Business extra

Can you explain that? You mean, you earn enough and you redeem your points for that, or that's in addition to the points earned?

Absolutely not. 300 points for one day pass - yes, free - no.

What I meant was that we get an Admirals Club annual membership for 3000 BE points. It is free in the sense that we don't have to fork over cash for it, we just put our BusinessExtrAA number in the PNR, which a lot of people don't do. We know another couple that flies as much as we do, and doesn't use BE. They redeem 45,000 miles for an Admirals Club membership every year. I don't get it - BE isn't that hard to do, it is much better than when we first joined several years ago. Then it was really difficult to figure out what flights you got BE points for, and how many you got. Now, it is much easier. If only they made it possible to see your BE number in the reservation before flying, that would be great, but as it is, it is still pretty easy.

The award flights don't have much appeal for us. We fly enough to requalify as EXP every year, all of it on our own dime for recreation. That amount of flying is enough to satisfy our urge to go places, and the idea of more flying is unappealing. The upgrades aren't anything we would get excited about either - we get unlimited free domestic upgrades and 8 SWUs each per year, so we are upgraded whenever upgrades are available. We could gift Gold status to somebody, but IMO anyone who travels enough to get $300 worth of benefit out of being Gold is Gold already - at least among our friends. That leaves the Admirals Club as the only realistic way for us to spend BE points, and we like doing so very much.

I've never had EITHER of these problems. I don't book through BE, but I include my BE number in my reservation every time. I've made changes as recently as last night with no issues. I've also never had a problem using a discount code and BE number at the same time - it's why there are two fields - you can use both.

Actually, you can enter BE number in Reservations Preferences on your AA account.

Ah, I hadn't noticed that. Just added it. Hopefully that will resolve the issue I've had with using the Entertainment Book discount codes. I just booked a reservation the other day that absolutely would not process with the BE # and an Entertainment Book discount code. The code worked fine when I removed the BE #. This has been a consistent problem for several years.

Yes - and tell your friends! I got it in my kids and wife's accounts, and I think I'll try to get a bunch of cousins to add it also.

That's my plan as well (and with DL SkyBonus too).

I'd only do that if it's part of your business. Otherwise that's in violation of the terms of the program, and you've just publicly announced your intent to do it.

And? Registering for codes you are not entitle for isn't a violation? This whole board should be one big violations then.

You mean the 10% off codes? Do the T&Cs on those limit use to a certain group of people or require a purchase from the establishment?

I'm not sure what codes you're referring to, but if you mean the promos listed on AA's web site it doesn't matter what you do - they only apply if you're eligible and meet the requirements. The board is meant for the sharing of above-board ways to maximize benefit. Just like selling award tickets or upgrades isn't allowed, neither is advocating flagrant abuse of a particular program in violation of published rules.

It's a fine line, but it's there... and IMO your suggestion crosses that line. It would suck to have AA read that, decide to investigate, and lose your LT Plat status, which is a VERY real possibility given AA's stance on program abuse.

Well, all I have to say is if I'd fly with my dog and being able to assign BE number to it's PNR I'd do that.

We all play the game differently, some like to stay in the box, some color outside the lines. I'm in an inside the box kinda guy. Nothing would upset me more than to wake up one day and discover my miles and SWUs and status were all gone. For others though, the risk is worth the reward.

Triple points from LAX to DCA 6/14/12 to 7/31/12:

http://www.aa.com/i18n/utility/BusEx_DCA_LAX_Offer.jsp

New to BusinessExtAAs and have a few questions:

1. Can you earn credit retroactively for tickets purchased/flown prior to enrolling with BusinessExtrAAs? If so, how far back will AA allow for retroactive credit?

2. To earn BusinessExtrAAs credit, must the ticket be booked directly with AA, such as online or over the phone, or will AA give BusinessExtrAA credit for booking a ticket through other channel [travel agents, other websites]?

3. Can you add a Business ExtrAA account number to a reservation after it's been ticketed?

Thanks in Advance!

I don't know the answer to #1, I'm pretty sure #2 is that you can use a travel agent, and I'm certain you can add a number later as in #3.

Yes you can add your number later to your reservation. You just need to call them and have it added.

1) Not sure of the answer but you can call BusinessExtrAA at 1-800-457-7072 for enrollment assistance.

2) Discounted/Contracted corporate fares do not qualify, but all other "regular" fares, including travel agency fares qualify. Some have reported that if you use a discount code on aa.com, the BA points fail to post.

3) You can add a BA number to an existing itinerary by calling the EXP/PLT/GLD line or American Airlines Meeting Services at 800-433-1790, open 6:00AM to 12 midnight CT daily.

BusinessExtrAA FAQ:

https://www.businessextraa.com/StaticPageAction.do?userAction=faqs

Thanks... I already read the FAQ on the BusinessExtrAA site, but didn't see my specific questions answered there, hence my post here.