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American Airlines is currently offering eligible travelers enough bonus points for a complimentary one-way upgrade with the airline’s latest promotion. There is, however, a pretty significant catch to this promotion. To take advantage of this promotion, you must be able to sign-up for a new American Airlines Business Extra account.
What is Business Extra and just how many points can you earn? Here’s what you need to know about this promotion.
What is American Airlines Business Extra
Most of us are familiar with American Airlines AAdvantage frequent flyer program. However, in addition to the AAdvantage program, American also offers a program exclusive to businesses and its employees. This business-centric frequent flyer program is the Business Extra program.
Numerous employees can be added to an account allowing companies to rack up points for employee travel. The traveler still earns AAdvantage miles while the business earns Business Extra points.
Earn 650 Bonus Points by Enrolling in Business Extra
American Airlines is offering small businesses a 650-point bonus for enrolling in the Business Extra program using the promotional code 21MAR650. This offer is only available to new Business Extra members. If you already have an account, you will not be able to take advantage of this offer.
To earn 650 points, you’ll need to first, sign-up for a Business Extra account. Then, within 90 days of creating your account, you'll need to take a flight operated by American Airlines or eligible partners. Once you’ve completed all requirements, you’ll receive 650 bonus points.
What Are 650 Business Extra Points Worth?
The earning structure for the Business Extra program is quite different from that of the American Airlines AAdvantage program. With the Business Extra program, you’ll earn 1 point for every 5 dollars you spend (before taxes and airport fees). This means that'd you typically need to spend $3,250 on airfare to earn 650 points through the program.
The Business Extra program also allows members to redeem points for award flights, upgrades, status, and lounge access. One-way domestic upgrades are just 650 points. This means that with this promotion, you’ll receive a complimentary upgrade toward eligible domestic flights. Additionally, one-day passes to Admirals Clubs are available for just 300 points. This offer will also allow members to score two one-day Admiral's Club passes.
The Fine Print
- This offer is only available to new Business Extra customers
- New accounts must have posted flight activity within the first 90 days of creating an account
- Must create a new account by March 31, 2021
- To earn bonus points, use the promotional code 21MAR650
Keep in mind that Business Extra accounts are only available to businesses. That is, to create an account, you must operate a business. You must also have at least 2 active employees (including yourself) to be eligible for an account. You must also have some form of documentation proving that you actually operate a business.
Luckily, you don’t have to be a major multinational corporation to join the Business Extra program. I'm able to take advantage of the Business Extra program as I’ve established my own LLC. and have 1 additional part-time employee. Small businesses and even some side-gigs are eligible for a Business Extra account.
Ways To Earn AAdvantage Miles Right Now
If you aren’t eligible to sign-up for a Business Extra account, there are other ways to earn bonus AAdvantage miles. Here are a few of the ways you can earn bonus miles during the month of March.
Earn 1,000 Bonus Miles on Your Next IHG Stay
This appears to be a targeted promotion. To see if you’re targeted, log in to your AAdvantage account and make your way to the promotions tab. If you’re targeted, simply complete a stay of two or more consecutive nights at an eligible IHG property and earn 1,000 bonus AAdvantage miles. You’ll want to act fast as you must book by March 31.
Credit Cards That Earn AAdvantage Miles
The easiest way to earn AAdvantage miles (aside from flying) is through co-branded credit cards that earn AAdvantage miles. Here are the latest offers for top American Airlines branded cards.
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®: Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: Earn 60,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
- AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®: Earn 50,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after making your first purchase and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days.
The Bottom Line
For small business owners and even those with side-gigs, signing up through this promotion is a great way to earn enough points for a free domestic upgrade.
If you’re planning on booking a flight with American Airlines, be sure to get signed up for the Business Extra program ASAP. As a reminder, you must open a new account before March 31 and then travel within 90 days of creating that account to be eligible for this promotion.
Do you have a Business Extra account? If not, do you plan on signing up for one?
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Hi
I’d like to know what happen if I issue a ticket with miles from AA Advantage program and after a few months I need to cancel the trip.
American return miles after cancellation?
Thanks
Yes, your miles will be returned to your account! There used to be a fee for redepositing your miles after cancelling a flight. But, AA eliminated that recently: https://awardwallet.com/blog/aadvantage-award-fees-eliminated-miles-expiration-paused/
Hi
I’d like to make a reservation using my miles from American Airlines Miles Program
But I don’t know if i can change travel date after a few month if i can’t travel in schedules time.
Thanks
We at AwardWallet have a team of professionals that can help you redeem your miles/points for international award tickets. Please submit your booking request here:
https://awardwallet.com/awardBooking/add
And our booking team will help you.
Part way through signing up for the Business Xtra account, still need to upload corporate documents.
I’d be interested in any feedback from small consulting companies (less than 5 staff), as to whether it is worthwhile.
Many thanks
I think the IHG / AAdvantage joint offer is more attainable for most readers.
I want to travel around the world