” said Brian Znotins, American Airlines’ senior vice president of network and schedule planning.

In addition, the airline will expand its summer service from Chicago to Hilton Head, South Carolina, as well as to Pensacola and Panama City in Florida. These flights had operated only on the weekends, but will begin daily operations between Feb. 2 and Sept. 8.

Beginning next summer, American plans to offer more than 500 daily departures from its hub in Chicago. In addition to the 15 new routes, the airline will offer new service to more than 25 destinations from Chicago. The company shared that it is also focused on growing its Chicago network to eventually include more than 180 destinations and adding more flights in popular markets.

“American will continue to grow options for Chicagoans to travel with increased frequencies across the airline’s network. In the spring, American will increase departures by more than 30 percent compared to 2025,” the statement noted.