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At the end of August, airlines made national news by eliminating change fees. However, there were a couple of changes that got buried in the news. As part of its announcement about eliminating change fees, American Airlines announced that it would eliminate restrictions from basic economy fares.
These changes included allowing elite members to use benefits like upgrades, elite seat benefits, and same-day flight changes on basic economy tickets. In addition, non-elite members would get to avoid negative aspects of basic economy by purchasing add-ons.
However, the timing of these changes wasn't clear. The email that went out to AAdvantage elites at the time only shared that these changes would go into effect “this fall”:
Without fanfare, American Airlines updated its website overnight to implement all of the previously announced changes. So, let's dive into what exactly has changed.
American Airlines Elite Benefits on Basic Economy Fares
Effective October 1, 2020, AAdvantage elites get the following benefits on all fares — including basic economy fares:
- Main Cabin Extra or Preferred seats at no cost at booking or check-in — depending on your status
- Upgrade privileges
- Same-day flight changes
This change makes AA's basic economy fares quite enticing. In addition to paying the lowest price, elite members can avoid almost all of the negatives of basic economy. Even before this change, elite members get to board in their priority boarding group and retain their checked bag privileges. But starting today, AA elites get almost all of their elite benefits on basic economy fares.
Other American Airlines Basic Economy Improvements
American Airlines basic economy is also getting better for non-elites too. Effective October 1, 2020, basic economy passengers have the ability to purchase the following add-ons:
- Upgrades
- Priority boarding
- Preferred/Main Cabin Extra seats
- Same-day confirmed flight changes
Now that these changes are in effect, travelers can pay to avoid the aspects of basic economy that they dislike the most. For example, do you want to make sure you can carry-on your bag? Just buy priority boarding to ensure there's enough overhead bin space.
Basic Economy Flights Qualify for Loyalty Points
For those pursuing American Airlines elite status, flying in Basic Economy is still a qualifying activity. You will earn Loyalty Points for these flights.
- Award miles earn based on ticket price (includes base fare plus carrier-imposed fees; excludes government-imposed taxes and fees) on flights marketed and operated by American
- For travel starting January 1, 2022, Basic Economy fares earn award miles and Loyalty Points
Our Take
These are net positive changes for American Airlines elite flyers. I'll book basic economy fares on short, cheap flights or when there's a large price difference to buy up to Main Cabin. For example, on a $39 fare from Los Angeles (LAX) to Las Vegas (LAS), I'll happily trade a few miles & Loyalty Points to get a cheaper fare that includes all of my elite perks.
Giving non-elites the option to buy out of the worst aspects of basic economy is another great change for travelers. However, it will be interesting to see how competitive these add-on fees will be. Depending on the rates, it may be cheaper to buy Main Cabin fares, rather than upgrading a la carte.
What do you think about these changes?
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Estas modificaciones hacen más difícil tomar decisiones en el momento de solicitar un pasaje de premio.
Atención con AAdvantage: las ofertas casi siempre traen alguna desventaja.
Los viajes domésticos ofrecen un asiento un poco más amplio, pero cuestan muchas más millas, por lo que resulta inconveniente canjear millas en estos vuelos.
I do share Carlos Levin’s comments about both, convenience of this offer to non-elite passengers and (sadly) about the abrupt termination of the AAdvantage program between the airline and Santander bank.
I agree with Carlos Levin’s comment, for those of us who live in Argentina, the fact of not being able to accumulate miles with Santandler Rio is a major shock after many years of loyalty to the program.
Son buenas noticias! Pero no parece posible viajar con seguridad hasta el 2022. Sería bueno que extendieran los beneficios.
Hola! Con la pandemia, es bueno que saquen ofertas de tarifas tanto para alguien que es ELITE como para el que no lo es. Lo malo es que seguro la pandemia continue en el 2021 y tengan ofertas hasta el 31/12/2020, pero siempre que viaje por American, es una linea recomendada.
Saludos desde Argentina!
It´s always welcome to receive such good news from American Airlines. AAdvantage program is not a very generous one, so any improvement sounds great. It’s a pitty Santader Rio Bank in Argentina has signed out the program. Does anybody know how to earn miles in Argentina by means of another credit card?
I used to avoid basic economy – looks like there is a lot of turbulence with what they are offering still. I’m curious to see what this will be going forward as I truly do not see travel picking up (with the exception of, MAYBE, holiday travel) until Q1 2021.
Interesting update and very true that its not always the best idea to pay for the cheapest ticket in the long run.
Definitely great news for the leisure traveller with fixed travel dates.
This is great news for AA elites. I wonder if United will also follow with this change.
How good the changes for the economy class!
Eagerly awaiting the flights in Argentina to be regularized.
This is nice. We tend to fly basic economy for family/weddings since we’re just trying to get there and back, rather than a real vacation.
It would be good to have a comparison with UA and DL.
crystal clear. very descriptive. Hope the coronavirus pandemic policies can continue in 2021.
Let’s hope that they don’t need to because that will mean the pandemic is over and things are back to normal.
Does Basic Economy still count toward Million Mile (Gold for Life) and 2 Million Mile (Platinum for Life) status?
Yes for now. But no for flights starting January 1, 2021.
Always great to see more positive changes in the industry!