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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 Feb 27, 2018, 12:30 pm
  #451  
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: New York City
Programs: AA EXP, DL DM, SPG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,125
HUCA & A. I've always been able to give AA more $$ for the same seat without a fee. Even for AA, this makes perfect sense!
mizzou miles is offline  
Old Feb 27, 2018, 12:58 pm
  #452  
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,634
Originally Posted by mizzou miles
HUCA & A. I've always been able to give AA more $$ for the same seat without a fee. Even for AA, this makes perfect sense!
It has always worked for me in the past as well, and I have done it several times The agent this morning tried to upfare into G, was blocked by the computer, put me on hold a long time while she tried to clear the upfare and then informed me that there was now a $200 per ticket change fee unless I was upfaring into first class, in which case there would be no change fee.
If there are recent data points to the contrary, I would be very interested in them.
dickinson is offline  
Old Feb 28, 2018, 10:12 am
  #453  
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,138
Got the official email that upgrade certs are electronic just now. About time! ^
econometrics is offline  
Old Feb 28, 2018, 11:38 am
  #454  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 313
Are these treated similar to SWUs if it goes to upgrade list at airport? I.e. do these get you ahead of EXP complimentary upgrades domestically on the airport list?

Originally Posted by econometrics
Got the official email that upgrade certs are electronic just now. About time! ^

Last edited by JohnDCA; Feb 28, 2018 at 11:38 am Reason: Clarification
JohnDCA is offline  
Old Feb 28, 2018, 11:42 am
  #455  
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA- EXP UA - Silver SPG- PLT Marriott- PLT
Posts: 748
The way I read it (and hope it works) is that you will still need to print the certificates and bring them to the airport. Which I prefer.
chicagoflyer1976 is offline  
Old Feb 28, 2018, 12:24 pm
  #456  
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,138
Originally Posted by JohnDCA
Are these treated similar to SWUs if it goes to upgrade list at airport? I.e. do these get you ahead of EXP complimentary upgrades domestically on the airport list?
Yes. BXP's are at the same level as SWU's on the hierarchy of upgrade instruments.
econometrics is offline  
Old Feb 28, 2018, 12:25 pm
  #457  
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA- EXP UA - Silver SPG- PLT Marriott- PLT
Posts: 748
Just had to call them about something else, so asked about the change to the BXP1s. Took about 20 minutes for the AAgent to get some answers, but she said it will all be electronic. You won't need to present a certificate at the airport, and can check in online, on your phone, or at the kiosk. If a flight is cancelled, she said to hang on to the email confirmation to reuse the certificate. Sounds like some improvements (not having to wait for the mail, OLCI available), but also greater accountability for use of the certificates.
econometrics likes this.
chicagoflyer1976 is offline  
Old Feb 28, 2018, 2:13 pm
  #458  
Moderator: New York City and FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA PLT, Natl EC
Posts: 10,855
Arrow Official Email Announcement on Paperless BXP1,2,3 Upgrades

Take flight with a paperless upgrade award

Upgrade awards are going paperless
Going forward, when you redeem points for an upgrade award, you'll receive the upgrade certificate via email allowing you to request an upgrade immediately. No more waiting for paper certificates to arrive in the mail!

Is the process for requesting an upgrade changing?
Nope, American Airlines Meeting Services is still available to assist when youre ready to apply your upgrade certificate to a ticketed reservation. Simply follow the instructions provided with your electronic upgrade certificate.

Unused Business Extra paper upgrade certificates
Previously issued paper upgrade certificates will remain valid through the expiration date printed on the certificate. If you or your travelers are holding on to expired paper upgrade certificates, its time to let them go. We recommend shredding then recycling, but they also make great paper airplanes.

Ready for an upgrade?
You currently have enough points to redeem for an upgrade award*, so take advantage of the new paperless upgrade process and redeem today.
dstan is offline  
Old Feb 28, 2018, 9:36 pm
  #459  
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1kMM; AA EX Plat, Hilton Diamond and SPG Plat
Posts: 2,008
Hi can anyone tell me how long it takes for flights to post to my account. I just joined last month and have not seen my travel post. And yes the BE account # is on the reservation. TIA.
rkaradi is offline  
Old Feb 28, 2018, 9:44 pm
  #460  
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 364
Originally Posted by rkaradi
Hi can anyone tell me how long it takes for flights to post to my account. I just joined last month and have not seen my travel post. And yes the BE account # is on the reservation. TIA.
They typically post around the 20th of the following month.
potus18 is offline  
Old Mar 1, 2018, 6:35 pm
  #461  
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1kMM; AA EX Plat, Hilton Diamond and SPG Plat
Posts: 2,008
Originally Posted by potus18
They typically post around the 20th of the following month.
Thanks
rkaradi is offline  
Old Mar 1, 2018, 6:53 pm
  #462  
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: I 35 south bound, finally stopped
Programs: LT Plt, 4mm, *A GLD, burned out medical provider, executing our estate plan
Posts: 1,662
Originally Posted by potus18
They typically post around the 20th of the following month.
a lot of people keep spreadsheets to track missing points. (not me)
boerne is offline  
Old Mar 1, 2018, 10:20 pm
  #463  
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott, SPG
Posts: 14
Use points for AC membership

I am an EXP and am fortunate enough that most upgrades clear for me. I do a bit of international travel for work but try to keep my SWUs for my own trips as opposed to work trips.

i have 3200 BE points and as I dont have lounge access, was thinking of redeeming for that.

I know now its probably not the best redemption rate but since I have Priority Pass but rarely get to use them because of the locations and terminals, I was thinking mah e an AC membership is a good value.

i mostly travel alone but like that if I were to fly Southwest (w the companion pass) having the true AC membership would still allow me to use their lounge even when not flying AA.

i used to have lounge access with the Prestige and while I dont think the lounge is anything to write home about, I was thinking its an easy way of getting some minor perks.

I dont want to get an AA card for it and honestly, Id probably get an Amex for the centurion lounge if I had to. Just curious to see what you thought on the AC redemption? I realize a long flight upgrade would be better, but seem to be going back and forth with what to do.

Thx!
otj287 is offline  
Old Mar 2, 2018, 8:35 am
  #464  
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: Once a somebody now a nobody
Posts: 513
If it was me I'd save those points for domestic BXP1 upgrades or a 1st class domestic (2-cabin) award. If you have more travel coming up and earn another 800 pts that's enough for two economy saver awards. Obviously AA award/upgrade space isn't what it used to be, but with some planning you will get way more value than $450, which is the Exec card's cost.

If your company buys Y fares for your Int'l travel a one-way upgrade is only 1300 pts i think, which would save two of your SWU. I'm not EXP so not sure where these awards fall on the waitlist vs a SWU. But if they have the same weight seems like they might be a decent option for you.
chicago747 is offline  
Old Mar 2, 2018, 11:55 am
  #465  
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: I 35 south bound, finally stopped
Programs: LT Plt, 4mm, *A GLD, burned out medical provider, executing our estate plan
Posts: 1,662
Originally Posted by otj287
I am an EXP and am fortunate enough that most upgrades clear for me. I do a bit of international travel for work but try to keep my SWUs for my own trips as opposed to work trips.

i have 3200 BE points and as I dont have lounge access, was thinking of redeeming for that.

I know now its probably not the best redemption rate but since I have Priority Pass but rarely get to use them because of the locations and terminals, I was thinking mah e an AC membership is a good value.

i mostly travel alone but like that if I were to fly Southwest (w the companion pass) having the true AC membership would still allow me to use their lounge even when not flying AA.

i used to have lounge access with the Prestige and while I dont think the lounge is anything to write home about, I was thinking its an easy way of getting some minor perks.

I dont want to get an AA card for it and honestly, Id probably get an Amex for the centurion lounge if I had to. Just curious to see what you thought on the AC redemption? I realize a long flight upgrade would be better, but seem to be going back and forth with what to do.

Thx!
if you arent going to use the points for anything else and they are approaching expiration it might be worth an AC redemption. The membership is good for a calendar year. I am redeeming for one of my folks in July due to scheduling.
boerne is offline  

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