Good news for small businesses! American Airlines is making changes to their loyalty program, retiring the Business Extra program and introducing a new program called AAdvantage Business. Unlike most airline business programs that only reward the business, AAdvantage Business rewards both the business and the traveler. To access all the perks of the program, businesses need to meet certain criteria such as spending $5,000 in eligible program flown revenue and having five registered, active business travelers. This new program offers 1 AAdvantage mile for every dollar spent on eligible business travel, and new cardholders can earn an additional 2 AAdvantage miles for purchases made with the CitiBusiness/AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard. However, businesses must book directly through American and add their company’s AAdvantage Business number when booking. Although AAdvantage Business offers a modest bonus in miles and Loyalty Points, businesses seeking to maximize rewards like those offered by Business Extra may find it less appealing. Don’t forget, AAdvantage Business will replace Business Extra on December 15, 2023, so be sure to redeem your Business Extra points by January 31, 2024.
AAdvantage Business Introduction
Rewarding both the business and the traveler
Welcome to AAdvantage Business, the new loyalty program introduced by American Airlines specifically for eligible small businesses. Unlike most airline business programs that only reward the business, AAdvantage Business aims to reward both the business and the individual traveler. This program offers a range of benefits and perks that will enhance your business travel experience.
Requirements to access program perks
In order to access all the perks and benefits that AAdvantage Business has to offer, there are certain requirements that businesses must meet. Firstly, businesses must have either spent $5,000 in eligible program flown revenue or have five registered and active business travelers. Additionally, businesses have the option to apply for the CitiBusiness/AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard on or after October 16, 2023, to qualify for the program.
Benefits for Businesses
Earn 1 AAdvantage mile for every dollar spent on eligible business travel
As part of the AAdvantage Business program, businesses have the opportunity to earn 1 AAdvantage mile for every dollar spent on eligible business travel. This means that the more your business spends on eligible travel, the more miles you can accumulate. These miles can then be redeemed for various rewards and benefits.
Additional 2 AAdvantage miles for new CitiBusiness AAdvantage cardholders
For businesses that choose to apply for the CitiBusiness/AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard, there is an additional benefit to enjoy. New cardholders can earn an extra 2 AAdvantage miles for every dollar spent on eligible purchases. This provides businesses with even more opportunities to accumulate miles and reap the rewards.
Minimum requirements for businesses to redeem miles
In order to redeem the miles accumulated through the AAdvantage Business program, businesses must meet certain minimum requirements. This includes having a minimum of five registered travelers and a minimum spend of $5,000 on American Airlines flights over a period of 12 months. Once these requirements are met, businesses can begin to enjoy the benefits of redeeming their hard-earned miles.
Benefits for Individual Travelers
Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every dollar spent
Individual travelers also have the chance to earn rewards through the AAdvantage Business program. For every dollar spent, travelers can earn 1 Loyalty Point. This means that not only will you be earning miles as part of the AAdvantage program, but you will also be accumulating Loyalty Points that can be used for various perks and benefits.
Additional miles and Loyalty Points for AAdvantage members
If you’re already an AAdvantage member, there are even more rewards in store for you. As an AAdvantage member, you will earn additional miles and Loyalty Points for your business travels. This means that you can earn even more rewards and benefits by simply being a part of the AAdvantage program.
Booking Requirements
Direct booking through American
When booking your business travel, it is important to ensure that you book directly through American Airlines. By doing so, you can ensure that your booking is eligible for the AAdvantage Business program and that you can earn the rewards and benefits associated with it. Make sure to explore the various booking options available and select the one that aligns with your business travel needs.
Adding company’s AAdvantage Business number
In addition to booking directly through American Airlines, it is essential to add your company’s AAdvantage Business number to your booking. This number associates your booking with your AAdvantage Business account and allows you to earn the miles and benefits associated with the program. Remember to provide this number during the booking process to ensure that your travel is properly credited to your account.
Redemption Details
Minimum requirements and spend for mile redemption
When it comes to redeeming the miles accumulated through the AAdvantage Business program, there are certain minimum requirements that businesses must meet. These include having a minimum of five registered travelers and a minimum spend of $5,000 on American Airlines flights over a 12-month period. Once these requirements are met, businesses can begin to enjoy the rewards that come with redeeming their miles.
Deadline for Business Extra points redemption
With the introduction of the AAdvantage Business program, American Airlines will be retiring its previous loyalty program called Business Extra. As a result, there will be a deadline for redeeming any remaining Business Extra points. All Business Extra points must be redeemed by January 31, 2024, to ensure that businesses can make the most of their accumulated rewards.
Transition from Business Extra to AAdvantage Business
Retirement of Business Extra program
To make way for the new AAdvantage Business program, American Airlines will be retiring its current loyalty program, Business Extra. This transition allows businesses to experience a revamped and improved loyalty program that offers enhanced benefits and rewards.
Effective date of AAdvantage Business replacement
The AAdvantage Business program will officially replace the Business Extra program on December 15, 2023. From this date onwards, businesses will be able to fully engage with the AAdvantage Business program, earning and redeeming miles for a variety of rewards. Be sure to mark this date on your calendar to ensure a smooth transition to the new program.
Deadline for Business Extra points redemption
As mentioned earlier, there will be a deadline for the redemption of any remaining Business Extra points. To ensure that you do not miss out on the opportunity to use your accumulated points, make sure to redeem them before January 31, 2024. This will allow you to make the most of your rewards before the transition to the AAdvantage Business program is complete.
Comparison with Business Extra
AAdvantage Business offers modest bonus rewards
While the AAdvantage Business program offers a range of benefits and rewards, it is important to note that these rewards may be more modest compared to the previous Business Extra program. The emphasis with AAdvantage Business is on rewarding both the business and the individual traveler, rather than providing maximum rewards for businesses. Therefore, businesses looking to maximize rewards may need to consider alternative loyalty programs.
Not ideal for maximizing rewards
If your business is focused on maximizing rewards and benefits, it may be worth exploring other loyalty programs that cater specifically to this objective. While AAdvantage Business offers valuable rewards for businesses and individual travelers, it may not be the ideal choice for those businesses seeking to maximize their rewards. Take the time to assess your specific needs and preferences before committing to any loyalty program.