I think they have certain routing rules in addition to normal award rules. When ZRH-JFK nonstop was dropped, I was not allowed ZRH-PHL-LGA(or JFK) initially as it was not a route permitted to get to New York(although it was showing as Saver award). I informed them that the nonstop is no longer scheduled and hence it should be allowed. After a hold of few minutes - the agent said she verified and indeed it can be done.

I'm thinking this all has to do with MPM (maximum permitted mileage) between the cities. But where this is defined for BE awards, I dunno.

I know with some cancellation reroutings, they sometimes reference 125% of the distance of the most direct route. In published fares, the MPM between the cities is explicitly defined, with additional variance allowed for connections in certain hub cities.

So let's look at my routing:

SAV-DFW-PEK - 7893
SAV-CLT-MCO-LAX-PEK - 9142 (116%)
SAV-PEK MPM (typical fare MPM) - 8778 (+2000 if via LAX)

Looking at it either way, my routing is convoluted (praying for schedule change), but seems to meet both of these MPM restrictions.

Now, let's look at yours.

MDT-PHL-LHR (most direct) - 3614
MDT-CLT-PHL-LHR - 4392 (122%)
MDT-LHR (typical fare MPM) - 4329 (+1000 if via ORD, DFW or MIA)

If my theory is correct, perhaps you are being denied because CLT does not have a connection point MPM allowance (it would be logical to have one, but maybe MDT-CLT is relatively new?).

So, let's look at alternatives...

MDT-CLT-ORD-LHR - 4952 ( < 4329 + 1000)
MDT-CLT-MIA-LHR - 5474 ( > 4329 + 1000)
MDT-CLT-DFW-LHR - 6087

MDT-CLT-LHR and MDT-CLT-ORD-LHR meet the MPM of a typical published fare for MDT-LHR...other routings do not. Or if there are direct flights from MDT to ORD, DFW or MIA, investigate them.

If you are still pursuing this, see if you can find out what the rule is...and maybe this will help.

Or maybe they make up the rules on the fly...

Here is my further data point. I was trying to book PHL-LHR. The original availability was PHL-CLT-LHR, with a six hour layover in CLT. When I looked on AA.com for Business Milesaver availability, I saw better flights (for me from PHL-DFW-LHR. It was better for me because I wouldn't lose a day of work and the TATL flight would allow me enough time to actually sleep. At the recommendation of a BE agent, I placed a hold on a booking.

However, Meeting Services could not convert it to a BE booking although both are "U" class. Then I called the EXP line to see if there would be a different response. The phone call took 40 minutes, and the result was that I was told definitively that although both book into "U" class, that they are, in, fact, different "pots". AA Milesaver availability is not the same as Business Extra availability.

A further data point.... I called the EXP line again and they again confirmed that "U" class is a bucket that has restrictions for Business Extra awards that are different from MileSaaver awards. However, after a one hour and forty-five minute call between the EXP desk and meeting services, they were able to offer me a routing close to what I had wanted. My takeaway here is that it is not safe to assume that the awards are the same, and that status can create some availibility (but not guaranteed).

Glad you got it booked. I guess it's fair to say that HUCA and persistence won this one.

This is great to know!
 

This is really a surprise to hear....I'm platinum and always thought the availability was the same; s o it's great to know that this is not always the case. Thank you for sharing this info!

Extend expiration of Business ExtrAA points?
 

Any way to extend ? I have 1,600 points expiring at the end of this year but not useful for anything.

Newbie here, I have a total of 2,540 points. It looks like there are a number of possible awards I can redeem for. Once redeemed, how long are the certificates valid for?

I don't think there is. I had a bundle expiring at end of year but got over the 7200 point level and redeemed a Saver J TATL RT. One great thing about Business ExtrAA is that you can get a RT out of one award.

If they're going to expire and you don't have an admiral's Club membership, use them for day passes... I think it's 300 points each? just get 5 and let a hundred points expire so that you can build off what's left for next year.

Once redeemed, the certs are valid for a year - and then you can ticket for until schedule open so ~ 2 yrs total. If I were you, I woudl redeem for a domestic roundtrip for 2000 points.

Thanks, this seems like a good option. I didn't realize you can sit on the award for ~1 year.

Is there ever PlanAhead availability for BX3A INorth America to Carribbean)?

What is the likelihood of using BXP1 on transcons to/from SFO?

Yeah, you can sit on an award for a year after redemption and then book upto end of schedule. No idea about other awards, I've always redeemed mine for US-Europe PlanAhead

I can't seem to find any information on BXP1 waitlist upgrades - are they ahead of or behind elites on stickers or executive platinums?

Given my experience two days ago, behind. I am no-status and was waitlisted for an upgrade with a BXP1. The flight had one F available, and I was #20 on the upgrade list (no C). Therefore I was listed after ALL the elites on the comp/sticker upgrade list. I suspect had any C space opened up, I would have then cleared ahead of anyone waiting on a comp upgrade.

Can you waitlist a BXP3 upgrade just like you would a SWU or miles + copay? What's the process and if it doesn't clear, can you redeposit the points?