Tips on Using Online Booking?
 

Could you please explain the process you used?

I tried to logon on to business.aa.com but am unsure what credentials are required?

For example, this new site asks for a User Name and password, whereas the old Business Extra site asks for FF#, Last Name and Password

I attempted to register but the new site sign up looks like it's a sign up to JOIN Business Extra?

Also, does this new site still require redeeming a specific existing award cert from the Business Extra site or does it just charge the points needed for the award flight searched and found?

Finally, the few searches I did showed some odd pricing, such as 13.5K rt for a BX2E Anytime Biz award JFK-HNL?

Before I redeem a reward for my soon expiring points the old fashioned way on the Business Extra site, I'd love to have a clearer understanding of how this new website/system works?

Thanks!

I tried this in the newbie thread, but didn't get any response. I'll give it a shot here and hope you'll all be nice. Thanks!


I have a small number of AA Business Extra miles about to expire (about 900 out of 4900). I'm trying to figure out what to do with them. My travel has greatly decreased since earning them, so I have no particular plans for next year. In theory, it seems like domestic upgrades would be nice, but I'm reading they are challenging to actually use. Are PlanAhead flights somewhat easily used?

Other ideas? I still have status from BA so getting that doesn't seem highly useful. And I have PriorityPass so lounge access may add options but doesn't seem as important either.

13500 BE points is the normal rate for a BX2E from JFK-HNL..
https://www.businessextra.com/viewAwards.htm

Between North America & Hawaii

Cabin of ServicePointsAward CodePlanAhead
Travel for fewer points when space
is available on American.Main Cabin 3000BX2A
Redeem Now Business 5400BX2B
Redeem Now Anytime
Travel anytime on American
with no restrictions.Main Cabin 7500BX2D
Redeem Now Business 13500BX2E
Redeem Now

IME, no, they're not at all, unless you're VERY flexible in your booking dates and itineraries (long connections, three segment routings where it really should be 2, etc.)

I find economy PlanAhead awards to be somewhat easier than premium cabin PlanAhead awards.

Take all of this with a grain of salt; I infrequently book mileage awards.

Regarding fee waiver on refunds -- I had called to check on this because I thought I would need to cancel an award, but wasn't sure and wanted to understand my options. The agent told me that yes, the return fee was waived for EXP/CK. After hearing about mixed experiences with this, I called again to confirm, and was told the same thing. When I actually went to cancel the award, the agent said there was a fee, which couldn't be waived (even for CK). I called again, and was told the same thing. I called a third time and was told there was a fee, and they weren't supposed to waive it, but would do so this one time because I had never returned an award. So this is most definitely a YMMV case.

If you have an ExpertFlyer subscription, then the BXP1 domestic upgrades are somewhat usable, but they still require planning -- you have to search for "C" availability, which is scarce but not impossible to find. If you fly JFK-LAX/SFO, the BXP1 upgrades are very easily usable to upgrade from business to first (an upgrade that I personally find very valuable because it provides flagship first dining on both ends).

If nothing else, redeem the expiring points for 3 Admirals Club passes and give them as gifts.

Appreciate the reply...I guess doing the search automatically made me think I was looking at cost in normal AA RDM rather than Business Extra points!.:eek:

Still looking for any info on how to register/sign on or if my old Business Extra credential are good enough?

Alternatively, if anyone knows of a contact number for web support, that would be great as I couldn't find one and the Business Extra agent I spoke with had no clue about the site or how it works?

I have a BXP3 waitlisted for DFW-LHR and C space became available. Called back and they said they couldn't confirm the upgrade, they did confirm the C space was there. Has anyone else had this happen?

call back

Tried like four times. Now it has gone C0.

I am confused. If before, when there was C space available, what reason did they give for you not getting the upgrade?
Were you calling Meeting Services?

Called a couple days ago when C space was not available. Upgrade was waitlisted. EF alert told me C space was available today (C4), so I called to see if they could process the upgrade. I tried both Meeting Services and the normal AA #

Right but what reason did they give you about why they couldn't process the upgrade?

They just kept telling me it wasn't available for business extra upgrades and I'd have to wait.

I experienced something similar last time I upgraded with a BXP3 several months ago. I pushed the meeting services agent on it and eventually she discovered that she could in fact clear the upgrade. See my post earlier in this thread.