American Airlines extends deadline for agencies to reach preferred status

Travel agencies that are working toward becoming an American Airlines preferred agency will have more time to do so.

American had said it would cease awarding AAdvantage points for bookings through non-preferred travel agencies starting May 1. The new deadline is July 11.

The airline also has given agencies more time to achieve the 30% threshold for new distribution capability (NDC) bookings that is necessary for becoming a preferred agency. The previous deadline of April 21 has been extended to June 5.

"We've seen a great response from agencies increasingly adopting modern retailing technology, and many have already achieved preferred retailer status," American said in a statement. "The majority of our indirect bookings are now made via an agency with NDC capabilities, and the current list of agencies beyond 30% NDC bookings is already impressive. We anticipate even more who are on the cusp of meeting the threshold to do so very soon." 

When American announced its NDC preferred-agency plan in February, the airline said preferred agencies must reach 50% NDC bookings by by Oct. 31 and 70% by April 30, 2025.

*This story originally appeared in Travel Weekly, a fellow Northstar Travel Group publication.