American Airlines has announced that it will be retiring its once-generous Business Extra program and introducing a new loyalty program called AAdvantage Business. The decision to retire Business Extra comes after the airline introduced strict spending requirements two years ago. The new program aims to provide extra rewards to both the business and the traveler, unlike most airline business programs that only reward the business.
To participate in AAdvantage Business, businesses in the US or Canada with a Federal Employer Identification Number can register with no minimum spending requirement. However, to access the full perks of the program, businesses must either have a minimum of five registered travelers or have a CitiBusiness AAdvantage card. Businesses that fulfill the first requirement can earn 1 AAdvantage mile for every dollar spent on eligible business travel, while new CitiBusiness AAdvantage cardholders can earn 2 AAdvantage miles for these purchases when charged to the card.
Individual travelers also earn 1 Loyalty Point for every dollar spent on eligible business travel, in addition to any miles or Loyalty Points earned as an AAdvantage member. To earn miles with the AAdvantage Business program, bookings must be made directly through American and the company’s AAdvantage Business number must be added.
The business’ miles can be transferred to individual travelers and redeemed like any other AAdvantage miles. Earnings for both the business and the traveler are based on a clear earning structure, allowing them to earn redeemable AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points that help qualify for elite status. The accrual rates vary depending on the traveler’s AAdvantage status.
American Airlines plans to retire Business Extra on December 15, 2023, and all Business Extra points must be redeemed by January 31, 2024. After December 15, Business Extra points can be converted to AAdvantage miles at a 1:6 ratio. Unfortunately, some popular Business Extra redemptions, such as confirmed one-segment upgrades and AAdvantage Gold status, will no longer be available.
While AAdvantage Business provides a modest bonus in terms of extra miles and Loyalty Points, it does not offer the same level of customizability as the old Business Extra program. The new program aims to simplify the airline’s approach to engaging small businesses by aligning it closely with American’s existing currencies. However, businesses that were maximizing their rewards with Business Extra may view this change as a negative switch.
In conclusion, American Airlines is retiring its Business Extra program and introducing AAdvantage Business, a new loyalty program for eligible small businesses. While the new program offers extra rewards to both the business and the traveler, it lacks the same level of customizability as the old program. Businesses should make sure to redeem their Business Extra points before they are converted into AAdvantage miles.