I first heard this on the news and then did some searching
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/american-airlines-to-stop-letting-basic-economy-customers-earn-miles/
I did get an email from American about rewards which I did not quite understand. I was going to call them but maybe this answers my question.
So if you book economy, you do not get any rewards? is that correct?
I think United has done the same thing. No FF points with the cheapest economy fare.
If you book Basic Economy, the lowest fare offered, you will not get any AA miles.
Delta also does the same with their "Basic Economy", or as they have rebranded it "Main Basic". Basically American is just keeping up with everyone else.
Personally, I am not tempted by the cut rate price. Given all the other limitations of these tickets, it just is not worth it. I suppose a short, last minute flight, but not as part of an international trip.
Most airlines eliminate or reduce the points/miles earned in basic economy. Don't confuse this with typical economy fares. There are also different rules about upgrade availability from the different fares.
As always, read the details carefully for any plan.
So if you book economy, you do not get any rewards? is that correct?
If you book basic economy, you don’t get points.
If you book regular economy (AA calls this ”main cabin”), you get points.
The different classes on AA are described here:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/experience/travel-experience.jsp
Thank you everyone for your responses.
I believe that I book Main Cabin so I guess that I continue to get points. At least for now. I click on economy and am given three choices. I always choose the one where I get to pick my seat free at time of booking. I believe this is the middle selection. As I continue booking, I am offered an upgrade or "Stay in Main" and I choose the latter. I book with my Citi Credit Card.
Going to Paris in May on Delta.
These airlines have an array of fare/seat classes, and each has its own nomenclature for the various levels.
This is US domestic flight classes.
Classes listed in ascending order
Alaska- Saver - Main - Premium - First
AA- Basic Economy - Main - Main Plus - Main Select - First
Delta- Main Basic - Main Classic - Main Extra /// Comfort Classic - Comfort Extra /// First Classic - First Extra
UAL - Basic Economy - Economy - Economy(Refundable) - Economy Plus - Biz/First
Southwest- Basic - Choice - Choice Preferred - Choice Extra
Are the airlines trying to differentiate themselves from the others or working to create confusion so they can take advantage of the public. I have no insight on their intentions and have no belief on the subject.
Just an illustration of how precision ( or lack thereof) in the wording can have significant consequences.
Happy Holidays to All
joe32f
All I know is that it is insanely complicated and usually when things are made very complicated, it is not for positive reasons.
Some years back, we had first class and coach.
How about just Business Class, First Class, Coach Plus and Coach ... or is that too simple?
The legacy carriers introduced "Basic Economy" and the like to compete with the discount carriers like Spirit and Frontier.
It may have worked since Spirit is in serious financial trouble. Frontier is also struggling financially this year.
I never book the cheap tickets on Delta or American. For one thing, you can't pick your seats until near flying, which means a middle seat most of the time.
Also, I like ff points and upgrades that we get.
Delta- Main Basic - Main Classic - Main Extra /// Comfort Classic - Comfort Extra /// First Classic - First Extra
Then don't forget Premium Select and Delta One, all depending on the layout of the plane.
