Wow.. AC is 3000 points. It's only 3200 for an Econ ticket from US to South America or a First Class ticket for CONUS, Canada, Mexico. To me, it seems like AC is overpriced. Of course, I also feel that way about mileage awards for AC

The following has been added to the OP based on information from Business ExtrAA customer service:

I suppose this is basically what one would expect, but I haven't seen it listed elsewhere.

I enjoy Delta's and Northwest's business programs better. AA seems it takes twice as long to earn any rewards. That being said, what would be good use of 2500 Business Extraa points? How about at 2750 or 3000 level? Should I wait or redeem? We are more interested in corporate travel.

Lastly, use promo below for 500 Business Extraa points. What isn't clear is if current business extraa members can use this. -
American Airlines Business ExtrAA Program

The American Airlines� Business ExtrAA� Program is the travel rewards program for your company. Membership is free and enrollment is easy.

Small and medium-sized businesses do not always get the respect they deserve. By enrolling your business in the Business ExtrAA travel rewards program, your company can start accruing valuable Points that can be used to lower your overall travel costs by allowing you to redeem your Points for your company's business travel � even up to the day of departure. You may also use your travel awards to reward exceptional employees or bring candidate in to interview. How you use the awards is your choice. You can also earn upgrades, or even memberships and one-day visits to the serene Admirals Club airport lounges, and more!

While your business racks up rewards, your employees will still get their AAdvantage� miles. You've got nothing to lose!

How does it work?
Go online at www.BusinessExtrAA.com and enroll.
500 Point Bonus Offer

Sign up through this Starwood Offer to receive 500 Bonus Points � That's 1/4 of the way to your first earned ticket.

Use enrollment code SPB2009 when you enroll at www.BusinessExtrAA.com to receive the bonus. Bonus points will post when the first flight posts to the account within 6 months of enrollment.

I just heard about the Business ExtrAA program. I was wondering if there are any downsides to joining?

Also, I assume one only gets miles on AA metal. True?

Downsides? From something free? If there is one, it is that sometimes you get transfered to Meeting Services for any changes, i.e. UPG's.

Not only does it need to be AA metal, but AA ticket stock.

Considering using a Business Extraa upgrade for JFK-SFO? I realize that you can't have N, S, O or Q nor can you confirm more than 30 days in advance but otherwise do these upgrades pull from the same space (e.g. C inventory for Business Class and A inventory for first) as mileage upgrades?

Yep.

(See the OP of this thread into which your post has now been merged; available from the FAQ.
/Moderator)

What numbers are necessary to process a business extraa upgrade? I ordered one over the weekend. It gave me the confirmation number. Is that sufficient to have them process the upgrade? Or do I need to wait for it to arrive in the mail to get other numbers?

There is a serial number on the certificate. Sometimes we have been asked for that number, sometimes not. No downside to trying before the certificate arrives - if they say no, just wait until it gets there.

I have used a few of these lately and the only thing I have needed to request the upgrade was the STAR file (e.g. BXP3). They processed the upgrades immediately and then I submitted the certificate at check-in.

I have never been asked for a serial number or any other info.

Thanks for the responses. They asked me for the STAR file and the confirmation # which is available online in your account redemption screen.

Confirmed both a JFK-LAS and JFK-SEA upgrade. As a PLAT, I consider that to be a very good value as I equivocate 650 Business Extraa points to about 8K miles.

So I have a flight confirmed in F using a BXP1 upgrade for JFK-SEA tomorrow evening. I had the certificates issued on the 12th yet they have still not arrived. I just called Meeting Services who advised me to call Business Extraa Customer Service when they open in the morning. Has anyone else encountered this problem?

Yes, more than once I have had certificates I ordered not arrive. They are very good about it when it happens, cancelling the old certs and sending new ones, but if your flight is tomorrow you may be out of luck.

Thanks. I'm hoping they can find some workaround or at the very least confirm me in X with stickers. I'll post in a couple hours after I talk to them.

22 minutes on the phone and it was all taken care of. There wasn't a problem with the address or them not being mailed - they were just slow to do it. She explained that I really should have allowed three weeks. I politely said I understood now but the language on the website of it being processed twice weekly. So I asked for a workaround. She offered no assurances but put me on hold and came back about five minutes later explaining that I could mail the certificate back (if I didn't they said they would deduct another 650 pts - I was expecting a threat to deduct the full G to full F class fare difference). They added a notation in my record so that the TA at RDU will know that I wouldn't have the cert and to check me in anyways.

to unnecessarily long processing times but ^^ to the agent and the typical customer service that I've come to enjoy at AA and has made me a very loyal customer.