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Note: older posts have been archived to ARCHIVE: Business Extra Program master thread (consolidated)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)
Jan 22, 2017, 5:49 am
#16
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,731
Give it a few days. I seem to remember that with the way BE post flights, the flights show up with zero points first, then the actual number of posts will show up days later.
Jan 24, 2017, 8:22 am
#17
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SFO/OAK
Programs: AA EXP 3.4MM, BAEC, UAMP, Skyteam (<10k) HH Gold, IHG Plat, Hertz Gold, GE/TSA TT
Posts: 2,723
you were right ckpeter, the points did post Monday 1/24. 120 points... and I got an email that day from BE CS saying that they had posted.
Jan 24, 2017, 9:17 am
#18
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: DL MM, Marriott LT Titanium, AA EXP, Avis Chairmans
Posts: 1,399
I signed up for Business Extra in late October 2016. Since then I've had several paid J tickets to AMS, AKL, and a few domestics all with AA flight numbers. Each time a reservation is made I call in to get my Business Extra number added. However, I have zero flights on my account but mysterious 199 points. My J tickets were $6K - $9K each, so I'm missing a lot of points.
My account shows '0' points earned, but 199 'beginning points balance'.
How long should I wait for flights to post? Most were AA metal, but a couple were BA flights ticketed as AA codeshares.
My account shows '0' points earned, but 199 'beginning points balance'.
How long should I wait for flights to post? Most were AA metal, but a couple were BA flights ticketed as AA codeshares.
Jan 26, 2017, 2:30 pm
#19
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: New York
Programs: AA EXP, EY Gold, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Gold, Hertz 5*, Global Entry
Posts: 245
I just received my monthly account email from the program, and it mentions opting in for 20th anniversary promotions by logging in. Except there there are no listed promotions available. Does anyone know what they are or if and when they might become available.
Jan 27, 2017, 7:49 am
#20
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: JFK, DCA, BUR, YVR
Programs: AC, AS, BA, DL, HH (D), MR (T/LTP), UA (*S), UScAAre (PLT/1,87MM), WN
Posts: 5,207
I signed up for Business Extra in late October 2016. Since then I've had several paid J tickets to AMS, AKL, and a few domestics all with AA flight numbers. Each time a reservation is made I call in to get my Business Extra number added. However, I have zero flights on my account but mysterious 199 points. My J tickets were $6K - $9K each, so I'm missing a lot of points.
My account shows '0' points earned, but 199 'beginning points balance'.
How long should I wait for flights to post? Most were AA metal, but a couple were BA flights ticketed as AA codeshares.
My account shows '0' points earned, but 199 'beginning points balance'.
How long should I wait for flights to post? Most were AA metal, but a couple were BA flights ticketed as AA codeshares.
Feb 8, 2017, 3:33 pm
#21
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: LHR
Programs: AA
Posts: 773
I have a flight booked with a BXP1 certificate applied. There's no reason I have to keep that flight associated with my AA number, right? I should be able to change it to my AS number instead? (Considering switching all crediting this year to AS due to AA program changes.)
I imagine this is fine, as my wife is on the same reservation and has always had her AS number on it, and there wasn't any issue when I called in to request the upgrade. But I don't know if the primary traveler makes any difference.
I imagine this is fine, as my wife is on the same reservation and has always had her AS number on it, and there wasn't any issue when I called in to request the upgrade. But I don't know if the primary traveler makes any difference.
Feb 8, 2017, 4:51 pm
#23
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Yellow Springs
Programs: AS 75k
Posts: 1,523
I have a flight booked with a BXP1 certificate applied. There's no reason I have to keep that flight associated with my AA number, right? I should be able to change it to my AS number instead? (Considering switching all crediting this year to AS due to AA program changes.)
I imagine this is fine, as my wife is on the same reservation and has always had her AS number on it, and there wasn't any issue when I called in to request the upgrade. But I don't know if the primary traveler makes any difference.
I imagine this is fine, as my wife is on the same reservation and has always had her AS number on it, and there wasn't any issue when I called in to request the upgrade. But I don't know if the primary traveler makes any difference.
Feb 9, 2017, 8:12 am
#24
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: BOS
Programs: AA-EXP, Marriott-Ti, IHG-P
Posts: 108
In fact you don't even need to have requested/redeemed point for a BXP1 to apply the upgrade. Unless your travel is relatively soon (within ~4 weeks) or you use BXP1's all the time and know you won't "get stuck with one", it is probably better to ensure that the upgrade space is available and Meeting Services can clear you before even ordering the cert. It used to be (and I imagine still is) that certs were only processed once or twice a week and are sent USPS (unless you pay for faster shipping). So it can take a bit for the paper cert to arrive to you.
The only requirement is to have the BXP1 in-hand when you get to the airport on departure day. All the processing is done by the ticket agent at the counter.
Feb 9, 2017, 9:09 pm
#25
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: LHR
Programs: AA
Posts: 773
This is still the case based on my recent experience. I was surprised by how long it took.
Feb 10, 2017, 9:34 am
#26
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,590
No. Meeting Services isn't going to ask for any information from the certificate that matters and the confirmation number of the redemption is meaningless to them. They will ask you for the expiration date - just tell them you don't have the certificate in your hands at the moment, but you're confident the expiration date is after the date of travel. They'll be fine with this and it's no violation of any of the rules.
In fact you don't even need to have requested/redeemed point for a BXP1 to apply the upgrade. Unless your travel is relatively soon (within ~4 weeks) or you use BXP1's all the time and know you won't "get stuck with one", it is probably better to ensure that the upgrade space is available and Meeting Services can clear you before even ordering the cert. It used to be (and I imagine still is) that certs were only processed once or twice a week and are sent USPS (unless you pay for faster shipping). So it can take a bit for the paper cert to arrive to you.
The only requirement is to have the BXP1 in-hand when you get to the airport on departure day. All the processing is done by the ticket agent at the counter.
In fact you don't even need to have requested/redeemed point for a BXP1 to apply the upgrade. Unless your travel is relatively soon (within ~4 weeks) or you use BXP1's all the time and know you won't "get stuck with one", it is probably better to ensure that the upgrade space is available and Meeting Services can clear you before even ordering the cert. It used to be (and I imagine still is) that certs were only processed once or twice a week and are sent USPS (unless you pay for faster shipping). So it can take a bit for the paper cert to arrive to you.
The only requirement is to have the BXP1 in-hand when you get to the airport on departure day. All the processing is done by the ticket agent at the counter.
Actually, I'll call now and find out since I need to do this and don't have enough certs in-hand yet!
Feb 11, 2017, 4:23 pm
#28
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: WN A-list Preferred and CP, AA EXP, Hilton Diamond, RIP Kimpton
Posts: 853
I used a BXP1 today and was asked for the serial number. What was really interesting though is that at T-24 I was able to get my boarding pass through the AA app.
The other time when I was able to get my BP through the app, the agent at the airport said she didn't need my BXP1 cert (essentially a freebie that I later used again).
I'm wondering if them now asking for the serial number is to prevent a cert from being used again. I'll find out tomorrow!
The other time when I was able to get my BP through the app, the agent at the airport said she didn't need my BXP1 cert (essentially a freebie that I later used again).
I'm wondering if them now asking for the serial number is to prevent a cert from being used again. I'll find out tomorrow!
Last edited by mctrees02; Feb 12, 2017 at 10:25 pm
Feb 14, 2017, 12:27 pm
#30
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: LAX, LGB, SNA
Programs: AA EXP OWE, DL DM ST+, AS MVPG, UA, BA, WN CP, Hyatt E, Ritz Plat, HH GM
Posts: 3,185