American Airlines announced last month it will retool its rewards program so members accumulate miles based on the ticket price rather than distance flown. Delta Airlines and United Airlines have made similar changes to their programs.

In effect, the move makes it harder for loyalty program members to achieve elite status and other benefits through a strategy of buying cheap tickets for long-distance flights.

The new plan will see members earning five award miles for every dollar spent on tickets, and elite members will earn higher amounts.

“American Airlines has spent the last two years being singularly focused on integration. Now we’re at a point where we can begin to look ahead and lay the foundation for the future of the AAdvantage program to ensure we’re rewarding our most loyal customers with the benefits they value the most,” said Suzanne Rubin, president, American Airlines AAdvantage. “We seamlessly integrated our programs in 2015, and we’re excited about the opportunities that the program will offer our customers in the years to come.”

The changes will go into effect in the second half of 2016, American announced in a press release.