American Airlines Will No Longer Award Miles Unless You Book Direct

[levelnine]

This is huge news. As is well known, in the hotel world you aren't entitled to any loyalty benefits unless you book direct (with some exceptions).

American Airlines is the first major airline to move in this direction. Expect others to follow.

Beginning May 1, 2024, you will only earn miles and loyalty points for American Airlines flights if you:

• book directly with American and eligible partner airlines
• or book non-basic economy fares through preferred travel agencies, a list of which will be shared in late April

American Airlines Will No Longer Award Miles On Most Third Party Bookings Starting In May - View from the Wing

As I've been telling you to expect, American Airlines is changing how miles are awarded based on how you buy your ticket.

viewfromthewing.com

 

[NM]

The title may be a little misleading. I understand that AA will award miles/loyalty points for bookings made through AA.com AND through "preferred" on-line travel agencies. What they have not yet published is a list of which on-line agencies will be "preferred" and which will not be classified as "preferred". They have also stated that preferred partner airline bookings (likely to include bookings through most OneWorld partner airlines) will earn point/miles.

I would be the corporate agencies (such as CWT, Amex etc.) will likely remain preferred as AA will want to encourage corporate travelers to remain loyal to AA.

Here is a report from Award Wallet on the topic:

American Airlines to Eliminate Mileage, Loyalty Points Earnings on Online Travel Agency Bookings

Starting on May 1, 2024, American Airlines travelers will no longer earn AAdvantage miles or Loyalty Points on trips booked through most online travel agencies (OTAs). Here's what we know about these impending changes, and why you should consider booking flights before this change.

awardwallet.com

 

[levelnine]

Amex

Given AA don't have a partnership with Amex, this will be an interesting one to watch.

And the travel agency exemption doesn't apply to basic economy fares.

 

[SeatBackForward]

In other words - if you use 3rd parties that AA doesn't like to book the cheapest fares possible, you won't earn any miles.

 

[NM]

Given AA don't have a partnership with Amex, this will be an interesting one to watch.

And the travel agency exemption doesn't apply to basic economy fares.

There is likely a difference between Amex online travel and Amex Corporate Travel when it comes to how bookings are made. I doubt they will preclude one of the biggest corporate travel agencies from earning AA miles/points. But they may not provide miles/points benefits to the general public who choose to make a booking through the Amex travel systems generally available to any Amex card holder.

 

[justinbrett]

Just credit to another oneworld program.

 

[andye]

Just credit to another oneworld program.

Interesting if they would still let you credit to other programmes
BAEC would be the obvious choice.for US-based travellers
Americans might like the easier BIS status attainment and lounge access.
Would be put off by the more expensive redemption tables (points and YQ) of course but as many would still be earning credit card points for redemption on US airlines, might not be bothered.
Not sure how much upgrade certs would factor in

 

[drron]

There is likely a difference between Amex online travel and Amex Corporate Travel when it comes to how bookings are made. I doubt they will preclude one of the biggest corporate travel agencies from earning AA miles/points. But they may not provide miles/points benefits to the general public who choose to make a booking through the Amex travel systems generally available to any Amex card holder.

Though hotel loyalty programs not only give you the recognised program benefits plus extras such as an extra upgrade and F&B allowance. This is when I book through Amex using my travel credit. I feel AA like the hotels is just aiming at the OTAs.

 

[Mwenenzi]

AA newsroom. Fine details are sparse. Expect will be more detail over coming weeks-months
-->Booking directly with American Airlines and its airline partners makes travel even better for AAdvantage® members''

Starting with tickets issued on May 1, 2024, American will update the way customers earn AAdvantage® miles and Loyalty Points on flights, depending on where they book.
Customers will earn miles and Loyalty Points on flights when they:

• Book directly with American and eligible partner airlines.
• Book travel anywhere as an AAdvantage Business™ member or contracted corporate traveler.
• Book through preferred travel agencies. American will share a list of eligible preferred agencies on aa.com in late April.

Basic Economy fare tickets will only earn when booked directly with American and eligible partner airlines.
<snip>

 

[anat0l]

I forecast there may be a bit of backlash over this change.

I suppose for those that actually give a damn about earning miles and status, they probably book direct through AA in the first place, and probably not Basic Economy fares.

Is this supposed to be a middle finger to something like Priceline (unless they will be in the preferred list)?

 

[NM]

My preference for all personal travel, is to book directly with the airline. It is so much easier when things go pear-shaped to get resolution when the relationship is directly with the airline. The only exceptions for me are for work travel where we are required to use the designated corporate travel process, and for complex itineraries that cannot be booked on-line via the airline's web-site. The latter is not something I have had to deal with, but I know some regulars here have good relationships with a trusted travel agent to sort those itineraries, and I doubt those would be impacted by this proposed change. It seems to be aimed at the low-cost on-line travel agencies where customers can "double-dip" with cash-backs and other bonuses as incentives.

So it becomes a choice - earn miles/points or take advantage of OTA discounts/cash-backs etc. Which one is more important then becomes the customer's choice based on their own personal preferences/circumstances.

Hotel loyalty programs started doing this a while ago, so it was just a matter of time for airlines to follow.