American Airlines Adds More Flexibility and Options to Tickets

American Airlines has eliminated all change fees for First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy and Main Cabin tickets on all domestic and short-haul international flying.

“In a world that’s constantly changing, American is resolute to our purpose of caring for customers at all points of their travel journey,” said American’s Chief Revenue Officer, Vasu Raja. “American is offering more flexibility and ease than ever before, should travel plans change. By eliminating change fees, giving customers an opportunity to get where they want to go faster with free same-day standby on earlier flights and providing access to upgrades and seats for all fare types, we’re giving customers the freedom to make their own choices when traveling with American.”

No change fee applies to the following locations and cabins:

Any of the 50 U.S. states
Canada
Mexico
Caribbean
Puerto Rico
U.S. Virgin Islands

Main Cabin (except Basic Economy)
Premium Economy
Business Class
First Class

American will also allow customers to keep the full value of their original tickets if they change their travel plans prior to the scheduled travel. Although customers will have to pay the fare difference for a new flight, customers will not lose their ticket value if the new flight is less expensive. For example, if a customer paid $500 for their flight and change to a flight that costs $300, American will give the customer a $200 voucher to use for a future trip.

The new change fee policy applies to AAdvantage award tickets as well.

Standby

Starting 1 October 2020, all customers will have the ability to standby on flights on the same day as their original departure for the same destination at no charge. This flexibility extends to domestic and international travel, regardless of the ticket purchased.

Basic Economy

American is enhancing Basic Economy fares so that customers can purchase products to enhance their travel experience. Customers who purchase Basic Economy tickets on 1 October 2020, and beyond will be able to purchase: upgrades, priority boarding, preferred/main cabin extra seats and/or same-day confirmed flight changes.

AAdvantage

Later this fall, members who have achieved Elite status with the AAdvantage program will receive the benefits they’re accustomed to no matter the ticket they purchase. In addition to enjoying Priority Access/Preferred Boarding, elite members who purchase a Basic Economy fare will now be able to access their:

Upgrade privileges;
Elite seat privileges, including access to Main Cabin Preferred and Main Cabin Extra seats; and
Same-day confirmed flight change benefit.

Effective 1 January 2021, Basic Economy tickets will no longer earn elite qualifying dollars, miles or segments toward future status.

Flexibility

In addition, American is also providing customers additional flexibility by extending its offer to waive change fees for customers booking tickets for any new travel purchased by 31 December 2020. This offer applies to tickets that meet the following criteria: Any First, Business, Premium Economy, Main Cabin, or Basic Economy ticket purchased on or before 31 December 2020, for future travel will not incur change fees prior to travel. Customers must pay any fare difference, if applicable, and fare rules may apply depending on the ticket. All AAdvantage award tickets are included in this offer. Customers are also allowed to change their origin and destination cities as part of this offer.

See latest Travel News, Video Interviews, Podcasts and other news regarding: COVID19, American Airlines.