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Note: older posts have been archived to ARCHIVE: Business Extra Program master thread (consolidated)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)
Mar 21, 2021 | 7:53 pm
#1261
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,377
Mar 21, 2021 | 9:57 pm
#1262
Join Date: Nov 2016
Programs: Nectar Card
Posts: 1,623
Looks like it did as of 2017 (h/t to the folks quoted)
Mar 21, 2021 | 11:03 pm
#1263
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold Royal Air Maroc OW Emerald Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 22,532
This absolutely still works. I credit all my AA flights to my BAEC account and have for the past 3 years... and get full BE credit.
Apr 21, 2021 | 8:05 am
#1265
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: Once a somebody now a nobody
Posts: 593
Has anyone else had any experience of upgrading using a BXP1 and the app shows your reservation as CONFIRMED, but lists the amount of 500-mile upgrades you need? I have two reservations upgraded using BXP1 and both show this in the app. The example below also shows the price to upgrade to Business on the desktop site, but I've had that bug before so not overly concerned about that. Meeting service say all is well with the ticket but I never like to see anything out of the ordinary.
Apr 22, 2021 | 11:05 pm
#1266
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,424
Has anyone else had any experience of upgrading using a BXP1 and the app shows your reservation as CONFIRMED, but lists the amount of 500-mile upgrades you need? I have two reservations upgraded using BXP1 and both show this in the app. The example below also shows the price to upgrade to Business on the desktop site, but I've had that bug before so not overly concerned about that. Meeting service say all is well with the ticket but I never like to see anything out of the ordinary.
EDIT........ No problem except it looks like BXP1 requires agent check in. I suspect it has to do with the prior requirement to present a paper voucher for BE.
Last edited by mvoight; Apr 30, 2021 at 4:18 am
Apr 23, 2021 | 8:29 am
#1267
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: Once a somebody now a nobody
Posts: 593
I have the same issue. Using BXP1 for DFW-LAX (On the 789 ... got PE seating due to status. I wanted to see how First would be so I used the BE upgrade) My wife was unable to check in and got a message she needs upgrades (she has none) and I simply got a message that I have to check in with an agent. (I have enough 500 mile upgrades) . We are on 2 different PNRs. The agent who did the upgrade told us the PNR had to be split. So, is this normal for BXP1? Is this a relic of when they used certificates and they were supposed to be presented check it.
I have 500-mile upgrades available but we don't have any status at the moment. I'm hoping it's just wonky AA IT, but I have had issues checking in as well using BXP1's. Please report back MVOIGHT if you hit any snags while checking in.
Last edited by chicago747; Apr 23, 2021 at 12:56 pm
Apr 29, 2021 | 11:12 am
#1268
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: FL, USA
Programs: AA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,675
Does anyone know (*we are new to actually using the BXP upgrade certificates and were just able to use one FINALLY for a flight this coming weekend) but lookin at the same "flight" in October, have the itinerary on hold right now, I called business extra and confirmed it qualifies and they have space but of course as soon as I hung up, i realized i forgot to ask this so figured i'dget real world experience here.
If AA changes the flights around etc, does the first class upgrade also move with our tickets??/ October is so far our undoubtedly there will be a flight change but we booked the MIA-LAX-MIA on the 777 and woudl take mychances but if they change equipment or anythingelse and we get rebooked, do we still get moved to first class or do the redeposit certificates, or what happens then?
If AA changes the flights around etc, does the first class upgrade also move with our tickets??/ October is so far our undoubtedly there will be a flight change but we booked the MIA-LAX-MIA on the 777 and woudl take mychances but if they change equipment or anythingelse and we get rebooked, do we still get moved to first class or do the redeposit certificates, or what happens then?
Apr 29, 2021 | 11:50 am
#1269
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,377
Does anyone know (*we are new to actually using the BXP upgrade certificates and were just able to use one FINALLY for a flight this coming weekend) but lookin at the same "flight" in October, have the itinerary on hold right now, I called business extra and confirmed it qualifies and they have space but of course as soon as I hung up, i realized i forgot to ask this so figured i'dget real world experience here.
If AA changes the flights around etc, does the first class upgrade also move with our tickets??/ October is so far our undoubtedly there will be a flight change but we booked the MIA-LAX-MIA on the 777 and woudl take mychances but if they change equipment or anythingelse and we get rebooked, do we still get moved to first class or do the redeposit certificates, or what happens then?
If AA changes the flights around etc, does the first class upgrade also move with our tickets??/ October is so far our undoubtedly there will be a flight change but we booked the MIA-LAX-MIA on the 777 and woudl take mychances but if they change equipment or anythingelse and we get rebooked, do we still get moved to first class or do the redeposit certificates, or what happens then?
If you bought Y and upgraded to 2-cabin F, it'll be no problem.
If you bought 3-cabin J and upgraded to 3-cabin F, it's probably a little bit hairier. You would probably, in that case, just get your upgrade back and stay in 2-cabin F. I'm note sure if they would re-route you onto a route (JFK) with 3-cabin F, but they might put you on a different MIA departure with 3-cabin F.
As with everything, YMMV.
Apr 29, 2021 | 12:18 pm
#1270
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: FL, USA
Programs: AA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,675
Generally, if AA switches schedules up on you and you're staying on their own metal, they will keep you in the ticketed cabin (which would be the upgraded cabin after the upgrade is applied, since it is technically the ticketed cabin).
If you bought Y and upgraded to 2-cabin F, it'll be no problem.
If you bought 3-cabin J and upgraded to 3-cabin F, it's probably a little bit hairier. You would probably, in that case, just get your upgrade back and stay in 2-cabin F. I'm note sure if they would re-route you onto a route (JFK) with 3-cabin F, but they might put you on a different MIA departure with 3-cabin F.
As with everything, YMMV.
If you bought Y and upgraded to 2-cabin F, it'll be no problem.
If you bought 3-cabin J and upgraded to 3-cabin F, it's probably a little bit hairier. You would probably, in that case, just get your upgrade back and stay in 2-cabin F. I'm note sure if they would re-route you onto a route (JFK) with 3-cabin F, but they might put you on a different MIA departure with 3-cabin F.
As with everything, YMMV.
Apr 30, 2021 | 12:49 am
#1271
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA GGL, A3 Gold, M&M SEN, FlyingBlue Gold, AS MVP Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Amb
Posts: 917
125-stock ticket, BA services cancelled and rebooked on LH/LX, so basically irops situation - should these accrue BE points?
Apr 30, 2021 | 4:19 am
#1272
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,424
We also were on the same PNR for one of our trips and had to be split. I think anytime we've been on the same locator they have split us before applying the upgrades.
I have 500-mile upgrades available but we don't have any status at the moment. I'm hoping it's just wonky AA IT, but I have had issues checking in as well using BXP1's. Please report back MVOIGHT if you hit any snags while checking in.
I have 500-mile upgrades available but we don't have any status at the moment. I'm hoping it's just wonky AA IT, but I have had issues checking in as well using BXP1's. Please report back MVOIGHT if you hit any snags while checking in.
May 4, 2021 | 8:35 am
#1273
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: FL, USA
Programs: AA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,675
Ah guys, the upgrade to the 777-300 from LAX to MIA was amazing. First time on this plane and in "flagship" not that it matters these covid days but what a great way to use a BXP1. We just got back and I had booked another LAX-MIA later this year and just got off phone and was able to snag another upgrade for both of us to that flight, sooooooo freaking excited!! I am at work now rested like if i had slept in my own bed. I am only sad that I didn't end up taking advantage of the dining or anything. I just wanted that lie flat to be functional at work today LOL
Thanks everyone here for the help answering questions etc for me as we use these for the first and now second time.
Thanks everyone here for the help answering questions etc for me as we use these for the first and now second time.
May 6, 2021 | 9:01 pm
#1274
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 7,458
Has anyone else had any experience of upgrading using a BXP1 and the app shows your reservation as CONFIRMED, but lists the amount of 500-mile upgrades you need? I have two reservations upgraded using BXP1 and both show this in the app. The example below also shows the price to upgrade to Business on the desktop site, but I've had that bug before so not overly concerned about that. Meeting service say all is well with the ticket but I never like to see anything out of the ordinary.
I called Business Extra and the agent had no clue, she asked her help desk who said they "took out a line" and told me to try checking in again, but still no dice. Pax will now have to get to the airport counter by 7:45am for an 8:30am flight rather than strolling up to the gate
I mentioned that this was a semi-known glitch but agent said she hadn't heard of it.
May 7, 2021 | 7:26 am
#1275
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: JFK, BUR, YVR
Programs: AC, AS (PLT), BA, DL, HH (G), MR (TIT/LTP), UA (*S), UScAAre (1,94MM), WN
Posts: 5,332
New Member Bonus Offer
In addition to the AAdvantage miles earned with your CitiBusiness / AAdvantage credit card, eligible businesses can earn points towards round-trip flights, Admirals Club access, AAdvantage elite status and more with Business Extra. Through May 31, 2021, join for free with code 21CITI650 to receive 650 bonus points when you complete an eligible flight within 90 days of enrolling — that’s enough for a one-segment upgrade.
Emphasis mine.
Just got this mailer from Citi about a new member bonus offer for joining Business Extra if anyone is interested. Details below:
https://www.businessextra.com/i18n/c.../21CITI650.jsp