AAdvantage members gain by booking direct with American Airlines & partners

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

When you book directly with American Airlines, you’re in for the ultimate travel experience. Managing your trips online becomes a breeze, plus you can receive travel credit for canceled trips and enjoy additional perks. For AAdvantage members booking travel and earning rewards with American, the possibilities are endless.

Starting May 1, 2024, American is making changes to how customers earn AAdvantage® miles and Loyalty Points on flights, depending on where they make their bookings.

Here’s how customers will earn miles and Loyalty Points on flights:

– Direct bookings with American and eligible partner airlines
– Booking travel as an AAdvantage Business member or contracted corporate traveler
– Using preferred travel agencies (a list of eligible agencies will be shared on aa.com in late April)

Please note that Basic Economy fare tickets will only earn rewards when booked directly with American or eligible partner airlines.

“We want to make it more convenient for customers to enjoy the value and magic of travel,” said Vasu Raja, American’s Chief Commercial Officer. “Not only does booking directly with American provide the best possible experience, it’s also where we offer the best fares and it’s most rewarding for our AAdvantage members.”

AAdvantage members will persist in accruing miles and Loyalty Points across a range of non-airline partners, including AAdvantage® eShopping℠, AAdvantage Hotels™, AAdvantage Events™ platforms, and others.

Updates to Additional Services:
American Airlines is adjusting baggage fees for the first and second checked bags for reservations made on or after Feb. 20, marking the first alteration since 2018. For domestic flights, encompassing Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the new fees are $35 for the first checked bag when purchased online, or $40 when purchased at the airport. The fee for the second checked bag is $45, irrespective of purchase location. For flights to Canada and short-haul international destinations, the fees are $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second, regardless of purchase method.

Certain AAdvantage® members and credit cardholders will retain important benefits:

– All AAdvantage® status members will still enjoy complimentary checked bags on American Airlines flights.
– Most AAdvantage® credit cardholders* will continue to receive their first eligible checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries.
– Customers who purchase premium cabins on domestic and international flights will keep receiving complimentary checked bags. American Airlines also extends this benefit to active-duty U.S. military personnel on all flights.

The fee for pets traveling in-cabin is now set at $150 for tickets bought on or after Feb. 20.

Savings on oversized and overweight items
American Airlines is introducing its lowest fee ever for checked items slightly exceeding standard size or weight limits. The revised fee structure translates to savings of over $350 for some customers, offering a simpler and more cost-effective solution for oversized and overweight checked items.

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