This article was updated on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, to include American Airlines’ comment on the new free in-flight Wi-Fi and the rewards program that was recently removed from Basic Economy tickets. It was originally published on Monday. January 12, 2026.
What was supposed to be a bright spot for American Airlines passengers with the AAdvantage Miles or Loyalty Points for basic economy flights was unexpectedly shaken up. Now, passengers criticize the airline’s newest free high-speed Wi-Fi on its flights because it will never work anyway.
In December 2025, American Airlines suddenly axed a popular miles-earning option, leaving AAdvantage members reeling, but AA seemingly made up for it with its latest free perk, effective this month. However, many passengers are already critical of it on Reddit, saying, “The Wi-Fi will never work.”
In AA’s latest rewards shake-up, passengers believe that free in-flight Wi-Fi can’t soften the blow of losing the passenger-favorite loyalty miles. However, American Airlines told TheTravel that they’re “always looking for ways to make our award-winning AAdvantage program even more rewarding” for their members, as well as the new Wi-Fi service on board.
AA also said there will be new reward options for loyal passengers starting in March 2026, with a few changes to make way for them.
American Airlines Endures Criticisms Of Free In-flight Wi-Fi After Getting Rid Of Loyalty Perk
People have already been buzzing on Reddit and Instagram since American Airlines’ free Wi-Fi became available this month. Back in April 2025, American Airlines announced that complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi would be available across its two million flights per year, sponsored by AT&T.
American Airlines said in an announcement that the complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi is exclusive to AAdvantage members, offering ‘free in-flight connectivity on more planes than any other domestic carrier sponsored by AT&T.”
Heather Garboden, Chief Customer Officer for AA, also said they’ve “been working diligently” to equip their aircraft with best-in-class high-speed Wi-Fi, at no extra cost for their loyal fliers.
“Our customers greatly value staying connected while on the air, whether communicating with friends, getting work done, checking in on social media, or streaming their favorite subscription services,” Garboden said.
But many passengers aren’t sold on AA’s new free perk. On Reddit, one individual commented, “Seriously, I flew twice a week, domestically, all of last year. Never once did an airplane have working Wi-Fi,” which was agreed with by other Redditors, while some believe it’s never free anyway.
Over on Instagram, some individuals were delighted by the new perk, but many remain unimpressed, citing security and privacy concerns, and said that “nothing’s free. They cut a deal to sell passengers’ data.” An individual also claimed that he flew American Airlines two days ago and paid $30 for Wi-Fi, while two others said they paid $22 and $24 each last week.
Here’s What Other Passengers Say About American Airlines’ New Free In-flight Wi-Fi
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“But, you’d still have to suffer with the subpar service of AA, so no, thanks!” |
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“Don’t use airlines’ Wi-Fi. They’re not secure, especially in the airport. And especially on planes, unless you want people to go onto your phone and find everything. Good luck.” |
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“And also another reason not to fly American. The Wi-Fi will never work.” |
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“I still won’t fly that horrible airline.” |
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“Nothing is free. Haven’t you learned anything yet?” |
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“It won’t work most of the time.” |
American Airlines said in its announcement that its free Wi-Fi is powered by Viasat and Intelsat, both known for high-capacity satellite internet, and covers about 90% of its aircraft, and that “by advancing connectivity, everything becomes more immediate and accessible anywhere they go,” says Jenifer Robertson, EVP & GM, Mass Markets, AT&T.
American Airlines Passengers Remain Upset About The Slashed Rewards Miles
As frequent American Airlines fliers weigh the novelty of AA’s free Wi-Fi against the rewards miles they just lost, many AAdvantage members remain disappointed by the legacy airline’s sudden cancellation of the program.
According to American Airlines, travelers who purchased “a Basic Economy ticket on December 17, 2025, and beyond will not earn AAdvantage miles or Loyalty Points towards AAdvantage status,” although they will still receive perks on board, such as “one free personal item and one free carry-on bag, free snacks, soft drinks, and in-flight entertainment.”
After AA’s announcement of the free Wi-Fi, passengers were still upset, with one traveler saying, “I’d rather pay for Wi-Fi than not get loyalty points and miles from buying basic economy.”
Others also said that they’re canceling their AAdvantage credit cards, as they’re no longer useful for them after AA changed its rewards program.
Some decades ago, American Airlines was the first major, successful, and long-running carrier to offer rewards programs, becoming a model for other legacy airlines.
But AA’s recent change of heart has deeply disappointed many loyal passengers, and experts believe this could have a significant impact on the airline, especially since many families who often collect miles are flying American Airlines for vacations.
American Airlines Will Introduce New Reward Options This Year
Amid the perks-and-rewards shake-up, American Airlines continues to find ways that are both rewarding and beneficial to its clientele, says Tiffany Valdez, Manager of American Airlines Corporate Communication. Valdez explained that the launch of free in-flight Wi-Fi has been in the works for some time and isn’t directly associated with Loyalty Point Rewards.
Valdez told TheTravel that there will be new rewards options this year, but to make room for these additions, a few existing rewards will be phased out on March 1, 2026, such as:
- The 30% Loyalty Point bonus at the 100K Loyalty Point Reward level
- Bang & Olufsen reward choices at the 250K, 400K, 550K, and 750K Loyalty Point Reward levels
Valdez also shared with TheTravel the full new reward options:
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15,000 Loyalty Points: |
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60,000 Loyalty Points: |
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175,000 Loyalty Points: |
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Later in 2026, passengers with 400K, 550K, and 750K Loyalty Points can also choose a 12-month New York Times All Access subscription, as well as the following starting March 1, 2026:
- $500 credit toward American Airlines Vacations packages
- 1 AAdvantage Exchange gift
- 1 AAdvantage Exchange premium gift (requires 2 choices)
Valdez also added that the Loyalty Points required for AAdvantage status and Loyalty Point Rewards will remain unchanged, so members can continue earning and enjoying benefits without any changes to qualification levels.
For most loyal passengers, American Airlines’ recent perks-and-rewards shake-up is a reminder that loyalty programs don’t always mean free. As folks at Simply Flying said, “there are legacy carriers such as Delta and American making changes to their offerings in certain markets, making more options available, and attempting to capture the low-cost market.”
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