AAdvantage Business℠: American Airlines business programme

What is AAdvantage Business and who is it for?

American Airlines' core AAdvantage terms expressly apply to eligible businesses and to individuals acting as Travel Managers or Business Travelers in their capacity as employees of the eligible business under AAdvantage Business. [5] Those participants are also subject to the AAdvantage Business terms, so participation carries two layers of programme rules: the general AAdvantage terms and the business terms. [5]

Eligibility is framed around the business. The terms refer to an eligible business and to its Travel Managers and Business Travelers. [5] The individuals are covered when they act in their capacity as employees of that business. [5]

For the core AAdvantage programme, membership is limited to individuals, except in connection with AAdvantage Business or where American Airlines expressly permits otherwise. [5] AAdvantage Business is the named exception for business participation, while each eligible individual remains limited to one AAdvantage membership. [5]

How does it connect to AAdvantage earning and status?

The core AAdvantage terms, which also apply to AAdvantage Business participants, divide AAdvantage miles into Base Miles and Bonus Miles. [5] Base Miles earn Loyalty Points, while Bonus Miles do not. [5] Base Miles are normally earned on eligible purchased tickets by reference to ticket price, although American Airlines may use distance-based earning for certain partner-marketed flights or fare types. [5] Government taxes and fees, and optional airline fees such as change and ticketing fees, do not earn AAdvantage miles or Loyalty Points. [5]

Under the AAdvantage terms effective 1 March 2026, AAdvantage tier status is based on Loyalty Points earned in the 12-month period beginning on 1 March each year, with status valid through 31 March of the following full year unless American determines otherwise. [5] AAdvantage miles may be redeemed for travel-related awards such as flight awards and upgrades. [5] A flight award ticket must be used within one year of ticketing unless otherwise noted. [5]

These are the shared AAdvantage rules. AAdvantage Business participants are subject to them, and the separate AAdvantage Business terms apply in addition. [5]

Which booking and transfer rules apply?

AAdvantage miles are generally not transferable between members. [5] The core terms allow transfers between AAdvantage accounts when American offers a Transfer Miles transaction or when the AAdvantage Business programme permits a transfer. [5] That makes AAdvantage Business a named route for account-to-account mileage movement within AAdvantage. [5]

Unless American expressly states otherwise, members cannot transfer AAdvantage miles to another loyalty programme, or move another programme's currency into AAdvantage. [5]

The cash-and-miles booking option is only available on aa.com or in the American app. [3] It requires an AAdvantage member, a valid U.S. home address saved in the AAdvantage profile and at least 500 AAdvantage miles, and is limited to flights marketed and operated by American within the contiguous 48 U.S. states. [3] The option is not available for AAdvantage Business bookings or TripLink bookings. [3] It is also excluded for Basic Economy fares, flights to, from or within Alaska or Hawaii, international flights, multi-city bookings, trips that include another airline, and reservations that include travel in different cabins. [3] Cash-and-miles bookings cannot be voluntarily changed or exchanged; to make changes, cancel the trip and make a new reservation. [3]

Which terms govern AAdvantage Business?

The English AAdvantage terms cited here are effective 1 March 2026 and were updated on 13 January 2026. [5] American Airlines may modify the terms at any time and posts amended terms on aa.com; continued participation or use after posting constitutes acceptance. [5] American Airlines reserves the right to end the AAdvantage programme with six months' notice. [5]

Accumulated rewards do not create vested rights, and American may withdraw, limit, modify or cancel rewards and benefits, including AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points. [5] American may also modify or end any AAdvantage Status and its associated benefits. [5]

The AAdvantage terms and the AAdvantage Business terms both apply. [5] If a participant also has a specific agreement for a product or service that conflicts with the general terms, the specific agreement controls. [5]

Exceptions and limits

• Individual-only rule. AAdvantage membership is limited to individuals except in connection with AAdvantage Business or where American Airlines expressly permits otherwise. [5]
• Transfer limits. AAdvantage rewards are not transferable between members except through a Transfer Miles transaction or as AAdvantage Business permits, and miles cannot move between AAdvantage and another loyalty programme unless American expressly states otherwise. [5]
• Cash and miles. The cash-and-miles option is expressly excluded for AAdvantage Business bookings, even though it is otherwise available on eligible American flights within the contiguous 48 states. [3]
• Programme changes. American can modify or end AAdvantage Status and benefits, and accumulated rewards carry no vested rights. [5]

Frequently asked questions

Is AAdvantage Business separate from AAdvantage?

It is American Airlines' business programme under AAdvantage, with its own AAdvantage Business terms, and participants are also subject to the core AAdvantage terms. [5]

Who participates in AAdvantage Business?

The terms cover eligible businesses and individuals acting as Travel Managers or Business Travelers in their capacity as employees of that business. [5]

Can AAdvantage miles be transferred between business accounts?

AAdvantage miles can move between AAdvantage accounts through a Transfer Miles transaction or as permitted by AAdvantage Business; otherwise rewards are not transferable between members. [5]

Can an AAdvantage Business booking use cash and miles?

No. Cash and miles is not available for AAdvantage Business bookings or TripLink bookings. [3]

How is AAdvantage status earned?

AAdvantage tier status is based on Loyalty Points earned in the 12-month period beginning each 1 March, with status valid through 31 March of the following full year unless American determines otherwise. [5]

Related pages

Glossary: programme terms, Loyalty Points, mileage transfers and award booking rules.

Sources

Sources accessed on 18 October 2026. It covers AAdvantage Business only; it does not cover the rest of the AAdvantage programme, co-brand credit cards, partner airline earning or other airlines' business programmes.

1. American Airlines: Using miles for travel, checked 18 October 2026
2. AAdvantage terms and conditions (effective 1 March 2026), checked 18 October 2026