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Note: older posts have been archived to ARCHIVE: Business Extra Program master thread (consolidated)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)
Oct 2, 2023 | 7:59 am
#1951
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: Once a somebody now a nobody
Posts: 593
I actually just ended up staying on the flight that had the schedule change. AA continues to butcher the ORD-SFO-ORD schedule during schedule changes and unfortunately the other options available were worse.
Oct 16, 2023 | 8:52 am
#1952
Join Date: May 2017
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 394
Seen on AA.com. BusinessExtra is ending on Dec 15th, all points must be redeemed by Jan 31, and being replaced with AAdvantage Business: https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...s/overview.jsp
It seems like a much, much, much slimmer program than BE (eg no more upgrade awards). Interestingly:
It seems like a much, much, much slimmer program than BE (eg no more upgrade awards). Interestingly:
Business travelers earn additional Loyalty Points toward status, while still earning miles and Loyalty Points as AAdvantage members
Oct 16, 2023 | 10:37 am
#1953
Original Member and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Kansas City, MO, USA
Programs: DL PM/MM, AA ExPlat, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia, National ECE, Hertz PC
Posts: 16,619
Oct 16, 2023 | 12:36 pm
#1954
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: JFK, BUR, YVR
Programs: AC, AS (PLT), BA, DL, HH (G), MR (TIT/LTP), UA (*S), UScAAre (1,94MM), WN
Posts: 5,332
Seen on AA.com. BusinessExtra is ending on Dec 15th, all points must be redeemed by Jan 31, and being replaced with AAdvantage Business: https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...s/overview.jsp
It seems like a much, much, much slimmer program than BE (eg no more upgrade awards). Interestingly:
It seems like a much, much, much slimmer program than BE (eg no more upgrade awards). Interestingly:
Oct 16, 2023 | 12:53 pm
#1955
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 15,171
The BE website will be shut down but I assume you can still call Meeting Services to use awards that you've already claimed.
Some simultaneous discussion here:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...-2023-a-2.html
Oct 16, 2023 | 1:02 pm
#1956
Join Date: May 2003
Location: RDU
Programs: TSA/INS/FBI Platinum (stopped last 12 of 13 int'l returns - the computer broke once)
Posts: 2,653
My take is that you have until December 15 to claim any BE awards, and then you have until the award expires to actually use them, so one year from the date you claim them.
The BE website will be shut down but I assume you can still call Meeting Services to use awards that you've already claimed.
Some simultaneous discussion here:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...-2023-a-2.html
The BE website will be shut down but I assume you can still call Meeting Services to use awards that you've already claimed.
Some simultaneous discussion here:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...-2023-a-2.html
Oct 16, 2023 | 1:05 pm
#1957
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: JFK, BUR, YVR
Programs: AC, AS (PLT), BA, DL, HH (G), MR (TIT/LTP), UA (*S), UScAAre (1,94MM), WN
Posts: 5,332
I'm pretty sure you only have to ticket them, not travel as well. If it were Delta making these changes, you'd probably have to have completed the travel as well.
I posted in that other thread that it looks like you have to *ticket* the award by 15 Dec, including those already issued which have a later expiration date, not just issue the award certificate from the points. Any award not ticketed by 15 Dec will be reinstated as points, at which time you will only be allowed to convert to miles. Those that have been ticketed should be fine, but a cancellation of that flight will just lose all points/awards entirely.
I posted in that other thread that it looks like you have to *ticket* the award by 15 Dec, including those already issued which have a later expiration date, not just issue the award certificate from the points. Any award not ticketed by 15 Dec will be reinstated as points, at which time you will only be allowed to convert to miles. Those that have been ticketed should be fine, but a cancellation of that flight will just lose all points/awards entirely.
Oct 16, 2023 | 4:46 pm
#1958
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: LAX / PHL
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,037
You'd need the flights to post prior to the 15th. So ideally, giving yourself a few days buffer, complete that travel by the 10th or earlier.
Oct 16, 2023 | 4:54 pm
#1959
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: JFK, BUR, YVR
Programs: AC, AS (PLT), BA, DL, HH (G), MR (TIT/LTP), UA (*S), UScAAre (1,94MM), WN
Posts: 5,332
My comment was specific to redemption. Earning is a different beast, but yeah... needs to be done before the 15th if you want to earn.
Oct 16, 2023 | 5:12 pm
#1960
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 15,171
I posted in that other thread that it looks like you have to *ticket* the award by 15 Dec, including those already issued which have a later expiration date, not just issue the award certificate from the points. Any award not ticketed by 15 Dec will be reinstated as points, at which time you will only be allowed to convert to miles. Those that have been ticketed should be fine, but a cancellation of that flight will just lose all points/awards entirely.
Oct 17, 2023 | 12:34 am
#1961
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: Alaska Gold 75K, AA EXP, United 1K
Posts: 484
Never redeemed BE points for free flight awards. A few quick questions:
1) for the plan ahead awards, assume you need Z, U, or T class respectively for F J and Y?
2) is it the same price to book round trip vs one way awards? Basically one crt can be used for either one way or round trip travel for the same price?
3) if its the same price for round trip, can you book a placeholder return and then change date or routing later after ticketing if the dates you want dont show availability at time of booking and availability opens up later?
4) if changing dates or routing is allowed, with the program expiring, anyone have guesses as to whether any changes will be able to be made to ticketed reservations after the booking deadline (I think 12/15/23?)
5) can you book the awards yourself or do you have to go via meeting services desk?
1) for the plan ahead awards, assume you need Z, U, or T class respectively for F J and Y?
2) is it the same price to book round trip vs one way awards? Basically one crt can be used for either one way or round trip travel for the same price?
3) if its the same price for round trip, can you book a placeholder return and then change date or routing later after ticketing if the dates you want dont show availability at time of booking and availability opens up later?
4) if changing dates or routing is allowed, with the program expiring, anyone have guesses as to whether any changes will be able to be made to ticketed reservations after the booking deadline (I think 12/15/23?)
5) can you book the awards yourself or do you have to go via meeting services desk?
Oct 17, 2023 | 12:17 pm
#1962
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,684
Never redeemed BE points for free flight awards. A few quick questions:
1) for the plan ahead awards, assume you need Z, U, or T class respectively for F J and Y? For sure yes T for coach. I think you're correct for Biz and First. SPARSE choices is an understatement. Maybe 5% of flights would have T when I was looking. Did NOT open more inventory as travel dates got closer, either.
2) is it the same price to book round trip vs one way awards? Basically one crt can be used for either one way or round trip travel for the same price? Yes same price RT or one way for an award, open jaws ARE allowed
3) if it’s the same price for round trip, can you book a placeholder return and then change date or routing later after ticketing if the dates you want don’t show availability at time of booking and availability opens up later? Yes changes are allowed. I've changed the city involved in an open jaw before, but that's when there were people in meeting services willing to fiddle around with BE tickets
4) if changing dates or routing is allowed, with the program expiring, anyone have guesses as to whether any changes will be able to be made to ticketed reservations after the booking deadline (I think 12/15/23?) No idea. Prepare to be disAApointed.
5) can you book the awards yourself or do you have to go via meeting services desk? I tried going thru their business program to book my own trips with BE awards a few months ago (before it relaunched this week) but it would never work, had to call meeting services. EXP line coulen't/wouldn't touch BE tickets.
1) for the plan ahead awards, assume you need Z, U, or T class respectively for F J and Y? For sure yes T for coach. I think you're correct for Biz and First. SPARSE choices is an understatement. Maybe 5% of flights would have T when I was looking. Did NOT open more inventory as travel dates got closer, either.
2) is it the same price to book round trip vs one way awards? Basically one crt can be used for either one way or round trip travel for the same price? Yes same price RT or one way for an award, open jaws ARE allowed
3) if it’s the same price for round trip, can you book a placeholder return and then change date or routing later after ticketing if the dates you want don’t show availability at time of booking and availability opens up later? Yes changes are allowed. I've changed the city involved in an open jaw before, but that's when there were people in meeting services willing to fiddle around with BE tickets
4) if changing dates or routing is allowed, with the program expiring, anyone have guesses as to whether any changes will be able to be made to ticketed reservations after the booking deadline (I think 12/15/23?) No idea. Prepare to be disAApointed.
5) can you book the awards yourself or do you have to go via meeting services desk? I tried going thru their business program to book my own trips with BE awards a few months ago (before it relaunched this week) but it would never work, had to call meeting services. EXP line coulen't/wouldn't touch BE tickets.
Oct 19, 2023 | 3:11 pm
#1963
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Santa Barbara, CA, Park City, UT
Programs: AA EXP, Delta Silver, Marriott Plat,Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat, AF plat
Posts: 998
Adding BE number to BA reservation
Did this after bringing up a reservation for my wife and I and managing booking successfully. Will this credit the BE program for both of our flights or just me. She is a flyer with the program under my account. Counting on this to boost me over the $5000 threshold again so I can free up my points to redeem prior to the changes upcoming. No trust in BA tech and Im sure asking at check in with be met with whats that?
Oct 20, 2023 | 12:03 am
#1964
Moderator: Hyatt Gold Passport & Star Alliance
Join Date: May 1998
Location: London, UK
Programs: UA-1K 3MM/HY- LT Globalist/BA-GGLfL
Posts: 12,760
There is a long standing problem with BA flights. Even when the number is in the booking they do not post and have to be requested manually.
With such a short time until the end of the scheme, I have contacted BusinessExtra and they have told me to send in copies of receipts for manual credit.
I am assuming that as you have to wait until a month posts before you can retro-claim, that flights in December will be lost as you will not be able to claim until after the scheme closes.
With such a short time until the end of the scheme, I have contacted BusinessExtra and they have told me to send in copies of receipts for manual credit.
I am assuming that as you have to wait until a month posts before you can retro-claim, that flights in December will be lost as you will not be able to claim until after the scheme closes.
Oct 25, 2023 | 8:18 am
#1965
Moderator: Hyatt Gold Passport & Star Alliance
Join Date: May 1998
Location: London, UK
Programs: UA-1K 3MM/HY- LT Globalist/BA-GGLfL
Posts: 12,760
Looks as if they are accepting retro credit 10 days after the flight. You used to have to wait until last months flights had posted.