Nov 21, 12, 10:53 am
Last edit by: PHL
American Airlines Business Extra® Program (master thread)
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"]POST]
- 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"]POST]
- 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"]POST]
- 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]POST]
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)
Dec 9, 22, 12:37 pm
#1741
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: AA CK (3MM), Marriott LTT (former Ambassador), Uber One, UA Silver
Posts: 1,143
Originally Posted by mangoMan
Just got an email stating points set to expire Dec 31 2022 are extended to Feb 28 2023. However, doesn't the "$5000 spend for redeeming points" rule kick in on Jan 1st? If so, it seems like it may still be wise to redeem soon to expire points before the end of the year.
Dec 9, 22, 2:18 pm
#1742
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold but PlatPro thanks to LPs
Posts: 4,416
Originally Posted by ikwia
I didn't see a mention of deferring the "unique traveler" rule, either.
Dec 10, 22, 7:01 am
#1744
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 446
Originally Posted by QueenOfCoach
I have been told specifically that the company must have three travelers. My company has two (me and DrQ), so the account will be suspended. They allowed me to spend points until Dec 10, 22. I got some AC day passes for friends. Good bye Business Extra. It's been fun.
I don't know about you, but my business uses lots of consultants. For example, if a friend or family member is travelling with me, I often use the time to consult with them about business matters. I pay for their flight and/or meal, and I put my business extra number in the reservation.
Dec 10, 22, 8:45 am
#1745
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 10,199
Originally Posted by QueenOfCoach
I have been told specifically that the company must have three travelers. My company has two (me and DrQ), so the account will be suspended. They allowed me to spend points until Dec 10, 22. I got some AC day passes for friends. Good bye Business Extra. It's been fun.
For anyone in this situation I don't see any reason not to continue to accrue BE points as usual, they'll be there for use later if you're able to make it over the threshold. It's not like it costs anything.
Dec 10, 22, 10:42 am
#1746
Join Date: Oct 2006
Programs: UA, bmi, AA, CO, DL, B6, AMEX, Hertz, Most Hotels
Posts: 2,981
PlanAhead Business Awards
Running out time before my current BX6B award expires and over the past year have never seen ANY PlanAhead AA business award space to/from any Europe airport.
While I have always had beyond low expectations I'm hoping someone can provide some guidance on finding business award space from NYC (or anywhere) to anywhere in Europe?
Alternatively, can anyone provide a suggestion on what can be done with this useless award before EOY as I won't qualify for redemptions in 2023 due to not meeting the new 5K spend rule?
In addition I have to burn the 8,198 points currently in my account before EOY and am trying to figure a flight award that can actually be booked?
TIA
While I have always had beyond low expectations I'm hoping someone can provide some guidance on finding business award space from NYC (or anywhere) to anywhere in Europe?
Alternatively, can anyone provide a suggestion on what can be done with this useless award before EOY as I won't qualify for redemptions in 2023 due to not meeting the new 5K spend rule?
In addition I have to burn the 8,198 points currently in my account before EOY and am trying to figure a flight award that can actually be booked?
TIA
Dec 10, 22, 2:09 pm
#1747
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,899
Originally Posted by bk3day
Running out time before my current BX6B award expires and over the past year have never seen ANY PlanAhead AA business award space to/from any Europe airport.
While I have always had beyond low expectations I'm hoping someone can provide some guidance on finding business award space from NYC (or anywhere) to anywhere in Europe?
Alternatively, can anyone provide a suggestion on what can be done with this useless award before EOY as I won't qualify for redemptions in 2023 due to not meeting the new 5K spend rule?
In addition I have to burn the 8,198 points currently in my account before EOY and am trying to figure a flight award that can actually be booked?
TIA
While I have always had beyond low expectations I'm hoping someone can provide some guidance on finding business award space from NYC (or anywhere) to anywhere in Europe?
Alternatively, can anyone provide a suggestion on what can be done with this useless award before EOY as I won't qualify for redemptions in 2023 due to not meeting the new 5K spend rule?
In addition I have to burn the 8,198 points currently in my account before EOY and am trying to figure a flight award that can actually be booked?
TIA
Dec 12, 22, 4:34 pm
#1748
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold but PlatPro thanks to LPs
Posts: 4,416
Originally Posted by dc10forlife
I don't know about you, but my business uses lots of consultants. For example, if a friend or family member is travelling with me, I often use the time to consult with them about business matters. I pay for their flight and/or meal, and I put my business extra number in the reservation.
Here is an excerpt from the email I received:
please help us to validate it as such. To keep this account active please provide two of the following:
- Employer Identification Number (EIN) | Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) | Federal Tax Identification Number
- Articles of Incorporation (S corp or C corp) | Articles of Organization (LLC)
- Partnership Agreement (General Partnership) | Certificate of Limited Partnership, Limited Partnership Document (LP, LLP)
- Valid Business Name Registration certificate issued by a government agency (e.g. Business License, DBA / Doing Business As Name, Assumed Name, Fictitious Business Name, Registration of Trade Name)
- Seller's Permit or Vendor's License issued by a government agency such as a local taxation department or tax commission
Emphasis added.
I just don't qualify.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Dec 12, 22, 4:35 pm
#1749
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold but PlatPro thanks to LPs
Posts: 4,416
Originally Posted by JJeffrey
As far as I understand things the BE account is not going to be "suspended" if you're under the $5k/3 traveller threshold, rather any accounts that are under will just be unable to redeem points.
For anyone in this situation I don't see any reason not to continue to accrue BE points as usual, they'll be there for use later if you're able to make it over the threshold. It's not like it costs anything.
For anyone in this situation I don't see any reason not to continue to accrue BE points as usual, they'll be there for use later if you're able to make it over the threshold. It's not like it costs anything.
Dec 12, 22, 7:14 pm
#1750
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA
Posts: 9,665
Originally Posted by wylek
Per JT Genter (on Twitter), redeposit / reinstatement fees are back for upgrade certificates (with no lead time / advance notice! 
). If you check the FAQ on businessextra.com:
Points that have been redeemed but not yet processed can be reinstated online within 5 days of redemption without incurring a fee. After 5 days, reinstatement fees of $150 USD for the first certificate and $25 for each additional (within the same transaction) will apply."
). If you check the FAQ on businessextra.com:Points that have been redeemed but not yet processed can be reinstated online within 5 days of redemption without incurring a fee. After 5 days, reinstatement fees of $150 USD for the first certificate and $25 for each additional (within the same transaction) will apply."
Dec 12, 22, 7:18 pm
#1751
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA
Posts: 9,665
Originally Posted by arfaczar
Does AA typically release 2 J-class seats for upgrade availability on JFK-LAX / SFO?
Is it feasible to expect to use 2 BXP1 certs on these trans-con flights for next April?
Is it feasible to expect to use 2 BXP1 certs on these trans-con flights for next April?
Dec 13, 22, 11:18 am
#1753
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: AA CK (3MM), Marriott LTT (former Ambassador), Uber One, UA Silver
Posts: 1,143
Originally Posted by QueenOfCoach
Here is an excerpt from the email I received:
Dec 13, 22, 11:51 am
#1754
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,899
Originally Posted by ikwia
Wow, what precipitated that email? Asking for W2s suggests they are pretty serious about this, and seems to be a step beyond my original understanding of the 3 unique traveler requirement. Given AA's aggressive enforcement of frequent flier program violations, I would proceed with caution here.
Dec 13, 22, 12:25 pm
#1755
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: AA CK (3MM), Marriott LTT (former Ambassador), Uber One, UA Silver
Posts: 1,143
Originally Posted by LovePrunes
perhaps they'd be ok showing 1099's....not every employee is a w2 employee. AA might be asking more more info than they really should, in my opinion, even if you obscure part of the SSN
