Business Extra is the business rewards program from American Airlines designed specifically to reward small to medium-sized businesses for booking flights for employees on American Airlines and select partner carriers. The program rewards companies with points for travel they book which can then be redeemed for a variety of awards, including flights, upgrades, elite status, Admirals Club memberships, and more

It is separate from the AAdvantage program, which rewards individual travelers based on the miles they fly and the fare they purchase. Importantly, members can double dip. That means that you can earn Business Extra points for your company while simultaneously earning individual frequent flyer miles on AAdvantage or another Oneworld program for your flight.

Business Extra Eligibility and Registration

To be eligible for the Business Extra program, businesses must have at least three unique travelers and maintain $5,000 in Business Extra flight activity in the previous 12 months.

The program is available to businesses located in the United States, Canada, Anguilla, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Hong Kong, Mexico, St. Kitts/Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, or South Korea.

If eligible, businesses can enroll in the Business Extra program by filling out a quick registration form with their company details.

Companies based in the United Kingdom and Europe are not eligible for Business Extra. They’re instead directed to register with American’s Oneworld partner British Airways for their On Business program.

Flyers in a Delta hub or who usually fly Delta Air Lines more frequently might consider opting instead for Delta’s competing SkyBonus Business Rewards program.

Earning American Airlines Business Extra Points

There are several ways to earn Business Extra points.

Flights: Businesses earn 1 point per $5 spent on flights operated by American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, and Japan Airlines. Points can also be earned on flights on Finnair and Qantas that are marketed by American Airlines (have an AA flight number).

Businesses with an address outside of the U.S. or Canada get a slightly improved earning rate. They get 2.5 points per $10 spent.

Cargo: Approved AACargo customers also earn Business Extra points on cargo shipments.

Special Offers: American Airlines may offer promotions that allow businesses to earn bonus points. These promotions can be found on the Business Extra website or through email communications.

Redeeming American Airlines Business Extra Points

Business Extra points can be redeemed for a variety of travel awards to enhance your travel experience.

Flights: Business Extra points can be redeemed for flights on American Airlines and its partner airlines. The number of points needed for a flight depends on the route, class of service, and availability but the cheapest redemptions start at 2000 points. A tool on the Business Extra website allows businesses to search for flights.

Upgrades: Business Extra points can be used to upgrade flights on American Airlines and its partner airlines. The number of points needed for an upgrade depends on the route, class of service, and availability.

AAdvantage Status: Business Extra points can be used to obtain AAdvantage Gold or Platinum. Gold status costs 3,200 points while Platinum costs 6,600 points.

Admirals Club Memberships: Business Extra points can be used to purchase Admirals Club memberships or one-day passes. A one-day pass costs 300 points while an annual membership costs 3,300 points.

Converting Points to AAdvantage Miles: Business Extra points can be converted to AAdvantage miles at a rate of 1 point to 6 miles.

Carbon offsets: Business Extra points can be used to offset the carbon emissions of business travel through Cool Effect, a non-profit organization that works to reduce greenhouse gases. The number of points required depends on the carbon offset needed.

Managing A Business Extra Account

Businesses can manage their Business Extra account online through the Business Extra website. The account manager can view the balance of points, track points earned, redeem points for awards, and manage the list of travelers associated with the account. The account manager can also designate other individuals within the company to have access to the account.

Business Extra Tips and Best Practices

There are a few tips and best practices to maximize the benefits of the Business Extra program:

• Add your Business Extra number to all eligible reservations: It is important to add your Business Extra number to all eligible reservations to ensure that the business is earning points for all eligible travel. Don’t forget that Business Extra earnings stack with individual earnings on AAdvantage or another frequent flyer program. It’s essentially a double dip and there’s no reason not to do it if your business is eligible.
• Book flights on Finnair or Qantas with American: To earn points on flights with Finnair or Qantas, the flights must be booked with American Airlines.
• Use points for high-value awards: Upgrades tend to provide the best value for Business Extra points. In contrast, an Admirals Club membership is not a high-value use of points when it’s easy to get access to the lounges through other means like a credit card.
• Convert points to AAdvantage miles judiciously: While it is possible to convert Business Extra points to AAdvantage miles, this is not typically an optimal use of Business Extra points.
• Monitor promotions: American Airlines may offer promotions that allow businesses to earn bonus points. It is important to monitor the Business Extra website and email communications for these promotions and take advantage of them when possible.

Bottom line

The Business Extra program is a valuable rewards program for small businesses that fly with American Airlines. By enrolling in the program, businesses can earn points for their employees’ travel, which can be redeemed for a variety of travel awards. By following the tips and best practices outlined above, businesses can maximize the benefits of the program and get more value out of their business travel.