Update: As of April 23, American Airlines announced it was postponing the implementation of its new preferred agency program until July of 2024. In response, ASTA's Zane Kerby said: "While the fundamentals of American's preferred travel agency program appear not to have changed, its postponement of the program is welcome news for the travel industry. Agencies and advisors most affected by this oncoming change have a couple more months to prepare. It seems that American may now admit to what we've expressed for months: Its NDC technology was underdeveloped, and its implementation deadlines were both arbitrary and unrealistic."
The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) isn’t the only team speaking out against American Airlines. Now, several global travel advisor groups have joined the association in voicing concerns about American Airlines' new policy that impacts travelers' ability to earn rewards miles when booking through traditional travel agencies.
Originally starting May 1 and since postponed to July, American Airlines will no longer award AAdvantage rewards to flyers unless they book directly with American or through the preferred New Distribution Capability (NDC) channels.
This move has drawn criticism from the World Travel Agents Associations Alliance (WTAAA), the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Travel Advisors (ACTA), and the Foro Latinoamericano de Turismo (FOLATUR). Together, the three international organizations represent hundreds of thousands of travel advisors in more than 75 countries.
"This heavy-handed tactic will fragment distribution, drive up costs and reduce transparency for consumers who seek to compare offerings across multiple airlines," said WTAAA in its statement. ACTA President Wendy Paradis warned that the decision "will have far-reaching consequences for the openness and competitiveness of the travel marketplace."
FOLATUR cautioned that if unchecked, "AA will continue with its ever-increasing discriminating pattern, and other airlines in the oligopolistic air transportation market will certainly follow," which would negatively affect air passengers in the U.S. and foreign markets.
Zane Kerby, president and CEO of ASTA, stated that there is a "clear consensus among travel professionals around the world that American's action will have a detrimental impact on the travel industry globally." ASTA has launched the "Save My Miles" campaign to raise awareness and amplify the voices of travel advisors and consumers impacted by American's decision.
Travelers and travel advisors alike can use the Save My Miles website to send letters, urging their congressional leaders to take action. According to the website:
“American Airlines is wielding its considerable market power to condition the way miles and loyalty points are awarded and, in the process, disenfranchising customers who prefer to — or have to — book through a travel agency.
Starting May 1, the burden is now on the traveler to make sure their agency is preferred, and jump through even more hoops, just to obtain their loyalty points.
American’s behavior is monopolistic and should be concerning to lawmakers who value consumer choice. Please take a moment to contact your Members of Congress and express your concern with American’s practices."
Editor’s Note: This article was generated by AI, based on a press release distributed by ASTA.
