Nov 21, 2012, 10:53 am
Last edit by: Prospero
American Airlines Business Extra® Program (master thread)
Historical Notes
Key Information
Note: older posts have been archived to ARCHIVE: Business Extra Program master thread (consolidated)
Historical Notes
- October 5th, 2021: New award types introduced: BXL1 for Platinum status and BXP0 to convert Business Extra points to AA miles at a 1:6 rate. New requirement introduced to redeem: Starting January 1, 2023, current members will be required to have three unique travelers and maintain $5,000 in qualifying Business Extra flight activity during the previous 12-month period to redeem points.This policy will go into effect immediately for new members who join the program on October 4, 2021 or later.
- Feb 2018 - BXP1, BXP2, BXP3 Upgrade Certificates can be redeemed electronically, without the need to redeem or submit paper certificates. [URL="https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29470237-post1150.html"[/url]
- Dec 2015 - Unannounced more-restrictive changes to BXP upgrade certificates implemented. [URL="http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-airlines-aadvantage/898180-business-extra-program-master-thread-consolidated.html#post25942133"[/url]
- Nov 2015 - Europe AA Business Extra closed and migrated to AA-BA-IB On Business [URL="http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-airlines-aadvantage-combined-airline-program/1715008-aa-ba-ib-europe-business-programme-nov-30-2015-ex-business-extra-europe.html"[/url]
- Oct 2014 - Business Extra Awards may be redeemed for flights on US Airways
- Sep 2013 - Business ExtrAA brand changed to simply Business Extra
- Sep 2012 - Upgrade Awards are no longer restricted to use within 30 days of travel [url=http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/19345217-post394.html[/url]
Key Information
- Promotion Codes - For a current list of Business ExtrAA promotions, see: Business ExtrAA Bonus Offers (consolidated)
- Point Expiration - Business Extra points expire on a rolling basis, two years after the year in which they are earned, on December 31 at midnight U.S. Central Time. Their validity can not be extended.
- Award Redemption - All awards must be redeemed via the Business Extra website. Flight Awards are delivered electronically via email with an Electronic Authorization Number. Upgrade Awards and Admirals Club Day Passes are delivered in paper certificate form via regular mail. Redemption sweeps occur twice per week and expedited delivery is available if you provide your FedEx/UPS account number via email. Gold Status and Admirals Club Membership awards are processed and active in the member's account after approximately one week, with other membership materials delivered in the mail within 4 weeks.
Note: BE awards must be booked on nonstop flights if they are available between your origin and destination.
- Award Inventory Codes - Per Meeting Services, Business Extra Awards book into the following inventory (although there are conflicting reports from mvoight and InsipidMonkey on whether or not this information is accurate for PlanAAhead Awards, for which availability may be significantly less than MileSAAver Award and/or T inventory availability):Award Type Books Into
PlanAAhead - Economy T
PlanAAhead - Business* U
PlanAAhead - First† Z
AAnytime - Economy Y
AAnytime - Business* J
AAnytime - First† F
Upgrade to Business* C
Upgrade to First† A
* = First class cabin on 2-class flights
† = First class cabin on 3-class flights
- Flight Award Reservations - Award Tickets must be booked through AA Meeting Services at 1-800-433-1790 (U.S. and Canada; others contact your local reservations office), and you will need to provide the Reservations Agent with the Electronic Authorization Number from your award certificate. As of Oct 2012, flight awards can be booked without a telephone booking service charge.
- Flight Award Expiration - As published on the Business Extra website, Award Tickets must be booked within one year of redeeming the certificate, and are then valid for one year from booking:
Award ticket must be issued by midnight one year from the original award redemption date. Tickets issued against Business Extra flight awards are then valid for one year from the ticket issue date. - Upgrade Award Reservations - Upgrade Awards may be applied once a reservation is Ticketed by calling AA Meeting Services or using the Business Extra website. Once requested online you will receive an email with a confirmation number and serial numbers for each upgrade certificate requested.
Upgrade Awards carry fare restrictions (excludes B, N, O, Q or S fares). Take careful note of your fare when making a reservation. It is possible to "Upfare" a reservation from the lowest available fare to an BXP-upgrade-eligible fare by placing it on Hold at AA.com, calling AA to request the desired higher fare basis code, then completing the purchase online.
You can specify ITA searches that exclude the ineligible fares as follows:jfk:: aa /f ~bc = b & ~bc = n & ~bc = o & ~bc = q & ~bc = s
(Or you can place everything after the slash directly in the second advanced control box.)
These filters can also be concatenated with other commands, such as maximum duration, separated with a semicolon:jfk:: aa /maxdur 800 ; f ~bc = b & ~bc = n & ~bc = o & ~bc = q & ~bc = s
- Upgrade Award Expiration - Electronic BXP Upgrade Awards are valid for 1 year from redemption. Previously, paper Upgrade Awards were valid thru Jun 30 or Dec 31 of the following year, with the exact date depending on the batch of certificates available at the time of redemption.
- Returning Unused Awards - Points redeemed for awards but not yet applied to a ticket can be returned for no charge by using the 'returns' option in your account options. Points will be reinstated with an expiration date 2 calendar years from reinstatement (i.e., expiring on December 31 two calendar years from reinstatement). For awards already applied to a ticket, you must call Business ExtrAA customer services at 800-457-7072, or email [email protected]. Customers outside the US should use the email.
- Business Extra Account Credit - A Business Extra number can be added to an existing reservation (for example, booked by a third-party travel agent) by calling AA Meeting Services.
A Business Extra number can be added to an existing BA reservation as follows:- Go to www.britishairways.com
- Select 'Manage My Booking' tab
- Follow the instructions to pull up your reservation
- Select the link towards bottom listed under 'Quick Links' 'Add On Business or Business Extra number'
- Add your Business Extra number and check the box to give your consent.
Retroactive credit for completed travel can be requested via the Business Extra website.
- Contact Business Extra
Web home page: https://www.businessextra.com
Booking and Ticketing (Meeting Services desk)
www.aa.com
1-800-433-1790 5:00 a.m. - 12:00 midnight (CT) 7 days a week
Business Extra Customer Service
1-800-457-7072 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (CT) Monday - Friday
Fax: 1-817-931-9029
E-mail: [email protected]
Link to aa.com BE contact web form
http://www.aa.com/contactAA/viewEmai...businessExtrAA
Link to BE web contact form
Note: older posts have been archived to ARCHIVE: Business Extra Program master thread (consolidated)
Business Extra ("ExtrAA") Program (master thread)
Aug 15, 2022, 9:43 am
#1668
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: RDU
Posts: 735
Technically no but I have had this happen with a waitlisted BXP1 where my complimentary upgrade cleared and subsequently the BXP1 cleared ~24 hours before departure. Downside was the dragon didn't allow me into FFD because she said it was an error that I got into F (which I didn't argue because it was).
Aug 17, 2022, 12:01 pm
#1669
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Chicago
Posts: 425
Could someone please explain the difference between a W fare and P fare? I'm trying to use a BXP2 upgrade. I understand the rules but I cannot find any premium economy fare that is labeled as W rather than P. I am aware of the fare class glossaries but there's no explanation there either. They are both listed as premium economy.
Aug 17, 2022, 12:11 pm
#1670
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,481
Could someone please explain the difference between a W fare and P fare? I'm trying to use a BXP2 upgrade. I understand the rules but I cannot find any premium economy fare that is labeled as W rather than P. I am aware of the fare class glossaries but there's no explanation there either. They are both listed as premium economy.
Searching aa.com you will rarely see W due to the price, unless the flight you're looking at is close to being sold out.
If you want to book a W fare then just call AA and they can give you the cheapest option that books into W for whatever itinerary you're looking at. Just be prepared for sticker shock, IME W is usually at least twice the price of P depending on the route.
Aug 17, 2022, 1:29 pm
#1671
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA
Posts: 10,067
Could someone please explain the difference between a W fare and P fare? I'm trying to use a BXP2 upgrade. I understand the rules but I cannot find any premium economy fare that is labeled as W rather than P. I am aware of the fare class glossaries but there's no explanation there either. They are both listed as premium economy.
Aug 28, 2022, 4:18 pm
#1673
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,546
Originally Posted by businessextra.com
AAdvantage Platinum® appointments issued January 1st through August 30th of each year are valid through March 31st of the following year (i.e. Mar. 31, 2023).
AAdvantage Platinum® appointments issued September 1st through December 31st of each year are valid through March 31st of the next calendar year (i.e. Mar. 31, 2024).
AAdvantage Platinum® appointments issued September 1st through December 31st of each year are valid through March 31st of the next calendar year (i.e. Mar. 31, 2024).
Aug 29, 2022, 2:57 pm
#1674
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SBA
Programs: UA & AA 1 million miler
Posts: 1,134
Aug 30, 2022, 7:25 am
#1676
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: RDU
Posts: 735
Sep 3, 2022, 10:55 am
#1677
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: BDL, BOS
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, AA EXP, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 627
RocketMiles Business Extra promotion
Anyone tried to take advantage of this promotion? If you book by 9/6 a 3 night stay you get 3,000 bonus Business Extra Miles (make sure you select Business Extra as your loyalty program on the drop down field, not AAdvantage).
https://www.rocketmiles.com/bonus-labor-day-ga
The only hotels I see that are offering the 3,000 points in various cities are running $1K+ per night.
https://www.rocketmiles.com/bonus-labor-day-ga
The only hotels I see that are offering the 3,000 points in various cities are running $1K+ per night.
Sep 22, 2022, 10:06 am
#1678
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: BAEC Gold, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AMEX Platinum (US)
Posts: 18,487
I'm used to using BXP1s on the transcons so this connecting flights lark with BXP1s is new to me...
Looking at booking LGA-ORD-SNA for a few weeks time and I see on Expertflyer when searching LGA-SNA that there are 7 C seats on both flights (Business - Upgrade (Including 2-Cabin Domestic First) ). I called Meeting Services/Business Extra before I booked the reservation to double check they could see the same C seats I could. They said when looking at it as two separate flights it was 0 on both but when you look at it as LGA-SNA it shows as the 7 but I could waitlist.
Obviously I'd need 2x BXP1s but don't really care because they are expiring. The agent said that "chances of clearing were probably pretty good since it's 7" but that it was obviously a dice roll and could happen anywhere up to the gate.
I assume if you waitlist the BXP1s get returned with their existing expiration date.
Also am assuming that each one clears individually so it's not as if the fact I have one overarching itinerary with 2 segments that has 7 C seats has any bearing on clearing...
Experience and thoughts welcome, please! Thanks!
Looking at booking LGA-ORD-SNA for a few weeks time and I see on Expertflyer when searching LGA-SNA that there are 7 C seats on both flights (Business - Upgrade (Including 2-Cabin Domestic First) ). I called Meeting Services/Business Extra before I booked the reservation to double check they could see the same C seats I could. They said when looking at it as two separate flights it was 0 on both but when you look at it as LGA-SNA it shows as the 7 but I could waitlist.
Obviously I'd need 2x BXP1s but don't really care because they are expiring. The agent said that "chances of clearing were probably pretty good since it's 7" but that it was obviously a dice roll and could happen anywhere up to the gate.
I assume if you waitlist the BXP1s get returned with their existing expiration date.
Also am assuming that each one clears individually so it's not as if the fact I have one overarching itinerary with 2 segments that has 7 C seats has any bearing on clearing...
Experience and thoughts welcome, please! Thanks!
Sep 22, 2022, 10:12 am
#1679
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 325
I'm used to using BXP1s on the transcons so this connecting flights lark with BXP1s is new to me...
Looking at booking LGA-ORD-SNA for a few weeks time and I see on Expertflyer when searching LGA-SNA that there are 7 C seats on both flights (Business - Upgrade (Including 2-Cabin Domestic First) ). I called Meeting Services/Business Extra before I booked the reservation to double check they could see the same C seats I could. They said when looking at it as two separate flights it was 0 on both but when you look at it as LGA-SNA it shows as the 7 but I could waitlist.
Obviously I'd need 2x BXP1s but don't really care because they are expiring. The agent said that "chances of clearing were probably pretty good since it's 7" but that it was obviously a dice roll and could happen anywhere up to the gate.
I assume if you waitlist the BXP1s get returned with their existing expiration date.
Also am assuming that each one clears individually so it's not as if the fact I have one overarching itinerary with 2 segments that has 7 C seats has any bearing on clearing...
Experience and thoughts welcome, please! Thanks!
Looking at booking LGA-ORD-SNA for a few weeks time and I see on Expertflyer when searching LGA-SNA that there are 7 C seats on both flights (Business - Upgrade (Including 2-Cabin Domestic First) ). I called Meeting Services/Business Extra before I booked the reservation to double check they could see the same C seats I could. They said when looking at it as two separate flights it was 0 on both but when you look at it as LGA-SNA it shows as the 7 but I could waitlist.
Obviously I'd need 2x BXP1s but don't really care because they are expiring. The agent said that "chances of clearing were probably pretty good since it's 7" but that it was obviously a dice roll and could happen anywhere up to the gate.
I assume if you waitlist the BXP1s get returned with their existing expiration date.
Also am assuming that each one clears individually so it's not as if the fact I have one overarching itinerary with 2 segments that has 7 C seats has any bearing on clearing...
Experience and thoughts welcome, please! Thanks!
You need to search the “upgrade” tab AND search segment by segment (there’s a notice at the top of the page) - you can’t search the whole itinerary.
Sep 22, 2022, 10:56 am
#1680
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: BAEC Gold, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AMEX Platinum (US)
Posts: 18,487
I just didn't realise you could get different C availability by searching a connecting itinerary versus segment by segment, especially when EF shows the availability on each flight if you search that connecting itinerary.I should therefore assume that in this case it's the same as C = 0 on any other flight. I see some other options out there where I can get FC reasonably so I'll just do that and lose the vouchers...