American Airlines Announces More Benefits for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Expanding Globally

FORT WORTH, Texas, June 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- American Airlines announced today that small and medium-sized businesses (SMB) can now earn Business ExtrAA® program points on American Airlines codeshare (AA*) flights operated by British Airways, Iberia, or Japan Airlines, in addition to all American Airlines flights. The new benefits allow companies enrolled in American's business-to-business loyalty program aimed at small and medium businesses to earn base points on more flights and earn awards more quickly within the airline's Business ExtrAA program.

For example, American's Business ExtrAA program will now reward companies with points when their employees travel for business on American Airlines or American Airlines codeshare (AA*) flights operated by British Airways, Iberia, or Japan Airlines  and include the company's Business ExtrAA® account number in their reservations. Those employees then also earn miles on their personal frequent flyer accounts when traveling using their company's Business ExtrAA account number, so both the company and the individual traveler benefit.

In celebration of the new benefits for SMB customers, American also announced a promotion that allows companies that are Business ExtrAA members to earn double points on all qualifying American Airlines flights to Europe and Asia, all American Airlines codeshare flights operated by British Airways and Iberia to Europe, and all American Airlines codeshare flights operated by Japan Airlines flights to Asia*.  The promotion began June 27 and ends July 31, 2011. Business ExtrAA members can register for the promotion at www.businessextraa.com/nowmore using the promotion code JBDOUBLE.

"We are very pleased to extend joint business benefits to small and medium businesses and we will continue working to ensure that these companies and their travelling employees benefit from our overall joint businesses," said Karen Buls, American's Director – Small and Medium Enterprise Products, Marketing and Sales Strategy. "We understand the importance a face-to-face relationship can have for SMBs. One new customer can create exponential growth for an SMB, and we want to ensure SMBs benefit from our joint business with British Airways and Iberia and our joint business with Japan Airlines."

The additional benefits build on the momentum that began after American began its joint business with British Airways and Iberia and its joint business with Japan Airlines. Over the past few months, the airlines have implemented additional codesharing, enhanced their frequent flyer programs, and more closely coordinated fares and schedules – including London express service with 15 flights per day operated by American and British Airways from the New York City area to London. Earlier this year, five new routes were launched, including New York JFK-Budapest and Chicago–Helsinki (operated by American), London Heathrow-San Diego (operated by British Airways), Madrid-Los Angeles and Barcelona-Miami (operated by Iberia).

American and Japan Airlines have also implemented additional codesharing, coordinated fares and schedules, and introduced a number of consumer benefits. In addition, Japan Airlines co-located with American in Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. The two airlines' joint business includes Japan Airlines San Francisco to Tokyo (HND) route, its newly announced Boston–Tokyo (NRT) flight, to be launched in April 2012, in addition to each airline's respective flights from New York to Tokyo (NRT and HND), Chicago to Tokyo (NRT), and Los Angeles to Tokyo (NRT), as well as American's flights to China from Chicago and Los Angeles.

For more information on American's Business ExtrAA program, visit AA.com/business.

*Terms and Conditions

Double Business ExtrAA points will be earned on American Airlines nonstop flights to Europe or Asia and on all codeshare (AA*) flights operated by British Airways, Iberia to Europe and all codeshare (AA*) flights on Japan Airlines to Asia. Points will be posted to your company's Business ExtrAA account six to eight weeks after the promotion ends. Travel must occur between June 27, 2011, and July 31, 2011. You must register your company at www.BusinessExtrAA.com, using promotion code JBDOUBLE, by July 31, 2011. Companies earn two base points for every $10 spent for all qualifying tickets on American Airlines, American Eagle®, AmericanConnection®, and on all codeshare flights (AA*) operated by British Airways, Iberia and Japan Airlines. Companies earn one base point for every $10 spent on eligible itineraries from Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and Miami (MIA). AmericanAirlines, AAdvantage, and Business ExtrAA are marks of American Airlines, Inc. American Eagle and AmericanConnection carriers are regional airlines associated with American Airlines, Inc. American Eagle service is operated by American Eagle Airlines, Inc., or Executive Airlines, Inc., each of which is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines' parent company. AmericanConnection service is operated by Chautauqua Airlines, Inc., which is an unaffiliated independent contractor. American Airlines reserves the right to change the Business ExtrAA program at any time without notice. All Business ExtrAA program details apply; view Terms and Conditions at www.BusinessExtrAA.com.

About Business ExtrAA

Business ExtrAA is a program that rewards companies when their employees fly on American Airlines with points that can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, Admirals Club memberships and conference rooms, and more. There is no cost to join and while the company earns points, employees still earn their AAdvantage miles. For details to enroll, visit www.aa.com/business.

About American Airlines

American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection® serve 250 cities in 50 countries with, on average, more than 3,600 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning website, AA.com®, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve approximately 900 destinations with more than 9,000 daily flights to 145 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, and AAdvantage are trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR).

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The address is http://www.aa.com

SOURCE American Airlines