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On April 9, 2026, American Airlines announced an increase in checked baggage fees. This came as no surprise, as most other major carriers have also raised fees to help offset rising fuel costs due to the conflict in the Middle East. However, at the end of the press release, American also announced that AAdvantage elite status holders will lose some of their perks on basic economy bookings.
Here's what to know.
AAdvantage Elites Losing Perks on Basic Economy Bookings
Starting May 18, 2026, elite status members will lose several perks when booking a basic economy ticket on an American Airlines-operated flight. AAdvantage elites will no longer receive complimentary seat selection and will not be eligible for complimentary or Systemwide Upgrades. Once the change takes effect, all passengers booking a basic economy ticket will be required to pay a fee for seat selection.
What's more, according to a spokesperson for American Airlines, these restrictions will also apply to those with status from other Oneworld carriers.
In addition, starting later this year, AAdvantage members without status or a co-branded American Airlines credit card will board in Group 7 when flying on a basic economy ticket. AAdvantage members currently board in Group 6. However, those with status or an eligible credit card will continue to receive priority or preferred boarding on basic economy tickets.
Related: American Airlines Basic Economy Complete Guide
Bottom Line
Odds are, these changes won't actually impact too many people. To reach even the first tier of AAdvantage elite status, you need to earn 40,000 Loyalty Points. Considering that you no longer earn any miles or Loyalty Points on basic economy tickets, most elite members are probably booking higher fare classes to begin with.
However, if you're an elite member who occasionally books basic economy, know that you will no longer be eligible for upgrades or complimentary seat selection beginning May 18, 2026. This is all the more reason to book a main cabin ticket or higher.
Tough to see this as anything but a big middle finger to elites who may buy the lowest price tickets at times. As an EXP and American loyalist for a number of years I’m getting a little tired of getting dumped on for my loyalty. I’m trying to recall the last couple of things American did to actually improve things for me as an elite but I’m coming up empty while free domestic upgrades are harder than ever to get, award saver space to Europe or Asia in business class is more of a myth than a reality, SWU’s are extraordinarily tough to use to Europe, and now there’s new penalties for not spending more money with AA. American recently very publicly announced that they saw the vast value of AAdvantage and were committed to preserving that value. Unfortunately I’m not even close to seeing that.
Well, this change will affect all those people who earn elite status via non-flying loyalty points spend, which there might actually be quite a lot because AA is the only USA based airline on which elite status can readily be obtained with no flying whatsoever. That group might be who would be most likely to be caught unawares by the new rules on the rare occasion they do actually book a flight.
Ugh. Well, this sucks.