American Airlines Basic Economy Will No Longer Earn Miles in 2025

Basic Economy on American Will No Longer Earn Miles or Loyalty Points: What Travelers Need to Know in 2025

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• American Airlines has made a significant policy shift: Basic economy on American will no longer earn miles or Loyalty Points.
• AAdvantage members flying on these discounted fares will no longer accrue status or future travel rewards.
• This change impacts budget-conscious travelers trying to reach elite status with minimal spend.
• It’s now more important to compare fare classes carefully—not just prices, but what each includes.
• Consider alternatives: regional carriers, elite-friendly programs, or discounted business fares with added benefits.

Table of Contents:

• Why Did American Airlines Make This Change in Basic Economy?
• What Exactly Are You Losing With Basic Economy on American Now?
• Best Alternatives Now That Basic Economy on American Will No Longer Earn Miles or Loyalty Points
• How to Plan This Trip the Smart Way (If You’re Still Flying American)
• HopStrip-Style Tips and Tools for This Trip
• FAQ: Basic Economy on American Will No Longer Earn Miles or Loyalty Points
• Conclusion: What This Means for Real Travelers in 2025

Why Did American Airlines Make This Change in Basic Economy?

In December 2025, The Points Guy confirmed that American’s basic economy tickets will no longer accumulate AAdvantage miles or Loyalty Points. Even if you’re a frequent flyer, flying on these no-frills tickets will now contribute nothing to your status qualification or reward balances.

So what’s behind the change?

American Airlines appears to be following a strategy already adopted by Delta Air Lines, limiting loyalty incentives to passengers who pay more for higher-value fares. The logic is clear: Encourage travelers to book standard economy or higher, where the airline earns more revenue and can better reward loyalty. This puts pressure on budget-conscious AAdvantage members and families who previously saw basic economy as a cheap way to boost elite status.

For digital nomads, couples chasing weekend getaways, or even students flying home during holidays, this means your cheapest ticket is now a true “no-frills” experience. No upgrades, no seat selection, and now—no points.

What Exactly Are You Losing With Basic Economy on American Now?

When you book a basic economy fare with American Airlines in 2025, here’s what’s changing—aside from the absence of perks you were already giving up (like seat choice and early boarding):

• ❌ You won’t earn AAdvantage miles (redeemable toward award flights).
• ❌ You won’t earn Loyalty Points (the metric to earn elite status tiers like Gold or Platinum).
• ❌ You won’t count toward Million Miler lifetime thresholds.

That means even if you’re flying coast to coast—or booking family tickets worth hundreds of dollars—you won’t get a single mile in return. That’s a major departure from the previous system, where basic economy fares were poor earners but still counted toward your bottom line.

The impact here is biggest for:

• Budget travelers trying to earn elite status on the cheap
• Freelancers and remote workers who travel frequently on their own dime
• Travelers booking through third-party sites with limited fare transparency

Travel Tip: If you’re focused on elite status—even at the lowest levels—avoid basic economy now. Opt for main cabin fares when booking domestic travel, especially if you fly American more than 5–6 times a year.

Best Alternatives Now That Basic Economy on American Will No Longer Earn Miles or Loyalty Points

Now that basic economy on American will no longer earn miles or Loyalty Points, here are some of the smartest options for flyers who still want to earn while they travel:

1. Book “Main Cabin” fares when flying American. Yes, they’ll cost more—but even a $30–$50 upgrade could mean the difference between zero and redeemable miles, especially if you’re targeting status in 2025.
2. Fly with Alaska Airlines (a Oneworld partner). Alaska often offers comparable pricing to American, but with more generous earning policies. You can credit those flights to your AAdvantage account (if not in basic economy).
3. Consider other loyalty programs like Southwest Rapid Rewards or JetBlue TrueBlue that don’t penalize heavily for fare class.
4. Mix in longer-haul or international flights from American where basic economy conditions may differ—or where upgrades are easier.
5. Use travel cards that award bonus miles for flight spending regardless of fare class.

As frustrating as this restriction may be, there are still strategic ways to maintain elite status or accrue flight rewards—if you’re willing to be flexible with airlines and prices.

How to Plan This Trip the Smart Way (If You’re Still Flying American)

1. Compare flight prices with fare class filters. Use multi-airline tools like Kiwi.com to compare not just prices, but fare classes. Look for “Main Cabin” or higher when filtering.
2. Calculate the actual value of your ticket. If you’re close to qualifying for American elite status, determine if the fare class earns Loyalty Points. Sometimes $40 extra equals faster status.
3. Book early for lower fare gap. Basic tickets rise slower than regular fares. Booking 6–8 weeks out helps you find standard fares at a reasonable premium.
4. Use or earn elite perks via partners. If you have elite status with an alliance partner (like Oneworld’s British Airways or Qatar Airways), you may still get priority boarding and bags—even on basic tickets.
5. Add travel insurance for basic fares (if you must book them). Cheap fares often come with no flexibility. Use basic trip insurance, such as from Ekta Travel Insurance, to cover delays or lost luggage.
6. Use cashback or points from your credit card instead. If you won’t earn airline miles, pay with a rewards-earning card or cashback to retain some value.

HopStrip-Style Tips and Tools for This Trip

At HopStrip, we believe travel should be smart, not stressful. Here’s how to beat American’s new basic economy rules with our planning ethos:

• Pair cities and offset costs: Book multi-city fares where longer connections justify buying non-basic tickets (e.g., NYC–Austin–Denver). You avoid short-hop basic fares and still maximize your time.
• Go direct for fairer options: Use airline apps or official sites to view fare class policy before booking.
• Prioritize airport experience: Since basic fares also exclude upgrades, consider investing in priority services at busy hubs. You can always book a fixed-rate airport transfer and lounge access to improve economy travel.
• Choose better travel gear for no-frills flights: With basic fares eliminating upgrades, carry-on reliability matters more. A travel backpack that fits under the seat saves you baggage fees. And a good travel pillow or headphones turns a cheap seat into a tolerable experience.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

FAQ: Basic Economy on American Will No Longer Earn Miles or Loyalty Points

• Q: When does the new policy start?
  A: American Airlines began enforcing this update in early 2025. Any basic economy flights booked and flown from that point onward will not earn miles or Loyalty Points—regardless of AAdvantage membership tier.
• Q: What is the difference between basic economy and main cabin on American?
  A: Main cabin fares include seat choice, carry-on allowance, and importantly, still earn Loyalty Points and miles. Basic economy fares are cheaper but lack flexibility, benefits, and now—mileage earning.
• Q: Can I still get elite perks (e.g., free bags) if I’m a status member but book basic economy?
  A: Yes, American AAdvantage elite members still retain select benefits (like priority boarding or free bags), but they will not earn additional points or miles on the flight itself.
• Q: Are basic economy fares refundable or flexible with this change?
  A: No. Basic economy still comes with the same restrictions: no refunds, limited changes, and often penalties for seat selection or carry-on bags. The mile drop is just one more change piling on.
• Q: Is this the same across all American codeshare flights?
  A: Not always. It depends on the operating carrier. For example, basic economy booked on American but flown by British Airways may be treated differently for earning, depending on loyalty rules. Always check the fare code and partner policy.

Conclusion: What This Means for Real Travelers in 2025

The change that basic economy on American will no longer earn miles or Loyalty Points is more than a technical tweak—it’s a strategic wake-up call for value-conscious travelers. It redraws the line between saving money and maximizing future travel benefits.

If you’re an occasional flyer chasing low prices, basic economy still works. But if you’re someone striving for Gold or Platinum status, or simply trying to make your business trips work harder for rewards, it’s time to rethink.

Choose standard economy, explore partner airlines, or budget enough flexibility into your itinerary to go for fares that reward you longer term. And more than ever—always read the fare rules before booking.

Happy (smart) travels, from all of us at HopStrip.