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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 8, 2019, 4:39 pm
  #766  
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,143
Originally Posted by bse118
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.
Yeah, same thing happened to me the last time I used a BXP3. Ugh... terrible training for something that is so rudimentary.
econometrics is offline  
Old Jan 9, 2019, 5:29 am
  #767  
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 515
Originally Posted by bse118
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.
​​​​​​Good to know, thanks. Unfortunately all C space has disappeared and flight is now J0. Really frustrating.

I did ask them why they couldn't do it since the space was available for mileage / swu and they didn't have an answer for me.
britishcanuck is offline  
Old Jan 14, 2019, 4:35 am
  #768  
uxb
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: JFK, DCA, BUR, YVR
Programs: AC, AS, BA, DL, HH (D), MR (T/LTP), UA (*S), UScAAre (PLT/1,87MM), WN
Posts: 5,206
Originally Posted by britishcanuck
​​​​​​Good to know, thanks. Unfortunately all C space has disappeared and flight is now J0. Really frustrating.

I did ask them why they couldn't do it since the space was available for mileage / swu and they didn't have an answer for me.
Its not that AA couldnt. Its that they wouldnt. As a 1MM who failed to re-qualify for PLT under the new terms, I have found that there is never upgrade or award availability for us even if the cabin is completely empty at the time of booking. Award travel is offered at ridiculous routings (especially on the BE portal) and stickers are virtually useless. In fact, I have found better availability for AA business class awards redeeming AS than I do using AA. Its a problem that I dont foresee will ever be rectified. Even UA has better availability. AA wants big spenders, but they dont offer as good of a product as their competitors. They also continue to turn the screws on economy passengers; often pricing themselves out of markets because of the ridiculous rollout of BE. I dont see how anyone remains loyal to them going forward. I know Ill be giving Alaska at least 75k BIS this year (even with the so-so rollout of their Saver Fares).
uxb is offline  
Old Jan 14, 2019, 8:21 pm
  #769  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: BAEC Gold, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AMEX Platinum (US)
Posts: 18,485
New to the upgrade game here so be gentle, please! ....I have amassed a surfeit of Business Extra points over the last 18 months and with business class fares at almost $3000 per person I'm looking at burning a few on some BXP1s on a JFK-LAX-JFK trip next month for the wife and I.

Am on the 5.15pm JFK-LAX on a Friday, not holding a huge amount of hope on that one, but coming back on a Tuesday LAX-JFK at 3.00pm I am a little more hopeful for something coming through.

I haven't really used Expertflyer much but see there are award alerts and it'll email me if C space opens up. Does anyone know how often the EF sweep is? I have set the alert for one seat, if that opens up can I call and split the PNR and upgrade one person? I assume I'd need to call in to reservations first and then call Meeting Services?

I read somewhere that C space doesn't really open up until 24hrs beforehand on the premium transcons. Does that sound somewhat accurate?

Any other pointers on recent Y-J with BXP1s on the premium transcons? Was hoping to use them on J-F but the fares are more than double what I paid the last few times I flew this route

Thanks!
Fraser is offline  
Old Jan 14, 2019, 11:59 pm
  #770  
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: Alaska Gold 75K, AA EXP, United 1K
Posts: 472
Originally Posted by Fraser
New to the upgrade game here so be gentle, please! ....I have amassed a surfeit of Business Extra points over the last 18 months and with business class fares at almost $3000 per person I'm looking at burning a few on some BXP1s on a JFK-LAX-JFK trip next month for the wife and I.

Am on the 5.15pm JFK-LAX on a Friday, not holding a huge amount of hope on that one, but coming back on a Tuesday LAX-JFK at 3.00pm I am a little more hopeful for something coming through.

I haven't really used Expertflyer much but see there are award alerts and it'll email me if C space opens up. Does anyone know how often the EF sweep is? I have set the alert for one seat, if that opens up can I call and split the PNR and upgrade one person? I assume I'd need to call in to reservations first and then call Meeting Services?

I read somewhere that C space doesn't really open up until 24hrs beforehand on the premium transcons. Does that sound somewhat accurate?

Any other pointers on recent Y-J with BXP1s on the premium transcons? Was hoping to use them on J-F but the fares are more than double what I paid the last few times I flew this route

Thanks!
if you are willing to split the record anyway I would suggest you split now, out both of you on the waitlist and ask the desk to have your companion inherit your status if you have any. C is pretty unpredictable on these but I would recommend waitlisting va waiting to see if availability opens up because it may open but people on the list may clear before you get an alert.
lightbulbs is offline  
Old Jan 15, 2019, 12:33 am
  #771  
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: PWM/KBXM/BGR; Work: DCA/DFW/Everywhere; Play: LAS/MUC/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, mlife Noir, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,630
Originally Posted by Fraser
New to the upgrade game here so be gentle, please! ....I have amassed a surfeit of Business Extra points over the last 18 months and with business class fares at almost $3000 per person I'm looking at burning a few on some BXP1s on a JFK-LAX-JFK trip next month for the wife and I.

Am on the 5.15pm JFK-LAX on a Friday, not holding a huge amount of hope on that one, but coming back on a Tuesday LAX-JFK at 3.00pm I am a little more hopeful for something coming through.

I haven't really used Expertflyer much but see there are award alerts and it'll email me if C space opens up. Does anyone know how often the EF sweep is? I have set the alert for one seat, if that opens up can I call and split the PNR and upgrade one person? I assume I'd need to call in to reservations first and then call Meeting Services?

I read somewhere that C space doesn't really open up until 24hrs beforehand on the premium transcons. Does that sound somewhat accurate?

Any other pointers on recent Y-J with BXP1s on the premium transcons? Was hoping to use them on J-F but the fares are more than double what I paid the last few times I flew this route

Thanks!
1. the $659 business fares are still out there, just primarily at odd times or weekends ($559 has been Saturdays only for a while), and always only on advance purchase. Google Flights is useful for finding them. Keep in mind that you can use same-day flight change to get on another flight in the same fare bucket (for business class) and then use a BXP1 to get to F. unfortunately the $859 fares are generally gone -- if the $659 is unavailable then it seems to be $1100-1300 or higher.

2. I'd say C might pop up more in the 36-48 hour range. EF is pretty reliable at this.

3. You mention calling both AA and Meeting Services. You'd only have to do this if you need to upfare to get out of B/N/O/Q/S (call AA to avoid the $200 change fee, which technically they could still charge you but in my and others' experience they don't) and then call Meeting Services to apply the BXP1. If your ticket is already in an eligible fare class (i.e. not B/N/O/Q/S) then you'd only need to make one phone call, to Meeting Services. Note their limited hours and there's nothing you can do if C goes away when they're closed.

4. I don't see the benefit to splitting the PNR in advance and I wouldn't necessarily waitlist the BXP1. People have all kinds of trouble (read upthread) getting Meeting Services to clear them. I'd rather wait until C is available and then call to apply the BXP1, and if only one is available, split it then.
platbrownguy is offline  
Old Jan 15, 2019, 3:06 am
  #772  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
Programs: AAConciergeKey/1MM, DL DM/2 MM, UA Gold,Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 11,918
Are awards only ex-USA? or can I book an award Europe-USA-Europe? This information is not clear online.
SkyTeam777 is offline  
Old Jan 15, 2019, 5:27 am
  #773  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,361
Originally Posted by SkyTeam777
Are awards only ex-USA? or can I book an award Europe-USA-Europe? This information is not clear online.
You can most definitely book an award from any region to any region, doesn't have to be ex-USA.
JJeffrey is online now  
Old Jan 17, 2019, 5:19 pm
  #774  
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Hamilton, Bermuda
Programs: SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, AA Plat Pro
Posts: 42
Looking for some help on this. I was due to fly BDA - JFK - LAX - LAS and I upgraded the JFK-LAX leg to first class with a BXP1 certificate. The BDA-JFK flight got cancelled and I missed the connection so they rerouted me BDA - JFK - LAS in business class which I had already paid for. Does anyone know how if I will be refunded for the business extra upgrade and how I go about doing that?
cedejah is offline  
Old Jan 17, 2019, 9:04 pm
  #775  
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 158
Originally Posted by cedejah
Looking for some help on this. I was due to fly BDA - JFK - LAX - LAS and I upgraded the JFK-LAX leg to first class with a BXP1 certificate. The BDA-JFK flight got cancelled and I missed the connection so they rerouted me BDA - JFK - LAS in business class which I had already paid for. Does anyone know how if I will be refunded for the business extra upgrade and how I go about doing that?
you should be refunded the certificate but not the points in your account. When this had happened to me I call meeting services and say I applied the cert, schedule change/ cancellation/ etc and didnt use it. They released the certificate and it can be applied to a new reservation
britz is offline  
Old Jan 23, 2019, 5:55 pm
  #776  
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,372
Originally Posted by britishcanuck
They just kept telling me it wasn't available for business extra upgrades and I'd have to wait.
Same thing just happened to be on a BXP1. I got an EF alert for C space on a BOS-LAX premium transcon. I also checked the AA website to confirm that it was available.

When I called, the Meeting Services agent said that it wasn't available, and sort of patronizingly explained that they don't release them early because they want to sell the seats. I said I realize that, but the AA website is showing that there is space available, and that it is available for SWUs, and it pulls from the same inventory. He made some stuff up about how with SWUs and Miles + CoPay, you're giving something up, so they don't necessarily make the same space available.

I thanked him, hung up, called back, and got an agent who was able to see it immediately and apply the BXP1. Always, always, always, HUCA.
akcae likes this.
DMPHL is offline  
Old Jan 24, 2019, 8:02 am
  #777  
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 515
Originally Posted by DMPHL
Same thing just happened to be on a BXP1. I got an EF alert for C space on a BOS-LAX premium transcon. I also checked the AA website to confirm that it was available.

When I called, the Meeting Services agent said that it wasn't available, and sort of patronizingly explained that they don't release them early because they want to sell the seats. I said I realize that, but the AA website is showing that there is space available, and that it is available for SWUs, and it pulls from the same inventory. He made some stuff up about how with SWUs and Miles + CoPay, you're giving something up, so they don't necessarily make the same space available.

I thanked him, hung up, called back, and got an agent who was able to see it immediately and apply the BXP1. Always, always, always, HUCA.
Glad you were able to get yours applied. I called three or four times and got nowhere, by that time the C space had disappeared. What an annoying process.
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Old Jan 24, 2019, 8:09 am
  #778  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Ex Platinum & 1MM, DL PLT, Marriott Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,490
Originally Posted by britishcanuck
Glad you were able to get yours applied. I called three or four times and got nowhere, by that time the C space had disappeared. What an annoying process.
After an especially frustrating call trying to use one of mine, I asked the agent what the point of the program is if I can't use the rewards I've earned-got no answer.

Going for great!
txrus is offline  
Old Jan 24, 2019, 6:49 pm
  #779  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SBA
Programs: UA & AA 1 million miler
Posts: 1,134
Originally Posted by DMPHL
Same thing just happened to be on a BXP1. I got an EF alert for C space on a BOS-LAX premium transcon. I also checked the AA website to confirm that it was available.

When I called, the Meeting Services agent said that it wasn't available, and sort of patronizingly explained that they don't release them early because they want to sell the seats. I said I realize that, but the AA website is showing that there is space available, and that it is available for SWUs, and it pulls from the same inventory. He made some stuff up about how with SWUs and Miles + CoPay, you're giving something up, so they don't necessarily make the same space available.

I thanked him, hung up, called back, and got an agent who was able to see it immediately and apply the BXP1. Always, always, always, HUCA.
Is BXP1 supposed to work just like SWU?
If so, why didnt you ask for waitlisting in the first place if C is not available?
Maybe I am not following...
MrJBoy is offline  
Old Jan 24, 2019, 9:44 pm
  #780  
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,372
Originally Posted by MrJBoy


Is BXP1 supposed to work just like SWU?
If so, why didnt you ask for waitlisting in the first place if C is not available?
Maybe I am not following...
My main point was to just say that the agent didnt know what he was doing, and that there WAS C space available. He just made up some nonsense reasons why he couldnt see it: the next agent saw it immediately.

The answer to the waitlist question is that BXP1s are a weird thing. They dont usually just clear on their own, like SWUs or Miles + Co-Pay, when space becomes available. And if youre still waitlisted for one at the airport, good luck.

The only people who really know anything about what to do with them and how to clear them are Meeting Services.

All that to say that really the only way only way to make sure they clear, whether waitlisted or not, is to monitor for upgrade space and call to have it applied as soon as you see it.
DMPHL is offline  

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