American Airlines is following other airlines by basing perks like free flights on how much passengers spend on tickets, not how many miles they fly. The change, which matches those at Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, starts with flights on Aug. 1 and rewards American's highest-paying passengers. Elite-status members of American's AAdvantage frequent-flier program will earn bonus miles for every dollar they spend. American signaled in October that changes were coming, but gave few details until Monday. AAdvantage has about 100m members, making it the biggest and the oldest major airline loyalty program. It featured easy math: Fly one mile, earn one mile. Today that simplicity is a quaint throwback. Airlines now compete fiercely for high-paying customers — they lavish elite travelers with upgraded cabins, lie-flat beds, better food and bigger frequent-flier rewards. American said most members will earn five miles for every dollar they spend on base fares and carrier-imposed fees. That multiple rises to seven, eight or 11 for elites — gold, platinum and executive-platinum members. Miles alone will no longer make you elite. Starting Jan. 1, customers will have to hit annual mileage marks and spending minimums, including at least $3,000 for gold and $12,000 for executive-platinum. A fourth level will be added just below executive platinum.<br/>
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American Airlines wants to improve Internet access on its planes. The goal is to make it as speedy as it is for most people at home. The world's largest airline signed a deal with ViaSat, a satellite Internet provider, to provide high speed service to 100 of its newest planes, the 737 MAX. Boeing is due to start delivering the new jets to American next year. ViaStat already provides service to United, JetBlue and Virgin America. Its higher speed allows better video streaming on services such as Netflix and Amazon. American also reached a deal with Gogo to upgrade inflight Internet service on 140 of the jets on which GoGo now provides service. The new Gogo service, known as 2Ku, is a satellite service, as opposed to GoGo's existing ground-based service. That will mean faster download speeds, and will also allow the service to continue when the plane is over the ocean. Currently, Gogo cuts out soon after a plane starts crossing open water. The new 2Ku, will be available on American's mainline jets. Only about 300 smaller regional jets will continue to have the previous generation Gogo service.<br/>