American Air boosts debt sale to $10 billion amid strong demand

American Airlines Group Inc. has boosted the size and cut borrowing costs on what’s now a $10 billion debt sale backed by its frequent-flyer program.

The carrier is now selling $6.5 billion of bonds and $3.5 billion of loans, up from $5 billion and $2.5 billion, respectively, according to people familiar with the matter. Each of the bond tranches, which mature in five and eight years, may now yield around 5.75% and 6%, respectively, lower than initial discussions in the low-to-high 6% range.

The new debt, which is secured against the company’s loyalty program, will help refinance American’s $7.5 billion Treasury loan, of which $550 million has been drawn to date, according to an investor presentation Monday.

Books close on the bonds at 11 a.m. in New York on Wednesday, with pricing expected thereafter, the people added, asking not to be identified discussing a private transaction. Commitments on the loan have been accelerated by one day to Wednesday.

Read more: American Air Borrowing $7.5 Billion in Loyalty-Backed Debt

The airline is returning to the market at a ripe time for borrowers: Funding costs are at historically low levels and risk appetite has been soaring as investors rush to get their hands on higher-paying assets. American borrowed $2.5 billion in June at an all-in yield of 12%.