American Airlines will join Delta and United in basing its loyalty awards on the amount spent for a ticket, rewarding elite passengers who pay more.
The shift from awards earned by miles flown will occur in the second half of 2016, American Airlines Group Inc. said in a statement Tuesday. Travelers with higher standing in the AAdvantage frequent-flier program will earn more credit for each dollar spent.
American joins Delta Air Lines Inc. and United Continental Holdings Inc. in adopting such a change, a move the carrier put off while focusing on its 2013 merger with US Airways. American’s loyalty program is the largest in the industry, with about 100 million members.
The airline last year sweetened awards for passengers buying the most-expensive tickets under a one-year plan that rewarded discount-fare buyers as well as elite passengers.
Bookmarks