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Business Extra ("ExtrAA") Program (master thread)

Old Nov 21, 2012, 10:53 am
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Last edit by: Prospero
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"[/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:
    1. Go to www.britishairways.com
    2. Select 'Manage My Booking' tab
    3. Follow the instructions to pull up your reservation
    4. Select the link towards bottom listed under 'Quick Links' 'Add On Business or Business Extra number'
    5. 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)
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Business Extra ("ExtrAA") Program (master thread)

Old Jan 22, 2018, 3:14 pm
  #376  
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: BA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,240
Originally Posted by mvoight
Cancel before losing your EXP status.
I called AA meeting services twice to confirm. The $150 fee will apply when I re-book as I will not have EXP status then even if I cancel now.
Acid is offline  
Old Jan 22, 2018, 7:13 pm
  #377  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA & UK -- AA EXP 3.5MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Avis President's Club
Posts: 6,411
Originally Posted by Acid
I have a PlanAAhead Europe-USA ticket issued and need to cancel and use later(I don't have future travel date yet). I know changes are free for EXP.
Can I cancel now and rebook later without paying the $150 fee. I will lose EXP on 01/31. Ticket validity is upto Nov 2018
IME those Business ExtrAA tickets charge the change fee, even if you're EXP. To be fair, it's been years since I last tried to change a BizExtra ticket. Nowadays I use them only if I know for certain that I won't have to change it ... because IME they charge the change fee, even if you're EXP.
CloudCoder is offline  
Old Jan 22, 2018, 7:31 pm
  #378  
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,958
Anybody know how far back you can request credits?
Global321 is offline  
Old Jan 22, 2018, 7:56 pm
  #379  
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: BA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,240
Originally Posted by CloudCoder
IME those Business ExtrAA tickets charge the change fee, even if you're EXP. To be fair, it's been years since I last tried to change a BizExtra ticket. Nowadays I use them only if I know for certain that I won't have to change it ... because IME they charge the change fee, even if you're EXP.

I think it must have changed sometime last year - but multiple agents(> 5) have waived fees and confirmed they they do not apply to EXP. The annoying part is even if I want to give up the ticket, I won't get any taxes back. My only recourse is
1) Change my ticket from LHR-JFK to a lower tax origin prior to Jan 31 (that way I get some refund)
2) Change ticket to something I may use. If I need to change - pay the $150 fee later if its worth it

Still have a week or so to decide to see if any availability opens up on the days I want from ZRH or CDG. Doesn't help that JFK is losing flights and agents are not able to book me on
ZRH-PHL-JFK or CDG-PHL-JFK even though its available at milesAAver level at AA.com.
Acid is offline  
Old Jan 22, 2018, 9:42 pm
  #380  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Originally Posted by Acid
I think it must have changed sometime last year - but multiple agents(> 5) have waived fees and confirmed they they do not apply to EXP. The annoying part is even if I want to give up the ticket, I won't get any taxes back. My only recourse is
1) Change my ticket from LHR-JFK to a lower tax origin prior to Jan 31 (that way I get some refund)
2) Change ticket to something I may use. If I need to change - pay the $150 fee later if its worth it

Still have a week or so to decide to see if any availability opens up on the days I want from ZRH or CDG. Doesn't help that JFK is losing flights and agents are not able to book me on
ZRH-PHL-JFK or CDG-PHL-JFK even though its available at milesAAver level at AA.com.
I have wondered in the past why, since these book in the same booking class as MilesAAver awards, the available flights can differ.
I have booked flights BE awards for flights not showing up when looking at Milesaaver awards, and I have not been able to book flights with BE that do show up as available if using an AAdvantage MS award.
mvoight is offline  
Old Jan 22, 2018, 10:23 pm
  #381  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA & UK -- AA EXP 3.5MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Avis President's Club
Posts: 6,411
Originally Posted by Global321
Anybody know how far back you can request credits?
I've gone back a year, as recently as August 2017.
CloudCoder is offline  
Old Jan 24, 2018, 3:13 pm
  #382  
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Malibu, CA
Programs: AA CK / Marriott Worthless Ambassador
Posts: 1,158
Any help is appreciated, please. I am a CK. I do NOT own my own business. I do work at a large firm and am responsible for the travel schedules of many people on my team (I do not literally book their travel, bit i often decide who goes where and for how long)...I was sent a link and signed up for an account. Is that OK? Or is this ONLY for those people who literally own their own business?


SOrry, i looked at the wiki and searched here. If this has been reported please just point me in the right direction.


thanks
JBauer is offline  
Old Jan 24, 2018, 3:31 pm
  #383  
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 83
Originally Posted by JBauer
Any help is appreciated, please. I am a CK. I do NOT own my own business. I do work at a large firm and am responsible for the travel schedules of many people on my team (I do not literally book their travel, bit i often decide who goes where and for how long)...I was sent a link and signed up for an account. Is that OK? Or is this ONLY for those people who literally own their own business?


SOrry, i looked at the wiki and searched here. If this has been reported please just point me in the right direction.


thanks
Not even everyone who's a business owner is approved. I was NOT allowed to join because I own a travel business. (Way to cultivate business from me when booking clients, AA!) Very annoying...
monvoyage is offline  
Old Jan 24, 2018, 5:02 pm
  #384  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA & UK -- AA EXP 3.5MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Avis President's Club
Posts: 6,411
Originally Posted by JBauer
Any help is appreciated, please. I am a CK. I do NOT own my own business. I do work at a large firm and am responsible for the travel schedules of many people on my team (I do not literally book their travel, bit i often decide who goes where and for how long)...I was sent a link and signed up for an account. Is that OK? Or is this ONLY for those people who literally own their own business?


SOrry, i looked at the wiki and searched here. If this has been reported please just point me in the right direction.


thanks
Data point: they let you join if you're a part-owner. A bunch of shareholders own my business, but I'm the majority shareholder.
CloudCoder is offline  
Old Jan 25, 2018, 5:23 am
  #385  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,278
Originally Posted by JBauer
Any help is appreciated, please. I am a CK. I do NOT own my own business. I do work at a large firm and am responsible for the travel schedules of many people on my team (I do not literally book their travel, bit i often decide who goes where and for how long)...I was sent a link and signed up for an account. Is that OK? Or is this ONLY for those people who literally own their own business?
No issues whatsoever, there is no requirement that you have to own your own business, or be a part owner, majority owner, or anything like that.
JJeffrey is offline  
Old Jan 25, 2018, 8:07 am
  #386  
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: DCA, IAD (not BWI if I can help it)
Programs: UA 1MM 1K, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Explorist, status-free on AA, AS, B6, DL, WN, Amtrak, etc.
Posts: 1,474
Credit where it's due: I had a flight credit request granted less than 72 hours after I put in for it. (I'd booked the flight in question through the Chase UR site, and for whatever reason it had never showed up on BusinessExtra.)
DCA writer is offline  
Old Jan 25, 2018, 8:27 am
  #387  
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinium
Posts: 1,329
Originally Posted by DCA writer
Credit where it's due: I had a flight credit request granted less than 72 hours after I put in for it. (I'd booked the flight in question through the Chase UR site, and for whatever reason it had never showed up on BusinessExtra.)
I didn't know the UR had an option to input your BusinessExtra number.
fedechat is offline  
Old Jan 25, 2018, 8:42 am
  #388  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Originally Posted by Global321
When I am requesting credit for a past flight of one of my employees, are the 'Request Date From and the Request Date To the flight dates? In other words, if I have a flight to credit that left 10JAN and returned 17JAN, I would enter 10Jan as the first date and 17Jan as the second date? And a one way would get the same date?
I don't think this has been answered yet. You are using the wrong option. The one you are trying to use seems to for looking up request you have previously made.
There are two tabs "Flight Credit Request" and "My Requests" The one in black is the current one, the one in blue is selectable if you want to change.
When I login and go to that page, the default is "My Requests". In order to request credit you need to select the "Flight Credit Request" option
That only asks for one date, the departure date
mvoight is offline  
Old Jan 25, 2018, 8:51 am
  #389  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Originally Posted by DCA writer
Credit where it's due: I had a flight credit request granted less than 72 hours after I put in for it. (I'd booked the flight in question through the Chase UR site, and for whatever reason it had never showed up on BusinessExtra.)
They are a lot faster than they used to be. Also, before they used to just give you a credit without specifying what it was for. Now, they itemize the flights, base price, and points just like they do when they show up autormatically
DCA writer likes this.
mvoight is offline  
Old Jan 25, 2018, 2:21 pm
  #390  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Columbia, SC
Programs: AA Plat, SPG/Marriot Gold, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Expl
Posts: 2,363
Originally Posted by fedechat
I didn't know the UR had an option to input your BusinessExtra number.
It doesn't. It theoretically should be associated with the ticket by providing your associated AAdvantage # but often isn't.
akcae is offline  

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