American Airlines for 2024 is making a few changes to its
AAdvantage program benefits, the carrier announced Tuesday. Status and reward
levels, however, will remain the same as for the 2023 program year.
As of March 1, only AAdvantage members will be able to stand
by for an earlier flight. To qualify, the flight must depart the same day from
and to the same airports as the original flight, have the same number of stops
in the same airports as the original flight, and be operated by American or
American Eagle carriers. Same-day standby will continue to be available to
Oneworld status members, active U.S. military and Main Cabin Select customers,
according to the carrier.
Beginning “later in January,” members will be able
to cancel non-refundable Basic Economy fare tickets on the American website and
receive a partial trip credit for a fee if the trip is domestic, travel hasn’t
started yet, and the booking was made through the American website, app or
reservations. Basic Economy tickets booked through a third party cannot be
canceled for trip credit, according to the carrier.
Later in 2024, the following changes will take place:
AAdvantage members will have an extended trip credit for six months longer than
non-members when canceling travel online, only AAdvantage members will be able
to buy Admirals Club one-day passes, members also will be able to purchase
single visit passes to American Flagship lounges, and only members will be able
to put flights on hold for free for up to 24 hours.
Benefits “coming soon” include the ability to earn
miles when a customer pays with cash to upgrade to a premium cabin, to redeem
miles for upgrades with select airline partners, and to request systemwide
upgrades online.
Also starting March 1, members will be able to select
loyalty points toward AAdvantage status as a reward choice: 1,000 loyalty
points at the 15,000 level, 5,000 loyalty points at the 175,000 level, and
15,000 loyalty points at the 250,000 level. In addition, “coming
soon” members will be able to redeem miles for Flagship First Dining
passes, available once a customer reaches AAdvantage Platinum Pro status.
