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The Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® just became more valuable, providing even easier access to American Airline's new AAdvantage® Business program. But what is this new program? And what does a credit card have to do with it? Let's take a closer look.
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AAdvantage Business Replaced Business Extra
Replacing Business Extra, American Airlines rolled out the new AAdvantage Business program in late 2023. As part of the rollout, AA began integrating the Citi AAdvantage Business Card into the program. For one thing, membership in AAdvantage Business became a card perk. In addition, businesses holding the card now earn 2x AAdvantage miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Moreover, business travelers associated with the account can earn extra Loyalty Points.
More program details have been recently released, revealing how the Citi AAdvantage Business Card works with the new AAdvantage Business program.
Business Requirements Waived for Cardholders
Previously, businesses had to have at least five employees and spend $5,000 on American Airlines flights annually to enroll in and use the Business Extra program. Now, both of those requirements are waived for those with the Citi AAdvantage Business Card, potentially opening the program to more people. Keep in mind that applicants must still be based in the U.S. and have a valid Federal tax ID or EIN number, as well as an AAdvantage account.
Related: The Complete Guide to Earning American Airlines Miles and Loyalty Points
Citi AAdvantage Business Card Authorized Users
Employees added to the Citi AAdvantage Business Card (what you might call “authorized users” on personal credit cards)_ may register with their employer's AAdvantage Business account and increase their ability to earn Loyalty Points, accelerating their path to AA elite status. The additional Loyalty Points they earn through AAdvantage Business are on top of the Loyalty Points and miles they earn through their own AAdvantage account.
All spending on the card associated with the AAdvantage Business account accrues miles in the AAdvantage Business account, instead of personal AAdvantage accounts. Loyalty Points from purchases on employee cards, however, will credit towards that traveler's AAdvantage account.
How To Register for AAdvantage Business
When you open a new Citi AAdvantage Business Card, part of the process will include enrollment into AAdvantage Business as a cardmember perk. Cardholders who opened the card before October 16, 2023, should receive an email invitation to enroll in the program, with benefits beginning April 14, 2024 (if you didn't receive the email, enroll here).
In addition, cardholders may receive a pop-up invitation when logging into their AAdvantage Business account, prompting them to invite their employee cardholders to register for an account.
After April 14, 2024, cardmembers who don't meet the five employee/$5,000 spend criteria will be able to transfer Business Extra miles into their new AAdvantage Business account.
Related: 21 Airlines You Can Book Using American Airlines AAdvantage Miles
Other Citi AAdvantage Business Card Card Perks
Besides membership in the AAdvantage Business program, other Citi AAdvantage Business Card perks include an annual fee waived during the first year, free checked bags for you and up to four others flying on your itinerary, 25% off in-flight food, drinks and Wi-Fi, and a companion ticket earned through spending on the card.
Related: Citi AAdvantage Business Card full review
- Free checked bags for you and up to 4 companions on domestic itineraries
- Priority boarding to help you win the race for overhead bin space
- A 25% discount on inflight food, beverage, and Wi-Fi purchases
- Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent on cable and satellite providers
- Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent at gas stations
- Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent on select telecommunications merchants
- Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent on car rentals
- Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
- Earn 1X mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases
Bottom Line
AAdvantage Business continues to evolve into a program benefitting business travelers. Now that holding the Citi AAdvantage Business Card waives the Business AAdvantage eligibility requirements. even more people can participate in the program to earn points, miles, and elite status faster.
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