Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


0

American Stiffens Frequent-Flier Rules

Fees see an increase in a move to cut costs

Share

(Newser) – American Airlines has added stiffer fees and higher mileage requirements to its frequent-flier program as the airline struggles to cope with fuel costs, the New York Times reports. American, which posted a $1.16 billion loss for the second quarter, is following the lead of Delta, which tightened the purse strings for its frequent-flier program last week.

American has added a $50 fee (each way) to the 15,000 miles required to upgrade a domestic discounted coach seat, and it added $50 to the fees for international upgrades. The airline has raised the mileage requirement for free business class tickets: domestic flights now require 50,000 miles (up from 45,000) or 100,000 if booked at the last minute (up from 90,000).

In this June 14, 2008 file photo, two American Airlines jets sit at gates at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Va.
In this June 14, 2008 file photo, two American Airlines jets sit at gates at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Va.   (AP Photo/Brian McDermott, file)
Luggage is sorted inside Terminal 8 at JFK International Airport in New York, Wednesday, July 30, 2008.
Luggage is sorted inside Terminal 8 at JFK International Airport in New York, Wednesday, July 30, 2008.   (AP Photo/Rick Maiman)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
0 comments
VIEWING:
 
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

43 Stories

 More Cuts Await 
 Slumping Airlines 

Delta, AA among carriers who can't cover costs

Jun 12, 09 9:09 AM CDT
(Newser) - As rising oil prices and sluggish demand continued to hammer the airline industry, Delta, American, and several other carriers forecast further cuts to service yesterday, reports the Wall Street Journal. Despite massive reductions in service, CEOs said at an industry meeting that they still aren't covering costs. "Earnings are... More »

MORE ABOUT:
airline industry • recession • airline • American Airlines • Continental • Delta • Southwest Airlines • business travelers • swine flu • H1N1 virus

 Carry On! 
 Fewer Checked 
 Bags Cut 
 Lost Luggage 

Airlines lost 1.3M fewer bags last year as new fees convinced passengers to carry on

Mar 2, 09 2:05 AM CST
(Newser) - Through their relentless fees, airlines have managed to put the task of transporting often-lost luggage in much safer hands. Last year—as passengers carried aboard the baggage they previously checked for free—airlines lost 1.3 million fewer bags than in 2007, the Chicago Tribune reports. The 33% improvement was... More »

MORE ABOUT:
airline industry • luggage • American Airlines • Southwest Airlines • fees • baggage handling • lost baggage • airlines

 After Turbulent 
 Year, Airlines See 
 Smoother 2009 

Falling fuel prices and capacity better in line with demand will help profits

Jan 21, 09 9:53 AM CST
(Newser) - The nation’s airlines—which scrambled to retask fleets and ground fuel-guzzling aircraft last year as energy prices rose and passenger miles dropped—are likely to have a smoother flight in 2009, reports the Wall Street Journal. Reduced capacity has allowed them to better match supply and demand, and falling... More »

MORE ABOUT:
airline industry • United Airlines • American Airlines • corporate earnings • Southwest Airlines

43 Stories


'Time' selects US Airways as stingiest airline
Arizona Republic (Phoenix)

Jet Blue charging $7 for pillow
USA Today


Business 
TwitterFollow @NewserBusiness on Twitter

 
cost cutting • airline industry • American Airlines • frequent flier miles • quarterly results • fuel costs • business models

from our news partners