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American Airlines limits miles if you don’t book direct for AAdvantage® members
Starting with tickets issued on May 1, 2024, American will update how 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 traveller.
- Book through preferred travel agencies. American will share a list of eligible preferred agencies on aa.com in late April.
Basic Economy fare tickets are only earned when booked directly with American and eligible partner airlines. To learn more about which bookings will earn miles and which will not, go to aa.com/earnonflights.
Vasu Raja, American’s Chief Commercial Officer, said, “We want to make it more convenient for customers to enjoy the value and magic of travel. Not only does booking directly with American provide the best possible experience, but it’s also where we offer the best fares, and it’s most rewarding for our AAdvantage members.”
AAdvantage® members will also continue earning miles and Loyalty Points through non-airline partners, like the AAdvantage® eShopping℠, AAdvantage Hotels™ and AAdvantage Events™ platforms.
Changes to AA fees for bags etc
For the first time since 2018, American is adjusting bag fees for first and second-checked bags for travel booked on or after February 20. The new bag fees for domestic flights, including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, are $35 for first checked bags purchased online or $40 for first checked bags purchased at the airport. The second checked bag fee is $45, purchased online or at the airport. The new bag fees for Canada and short-haul international flights are $35 for first-checked bags and $45 for second-checked bags purchased online or at the airport.
Certain AAdvantage® members and credit cardmembers still receive important benefits:
- All AAdvantage® status members will continue to receive complimentary bags on American Airlines flights.
- Most AAdvantage® credit cardmembers* also get their first eligible checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries.
Customers who purchase premium cabins on domestic and international flights will continue to receive complimentary bags. American also offers complimentary bags to active-duty U.S. military personnel on all American flights.
The pet-in-cabin fee is now $150 for tickets purchased on or after February 20.
Save money on oversized and overweight items
American is introducing the lowest fee ever for checked items only a few pounds heavier or a few inches larger than a standard bag. The lower costs and simpler fee structure for oversized and overweight checked items result in more than $350 savings for some customers.
| Checked item | Current fee | Travel on/after April 17 |
| Bag +50–70 lbs. | $100–$200 | +50–53 lbs. / $30 +53–70 lbs. / $100–$200 |
| Bag +70–100 lbs. | $200–$450 | $200–$450 |
| Bag +62 linear inches | +62–126 inches $150–$200 | +62–65 inches / $30 +65–115 inches / $150–$200 |
| Items that are both oversized and overweight +50–70 lbs. | $250–$400 | $30–$200 (one single fee instead of two) |
| Items that are both oversized and overweight +70–100 lbs. | $350–$650 | $200–$450 (one single fee instead of two) |
American is also reducing the oversize limit to 115 linear inches and will no longer allow javelins, pole vaults, and hang gliders starting April 17. For more information, check aa.com.
Triple Avios offer with British Airways American Express and BA Holidays
For a limited time, you can collect Triple Avios when you book a holiday and pay using your British Airways American Express® Premium Plus Card. As well as low deposits from just £60pp, you also earn Avios on the flight and car hire separately at the standard rates as well as the 3 Avios per £1 on holiday spend. There is also currently a double tier point offer until the end of 2024.
You need to register via the page below and book by 7 March 2024 for travel before 10 January 2025 to get the offer. You must save the offer before booking.
