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Note: older posts have been archived to ARCHIVE: Business Extra Program master thread (consolidated)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)
Jul 17, 2019, 4:02 pm
#916
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Fredericksburg, VA
Programs: American AAdvantage Platinum Pro
Posts: 76
anyone have any idea why when trying to use the BE booking portal for awards it does not allow me to change the Number of travelers? Using two awards for friends for their honeymoon and I can't change the number of travelers. Would be stupid though to have to book one traveler at a time (I would think). I guess other option is to have certificates issued and then hold a reservation and then call in and have the certificates applied? Or do you basically have to do multiple passengers separately?
Jul 17, 2019, 4:37 pm
#917
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,481
anyone have any idea why when trying to use the BE booking portal for awards it does not allow me to change the Number of travelers? Using two awards for friends for their honeymoon and I can't change the number of travelers. Would be stupid though to have to book one traveler at a time (I would think). I guess other option is to have certificates issued and then hold a reservation and then call in and have the certificates applied? Or do you basically have to do multiple passengers separately?
Jul 17, 2019, 6:44 pm
#918
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: DTW / SJC
Programs: AA EXP, DL DM, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 764
anyone have any idea why when trying to use the BE booking portal for awards it does not allow me to change the Number of travelers? Using two awards for friends for their honeymoon and I can't change the number of travelers. Would be stupid though to have to book one traveler at a time (I would think). I guess other option is to have certificates issued and then hold a reservation and then call in and have the certificates applied? Or do you basically have to do multiple passengers separately?
Wouldn't surprise me if you end up having to book separately in this situation also.
Jul 18, 2019, 8:51 am
#919
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: 11,971
Ive had problems with the booking tool, too. I thought we are allowed to book an award before expiration for at least one year out. I have an award ending 12/31/19, but want to redeem for a trip in March. Is that no longer possible? Doesn't it just have to be booked before its expiration, not flown?
Jul 19, 2019, 8:51 pm
#920
formerly jackvogt
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: Delta SkyMiles,
Posts: 822
AA Business Extra
Hi,
I have a business that doesn't require travel, however I was wondering if it would be possible to sign up for BusinessExtra to take advantage of 300 point lounge passes, etc. I have a separate address and such, but don't want to be violating any terms and conditions. Thanks in advance.
I have a business that doesn't require travel, however I was wondering if it would be possible to sign up for BusinessExtra to take advantage of 300 point lounge passes, etc. I have a separate address and such, but don't want to be violating any terms and conditions. Thanks in advance.
Jul 19, 2019, 9:04 pm
#921
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold but PlatPro thanks to LPs
Posts: 4,439
Hi,
I have a business that doesn't require travel, however I was wondering if it would be possible to sign up for BusinessExtra to take advantage of 300 point lounge passes, etc. I have a separate address and such, but don't want to be violating any terms and conditions. Thanks in advance.
I have a business that doesn't require travel, however I was wondering if it would be possible to sign up for BusinessExtra to take advantage of 300 point lounge passes, etc. I have a separate address and such, but don't want to be violating any terms and conditions. Thanks in advance.
I get Business Extra points for my small consulting business, then get day passes. I use them, myself, or give them to employees or clients. I gave one to a visually handicapped lady I met while waiting at the gate. Due to a snafu, she had a five hour wait at the gate. I called a wheelchair pusher and gave her the pass, then told the pusher to take her to the AC where she could get assistance while she spent her five hours in some comfort.
Jul 19, 2019, 9:08 pm
#922
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
There's a master thread for BusinessExtraa Business Extra ("ExtrAA") Program (master thread) but to answer your question; yes you can very much join - the bar is exceptionally low IME.
Jul 23, 2019, 9:08 pm
#923
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AA,CX, BA, Priority Club, SPG, Hilton
Posts: 1,397
Hi, I've used the upgrade cert on an upcoming flight. Upgrade available and applied, I spoke with several agents, they all said they will not reissue the ticket. Is this correct ? I can see upgraded flight and seat on aa.com, but when I pull the e-ticket, it's still showing original flight and seat.
also, I can no long click aa.com to check receipt.
They all said they never reissue Business extra upgrade. I cannot see receipt because the record is different to system. Pls confirm this is correct. Thanks
also, I can no long click aa.com to check receipt.
They all said they never reissue Business extra upgrade. I cannot see receipt because the record is different to system. Pls confirm this is correct. Thanks
Jul 23, 2019, 9:48 pm
#924
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Hi, I've used the upgrade cert on an upcoming flight. Upgrade available and applied, I spoke with several agents, they all said they will not reissue the ticket. Is this correct ? I can see upgraded flight and seat on aa.com, but when I pull the e-ticket, it's still showing original flight and seat.
also, I can no long click aa.com to check receipt.
They all said they never reissue Business extra upgrade. I cannot see receipt because the record is different to system. Pls confirm this is correct. Thanks
also, I can no long click aa.com to check receipt.
They all said they never reissue Business extra upgrade. I cannot see receipt because the record is different to system. Pls confirm this is correct. Thanks
Jul 23, 2019, 10:05 pm
#925
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AA,CX, BA, Priority Club, SPG, Hilton
Posts: 1,397
Jul 24, 2019, 11:53 pm
#926
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: Alaska Gold 75K, AA EXP, United 1K
Posts: 472
Warning to everyone out there who uses (or tries to use) BXP upgrade certificates. Seems like a change went into place whereby the BXP upgrade priority now falls behind SWU, Miles upgrade and Elite complimentary/sticker upgrades. Which basically makes the BXP certificates a LOT harder to use and a lot less valuable.
Jul 25, 2019, 1:12 am
#927
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Warning to everyone out there who uses (or tries to use) BXP upgrade certificates. Seems like a change went into place whereby the BXP upgrade priority now falls behind SWU, Miles upgrade and Elite complimentary/sticker upgrades. Which basically makes the BXP certificates a LOT harder to use and a lot less valuable.
Jul 25, 2019, 10:45 am
#929
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: TX
Programs: AA: EXP MR: Ti
Posts: 495
Warning to everyone out there who uses (or tries to use) BXP upgrade certificates. Seems like a change went into place whereby the BXP upgrade priority now falls behind SWU, Miles upgrade and Elite complimentary/sticker upgrades. Which basically makes the BXP certificates a LOT harder to use and a lot less valuable.
It doesn't make any sense to have an instrument upgrade behind a complimentary upgrade in the hierarchy - the instrument would literally never be used.
Jul 25, 2019, 11:07 am
#930
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/PHX
Programs: IATA, Sabre, AvgeekAgent
Posts: 1,958
Agree that, if true, this is a hit to the value of BXPs. That said, at times C-class inventory is released close to flight time but prior to the airport standby list being cleared. There are also passengers without stickers and/or status that could be interested in using a BXP regardless of waitlist/standby priority.