Do you earn miles with AA basic economy?

American Airlines Basic Economy: Miles, but Fewer Than Expected

American Airlines’ Basic Economy fares, while offering a potentially lower price point, come with a significant trade-off for frequent flyers: a reduced earning rate on miles. While AAdvantage members still accrue miles with Basic Economy tickets, the reward is considerably less than with standard fares.

This reduced earning rate often falls to a meager two miles per dollar spent, compared to the more generous miles per dollar accrued with standard fares. This means that the value proposition for the price savings is greatly diminished, especially for frequent flyers who rely on accumulating miles for future travel or upgrades.

This limited benefit should be a key consideration for potential Basic Economy travelers, alongside other restrictions typically associated with this fare class, such as baggage fees, seat assignments, and changes to bookings. The reduced earning rate compounds the impact of these limitations, making the financial decision more complex. Essentially, while travelers may save money initially, they could be forgoing a significant portion of the long-term value proposition offered by the AAdvantage program.