---
title: American Airlines Just Made It Harder to Score Free Flights With Frequent Flyer Miles
description: The airline is switching to reward money spent not distance flown
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published: '2015-11-17T20:52:24.000Z'
modified: '2024-05-16T10:39:47.000Z'
section: Lifestyle
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  - Travel
word_count: 124
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![Chicago's O'Hare Airport Hosts Air Industry's World Route Forum](https://img.money.com/2015/11/455739106.jpg)

American Airlines, the biggest airline in the United States, announced Tuesday it is changing its frequent flyer program to reward money spent rather than distance flown, making it [harder](http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/17/american-airline-rewards-idUSL1N13C1XZ20151117#8BRrTvWimRCraG63.97) to reward travel with budget flights.

The move is similar to changes made to other loyalty programs for Delta and United, has been long anticipated by investors, [Reuters](http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/17/american-airline-rewards-idUSL1N13C1XZ20151117#8BRrTvWimRCraG63.97) reports.

The policy change is sure to stir things up in the “travel hacking” scene, in which people read the fine print to game loyalty programs and fly for cheap or even free, but it also represents a hit for budget travelers, as airlines seek instead to court bigger-spending business travelers and wealthier customers.

**Read Next: What Marriott’s Purchase of Starwood Means for Your Hotel Reward Points**

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