American Airlines Is Changing One of Its Most Valuable Elite Status Benefits

American Airlines is scaling back one of its most valuable perks for its elite travelers, affecting select long-distance domestic routes.

Beginning August 25, travelers with elite AAdvantage status who purchase an economy ticket on select flights with three cabin classes will no longer be placed on the complimentary upgrade list for business class. Instead, they will be considered for an upgrade to premium economy.

The policy change applies to several of the airline’s longer domestic routes, including transcontinental flights and select services to Hawaii. Affected routes include:

• New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO)
• Boston (BOS) to Los Angeles (LAX)
• Chicago (ORD) to Honolulu (HNL) and Maui (OGG)
• Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) to Honolulu (HNL), Kona (KOA), and Maui (OGG)
• Phoenix (PHX) to Honolulu (HNL)

The change does not eliminate complimentary business class upgrades altogether. Elite travelers who purchase a premium economy ticket will remain eligible for an upgrade to business class when available. The same applies to customers who initially purchase an economy ticket but pay to move into premium economy.

The policy also does not affect American Airlines’ standard two-cabin domestic flights in the same way. On those routes, eligible elite members can continue to receive complimentary upgrades from economy to first class.

American described the change as an effort to simplify its upgrade system, telling USA Today that it is “streamlining” its “complimentary upgrade process to deliver a more consistent customer experience.”

The adjustment comes as airlines increasingly look for ways to generate additional revenue.