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Another new American Airlines policy is taking off — and loyal flyers aren’t thrilled about where it’s landing.
Beginning Aug. 25, elite AAdvantage members flying on some of the most popular three-cabin domestic routes will no longer be eligible for complimentary upgrades from the main cabin to business class.
Instead, their free upgrade will only bump them up to premium economy, according to the airline.
The change will affect nine routes — including flights between New York and Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco, Boston and Los Angeles and select flights to Hawaii.
American Airlines said the change comes as it expands premium economy seating across more domestic routes, with the carrier looking to make its complimentary upgrade process more consistent.
Elite members flying on domestic routes with no premium economy will still be eligible for complimentary upgrades from the main cabin to the favored front of the craft.
The latest change adds to a string of policy updates that have frustrated some American Airlines customers in recent months.
Last December, the airline stopped allowing passengers who book basic economy fares to earn AAdvantage miles or loyalty points toward elite status — stripping one of the benefits previously available even on its cheapest tickets.
Then in June, American faced backlash over a policy that could leave first-class passengers who are involuntarily downgraded to economy with only a partial refund of the premium fare they paid.
The change is drawing frustration from some travelers online.
“This is yet another reason why loyal, elite customers are feeling alienated by @AmericanAir,” an X user wrote in response to the news.
One self-described longtime American Airlines elite flyer called the decision “absolutely atrocious and disappointing,” adding that they planned to take their business elsewhere. “You just lost a customer,” they said.
The shift could make elite status feel less valuable on some of American’s longest domestic routes, where a complimentary move into business class has traditionally been one of the more coveted — if slowly becoming more scarce — perks for frequent flyers.
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