Update: April 24, 2024, at 12:30 p.m. ET

In response to American Airlines postponing the
implementation of its new
preferred agency program, the American Society of Travel Advisors’ (ASTA) President
and CEO Zane Kerby released the following statement:

“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.”

“This news provides an opportunity for ASTA to continue its
work, opposing American Airlines’ monopolistic, anti-competitive behavior. You
can help by joining the campaign at SaveMyMiles.com, telling your story and
encouraging your clients to do the same. Your stories are resonating with
lawmakers here in Washington, D.C.”

Original Text

American Airlines is giving travel agencies additional time to become a preferred agency with the carrier.

The airline announced that it is extending the current May 1 deadline to July 11. After that point, the airline will cease awarding AAdvantage points for any bookings made by agencies that are not part of the carrier’s preferred roster.

The just-announced extension also includes more time for agencies to reach a 30 percent threshold for New Distribution Capability (NDC) bookings. When it comes to NDC, the deadline has been bumped from April 21 until June 5.


The airline says: “Agencies must adopt and implement American’s NDC and shop and book through American’s NDC connections,” by the airline’s stipulated timeline milestones, which are outlined on the carrier’s website.

After June, agencies can enter the preferred program by reaching 50 percent NDC bookings by October 31 or 70 percent NDC bookings by April 30, 2025.

“The first qualification window closes on June 5, 2024, and requires ticketed NDC bookings for agencies to be at 30% by this date. After meeting this threshold, the agency becomes a part of the program (pending all other criteria being met), and travelers will earn miles and Loyalty Points,” says the airline’s website.

In a statement, American said, “We’ve seen a great response from agencies increasingly adopting modern retailing technology, and many have already achieved preferred retailer status. The majority of our indirect bookings are now made via an agency with NDC capabilities, and the current list of agencies beyond 30 percent NDC bookings is already impressive.”

The airline’s rollout of NDC technology has been controversial. The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) has been continually pushing back against the airline and its plans.

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