The AAdvantage program will be more important for many American Airlines passengers starting later this year. The carrier, in its annual program update, announced several mostly positive changes, including tying previously open benefits to AAdvantage members going forward.
Improving benefits for AAdvantage Members
Reviewing the list of changes, very few are truly new offerings to AAdvantage members. The most notable comes around the fares American hopes no one is buying anyways. Basic economy fares do not allow for any changes today. Later this month, however, AAdvantage members will be able to pay a fee to change some* of those flights for a partial credit. That’s not a huge win, but better than nothing.
Platinum Pro members will also have the opportunity to redeem points for access Flagship First dining. This is a nice perk to offer for a relatively small group of program members. It comes with relatively low risk and cost to the company, though details on the price in points remain unclear.
Upgrades and Status get a bit better
American will finally enable travelers to redeem systemwide upgrades online. This digital self-service option is long overdue.
Additionally, the American is promising miles-based upgrades on partners later this year. This is, in theory, good news. But until we see what inventory it comes from or what the pricing is, this one is harder to value.
Cuts for non-members
Other benefits only for AAdvantage members coming later in the year include a couple that are more like cuts to the program for non members. American, for example, pitches the new program as offering six extra months to use a Trip Credit voucher. That is being accomplished by cutting the expiry for non-members to six months from twelve, not extending the timely for AAdvantage members.
Similarly, the carrier is taking away the option to purchase a day pass for Admirals Club access unless the traveler is enrolled in the AAdvantage program. Members will also be able to purchase Flagship Lounge access.
The 24-hour hold option will be removed for non-members under the updates. American has long been a holdout on offering the option to hold fares. Eventually it changed its policy to allow refund without 24 hours of purchase even with the hold option available; the DoT only requires one or the other. Presumably that will still be the case so losing hold as a non-member is not a huge deal for most travelers. But it is a cut.
Flying standby on an earlier flight is also a nice option to have in certain markets where the carrier operates higher frequency flights. Starting in March 2024, however, they’ll need to be an AAdvantage member** to access that benefit. Like the 24-hour hold, the number of affected passengers is probably low. But it is still taking away an option that exists today.
There are a couple carrots in the new program, but also more than a few sticks. But for many travelers the cost to get past it is simply enrolling in AAdvantage. It is not good for people traveling as partner program members, but those are not American’s primary focus.
*Domestic, booked direct, no travel yet occurred
**Or oneWorld elite, US Military, and Main Cabin Select fares
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