When you apply a SWU, the reservation is re-ticketed. If the agent does not re-enter you BE number at that time, you won't be automatically credited. To avoid this scenario, you can remind the agent when they upgrade you (if done over the phone), or call reservations/EXP line after re-ticketing but before you fly to check the BE number is still in your reservation.

Thanks beerup. This explains not initially receiving credit...but still waiting 6+ weeks for them to correct it after notification.

You will have to keep waiting. They were not exaggerating when they say that the retroactive credit claims will take 10 - 12 weeks.

Does AA ever ask for a tax ID for verification purposes for this program?

Not that I am aware of.

They asked for our tax ID number last fall when we joined

Really? I just joined and it was not part of the registration process. Did they ask you for it later?

I haven't been asked for one, but why would this be a problem?

Putting the Extra in Business Extraa
 

The 'Extraa' undoubtedly refers to the number of credits from complete strangers one receives every month. Hopefully, they will at least come close to compensating for the number of missed credits one should have received for one's actual registered employees.

This program is a complete and utter mess. If 1/8th of my flights post, I feel relieved....

I totally agree with the previous post. It feels as if they manage this program on paper index cards that frequently get lost or misdirected. Regardless of the number of promotions I register for, it seems I never get credit. It's virtually impossible to monitor your account as postings only occur once per month and bonuses supposedly take several months to post, if at all. I also have recently seen a few strangers flights appear in my account. But the worst part continues to be that whenever AA re-issues a ticket for any reason (missed flight, changed flight, cancelled flight, upgrade with VIP), the Business Extraa number drops off and then you have to wait another six months to manually submit it for credit and never really know if it ultimately posts.

I always view the program as just a fringe benefit. Whatever extras that comes from it is just gravy. Not worth the hassle to track and submit claims.

Same here. The online submission form asked me to provide an EIN. It did not appear to be optional, but perhaps it would have been possible to submit the form without completing that field...

tax id number
 

+1, i remember asking my wife for the ID number so I didnt try to submit the form without it.

Finally enough points
 

So I've finally got enough points I can consider doing some sort of redemption. Looking at the terms on the upgrades I probably can't use them since I am required to book deep-discount for work (cheapest fare). That leaves actual travel redemptions. Looking at them, it looks like the standard PlanAAhead = MilesAAver award. Correct? So I'd order the award, then use the award to book?

Can I put a MilesAAver award on hold, order the BE award, then use it to "purchase" the on-hold award, or is it a different booking process all together?

Well, let's go to the T&C's shall we:

"Once award is redeemed on BusinessExtrAA.com, a confirmation email is sent to the Travel Manager containing an Electronic Authorization Number. The Electronic Authorization includes the Award Code along with an eight character alpha-numeric code. (IE. BX1A/0A1B2C3D) This number should be provided to American Airlines Reservations when you are ready to ticket your award reservation.

To make reservations for award travel: When calling from within United States or Canada, please contact American Airlines Meeting Services at 1-800-433-1790, 7 days a week, from 6:00AM to 12:00midnight, CT. If calling from outside the U.S. or Canada, please contact your local American Airlines Reservations Office. "