American Airlines changes passenger rules for earning miles – travel agents furious

Lifestyle

by Richard Pollina

American Airlines has multiple travel advisors after announcing plans to limit the earning of AAdvantage miles to certain booking agents.

The major airline announced in February that travelers who want to earn AAdvantage miles on flights must do so directly through American Airlines, a partner airline, or a preferred travel agent recognized by the airline.

The change will go into effect on May 1, but American Airlines has not yet disclosed which agents will be included as “preferred agents.”

The change was made as part of the airline's efforts to minimize costs for agents using older technology reservation systems.

The company is trying to convince agents using the old reservation system to upgrade to a new platform like the one American Airlines uses on its website.

American Airlines said it would share the list “in late April,” but the agency, which is unsure whether the list will be made public, has expressed disgust at the major change.

The American Association of Travel Agents (ASTA), the Canadian Association of Travel Agents and Advisors (ACTA), the Latin American Travel Association (FOLATUR), and the World Federation of Travel Associations (WTAA) all agree that any plan that limits the ability of customers to earn miles may He emphasized that there is. It would be a disservice to their agency.

“It is clear from the consensus of WTAAA, ACTA, and FOLATUR, which represent travel professionals around the world, that American Airlines' decision will have a negative impact on the global travel industry,” said ASTA President and CEO. Zane Kirby told Travel & Tour World.

Kirby accused American Airlines of “bad management” and “seeking to increase profits at the expense of our valued customers and the millions of consumers who rely on their trusted travel advisors.” did.

Henry Harteveldt, president of travel industry market research firm Atmosphere Research Group, told Fodors Travel that the move is a “very inward-looking” perspective for American Airlines.

“This is not a very consumer-friendly approach, and American Airlines is being a bit of a bully here,” Harteveldt explained, adding that the move could open loyalty airline members to disputes with the company and its agents. He added that they would be exposed to a barrage of fire.

Harteveld believes the move is also being monitored by the company's competitors, who will either adopt the change if it's successful, or their sales teams will sell flyers from Americans dissatisfied with the new method. I think there is a possibility that there will be a push to extract them.

“American Airlines' actions are risky, but many airlines are looking to see if it works for them, because if it works, United Airlines or Delta Air Lines could emulate it in a certain way. I'm not surprised,” he told the media. .

Airlines are stalling on the change, but Brett Snyder, author of the popular travel industry blog Crankyflier and CEO of travel assistance service Cranky Concierge, says the move is already in the cards for airlines. The company said it could cause “confusion” in the company's flyers. Frequent changes. ”

“The biggest impact will likely be on business travelers who may not have a choice of where to book depending on their company's policies,” Snyder told the magazine.

“The fact that American Airlines still hasn't told everyone who's preferred and who's not makes it even more confusing.”

As the airline industry waits to see who American Airlines will name as its “preferred agent,” travelers may also feel the weight of the change at times, Snyder explained.

He is concerned that some agents may not disclose this to customers during the booking process.

The measure could also impact cruise lines that book airfare as part of a package, potentially denying them access to certain agents that are not listed as American's preferred agents. There is.

This change only affects travelers who collect AAdvantage miles on American Airlines flights.

Travelers with American Airlines business accounts can continue to earn miles on flights no matter which booking channel they use, unless they book a Basic Economy fare.

Travelers who collect miles from other oneworld partners (a global airline alliance in which American Airlines is a member with 13 other airlines, including British Airways, Qatar Airways, and Malaysia Airlines) will have access to the relevant booking channels. You can continue to earn miles on American Airlines flights.