News Brief: Airline Loyalty Programs Hold Steady
Summary
Major U.S. airlines, including American, United, and Delta, are maintaining their frequent flyer elite status requirements for the upcoming earning years, focusing on rewarding customer spending and adding new mid-tier perks.
Key Points
- Status Quo on Requirements: American Airlines will keep elite status thresholds unchanged for 2027, marking the third consecutive year of stability. United and Delta have also kept requirements steady for the 2026 earning year.
- Industry Trend: This move aligns with an industry-wide shift to reward customer spending over distance flown, aiming to attract higher-spending travelers.
- New Mid-Tier Perks: American is introducing new benefits for reaching spending milestones between status tiers, such as food/beverage coupons and digital subscriptions.
- Other Investments: American continues to invest in cabin upgrades, larger lounges, and has begun rolling out free in-flight Wi-Fi.
- Credit Card Changes Pending: Following its split with Barclays, American expects to announce changes to its Citibank co-branded credit cards later this year.
新闻简报：航空公司常旅客计划门槛保持稳定
摘要
美国主要航空公司，包括美国航空、美联航和达美航空，将在未来几个累积年度保持其常旅客精英会员等级要求不变，重点转向奖励客户消费并增加新的中间层级福利。
关键点
- 要求维持不变：美国航空将保持2027年精英会员等级门槛不变，这是连续第三年保持稳定。美联航和达美航空也已将2026累积年度的要求保持稳定。
- 行业趋势：此举符合全行业从奖励飞行距离转向奖励客户消费的趋势，旨在吸引高消费旅客。
- 新增中间层级福利：美国航空为在等级之间达到消费里程碑的会员引入了新福利，例如餐饮券和数字平台订阅。
- 其他投资：美国航空持续投资客舱升级、扩建贵宾室，并已开始提供免费机上Wi-Fi。
- 信用卡变更待定：在与巴克莱银行结束合作后，美国航空预计将在今年晚些时候宣布其与花旗银行联名信用卡的变更。
Original Article Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/07/american-airlines-aadvantage-frequent-flyer-status-requirements.html